Taxi Driver Online

I'm just wondering for the purpose of prosecution where the data protection act fits into this equation?
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September 18, 2007 Tuesday

Second councillor suspended

Thurrock Gazette

ANOTHER councillor has found himself suspended after breaking Thurrock Council's code of conduct but he has blasted the decision.

A week after Conservative Garry Hague was banned for speaking at a planning meeting, his Conservative colleague, Aveley and Uplands councillor John Cowell, has been found guilty of disclosing confidential information discussed at a meeting of the Council's licensing sub-committee.

It is believed that councillor Cowell discussed in public the spent previous convictions of a person who had been refused a Thurrock taxi licence.

Thurrock Council press spokesman, Luke Walsh said: "Councillor Cowell will be suspended for four weeks effective from 18 September. A formal letter of apology will be written. He will also undertake a programme of appropriate training in relation to the members' code of conduct."

Councillor Cowell, who serves on the standards committee, was unrepentant. He said: "I am appalled at this gross miscarriage. The report contained contradictions, flawed evidence, missing statements and a politically imbalanced panel. I was trying to protect the people of Aveley and Thurrock.

"I have no alternative but to resign my post on the standards committee which has ignored evidence and appear to base their evidence on a report that did not contain all the facts."

Council leader Terry Hipsey said: "We have a very stringent code of conduct and it is vital that members abide by these rules."
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I think this is all one big mess.

Many councils give the names of drivers, and their offences, in open reports to council.

Which in turn are then put in the local press for the world to see.

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IDFIMH

I think the problem is that with these "quasi-judicial" committees if councillors say anything in public then they've prejudiced their position and then can't be seen to be acting impartially.

This seems to apply to planning, licensing etc. The effects seem a bit ludicrous, but that seems to be the law.

There was a good article in the Times about it a few months ago; I'll see if I can find it.

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