Council releases councillor misconduct information

Herefordshire Council has complied with orders to release information on ex-councillors who misbehaved while in office.

A freedom of information request was submitted to the council asking for details on councillor misconduct since 2012, in May last year.

The council refused to release the details of nine upheld complaints because they involved individuals who were no longer in public office.

But following an internal review, the issue was raised with the Information Commissioner’s Office which now ruled that the details should be released.

Finance and corporate services cabinet member Liz Harvey said she welcomed the ruling.

“As the cabinet member responsible for standards and governance, I welcome the Information Commissioner’s ruling that Herefordshire Council should publish upheld complaints against both serving and standing councillors,” she said.

“The council encourages high standards of behaviour at all levels of local government, from county to parish level, and the publication of these upheld code of conduct complaints shows the council’s commitment to openness and transparency.”

The council’s information compliance and equality head Carol Trachonitis said: “The Commissioner’s decision is that the withheld information is the personal data of the former councillors; however, they have decided in this case that it is lawful, fair and transparent to disclose it in accordance with the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

“Herefordshire Council will not appeal the Information Commissioner’s Office decision and will fully comply with their judgement.”

The upheld complaints related to former Ledbury town councillors Yeoman, Barnes, Hadley, Eager and Norris who all issued an apology for breaching the code except for Yeoman who resigned before the complaint was determined.

Former Herefordshire councillor Knipe also apologised and councillors Powell and Hubbard had sanctions reported to full council on March 8, 2013.