Fenland council leader set to face conduct hearing

A committee is set to determine whether Fenland District Council leader John Clark should face a conduct investigation in a row over his handling of a complaint.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Jun 2016, 08:00 BST
Fenland District Council leader John Clark ANL-150714-101315005Fenland District Council leader John Clark ANL-150714-101315005
Fenland District Council leader John Clark ANL-150714-101315005

Members of the authority’s conduct meeting is set to decide whether a full investigation of the case was necessary during a meeting in March later today.

The complaint, submitted by resident Alan Gowler, alleges that Mr Clark breached the council’s code of conduct, and possibly data protection law, by disclosing details of a complaint relating to land he owns.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Documents published ahead of the hearing suggest that Mr Clark discussed the complaint with the person it was made against, including the identity of the person who made it.

Mr Clark has admitted discussing the matter and said he subsequently apologised to the complainant.

But he insisted he was acting in his capacity as landlord of the property, rather than as a councillor.

He also claimed he had acted as he did so that the issue could be resolved guickly and argued his conduct would not breach data laws as the complaint was not marked as private and confidential.