Anyone who is concerned about the conduct of local councillors should now make their complaint directly to the Borough Council’s Standards Committee.
Previously, anyone wishing to complain about the conduct of elected members had to report their allegations to the Standards Board for England, which would decide whether or not to investigate. On 8 May this responsibility was handed over to local authorities’ standards committees.
If someone is concerned that a local borough, town or parish councillor has not followed the Code of Conduct for Councillors, the Standards Committee at Amber Valley Borough Council will now assess the allegation. The Committee will decide whether to refer the matter for a formal investigation or whether to take an alternative course of action.
“All our councillors have to keep to a Code of Conduct to ensure that they maintain the high ethical standards the public expect from them,” explained Kenneth Newton, the independent Chairman of the Standards Committee at Amber Valley Borough Council. “The vast majority of councillors conduct themselves in a way that is beyond reproach, but should cases arise where there is cause for concern we will deal with all allegations quickly and fairly. Handling and investigating complaints at a local level will give Amber Valley Borough Council the opportunity to take control of ethical standards and should streamline the process for both the complainant and the member under investigation.”
Amber Valley Borough Council’s Standards Committee will also manage any investigations, except where a conflict of interest or other unusual circumstances mean that it would be more appropriate for the Standards Board to handle.
Anyone who believes an elected member of the Borough Council or one of the parish or town councils has breached the Code of Conduct must submit their complaint in writing to:
The Standards Committee
Amber Valley Borough Council
PO Box 15
Town Hall
Ripley
Derbyshire DE5 3XE
A copy of the Code of Conduct is available on Amber Valley Borough Council’s website www.ambervalley.gov.uk People can complain about the following:
·unlawfully discriminating against someone
·failing to treat people with respect
·doing something to prevent those who work for the authority from being unbiased
·revealing information that was given to them in confidence, or stopping someone getting information they are entitled to by law
·damaging the reputation of their office or authority
·using their position improperly, to their own or someone else's advantage or disadvantage
·misusing the authority's resources
·allowing the authority's resources to be misused for the activities of a registered political party
·failing to report another member's misconduct to us
·failing to register financial or other interests
·failing to reveal a personal interest at a meeting
·taking part in a meeting or making a decision where the member has an interest that is so significant that it is likely to affect his or her judgement
·failing to register any gifts or hospitality they have received in their role as a member that is worth over £25
Ends.
For further information contact Lisa Garnham, PR and Communications Manager at Amber Valley Borough Council, on 01773 841655.