Complaints about conduct of Councillors - Members' code of conduct

The Council has a Code of Conduct that sets out the rules governing the behaviour of its Members. All elected Councillors, co-opted and independent members of the Council with voting rights (collectively called "Members") , are covered by this Code and are expected to follow it. A copy of the revised Code of Conduct which has been adopted by the Council (PDF 128 KB)  

The Code of Conduct covers areas of individual behaviour such as Members abusing their position or misusing the Council's resources. In addition, there are rules governing disclosure of interests and withdrawal from meetings where Members have relevant interests. Members are also required to record their disclosable pecuniary interests.

The Council has appointed a Standards and Ethics Committee to promote and maintain a high standard of conduct by Members. It is made up of elected Councillors and 3 independent people (who are neither Councillors nor employees within local government).

If you feel that a Member has breached the County Council's Code of Conduct you will need to refer your complaint in writing to Simon Mallinson, Head of Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer, Worcestershire County Council, County Hall, Spetchley Road, Worcester, WR5 2NP, 01905 766670 or Smallinson@worcestershire.gov.uk.

Your complaint must relate to the Code of Conduct and the behaviour of Worcestershire County Council Members. It must state the nature of the alleged breach and provide sufficient information to allow the sub-committee to decide whether the complaint should be formally investigated as a potential breach of the Code. Please use the standard complaint form available (PDF 26 KB).    

NB Complaints about Council Staff, matters not covered by the Code of Conduct, the way the Council has or has not done something, and decisions of the Council and services it provides cannot be dealt with under this process.

Complaints that a Member has breached the Code of Conduct will be reviewed by the monitoring officer in consultation with the Independent person (as appropriate) and referred to a Hearing Sub-Committee of the Standards and Ethics Committee where appropriate.  A member has a right of appeal against a finding of a breach of the code which will be heard by an Appeals Sub-Committee.

• Procedure for Assessment, Investigation and Hearing of Complaints that Members have breached the Code of Conduct or Member/Officer Relations Protocol (PDF 116 KB) 
  
• Code of Conduct Complaints Procedure (PDF 13 KB)
  This flowchart sets out the Code of Conduct Complaints procedure.

If you wish to discuss your complaint, please contact Simon Mallinson as set out above. This page was last reviewed 23 April 2013 at 12:55.
The page is next due for review 20 October 2014.