Changes to the complaints procedure.
The responsibility for considering complaints that a Councillor may have breached the Code of Conduct* has now been transferred from the Standards Board for England to local authorities.
If you want to complain about the conduct of a Winchester City Councillor or a parish/town Councillor, you must submit your complaint to the City Council's Monitoring Officer, Stephen Whetnall.
He will then refer the matter to the Council's Standards Committee for internal consideration.
The Standards Committee can only deal with complaints about the behaviour of a Councillor.
It cannot deal with complaints about matters that are not covered by the Councillors Code of Conduct (e.g. you cannot complain about a Councillor simply because he/she has taken a particular decision which you do not agree with).
If you make a complaint to the Committee, it must be about why you think a Councillor has not followed the Code of Conduct.
* Examples of this could include:
- Unlawfully discriminating against someone
- Failing to declare a personal/prejudicial interest
- Bullying
- Failing to treat people with respect
- Using their position improperly, to their own or someone else's advantage.
Further information.
Further information on the Code of Conduct and how to complain can be obtained from the Council's website using the link above.
Or by contacting Chris Ashcroft, Head of Democratic Services on (01962) 848 284 or by e-mailing cashcroft@winchester.gov.uk, Winchester City Council, City Offices, Colebrook Street, Winchester, SO23 9LJ |