Councillor Code of Conduct complaints

All councils are required to adopt a Code of Conduct to promote and maintain high standards of conduct by Councillors. Councillors are bound by the Code when acting, or giving the impression that they are acting, in their capacity as a Councillor.

The Code of Conduct is part of the Council’s Constitution and is available online.

What can I complain about?

Complaints must relate to an alleged breach of the Code by a Councillor carrying out their official duties, or giving the impression that they are acting in their capacity as Councillor at the time. The Code of Conduct is not intended to regulate Councillors’ private lives.

Under the Code of Conduct Councillors must:

• Treat others with respect.
• Disclose personal and prejudicial interests in any business of the authority.
• Complete their register of interests within 28 days of taking office.

Councillors must not:

• Bully or intimidate others.
• Compromise the impartiality of council officers.
• Engage in behaviour which could be regarded as bringing their office, or the authority, into disrepute.
• Use or attempt to use their position as a Councillor improperly to confer for themselves or any other person, an advantage or disadvantage.
• Disclose information given in confidence or considered to be confidential in nature.
• Intimidate, or attempt to intimidate, anyone who is, or is likely to be, a complainant, witness, or anyone involved in the investigation or proceedings of a Code of Conduct complaint.
• Prevent anyone from gaining access to information to which they are entitled by law.

Please refer to the full Code of Conduct before submitting your complaint.

How can I complain about a Councillor?

If you believe that a Councillor may have breached the Code of Conduct you can submit a complaint to the Monitoring Officer using the form below. You will need to provide details of the complaint, identify which parts of the Code you consider to have been breached, and any relevant evidence.

You should provide all the information that you wish the Monitoring Officer to consider. Be specific about what happened or what was said and provide relevant background information. You should confirm if there were any witnesses and whether they are willing to provide any relevant information

The Monitoring Officer will contact you if further information is required.

How will my complaint be dealt with?

The Monitoring Officer will make a preliminary assessment of all complaints that are submitted. The Monitoring Officer may consult with one of the Independent Persons to determine if a complaint should be dismissed, investigated further, referred to an Assessment Sub-Committee, or whether an informal resolution is appropriate.

The Monitoring Officer has discretion whether or not to proceed with a complaint where an investigation would not be in the public interest, where the matter would not warrant any sanction or when the complaint is malicious, politically motivated or not sufficiently serious. In these circumstances, the Monitoring Officer may decide to seek the views of both Independent Persons and the Chair of the Standards Committee. Depending on the circumstances the Monitoring Officer may deal with complaints under discretionary powers by seeking an informal resolution or conciliation.

The Monitoring Officer has discretion to defer investigation of a complaint if it appears appropriate to do so. For example, if there is a criminal investigation taking place or during a local or general election campaign.

Submit a Code of Conduct complaint.