PART 9CONDUCT OF COUNCILLORS

Reports, etc.

I157Reports, etc.

1

Where the Commissioner determines in relation to any case that a finding under section 55(5)(a) or (b) is appropriate, the Commissioner—

a

may produce a report on the outcome of the investigation;

b

may—

i

provide a summary of any such report to any newspapers circulating in the district of the council concerned; and

ii

take other steps to publicise the summary;

c

must send a copy of any such report to the clerk of the council concerned and to the councillor; and

d

where the Commissioner does not produce any such report, must inform the clerk of the council concerned and the councillor of the outcome of the investigation.

2

Where the Commissioner determines in relation to any case that a finding under section 55(5)(c) is appropriate, the Commissioner must—

a

produce a report on the outcome of the investigation;

b

send a copy of the report to the clerk of the council concerned; and

c

send a copy of the report to the councillor.

3

Where a person is no longer a councillor of the council concerned but is a councillor of another council the references in subsections (1)(b), (c) and (d) and (2)(b) to the council concerned are to be treated as including references to that other council.

4

A report under this section may cover more than one investigation under section 55 in relation to any councillors (or former councillors) of the same council.

5

The Commissioner must take reasonable steps to inform any person who made any allegation which gave rise to the investigation, of the outcome of the investigation.

6

In subsections (1) and (2) “councillor” means the councillor (or former councillor) who is the subject of the investigation.