Wiltshire Council’s Monitoring Officer has concluded that its leader, Cllr Ian Thorn, did not breach the authority’s Code of Conduct following a complaint submitted earlier this month.
The complaint was lodged by Calne Town Councillor Bobby Seymour and related to comments made by Cllr Thorn during an extraordinary meeting of Calne Town Council on Monday 2nd February.
That meeting included a motion of no confidence in the Town Mayor. During proceedings, Cllr Thorn announced that a revised arrangement had been agreed with Hills Waste Management which would mean the household recycling centres at Lower Compton and Purton would remain open.
At the time, proposals to close the two sites on cost grounds had become a significant local issue, prompting opposition from residents and councillors. Calne Town Council had previously voted unanimously to call for the closures to be paused.
The following day, Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet formally considered the recycling centre proposals.
In his complaint, Cllr Seymour raised concerns about timing and governance, arguing that Cabinet was the appropriate decision-making body and that announcing the arrangement before Cabinet had met, created the impression that the outcome had already been determined. He also questioned whether the statement was made in the context of the no-confidence motion being debated that evening.
The complaint referenced the Nolan Principles of public life, including integrity, openness and leadership.
After reviewing the matter, the council’s Monitoring Officer, Perry Holmes, ruled that no breach of the Code of Conduct occurred and that no further action will be taken.
Responding to the decision, Cllr Thorn said he welcomed the outcome and remained focused on serving residents across Calne and Wiltshire.
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