Slandered by Parish Council - no case to answer says governance

[beardsince1978]

How long ago did this initially happen?
What method do your PC use for recording the minutes?

Meeting was 27th Feb but I was told about it so didn't go. I found out later, mid April, when I saw the minutes on the PC web site and read them. Minutes end up as a word doc. Not sure how they are recorded, pen and paper I assume although could be typed on laptop I guess.

My PC code of conduct is similar I guess. It covers the 7 Nolan principles as the all must. But it all relates to member code of conduct. The MO is claiming that PC conduct is different and separate from members' conduct.

[Setmefree3]

Solicitors cost can run into a lot of money, would it not be worth joining here as a VIP where you could private message the minutes of the meeting to those experienced in such matters? I know there are a lot of people on here that can pick up on something that you might have missed(thinking outside the box)

[ploddertom]

Not sure how they are recorded, pen and paper I assume although could be typed on laptop I guess.

It may be worth enquiring as a lot use voice recording of some description. Obviously I don't know of your locality circumstances but where I live the Parish Council Clerk is employed by various Parish Councils in the area and all meetings are recorded in this manner.

[beardsince1978]

Thanks for the suggestion. They might I guess but I somehow doubt it as they don't seem that clever.

I think I have an answer though. The Parish Council is a corporate body (Local Government 1972 Act, s14). However the action of the Parish Council is (obviously) controlled by the councillors. And, one of the 7 Nolan Principles is accountability. It is in the the PC code of conduct, as it has to be. Accountability is defined as actions and decisions. It was the councillors decision to approve the minutes that approved the slander/libel and published that. It is the MO job to investigate breaches of code of conduct, so saying that the councillors are not accountable for their decision to approve the minutes is a breach of the code of conduct.