Complaint against a Councillor

How should I set out my complaint?

It is very important that you

  • Complete a separate form for each individual Councillor you are complaining about
  • Set your complaint out fully and clearly
  • Provide all the information at the outset
  • Provide any documents or other material that you wish the Committee to consider

Please use our complaint form and provide a summary within the complaint form of what you are complaining about.

In the summary you should

  • Tell us exactly what each person you are complaining about has said or did that has caused you to complain
  • Cross-reference any supporting documentation
  • Be as detailed as possible
  • Give reasons for your complaint where you can

Although you are not required to prove your complaint at this stage of proceedings, you do have to demonstrate that you have reasonable grounds for believing that the Member complained about has breached the Code of Conduct.  To find out more about the Code of Conduct please read Chapter 4 – Part 3 of the Council's Constitution.

What happens once I submit my complaint?

When you submit your complaint we will write to you to let you know we have received it. We will also normally tell the Member that we have received your complaint and the content of your complaint.

It is important to note that not every complaint that falls within the jurisdiction of the Audit and Standards Committee will be referred for investigation or other action. The Audit and Standards Committee will decide whether this is appropriate.

If the Audit and Standards Committee decides not to refer your complaint for investigation or other action it will give you the reasons for this decision

Outcome of my complaint

An Audit and Standards Sub-Committee will meet to discuss the complaint.  The Sub-Committee may decide to refer your complaint for 'investigation' or 'other action'.

What is meant by 'refer for investigation'?

The Audit and Standards Sub-Committee will carefully consider the circumstances of your complaint when deciding whether more information is needed. If the Sub-Committee decides to refer your complaint for investigation we will explain what this involves. Following the investigation, an Audit and Standards Sub-Committee will be held in the format of a formal hearing to consider the investigating officer’s report.

What is meant by 'other action'?

Other action is a deliberately broad term that may include options such as requiring the person you have complained about to apologise or undergo training or mediation. The Audit and Standards Sub-Committee will carefully consider the circumstances of your complaint when deciding whether other action is appropriate. If the Sub-Committee decide to refer your complaint for other action we will explain what this.

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Last updated 1 March 2023
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