Re: FW: Review Sub-Committee

Hi Nicola

Quel surpris! 

I await the notice with interest. I assume it will tell me I have no further right of appeal?

wbw

David

In the interests of openness and accountability this email is automatically posted to http://wwpcmailstore.blogspot.com

2009/12/3 Nicola Golding <Ngolding@chichester.gov.uk>

Dear Mr Hopson.

The Review Sub-Committee decided to take no action regarding your complaint.

A decision notice will be sent to you shortly.

Yours sincerely,

Nicola Golding.

Principal Solicitor.

---

From: David Hopson [mailto:nunnington@gmail.com]
Sent: 27 November 2009 10:40
To: Nicola Golding
Cc: Graham Thrussell
Subject: Re: FW: Review Sub-Committee

Dear Nicola

Thank you for your note. Just quick questions, the third one being urgent:

1. I assume that my email isn't the only thing that will be given to the RSC
2. Am not sure why I need to phone for the names, but since I am copying this to Graham, hope he can email me the names in response to this.
3. It seems to be clearly implied by your note that for the purposes of the RSC I am a Member of the Public. Could you please confirm this reading, since I should not like to miss the opportunity to attend if I am permitted to do so. 

Separately I have been asked by the Local Democracy Group to enquire of you whether the legal team at CDC (and therefore presumably in local government as a whole) is employed to serve the interests of CDC qua organisation or the interests of the electorate in respect of its relationship with CDC qua elected body.

wbw

David

In the interests of openness and accountability this email is automatically posted to http://wwpcmailstore.blogspot.com

2009/11/26 Nicola Golding <Ngolding@chichester.gov.uk>

Dear Mr. Hopson,

Thank you for your e-mail dated 5th November 2009, a copy of which will be given to the members of the Review Sub-Committee.

The Committee is due to meet on Monday 30^th November 2009.

Membership of Committee has now been settled and if you wish to know the names of the members please telephone Graham Thrussell, Members Services Officer on Tel. 01243 534653.

By virtue of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Standards Committee (England) Regulations 2008, the members of the public will be excluded from the meeting.

Nicola Golding
Principal Solicitor
Legal Services
' 01243 534659
For the latest news from Chichester District Council, please visit: http://www.chichester.gov.uk/latestnews

________________________________________________________________________
LEGAL DISCLAIMER

Communications on or through Chichester District Councils computer systems may be monitored or recorded to secure effective system operation and for other lawful purposes.

________________________________________________________________________
LEGAL DISCLAIMER

This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. However, any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Chichester District Council.

If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited.

Communications on or through Chichester District Councils computer systems may be monitored or recorded to secure effective system operation and for other lawful purposes.

If you have received this e-mail in error please notify the Chichester District Council administrator.

E-mail or phone 44 (0) 1243 785166
Mail-Admin@chichester.gov.uk

RE: FW: Review Sub-Committee

Dear Mr Hopson.

The Review Sub-Committee decided to take no action regarding your complaint.

A decision notice will be sent to you shortly.

Yours sincerely,

Nicola Golding.

Principal Solicitor.

---

From: David Hopson [mailto:nunnington@gmail.com]
Sent: 27 November 2009 10:40
To: Nicola Golding
Cc: Graham Thrussell
Subject: Re: FW: Review Sub-Committee

Dear Nicola

Thank you for your note. Just quick questions, the third one being urgent:

1. I assume that my email isn't the only thing that will be given to the RSC
2. Am not sure why I need to phone for the names, but since I am copying this to Graham, hope he can email me the names in response to this.
3. It seems to be clearly implied by your note that for the purposes of the RSC I am a Member of the Public. Could you please confirm this reading, since I should not like to miss the opportunity to attend if I am permitted to do so. 

Separately I have been asked by the Local Democracy Group to enquire of you whether the legal team at CDC (and therefore presumably in local government as a whole) is employed to serve the interests of CDC qua organisation or the interests of the electorate in respect of its relationship with CDC qua elected body.

wbw

David

In the interests of openness and accountability this email is automatically posted to http://wwpcmailstore.blogspot.com

2009/11/26 Nicola Golding <Ngolding@chichester.gov.uk>

Dear Mr. Hopson,

Thank you for your e-mail dated 5th November 2009, a copy of which will be given to the members of the Review Sub-Committee.

The Committee is due to meet on Monday 30^th November 2009.

Membership of Committee has now been settled and if you wish to know the names of the members please telephone Graham Thrussell, Members Services Officer on Tel. 01243 534653.

By virtue of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Standards Committee (England) Regulations 2008, the members of the public will be excluded from the meeting.

Nicola Golding
Principal Solicitor
Legal Services
' 01243 534659
For the latest news from Chichester District Council, please visit: http://www.chichester.gov.uk/latestnews

________________________________________________________________________
LEGAL DISCLAIMER

Communications on or through Chichester District Councils computer systems may be monitored or recorded to secure effective system operation and for other lawful purposes.

________________________________________________________________________
LEGAL DISCLAIMER

This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. However, any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Chichester District Council.

If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited.

Communications on or through Chichester District Councils computer systems may be monitored or recorded to secure effective system operation and for other lawful purposes.

If you have received this e-mail in error please notify the Chichester District Council administrator.

E-mail or phone 44 (0) 1243 785166
Mail-Admin@chichester.gov.uk

RE: FW: Review Sub-Committee

Dear Mr Hopson,

This is just a quick reply, as I am on a twenty minute break from an all day meeting.

In answer to your questions:-

1. Correct. The Committee is given all of the papers etc.

3. Yes. You are classed as a member of the public. As I said in my previous email, members of the public will be excluded.

Your final paragraph relates to a separate issue. I, or our new District Solicitor, will reply to you next week.

Yours sincerely,

Nicola Golding.

---

From: David Hopson [mailto:nunnington@gmail.com]
Sent: 27 November 2009 10:40
To: Nicola Golding
Cc: Graham Thrussell
Subject: Re: FW: Review Sub-Committee

Dear Nicola

Thank you for your note. Just quick questions, the third one being urgent:

1. I assume that my email isn't the only thing that will be given to the RSC
2. Am not sure why I need to phone for the names, but since I am copying this to Graham, hope he can email me the names in response to this.
3. It seems to be clearly implied by your note that for the purposes of the RSC I am a Member of the Public. Could you please confirm this reading, since I should not like to miss the opportunity to attend if I am permitted to do so. 

Separately I have been asked by the Local Democracy Group to enquire of you whether the legal team at CDC (and therefore presumably in local government as a whole) is employed to serve the interests of CDC qua organisation or the interests of the electorate in respect of its relationship with CDC qua elected body.

wbw

David

In the interests of openness and accountability this email is automatically posted to http://wwpcmailstore.blogspot.com

2009/11/26 Nicola Golding <Ngolding@chichester.gov.uk>

Dear Mr. Hopson,

Thank you for your e-mail dated 5th November 2009, a copy of which will be given to the members of the Review Sub-Committee.

The Committee is due to meet on Monday 30^th November 2009.

Membership of Committee has now been settled and if you wish to know the names of the members please telephone Graham Thrussell, Members Services Officer on Tel. 01243 534653.

By virtue of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Standards Committee (England) Regulations 2008, the members of the public will be excluded from the meeting.

Nicola Golding
Principal Solicitor
Legal Services
' 01243 534659
For the latest news from Chichester District Council, please visit: http://www.chichester.gov.uk/latestnews

________________________________________________________________________
LEGAL DISCLAIMER

Communications on or through Chichester District Councils computer systems may be monitored or recorded to secure effective system operation and for other lawful purposes.

________________________________________________________________________
LEGAL DISCLAIMER

This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. However, any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Chichester District Council.

If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited.

Communications on or through Chichester District Councils computer systems may be monitored or recorded to secure effective system operation and for other lawful purposes.

If you have received this e-mail in error please notify the Chichester District Council administrator.

E-mail or phone 44 (0) 1243 785166
Mail-Admin@chichester.gov.uk

Re: FW: Review Sub-Committee

Dear Nicola

Thank you for your note. Just quick questions, the third one being urgent:

1. I assume that my email isn't the only thing that will be given to the RSC
2. Am not sure why I need to phone for the names, but since I am copying this to Graham, hope he can email me the names in response to this.
3. It seems to be clearly implied by your note that for the purposes of the RSC I am a Member of the Public. Could you please confirm this reading, since I should not like to miss the opportunity to attend if I am permitted to do so. 

Separately I have been asked by the Local Democracy Group to enquire of you whether the legal team at CDC (and therefore presumably in local government as a whole) is employed to serve the interests of CDC qua organisation or the interests of the electorate in respect of its relationship with CDC qua elected body.

wbw

David

In the interests of openness and accountability this email is automatically posted to http://wwpcmailstore.blogspot.com

2009/11/26 Nicola Golding <Ngolding@chichester.gov.uk>

Dear Mr. Hopson,

Thank you for your e-mail dated 5th November 2009, a copy of which will be given to the members of the Review Sub-Committee.

The Committee is due to meet on Monday 30^th November 2009.

Membership of Committee has now been settled and if you wish to know the names of the members please telephone Graham Thrussell, Members Services Officer on Tel. 01243 534653.

By virtue of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Standards Committee (England) Regulations 2008, the members of the public will be excluded from the meeting.

Nicola Golding
Principal Solicitor
Legal Services
' 01243 534659
For the latest news from Chichester District Council, please visit: http://www.chichester.gov.uk/latestnews

FW: Review Sub-Committee

Dear Mr. Hopson,

Thank you for your e-mail dated 5th November 2009, a copy of which will be given to the members of the Review Sub-Committee.

The Committee is due to meet on Monday 30^th November 2009.

Membership of Committee has now been settled and if you wish to know the names of the members please telephone Graham Thrussell, Members Services Officer on Tel. 01243 534653.

By virtue of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Standards Committee (England) Regulations 2008, the members of the public will be excluded from the meeting.

Nicola Golding
Principal Solicitor
Legal Services
' 01243 534659
For the latest news from Chichester District Council, please visit: http://www.chichester.gov.uk/latestnews

________________________________________________________________________
LEGAL DISCLAIMER

This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. However, any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Chichester District Council.

If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited.

Communications on or through Chichester District Councils computer systems may be monitored or recorded to secure effective system operation and for other lawful purposes.

If you have received this e-mail in error please notify the Chichester District Council administrator.

E-mail or phone 44 (0) 1243 785166
Mail-Admin@chichester.gov.uk

Re: FW: FW: Review Sub-Committee

Dear Nicola

I write in haste as I am on the road for the next couple of weeks and fly tomorrow.

I will pick up with you in more detail on my return the questions that I have about this procedure. In brief though, I would be grateful if you tell me where in statute it says that the sub-committee must meet in private AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, it says that the membership of the sub-committee is confidential.

Summary of complaint in three sentences:

s1)   Cllr Hutton has failed to respect the Code's General Principles of Accountability, Openness, Duty to Uphold the Law, and Leadership, in consequence of which he is in breach of Article 5, which requires him to act in a manner which does not bring his office and the authority into disrepute.

s2)   Under Cllr Hutton's chairmanship and leadership WWPC conducts much of its business in private working parties (a number of which comprise a working majority of the PC, including Chair and Deputy), which deny the press and public their right of access to debate and discussion; de facto take executive decisions; fail to keep proper records as required by law (formerly known as Committees, Working Parties were renamed under BH's chairmanship to get round this requirement).

s3)   Despite complaints from electors, the press, and Councillors, which make clear that there is a public loss of confidence in and respect for WWPC and the way it conducts it affairs, Cllr Hutton has failed in his duty, using the prerogative of the Chair, to ensure that WWPC complies with democratic law AND protects the constitutional rights of electors, and has thereby brought the Parish Council into contempt and disreptute.

Can't make it shorter than this.

YS

David Hopson

In keeping with the principles of accountability and openness, this email has been posted to http://wwpcmailstore.blogspot.com

2009/11/2 Nicola Golding <Ngolding@chichester.gov.uk>

Dear Mr. Hopson

Thank you for your e-mail of 22^nd October 2009, a copy of which will be given to the members of Review Sub-Committee.

The Sub-Committee must consist of at least three members – a member of Chichester District Council, a Parish Councillor member and an Independent member. They will not be members who sat on the  Assessment Sub-Committee on 22^nd July 2009.

All three of the Chichester District Council's members of the Standards Committee were members of this Council at the time of the Adjudication Panels decision to disqualify Councillor Davies. Therefore, I have no option but to include one of these members in the forthcoming Review Sub-Committee.  

The Regulations provide that the Sub-Committee must meet in private and the complainant is not invited to attend. Furthermore, I am unable to provide you with the names of the members of the Review Committee.         

 If you wish to provide a summary of your complaint, it should be two or three sentences / a short paragraph long. Please submit this to me within the next week.  

A provisional date of Monday 30th November 2009 has now been set for the Review Sub-Committee. I will confirm this date to you in due course.

Yours sincerely,

Nicola Golding

---

From: David Hopson [mailto:nunnington@gmail.com]
Sent: 22 October 2009 11:43
To: Nicola Golding
Subject: Re: FW: Review Sub-Committee

Dear Nicola

I have interleaved some comments below.

... Earlier content excised - see previous posts

FW: FW: Review Sub-Committee

Dear Mr. Hopson

Thank you for your e-mail of 22^nd October 2009, a copy of which will be given to the members of Review Sub-Committee.

The Sub-Committee must consist of at least three members – a member of Chichester District Council, a Parish Councillor member and an Independent member. They will not be members who sat on the  Assessment Sub-Committee on 22^nd July 2009.

All three of the Chichester District Council’s members of the Standards Committee were members of this Council at the time of the Adjudication Panels decision to disqualify Councillor Davies. Therefore, I have no option but to include one of these members in the forthcoming Review Sub-Committee.  

The Regulations provide that the Sub-Committee must meet in private and the complainant is not invited to attend. Furthermore, I am unable to provide you with the names of the members of the Review Committee.         

 If you wish to provide a summary of your complaint, it should be two or three sentences / a short paragraph long. Please submit this to me within the next week.  

A provisional date of Monday 30th November 2009 has now been set for the Review Sub-Committee. I will confirm this date to you in due course.

Yours sincerely,

Nicola Golding

---

From: David Hopson [mailto:nunnington@gmail.com]
Sent: 22 October 2009 11:43
To: Nicola Golding
Subject: Re: FW: Review Sub-Committee

Dear Nicola

I have interleaved some comments below.

In respect of the statement in your earlier email:

"I am aware that you did not wish any Conservative members to sit on the Assessment Committee, but for the reasons explained above, this may not be possible for the Review Sub-Committee."

I do not know how often I have now said this, but the primary concern I have expressed about the membership of the committee has nothing whatsoever to do with their party political affiliation.

I will try again: in the witch hunt that was pursued against erstwhile Councillor, Taff Davies, which ultimately resulted in his removal by the Standards Board, my name and my business were cited regularly and it was clearly implied that I was the casus belli in this matter, This information was passed to every one of the then elected Councillors, with the admonition that they were to have nothing whatsoever to do with me whilst the matter was sub judice - an interesting assault on democracy. I could bore for England on this subject, but a number of things are true:

Firstly the Standards Board tribunal, following pre-hearing submissions from me, agreed that whatever my relationship to Taff Davies was, it had absolutely no bearing whatsoever on the matters raised against him in the witch hunt. Not surprisingly, no letter was circulated in CDC to correct any earlier 'misunderstanding.'

Secondly, as a result of what happened, the then leader of the Conservative group, Janet Duncton, got kicked into touch by her own people, for having made such a hash of things in the way that she handled Taff Davies +++. It got so heated that Andrew Tyrie himself, no less, got involved.

So: my view is that any present Member of CDC who was an elected councillor at the time of the witch hunt (regardless of party affiliation) is willy nilly going to have a view of me that may prejudice their judgement; and that this will be particularly true of anyone who was a member of the Conservative Party at the time of the hunt, and is now a Member of CDC.

Please let me know if this isn't clear.

As said earlier, my other comments are interleaved below.

Please note that I have now put this correspondence into my public domain system. I should have done it before, but failed to add your email address.

WBW

David

In the interests of open, transparent and accountable democratic government, this email has been posted to http://wwpcmailstore.blogspot.com/

.. Earlier content excised - see previous posts

Re: FW: Review Sub-Committee

Dear Nicola

I have interleaved some comments below.

In respect of the statement in your earlier email:

"I am aware that you did not wish any Conservative members to sit on the Assessment Committee, but for the reasons explained above, this may not be possible for the Review Sub-Committee."

I do not know how often I have now said this, but the primary concern I have expressed about the membership of the committee has nothing whatsoever to do with their party political affiliation.

I will try again: in the witch hunt that was pursued against erstwhile Councillor, Taff Davies, which ultimately resulted in his removal by the Standards Board, my name and my business were cited regularly and it was clearly implied that I was the casus belli in this matter, This information was passed to every one of the then elected Councillors, with the admonition that they were to have nothing whatsoever to do with me whilst the matter was sub judice - an interesting assault on democracy. I could bore for England on this subject, but a number of things are true:

Firstly the Standards Board tribunal, following pre-hearing submissions from me, agreed that whatever my relationship to Taff Davies was, it had absolutely no bearing whatsoever on the matters raised against him in the witch hunt. Not surprisingly, no letter was circulated in CDC to correct any earlier 'misunderstanding.' 

Secondly, as a result of what happened, the then leader of the Conservative group, Janet Duncton, got kicked into touch by her own people, for having made such a hash of things in the way that she handled Taff Davies +++. It got so heated that Andrew Tyrie himself, no less, got involved.

So: my view is that any present Member of CDC who was an elected councillor at the time of the witch hunt (regardless of party affiliation) is willy nilly going to have a view of me that may prejudice their judgement; and that this will be particularly true of anyone who was a member of the Conservative Party at the time of the hunt, and is now a Member of CDC.

Please let me know if this isn't clear.

As said earlier, my other comments are interleaved below.

Please note that I have now put this correspondence into my public domain system. I should have done it before, but failed to add your email address.

WBW

David 

In the interests of open, transparent and accountable democratic government, this email has been posted to http://wwpcmailstore.blogspot.com/

2009/10/19 Nicola Golding <Ngolding@chichester.gov.uk>

Dear Mr. Hopson,

I note that I have not received a reply to my e-mail of 25^th September 2009, in which I asked you whether there was any other document, material or comment that you would like to be put before the Review Sub-Committee - please see below.

I would like to put ME before the committee, but I assume the opportunity for personal representation does not exist 

In particular, your ground 2 refers to information that you have from the Standards Board that you say conflicts with information given by Mike Kelley. Perhaps you would like to produce the information from the Standards Board that you refer to. In addition, have you received clarification from the minister responsible?

My understanding is that recording phone conversations is, by default, illegal. The person I spoke to  at the SB was clear in her opinion  that it was off the wall to suggest or imply that the General  Principles of the Code of Conduct are not a material consideration in determining whether or not the Code has been broken.

As to the political input, I regard the matter as confidential in its detail. However, the interesting suggestion was made that this is a matter on which it might be appropriate to start an e-petition on the number10.gov.uk site - an action which is being investigated.

Your ground 3 states that (in your opinion) the summary of your complaint did not bare comparison with the substance of your complaint. The members of the Review Sub-Committee will, of course, be provided with full copies of your original complaint. However, I would be happy to put before the Committee your own summary of your complaint if you wish to submit this to me.

Would you please let me know what length of document would constitute a summary, and give me a deadline. I would also like to know who is on the committee (for a host of reasons, including notes at top of this email)

It would also be helpful if you could clarify whether under your grounds 5 and 6, your complaint is that the working parties are making the executive decisions in private, as opposed to the Committees of the Parish Council?

I would certainly argue, and think I make the point clear, that de facto the PC uses working parties to take executive decisions. To slightly expand on the words, 

any working party which comprises a majority of the PC  (including the Chairman and Vice Chairman as it members) and reaches a unanimous decision is de facto exercising an executive function - and it would be perverse to argue otherwise.

Far more importantly though, the public have a right to know how decisions are reached - the evidence, the arguments, the documentary material etc etc. used  in reaching decisions - and to be able to see a record of what has gone on. This point is clearly high on the political agenda nationally with the Trafigura business.

It is the matter of effectively hiding the working of the Parish Council that has brought it into disrespect - and the responsibility for this lies primarily with the Chair.

Finally, it would be helpful if you could explain your ground 8. What do you mean by "the practice under the Chairman's leadership ……".

The practice of ignoring the concerns being expressed by me and, more importantly, by members of the public, about the lack of transparency and accountability etc etc (see other material from me) in the PC's business and insisting on the use and continuation of Working Parties - a failure of leadership ++ that has brought the PC into disrepute. 

I am hoping that the Review Sub-Committee will meet in the first week of November. I explained, in my previous e-mail, the difficulties that we are experiencing in arranging the sub-committee, for which I apologise.

I look forward to hearing from you. If there are any aspects of the procedure that you wish to discuss with me, please do not hesitate to call me.

Thanks. Will do. 

Your sincerely.

Nicola Golding
Principal Solicitor
Legal Services
Tel. 01243 534659

______________________________________________
From:   Nicola Golding 
Sent:   25 September 2009 12:02
To:     'nunnington@gmail.com'
Subject:        FW: Review Sub-Committee

Dear Mr. Hopson,

Re: Review Sub-Committee

As you know, I am dealing with your appeal against the decision of the Assessment Sub-Committee on 22^nd July 2009 not to instigate a formal investigation of your complaint against Councillor Hutton.

I have asked our Member Services section to arrange a meeting of a Review Sub-Committee to consider your appeal. Unfortunately this is proving to be somewhat difficult due to the restricted membership of the Assessment Sub-Committee. We have one vacancy and another member is suffering a bereavement at the present time.

I am aware that you did not wish any Conservative members to sit on the Assessment Committee, but for the reasons explained above, this may not be possible for the Review Sub-Committee.

I will contact you again very shortly to confirm the date for the Review Sub-Committee. In the meantime, if there is any other document, material or comment that you would like to be put before the Committee please let me know, in writing.

Yours sincerely,

Nicola Golding
Principal Solicitor

________________________________________________________________________
LEGAL DISCLAIMER

This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. However, any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Chichester District Council.

If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited.

Communications on or through Chichester District Councils computer systems may be monitored or recorded to secure effective system operation and for other lawful purposes.

If you have received this e-mail in error please notify the Chichester District Council administrator.

E-mail or phone 44 (0) 1243 785166
Mail-Admin@chichester.gov.uk

Pavilion keys

Dear Keith

 

I have to arrange for you to be supplied with keys to the Pavilion, and wondered if you could arrange to have David’s set, which need to be returned to the Council.

 

I have copied him in on this e mail, so hope that this is possible.

 

Regards

 

Joanne

Re: Your Code of Conduct Complaint

It is of course useful to attach the file!

2009/9/7 David Hopson <nunnington@gmail.com>

I attach my appeal

Would you please confirm as soon as possible that this attachment constitutes hearing from me in writing.

In the interests of open, transparent and accountable democratic government, this email has been posted to http://wwpcmailstore.blogspot.com/

2009/8/12 Rosemary Edbury <Redbury@chichester.gov.uk>

PLEASE REPLY DIRECT T0 MIKE SULLY  msully@chichester.gov.uk

Dear Mr. Hopson,

Your Code of Conduct Complaint Against Cllr. Hutton and Complaint from Cllr. Hutton Against You

I now attach the two formal decision notices in relation to these complaints. As you will note this Sub-Committee took a view that no further action be taken on either complaint.

The Regulations provide that you have 30 days in which to lodge an appeal against the decision in respect of your complaint against Cllr. Hutton. If you wish to pursue such an appeal I should be grateful to hear from you in writing within 30 days of the date of the Notice with your reasons for the appeal.

Yours sincerely,

M. Sully
Principal Solicitor

<<Assessment Sub-Committee - Final Decision Notice and Summary - Complaint 2009-1 - 11 08 09.doc>>          <<Assessment Sub-Committee - Final Decision Notice and Summary - Complaint 2009-2 - 11 08 09.doc>>

________________________________________________________________________
LEGAL DISCLAIMER

This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. However, any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Chichester District Council.

If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited.

Communications on or through Chichester District Councils computer systems may be monitored or recorded to secure effective system operation and for other lawful purposes.

If you have received this e-mail in error please notify the Chichester District Council administrator.

E-mail or phone 44 (0) 1243 785166
Mail-Admin@chichester.gov.uk

Re: Your Code of Conduct Complaint

I attach my appeal

Would you please confirm as soon as possible that this attachment constitutes hearing from me in writing.

In the interests of open, transparent and accountable democratic government, this email has been posted to http://wwpcmailstore.blogspot.com/

2009/8/12 Rosemary Edbury <Redbury@chichester.gov.uk>

PLEASE REPLY DIRECT T0 MIKE SULLY  msully@chichester.gov.uk

Dear Mr. Hopson,

Your Code of Conduct Complaint Against Cllr. Hutton and Complaint from Cllr. Hutton Against You

I now attach the two formal decision notices in relation to these complaints. As you will note this Sub-Committee took a view that no further action be taken on either complaint.

The Regulations provide that you have 30 days in which to lodge an appeal against the decision in respect of your complaint against Cllr. Hutton. If you wish to pursue such an appeal I should be grateful to hear from you in writing within 30 days of the date of the Notice with your reasons for the appeal.

Yours sincerely,

M. Sully
Principal Solicitor

<<Assessment Sub-Committee - Final Decision Notice and Summary - Complaint 2009-1 - 11 08 09.doc>>          <<Assessment Sub-Committee - Final Decision Notice and Summary - Complaint 2009-2 - 11 08 09.doc>>

________________________________________________________________________
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Re: My Non-resignation from WWPC

I'm advised that the costs of legal action could run to five figures; that WWPC is insured; that I am not.

In such circumstances it is akin to Nolo Contendere - methinks.

This is to advise you that I do not accept the decisions taken in respect of my non-resignation and that I will continue to represent myself as a WWPC councillor for the remainder of the term - working on the net as Her Majesty's loyal opposition from westwitteringparishcouncil.info.

I have received the email below - a further manifestation of democratic indifference and  incompetence in the administration of the Parish Council's affairs.

David Hopson

Elected Member, West Wittering Parish Council

From: Peter Buglass <pbuglass@chichester.gov.uk>
Date: 2009/9/1
Subject: RE: Parish Council Election : Casual Vacancy
To: David Hopson <nunnington@gmail.com>
Cc: John Marsland <JMarsland@chichester.gov.uk>, Gary Robertson <Grobertson@chichester.gov.uk>

Thank you for your email.

 

The Clerk to the Parish was advised that the deadline date to receive a request to provide poll cards (on 14 July) was 13 August..  The clerk indicated that poll cards were NOT required for this By Election.

 

On 17th August, Bob Hutton telephone this office advising that the Parish had now decided to provide poll cards for the By Election at their meeting on 6 August.  However, this was long after the deadline date indicated in earlier correspondence.  The deadline date is a statutory one set out in the Local Election (Parish & Community) Rules 2006.

 

Regardless of the fact that the Parish Council made a decision to provide poll cards no one from the Parish Council advised the Returning Officer that any decision had been taken to provide these cards by the deadline on 13 August. 

 

The Parish Clerk did contact the office on 18 August but was also advised that it was now too late to proved these cards.

 

Unfortunately, poll cards have therefore not been issued for the West Wittering By Election.

 

Peter Buglass
Electoral Services
Chichester District Council
Tel : 01243 534652 Fax : 01243 534531
www.chichester.gov.uk 

In the interests of open, transparent and accountable democratic government, this email has been posted to http://wwpcmailstore.blogspot.com/

RE: Your Code of Conduct Complaint against Councillor Hutton, Chairman of West Wittering Parish Council

Dear Mr Hopson

The notice has not been issued as I have been on leave

yours

 

M Sully
Principal Solicitor
Chichester District Council
msully@chichester.gov.uk
01243 534662

 

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From: David Hopson [mailto:nunnington@gmail.com]
Sent: 07 August 2009 15:42
To: Pat Overton
Cc: Mike Sully
Subject: Re: Your Code of Conduct Complaint against Councillor Hutton, Chairman of West Wittering Parish Council

Please could you let me know why  the official decision notice has not yet been issued. It is over a fortnight since the sub-committee met, and judging from your note, the views of the sub-committee were clear and detailed.

2009/7/31 Pat Overton <Poverton@chichester.gov.uk>

PLEASE REPLY DIRECT TO MIKE SULLY (msully@chichester.gov.uk)

Dear Mr. Hopson,

I have to advise you that the District Council’s Sub-Committee met on the 22nd July to consider this complaint.  The Sub-Committee determined that in their view it was not appropriate for the complaint to be referred to the District Solicitor to be formally investigated or for any further action to be taken.  It appeared to the Assessment Sub-Committee that the complaint related to the administration of the Parish Council by the establishment of working parties, and did not engage the Code of Conduct.  There was no evidence that there was any coersion, bullying or intimidation in the establishment of such working parties or that the working parties had been undertaking executive functions.

The formal decision notice will be issued shortly.

Yours sincerely,

District Solicitor

PLEASE REPLY DIRECT TO MIKE SULLY (msully@chichester.gov.uk)

________________________________________________________________________
LEGAL DISCLAIMER

Communications on or through Chichester District Councils computer systems may be monitored or recorded to secure effective system operation and for other lawful purposes.

________________________________________________________________________
LEGAL DISCLAIMER

This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. However, any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Chichester District Council.

If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited.

Communications on or through Chichester District Councils computer systems may be monitored or recorded to secure effective system operation and for other lawful purposes.

If you have received this e-mail in error please notify the Chichester District Council administrator.

E-mail or phone 44 (0) 1243 785166
Mail-Admin@chichester.gov.uk

Re: Your Code of Conduct Complaint against Councillor Hutton, Chairman of West Wittering Parish Council

Please could you let me know why  the official decision notice has not yet been issued. It is over a fortnight since the sub-committee met, and judging from your note, the views of the sub-committee were clear and detailed.

2009/7/31 Pat Overton <Poverton@chichester.gov.uk>

PLEASE REPLY DIRECT TO MIKE SULLY (msully@chichester.gov.uk)

Dear Mr. Hopson,

I have to advise you that the District Council's Sub-Committee met on the 22nd July to consider this complaint.  The Sub-Committee determined that in their view it was not appropriate for the complaint to be referred to the District Solicitor to be formally investigated or for any further action to be taken.  It appeared to the Assessment Sub-Committee that the complaint related to the administration of the Parish Council by the establishment of working parties, and did not engage the Code of Conduct.  There was no evidence that there was any coersion, bullying or intimidation in the establishment of such working parties or that the working parties had been undertaking executive functions.

The formal decision notice will be issued shortly.

Yours sincerely,

District Solicitor

PLEASE REPLY DIRECT TO MIKE SULLY (msully@chichester.gov.uk)

RE: Your Code of Conduct Complaint against Councillor Hutton, Chairman of West Wittering Parish Council

Dear Mr Hopson

You have 30 days to submit an appeal from the issue of the formal decision notice.This will be with you shortly when we will advise you of the appeal procedure.

yours sincerely

 

M Sully
Principal Solicitor
Chichester District Council
msully@chichester.gov.uk
01243 534662

 

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From: David Hopson [mailto:nunnington@gmail.com]
Sent: 31 July 2009 14:00
To: Pat Overton
Cc: Mike Sully
Subject: Re: Your Code of Conduct Complaint against Councillor Hutton, Chairman of West Wittering Parish Council

Would you please advise me of the appeals procedure.

2009/7/31 Pat Overton <Poverton@chichester.gov.uk>

PLEASE REPLY DIRECT TO MIKE SULLY (msully@chichester.gov.uk)

Dear Mr. Hopson,

I have to advise you that the District Council’s Sub-Committee met on the 22nd July to consider this complaint.  The Sub-Committee determined that in their view it was not appropriate for the complaint to be referred to the District Solicitor to be formally investigated or for any further action to be taken.  It appeared to the Assessment Sub-Committee that the complaint related to the administration of the Parish Council by the establishment of working parties, and did not engage the Code of Conduct.  There was no evidence that there was any coersion, bullying or intimidation in the establishment of such working parties or that the working parties had been undertaking executive functions.

The formal decision notice will be issued shortly.

Yours sincerely,

District Solicitor

PLEASE REPLY DIRECT TO MIKE SULLY (msully@chichester.gov.uk)

________________________________________________________________________
LEGAL DISCLAIMER

This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. However, any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Chichester District Council.

If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited.

Communications on or through Chichester District Councils computer systems may be monitored or recorded to secure effective system operation and for other lawful purposes.

If you have received this e-mail in error please notify the Chichester District Council administrator.

E-mail or phone 44 (0) 1243 785166
Mail-Admin@chichester.gov.uk

________________________________________________________________________
LEGAL DISCLAIMER

Communications on or through Chichester District Councils computer systems may be monitored or recorded to secure effective system operation and for other lawful purposes.

________________________________________________________________________
LEGAL DISCLAIMER

This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. However, any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Chichester District Council.

If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited.

Communications on or through Chichester District Councils computer systems may be monitored or recorded to secure effective system operation and for other lawful purposes.

If you have received this e-mail in error please notify the Chichester District Council administrator.

E-mail or phone 44 (0) 1243 785166
Mail-Admin@chichester.gov.uk

Re: Code of Conduct Complaint

I would like to add the following papers which show the way in which the Chairman has condoned the failure to create minutes as a contemporaneous record of meetings. 

Cooked Minutes Stuff:

• Comparison document
• List of Changes
• Document properties analysis

Alas I am laid out with swine flu and unable to assemble more thoughts than this.

David Hopson

In the interests of open, transparent and accountable democratic government, this email has been posted to http://wwpcmailstore.blogspot.com/

2009/7/16 Pat Overton <Poverton@chichester.gov.uk>

PLEASE DIRECT ANY REPLY TO M. SULLY (msully@chichester.gov.uk)

Dear Mr. Hopson,

I am pleased to confirm we have now arranged for Assessment Sub-Committee of the Standards Committee to meet to assess your complaint on 22nd July 2009.  If there is anything you wish to add to the papers please let me have this at your early convenience.

I can also advise you that the District Council representative is not a member of the Conservative Group.

I believe this answers your queries of 10th July.

Yours sincerely,

M. Sully
Principal Solicitor
Chichester District Council
Tel:  (01243) 534662
Email:  msully@chichester.gov.uk

RE: Code of Conduct Complaint

Dear Mr Hopson

The membersip of the sub committee is Mr C Evans.Cllr A Moss and Parish Cllr Mr D Ribbens.

The previous e mail was sent by a WP operative as I could not get my PC to work.

Yours sincerely

 

M Sully
Principal Solicitor
Chichester District Council
msully@chichester.gov.uk
01243 534662

 

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From: David Hopson [mailto:nunnington@gmail.com]
Sent: 17 July 2009 09:50
To: Pat Overton
Cc: Mike Sully; Mike Kelley
Subject: Re: Code of Conduct Complaint

Dear Mike/Pat

I'm baffled:

You said - "I can also advise you that the District Council representative is not a member of the Conservative Group. I believe this answers your queries of 10th July."

It's as if neither you nor Mike Kelley actually read my earlier emails - see http://bit.ly/qV1Vw.

Could you please let me have a list of the names of members of the Assessment Sub-Committee, and I will see if I can get hold of Taff Davies and work out the answer I need that way. Due to the extraordinary amount of disinformation and propaganda that was in circulation at that time, I consider it would be entirely impossible for anyone who had been exposed to it in a CDC context to be neutral in respect of any matter concerning me!

I am, by the way, confused about receiving email via a third party. As a tax payer I would be grateful to have an explanation of a process that seems intrinsically sub-optimal in respect of cost effectiveness.

wbw

David Hopson.

In the interests of open, transparent and accountable democratic government, this email has been posted to http://wwpcmailstore.blogspot.com/

2009/7/16 Pat Overton <Poverton@chichester.gov.uk>

PLEASE DIRECT ANY REPLY TO M. SULLY (msully@chichester.gov.uk)

Dear Mr. Hopson,

I am pleased to confirm we have now arranged for Assessment Sub-Committee of the Standards Committee to meet to assess your complaint on 22nd July 2009.  If there is anything you wish to add to the papers please let me have this at your early convenience.

I can also advise you that the District Council representative is not a member of the Conservative Group.

I believe this answers your queries of 10th July.

Yours sincerely,

M. Sully
Principal Solicitor
Chichester District Council
Tel:  (01243) 534662
Email:  msully@chichester.gov.uk

PLEASE DIRECT ANY REPLY TO M. SULLY (msully@chichester.gov.uk)

________________________________________________________________________
LEGAL DISCLAIMER

Communications on or through Chichester District Councils computer systems may be monitored or recorded to secure effective system operation and for other lawful purposes.

________________________________________________________________________
LEGAL DISCLAIMER

This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. However, any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Chichester District Council.

If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited.

Communications on or through Chichester District Councils computer systems may be monitored or recorded to secure effective system operation and for other lawful purposes.

If you have received this e-mail in error please notify the Chichester District Council administrator.

E-mail or phone 44 (0) 1243 785166
Mail-Admin@chichester.gov.uk

RE: Code of Conduct Complaint

Dear Mr Hopson

Thank you for your e mail and I note what you say.I hope to finalise membership of the assesment subcommittee on 14 July and will advise you thereafter.

Yours sincerely

 

M Sully
Principal Solicitor
Chichester District Council
msully@chichester.gov.uk
01243 534662

 

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From: David Hopson [mailto:nunnington@gmail.com]
Sent: 09 July 2009 14:28
To: Mike Sully
Cc: Pat Overton
Subject: Re: Code of Conduct Complaint

Dear Mike (or Pat)

Thanks for getting in contact - I was wondering what was happening.

You say:

In making the arrangements and selecting the membership of this Sub-Committee I am endeavouring to bear in mind the concerns you expressed in your email of the 22nd June 2009 and I hope to be able to confirm shortly that Conservative Party Members on the District Council when the ‘Taff Davies’ events occurred will not be participants.

That's not quite what I said, and I have been at some pains to correct the impression that seems to have been created that my concerns are party specific.

I said to Mike Kelly on 22nd June

 Assessment sub-committee make-up

I said to you, "Following your remarks, it seems to me (and to those I've discussed this with) that if any member of the Assessment Sub-Committee was party to the Taff Davies' business, or was a member of the Conservative party whilst that was going on, it would be quite inappropriate for them to participate in considering anything involving me, given the political brouhaha and embarrassment that it caused."

 You said to me " In view of your concerns about District Councillors being members of the Conservative party, I will ask that this is taken into account if the Assessment Sub-Committee is convened."

 I've emphasised in green the bit that I don't think is addressed by your remark. My concern about Conservative party members is about any Conservatives who might not have been on or involved with the Council when the Taff Davies witch hunt was going on, but would have known what was happening.

That, as I am sure you can see, is a quite different expression of concern.

All correspondence is available online at http://wwpcmailstore.blogspot.com - to which is automatically saved by my scraper.

The witch-hunt against Taff Davies was of such virulence that I believe my concerns are fully justified.

wbw

David Hopson

Elected Member West Wittering Parish Council

This email has been posted to http://wwpcmailstore.blogspot.com/

2009/7/9 Pat Overton <Poverton@chichester.gov.uk>

PLEASE DIRECT ANY REPLY TO THIS EMAIL TO M. SULLY (msully@chichester.gov.uk)

Dear Mr. Hopson,

Mr. Kelley, the District Solicitor, has recently asked me to organise and provide legal advice to an Assessment Sub-

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________________________________________________________________________
LEGAL DISCLAIMER

Communications on or through Chichester District Councils computer systems may be monitored or recorded to secure effective system operation and for other lawful purposes.

________________________________________________________________________
LEGAL DISCLAIMER

This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. However, any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Chichester District Council.

If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited.

Communications on or through Chichester District Councils computer systems may be monitored or recorded to secure effective system operation and for other lawful purposes.

If you have received this e-mail in error please notify the Chichester District Council administrator.

E-mail or phone 44 (0) 1243 785166
Mail-Admin@chichester.gov.uk

Re: Code of Conduct Complaint

Dear Mike (or Pat)

Thanks for getting in contact - I was wondering what was happening.

You say:

In making the arrangements and selecting the membership of this Sub-Committee I am endeavouring to bear in mind the concerns you expressed in your email of the 22nd June 2009 and I hope to be able to confirm shortly that Conservative Party Members on the District Council when the 'Taff Davies' events occurred will not be participants.

That's not quite what I said, and I have been at some pains to correct the impression that seems to have been created that my concerns are party specific.

I said to Mike Kelly on 22nd June

 Assessment sub-committee make-up

I said to you, "Following your remarks, it seems to me (and to those I've discussed this with) that if any member of the Assessment Sub-Committee was party to the Taff Davies' business, or was a member of the Conservative party whilst that was going on, it would be quite inappropriate for them to participate in considering anything involving me, given the political brouhaha and embarrassment that it caused."

 You said to me " In view of your concerns about District Councillors being members of the Conservative party, I will ask that this is taken into account if the Assessment Sub-Committee is convened."

 I've emphasised in green the bit that I don't think is addressed by your remark. My concern about Conservative party members is about any Conservatives who might not have been on or involved with the Council when the Taff Davies witch hunt was going on, but would have known what was happening.

That, as I am sure you can see, is a quite different expression of concern.

All correspondence is available online at http://wwpcmailstore.blogspot.com - to which is automatically saved by my scraper.

The witch-hunt against Taff Davies was of such virulence that I believe my concerns are fully justified.

wbw

David Hopson

Elected Member West Wittering Parish Council

This email has been posted to http://wwpcmailstore.blogspot.com/

2009/7/9 Pat Overton <Poverton@chichester.gov.uk>

PLEASE DIRECT ANY REPLY TO THIS EMAIL TO M. SULLY (msully@chichester.gov.uk)

Dear Mr. Hopson,

Mr. Kelley, the District Solicitor, has recently asked me to organise and provide legal advice to an Assessment Sub-

truncated ...