Tuesday 18th April, 2023
A Colchester City Council sub-committee has executed a reverse ferret allowing a Councillor who breached its Code of Conduct to escape censure.
Tory Councillor Patricia Moore of West Mersea and Pyefleet, was accused of flouting two elements of the Council’s Code of Conduct earlier this month.
The Governance and Audit sub-committee said her conduct had not treated others with respect “on more than one occasion” and that she had disclosed confidential information relating to the complaints made against her.
But in a surprise move, the same sub-committee has now decided the latter offence came within the obligation of treating others with respect.
This means that Councillor Moore has only breached a single element of the code of conduct, thereby escaping any real punishment.
The investigation followed four complaints made against Councillor Moore by West Mersea town councillor, Chris Wood.
An independent Council-appointed investigator published a report revealing that Councillor Moore referred to other Councillors “hating each other” and suggested “Elect Muppets – get a comedy show.”
These comments were made in an article under the heading “Cllr. Pat Moore CBC News“.
Despite these findings, Moore has announced that she will not be standing for re-election next month – which is convenient.
The Governance and Audit sub-committee’s decision to change its stance is likely to raise questions about its effectiveness and its ability to enforce the code of conduct.
It is not clear about which circumstances led to this change of opinion.
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