A poor outcome indeed, over the last 12 months or so there have been several complaints to the Ombudsman and one to the Police, I am shocked that the Ombudsman has not looked at all of these complaints collectively!
A North Wales councillor who took part in a committee debate while driving his car “demonstrated poor judgement and had the potential to bring the council into disrepute”. But because the incident was a “one-off” and police are not investigating, the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales has decided that no sanctions will be taken against Abergele councillor Andrew Wood.
A complaint was lodged last December after footage appeared of the councillor participating in a debate which he attended virtually while appearing to be driving. At first his car appeared to be stationary but later, when he raised his hand to vote, it looked to be moving.
Cllr Wood, an independent member who represents Gele and Llanddulas on Conwy County Borough Council, claimed at the time that when the car was moving he was in the passenger seat and a friend was driving. Opposition members of the authority, however, described his actions as “completely reckless”.
The Ombudsman, Michelle Morris, said her investigation centred on whether he had breached the council’s Code of Conduct by bringing his office or authority into disrepute. She obtained information from the council, including minutes of the relevant meetings, and videos of the incidents that led to the complaint.
In her decision, which has just been published, Ms Morris said: “The video footage from the first council meeting showed the member to be driving a vehicle whilst participating in the meeting and the member acknowledged that this was the case.
“The member felt it important that he attend all meetings. Subsequent videos showed the car either to be stationary or that the member was in the passenger seat.”
North Wales Police had not received a complaint and felt it would not now be in the public interest to investigate the matter. But the Ombudsman commented: “It is not the Ombudsman’s role to determine whether the members’ actions would have amounted to criminal behaviour.
"However, the police decision does not mean the member’s actions were considered acceptable.” Cllr Wood’s actions she said, “were suggestive of a breach of the code".
She added: “The public rightly expects elected members to engage fully with the council business and to attend a meeting whilst driving demonstrated poor judgement and had the potential to bring the council into disrepute”. Ms Morris concluded that as it was a single incident and there was no criminal investigation no action would be taken against Cllr Wood.
However, she added: “This decision will be held on record and will be taken into account if there is any future similar behaviour by the member.” North Wales Live has asked Cllr Wood for a comment.
From...https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/councillor-who-took-part-virtual-27752142
This man and his chums are destroying Abergele.
ReplyDeleteHe is vile
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