Conference Agenda Oct 2021 PRINT - Flipbook - Page 48
alleged to have breached and the manner and
circumstances in which they are alleged to
have done so;
3.11 The GPRC handbook shall provide examples of what
constitutes “bringing the party into disrepute”, in order
to provide guidance to those involved in the disputes
and complaints process. The handbook shall also
provide examples of what constitutes a breach of the
Code of Conduct to be investigated by the Disciplinary
Committee as opposed to a minor infringement which
may be dealt with via other channels, in order to
provide guidance to those involved in the disputes
and complaints process. This information shall also
be made accessible to members on the relevant
complaints section of the members site.
3.12 The Committee shall not consider a complaint that
lacks the minimum specifications detailed in 3.10.
3.13 Where the complaint is submitted by a GPEW
region, local party or special interest group, it will be
expected that it will be accompanied by a case file.
The case file should include as a minimum:
i) a summary of the case against the Respondent(s)
ii) the date(s) of alleged breaches
iii) the name(s) and local party(s) of the Respondent(s)
iv) names and contact details of Witnesses
A10 proposed change: Insert “recognised”
before “special” so that it reads:“Where the
complaint is submitted by a GPEW region, local
party or recognised special interest group, it
will be expected that it will be accompanied by
a case file. The case file should include as a
minimum:
i)
a summary of the case against the
Respondent(s)
ii)
the date(s) of alleged breaches
iii)
the name(s) and local party(s) of
the Respondent(s)
iv)
names and contact details of
Witnesses”
4. Investigation of a Complaint
4.1 When a complaint is presented by the Complaints
Manager to the Committee, the Committee shall
consider whether or not there is a need to appoint
investigators.
A10 proposed change: Add this additional
sentence “In cases where GPRC have imposed
a No-Fault Suspension, the case will be
48
prioritised” so that it reads: “When a complaint
is presented by the Complaints Manager to
the Committee, the Committee shall consider
whether or not there is a need to appoint
investigators. In cases where GPRC have
imposed a No-Fault Suspension, the case will
be prioritised.”
4.2 The Committee may decide that it has been provided
with sufficient evidence in the complaint to make a
decision without the need for an investigation. The
Committee shall decide to hold a formal hearing of the
case at the next scheduled Committee meeting. The
Complaints Manager will inform both the Complainant
and the Respondent of the decision and of the date,
time and venue of the Committee meeting when
the case will be heard. The Respondent will be sent
the complaint form and any necessary evidence
appropriately redacted.
A10 proposed change: Delete “at the next
scheduled Committee meeting” and replace
with “at the next reasonably practicable date”,
so that it reads:“The Committee may decide
that it has been provided with sufficient
evidence in the complaint to make a decision
without the need for an investigation. The
Committee shall decide to hold a formal hearing
of the case at the next reasonably practicable
date. The Complaints Manager will inform
both the Complainant and the Respondent of
the decision and of the date, time and venue
of the Committee meeting when the case will
be heard. The Respondent will be sent the
complaint form and any necessary evidence
appropriately redacted.”
4.3 The Complaints Manager will notify the Complainant
and the Respondent in writing of the decision to
investigate, the names of the investigators and the
probable date for the hearing. They will be informed
that they will be given at least three weeks’ notice of
the date, time and place for the Committee to convene
to hear and rule on the complaint.
A10 proposed change: Delete “the names
of the investigators and the probable date for
the hearing”, so that it reads: “The Complaints
Manager will notify the Complainant and
the Respondent in writing of the decision to
investigate. They will be informed that they
will be given at least three weeks’ notice of
the date, time and place for the Committee to
convene to hear and rule on the complaint.”
4.4 If the Committee decides that an investigation is
necessary it shall appoint investigators (hereinafter