Decision Maker: Standards Sub-Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: September 30, 2025

Purpose:

Content: Resolved:   1.            That the manner in which Councillor Kamala Kugan raised concerns with officers, in the course of a number of emails relating to a family whose children are in Council care, amounted to a failure to show respect to those officers, and, even taking into account her rights to freedom of expression protected by Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, amounted to a breach of the paragraph 7 of the Code of Conduct for Members; 2.            That in sharing confidential information provided to her about the family by the Executive Director of Children’s Services, Councillor Kugan was in breach of paragraph 10 of the Code of Conduct; 3.            Councillor Kamala Kugan should write a letter of apology to the Executive Director for Children’s Services apologising to him and his Achieving for Children colleagues for her insulting tone and unwarranted criticism of him and his service. This apology must be sent one month from the date of this report (14 November 2025) and copied to the Chief Executive; 4.            Councillor Kugan must attend appropriate mandatory Code of Conduct training, specifically covering member conduct and communication with officers. This training is to be arranged by the Monitoring Officer and completed before the end of the calendar year. Councillor Kamala Kugan will also be offered coaching support to help her manage her behaviour; 5.            The Chair of the Sub-committee hearing will write to Cllr Kugan’s Group Leader to convey the hearing's outcome and request his support in ensuring Councillor Kugan’s adherence to the Code of Conduct in the future; 6.            Councillor Kamala Kugan’s access to the all-member email distribution list will be reinstated, subject to the understanding that the behaviour which led to the Standards hearing will not be repeated.