Councillor ‘brought office into disrepute’

A South Holland district councillor has been found guilty of bringing his office “into disrepute” by an independent panel.

A complaint about Coun Peter Coupland, Conservative member for Fleet, went before a Joint Standards Hearing Panel for Babergh and Mid Suffolk Council earlier this month. The report was published on the joint website of those councils on Tuesday.

Much of the report is restricted from public view, but in background on the decision notice it is alleged that on an external visit to London on October 18, 2018, Coun Coupland “made inappropriate comments that had sexual connotations attached to them”.

The report from Deputy Monitoring Officer Jim Robinson continues: “The complainant further alleged that, in the venue, the subject member took a seat next to the complainant, placed his arm around her and pulled her towards him, whilst a photograph was taken. The complainant states that the alleged behaviour of the subject member made the complainant feel uncomfortable and caused her distress.”

An ‘Independent Person’ was appointed by SHDC and the report concluded there were no sexual connotations to the comments: “The Independent Person’s view was that the subject member’s actions were inappropriate, but he did not consider there to have been any sexual connotations attached to the subject member’s behaviour.

“The alleged conduct took place in a public area with many people present.”

The decision was made that on the visit, Coun Coupland failed to abide by the SHDC Code of Conduct in relation to valuing colleagues and staff and engaging with them in an appropriate manner, and always treating people with respect.

“There was sufficient evidence that Councillor Peter Coupland was (i) undertaking council functions at the time of the alleged conduct, and (ii) by behaving as he did, has brought his office into disrepute and that he had behaved in an inappropriate manner showing a lack of respect and leadership that was essential to his office.”

Coun Coupland faces three sanctions: the publication of findings, a report to be presented to a meeting of SHDC and he must undergo additional training in relation to “equality and diversity” and “culture and ethics”.

Coun Coupland provided this statement: “The matter which has been looked into by Berbagh and Mid Suffolk Council on behalf of SHDC took place in October 18 where along with a number of councillors and senior council officers I took part in a visit to an external venue as part of the council exploring what additional new functions we may look to bring to South Holland and its community.

“During the course of the visit I posed for a photograph with a senior council female officer who I have worked with on projects for a year or two. The photograph was taken in public by another senior officer. I placed my arm around the female’s shoulder for a few seconds for the photo with a number of other councillors and officers present.

“A number of weeks later the female officer made a complaint stating she felt uncomfortable by my actions.

“SHDC appointed Berbagh and mid Suffolk Council under the Standards Board hearing arrangements and also an independent person who advises the council. I am pleased that the independent person categorically advised the hearing panel that he did not believe my action, comments or photo had any sexual aspects and the hearing panel agreed with him and so the complainants allegation was not upheld in the decision notice. My only breach of conduct was being disrespectful to the female officer by placing my arm around her while posing for a photo in public.

“I have offered my apologies to the staff member.

“As a result I and senior councillors at SHDC will be undertaking equality and diversity training ASAP.”

SHDC said it is unable to comment at this time.