Panel clears council leader of bullying

Joanne Sexton is the leader of Spelthorne Borough Council

The leader of a Surrey council was found to have disrespected a member of staff but has been cleared of bullying by an independent panel.

Spelthorne Borough Council’s leader, Joanne Sexton, faced two conduct breaches after a complaint was made by the group head of place, protection and prosperity.

Details of the allegations against the the Independent Spelthorne Group member for Ashford East remain confidential, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Ms Sexton said she had issued a private apology and was "keen that all officers and members work together to create the positive future that Spelthorne residents deserve".

The council's standards sub committee heard the complaint against Ms Sexton on 17 October.

After hearing from the independent investigator and Ms Sexton, the committee decided to uphold the the complaint relating to her failure to treat a local authority employee with respect and that her behaviour breached the code of conduct.

The bullying complaint was not upheld.

According to the Local Government Association, respect means politeness and courtesy in behaviour, speech, and in the written word.

Ms Sexton said: "Residents will know that I am committed and passionate about the future of Spelthorne and want the best for our borough.

"I am saddened that one of the council's officers has interpreted my enthusiasm as a lack of respect, which was certainly never my intention."