The decision follows a hearing convened to consider an allegation by Councillor Amanda Grimshaw. Councillor Grimshaw alleged that Councillor Galvin behaved inappropriately while attending a Sussex University graduation event on 25 July 2025, during which he was serving as Deputy Mayor.
The allegation, which included reports of other inappropriate comments made towards women, was investigated by an external officer. The investigation concluded that Councillor Galvin had failed to adhere to several provisions of the code of conduct.
A Panel hearing, chaired by independent person Paul Cummins, was convened to decide the complaint. The panel upheld the complaint and recommended sanctions including an apology to the complainant and appropriate training from the council’s Monitoring Officer.
The panel also recommended to Full Council that Councillor Galvin should not be appointed to any body to which Full Council makes appointments, should be formally censured, and removed from all committees and subcommittees.
The full decision notice from the 30 October Standards Panel hearing is available online.
