This case was created by the Standards Board for England (SBE) in August 2005 and resulted in an investigation being carried out at the local level which, on the 14 March 2006 concluded that there was no case to be answered and totally exonerated the chairman of any breach of the Code Of Conduct. Due to the way the Standards Board had created the case the Chairman totally lost faith in the system and on the 24 June 2006 resigned after 8 years as the elected Chairman.

In 2008 the Standards Board devolved the responsibility for the assessment and investigation of all local Code of Conduct complaints to District Councils who were considered to be better placed to deal with any local issues as they were nearer the 'grass routes'. 
 

COMPLAINT - Involving 7 Councillors:  - (Babergh Reference:  22282)

In 2009 complaints were made against all 7 serving members of Bentley Parish Council (not the clerk).  As can be seen the outcome was limited to additional training sessions which the council were 'disinclined to attend'.

Decision Notice  (28 August 2009)
Final response from Babergh (2 December 2009)

COMPLAINT - Involving a Councillor:  - (Babergh Reference: 20218)

In 2009 a complaint was made against one councillor. (The previous Chairman who served from 03 August 2008 until 02 April 2009)  The outcome is currently unknown since the Parish Council have agreed not to display any details.

The notices are now in the 'public domain' and can be obtained from Babergh.

Decision Notice (14 July 2009)
Notice of Disatisfaction (14 July 2009)
Notice of Disatisfaction (30 November 2009)
Final Notice from Babergh (25 January 2010)

THE DRIVE TOWARDS QUALITY COUNCIL STATUS WAS HALTED IN 2006!

The case the Standards Board created revolved around the Chairman discussiong issues related to the 'Case is Altered' and somehow having a pecunary interest in the establishment because the landlord freely provided electricity and access to toilet facilities for the local fete which the Chairman helped the PTA to run.

Had the Standards Board (SBE) bothered to immediately make contact with the Headteacher, the Parish Council and the Landlord, as recommended to them by the Chairman, then the SBE would have immediately become aware that the allegations were totally  groundless however, checks like this were apparently 'not within their remit'!
 
Following what proved to be a totally unnecessary 6 month Standards Board Investigation where the Chairman was totally exonerated of any breach of the Code of Conduct the Chairman decided that it was not worth all the considerable effort and vast amount of time spend carrying out the role as the elected Chairman of Bentley Parish Council or to carry on leading the Council towards Quality Council Status.

On the 24 June 2006, after 8 years service as the elected Chairman, the Chairman resigned from the Chairman's role finally resigning as a councillor in July 2007 after serving almost 20 years on Bentley Parish Council.

As a direct result of the SBE case the drive for Quality Council Status paused and, due to the subsequent resignation of other councillors completion has come to a complete halt !