Conference Agenda Oct 2021 PRINT - Flipbook - Page 49
referred to as the Investigators) to carry out the
investigation and compile a report containing the
evidence and circumstances behind the complaint for
hearing at the next Committee meeting.
A10 proposed change: Insert “in accordance
with the agreed procedures” after “to carry
out the investigation”, so that it reads:“If
the Committee decides that an investigation
is necessary it shall appoint investigators
(hereinafter referred to as the Investigators) to
carry out the investigation in accordance with
the agreed procedures7, and compile a report
containing the evidence and circumstances
behind the complaint.”
4.5 The Investigators shall be informed by the Complaints
Manager, and take account of any reasonable
adjustments that need to be made during the
investigation as notified under 3.8.
4.6 The Investigators must make themselves known
to the Complainant and Respondent directly and
make arrangements, if necessary, to meet them
or talk to them at a mutually convenient time and
place. To contact the Respondent the investigators
may use the email, phone and postal address of the
Respondent held by the Green Party membership
database. If there is no reply the investigators are to
report back to the Committee that no reply has been
received. Investigators are not expected to track down
Respondents who have moved or changed contact
details without notifying GPEW.
A10 proposed change: Insert “The
Investigators will make two more attempts
to contact the Respondent and” before “If
there is no reply” so that it reads: “The
Investigators must make themselves known
to the Complainant and Respondent directly
and make arrangements, if necessary, to meet
them or talk to them at a mutually convenient
time and place. To contact the Respondent
the investigators may use the email, phone
and postal address of the Respondent held by
the Green Party membership database. The
Investigators will make two more attempts
to contact the Respondent and if there is no
reply the investigators are to report back to the
Committee that no reply has been received.
Investigators are not expected to track down
Respondents who have moved or changed
contact details without notifying GPEW.”
4.7 The Investigators should also make themselves known
to any witnesses that they may wish to take evidence
from, indicating the form in which they intend that the
evidence will be taken. The Investigators should give
an opportunity for the witnesses to direct this process
if appropriate and be shown the written record of their
evidence to confirm its accuracy and tone prior to
inclusion in the investigator’s report.
4.8 In considering a complaint about conduct stemming
from holding a political belief that is not in accordance
with that of the GPEW, it shall be made explicitly clear
that it is the conduct that may result in a sanction and
not the holding of such a belief per se.
4.9 As far as is practicable, the investigation report should
be completed within one month of the Committee’s
decision to investigate. The report and copies of any
evidence and documents gathered in the course of the
investigation will be sent to the Complaints Manager.
A10 proposed change: Replace “one
month” with “two months”; after “decision
to investigate” insert “If the investigators are
unable to meet this timescale, they should
keep the complainant and respondent informed
about progress”; add “Any new evidence
after the finalisation of the report will not be
admissible at the disciplinary hearing” to the
end of this clause so that it reads: “As far as is
practicable, the investigation report
5.1 The Complaints Manager must liaise with the
Committee Chair to arrange the date, time and
place for the Committee to convene to consider the
complaint. The venue for the Committee meeting must
meet the accessibility and any other additional needs
of Committee members, Complainants, Respondents
and any supporting members.
A10 proposed change: Add “or Deputy Chair” after
“Committee Chair” and “(in person or on Zoom)” after
venue, so that it reads:
“The Complaints Manager must liaise with the
Committee Chair or Deputy Chair to arrange the
date, time and place for the Committee to convene
to consider the complaint. The venue (in person or
on Zoom) for the Committee meeting must meet
the accessibility8 and any other additional needs of
Committee members, Complainants, Respondents and
any supporting members.”
5.2 The date should be no later than three calendar months
from the receipt of the complaint by the Complaints
Manager. The Complaints Manager will send at least
three weeks’ prior notification of the date, time and
place of the meeting to the Complainant and the
Respondent.
A10 proposed change: Delete “The date
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