Complaining about a councillor

Nothing on this page affects your right to make a complaint to the Public Standards Commissioner.

How to make a complaint

Any complaint about the conduct of a councillor should be sent in writing to the Chief Executive. The person making the complaint must disclose his/her name and provide full contact details. The complaint must also include the following details:-

• the name of the councillor against whom the complaint is being alleged
• the nature of the conduct alleged
• the part of the Councillors' Code of Conduct which is alleged to have been breached.

The complaint should be accompanied by any supporting evidence on which the complainer intends to rely

Acknowledgement of complaint

The Chief Executive will issue an acknowledgement of receipt to the complainer within 5 working days and shall send a copy of the complaints procedure to him/her.  The Chief Executive shall advise the complainer that the full details of his/her complaint will be sent to the Defendant.  The Chief Executive may seek clarification from the complainer in relation to any aspect of the complaint.  The date of receipt of such clarification shall then be deemed to be the date of receipt of the complaint.

Intimation of the complaint to the Councillor

Within 5 working days of the date of receipt of the complaint (or as soon as possible thereafter), the Chief Executive shall intimate the complaint to the Defendant.  In particular, the Defendant shall be informed of the following:-

• identity of the complainer
• the exact nature of the complaint
• the provisions of the Code of Conduct which he/she is alleged to have contravened

In addition, the Defendant shall be sent a copy of the complaints procedure.