The Standards Hearing Sub-Committee of Wiltshire Council is scheduled to convene on Thursday 5 November 2026. The meeting's agenda includes the election of a chairman, the consideration of meeting procedures, and a determination of a code of conduct complaint.

Determination of a Code of Conduct Complaint

A significant item on the agenda is the determination of a code of conduct complaint, designated as COC55018, concerning Councillor Christopher Devine of Pitton & Farley Parish Council. The report pack indicates that a report from the Monitoring Officer will be presented for this item. It is noted that an audio clip, designated as Appendix 2, is to follow. The meeting is scheduled to consider this matter in Part II of the agenda, with the press and public excluded due to the likely disclosure of exempt information.

The Wiltshire Council Constitution Protocol 11, Arrangements for dealing with Code of Conduct complaints under the Localism Act 2011, outlines the procedures for handling such complaints. This protocol details the process from making a complaint, through initial assessment, investigation, and ultimately to a hearing and decision. The protocol specifies that complaints must be made in writing and within 20 working days of the complainant becoming aware of the matter, or within six months if awareness was not reasonably possible within that timeframe. The protocol also details the roles of the Monitoring Officer, Investigating Officer, and Independent Person in assessing and determining complaints.

The agenda also includes a procedural item regarding the Exclusion of the Press and Public, where the committee will consider a resolution to exclude the public from the meeting for the business specified in Item Number 5. This is based on the likelihood that exempt information would be disclosed, and the public interest in withholding this information outweighs the public interest in its disclosure.