Complain about a Councillor breaching code of conduct
In accordance with the Localism Act 2011 the Council must promote and maintain high standards of conduct by members and co-opted members of the authority. The Act requires the adoption of a code dealing with the conduct that is expected of members and co-opted members of the authority when they are acting in that capacity.
The Council’s Code must, as a whole, be consistent with the following seven Nolan principles:
- Selflessness
- Integrity
- Objectivity
- Accountability
- Openness
- Honesty
- Leadership
The code
The Members Code of Conduct adopted by Hounslow Council and the Council’s Procedure for Dealing with Complaints under the Localism Act 2011 can be accessed on the Hounslow website.
If you believe that a member of Hounslow Council has breached the Code of Conduct, complain to the Monitoring Officer by completing the breach of the member code of conduct form.
*Note that elected member means councillor.
If you require a paper copy of either document please contact Rachel Mckoy – Assistant Director of Governance & Monitoring Officer
Guidance on making the complaint
Your contact details, details of your complaint and confidentiality
Please note, your address and contact details will not usually be released unless necessary or to deal with your complaint.
However, we will tell the following people that you have made this complaint:
- The member(s) you are complaining about.
- The Council’s independent person.
We will tell them your name and give them a summary of your complaint. We will give them full details of your complaint where necessary or appropriate to be able to deal with it.
The Council does not accept anonymous complaints. If you have serious concerns about your name and a summary, or details of your complaint being released, please complete the section below requesting that your identity is kept confidential.
In the interests of fairness and natural justice, we believe members who are complained about have a right to know who has made the complaint. We also believe they have a right to be provided with a summary of the complaint. We are unlikely to withhold your identity or the details of your complaint unless you have good reason to believe that for example you maybe subject to victimisation or harassment.
Requests for confidentiality
Please note that requests for confidentiality or requests for suppression of complaint details will not automatically be granted. The Monitoring Officer will consider the request alongside the substance of your complaint. We will then contact you with the decision. If your request for confidentiality is not granted, we will usually allow you the option of withdrawing your complaint. Please note the decision of the Monitoring Officer is final.
However, it is important to understand that in certain exceptional circumstances where the matter complained about is very serious, we can proceed with an investigation or other action and disclose your name even if you have expressly asked us not to.
Your Complaint
Please explain fully in the text box what the member has done that you believe breaches the Code of Conduct. It is important that you identify which part(s) of the Code you believe have been breached. If you are complaining about more than one member you should clearly explain what each individual person has done that you believe breaches the Code of Conduct.
It is important that you provide all the information you wish to have taken into account by the Monitoring Officer when they decide whether to take any action on your complaint. For example:
- You should be specific, wherever possible; about exactly what you are alleging the member said or did. For instance, instead of writing that the member insulted you, you should state what it was they said.
- You should provide the details of the alleged incidents wherever possible. If you cannot provide exact dates it is important to give a general timeframe.
- You should confirm whether there are any witnesses to the alleged conduct and provide their names and contact details if possible.
- You should provide any relevant background information.
Additional Help
Complaints must be submitted in writing. This includes email submissions. However, in line with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 , we can make reasonable adjustments to assist you if you have a disability that prevents you from making your complaint in writing and or via email.
If you need any support in completing this form, please let us know as soon as possible
Rachel Mckoy – Assistant Director of Governance & Monitoring Officer
Rachel.mckoy@hounslow.gov.uk
London Borough of Hounslow
Hounslow House (Fifth Floor), 7 Bath Road, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW3 3EB
07929755551
What Happens Next?
- We will acknowledge receipt of your complaint within 5 workings days of receipt.
- The Monitoring Officer will assess your complaint and decide what further action to take.
Privacy Statement
London Borough of Hounslow appreciates the importance of your data privacy and data protection when you communicate with us. Please see our Privacy Notice for more information on how the Council collects, uses, retains and discloses personal information.
