PART 5

(C) : A PROTOCOL FOR MEMBER/OFFICER RELATIONS

APPENDIX C

Procedure to be used in the event of a Grievance by one Member against another Member of the Council

1       The matter should be raised with the aggrieved Member's Group Leader (or, in respect of a Member not within a political group on the Council, the Mayor) and the Chief Executive who will decide, in the first instance, whether the complaint has substance.

2       If it is decided that the complaint does have substance the Group Leader and the aggrieved will discuss the issue with the Chief Executive as soon as reasonably practicable.

3       The Chief Executive will then discuss the matter with the leader of the Group to which the Member against whom the grievance has been raised belongs (or that Member him/herself if he/she does not belong to a political group on the Council) with a view to resolving the matter on an informal basis (ie no written memoranda to be required) including liaison between the Chief Executive and the aggrieved Member, as appropriate, within 15 working days.

4       In the event of no resolution within this period, the aggrieved Member shall be informed and may then give written notice to the Chief Executive within five working days requesting the grievance to be heard by the Standards Committee.

5       The meeting of the Standards Committee to hear the grievance will normally be arranged to take place within 20 working days of receipt of the request.

6       The Member raising the grievance and the Member against whom it is raised shall have the right to be accompanied by a colleague of their choice.  The  Chief Executive and the Monitoring Officer, or a nominated Officer of his will have the right to be present but will not participate other than by giving advice, including on legal or procedural issues, if necessary.

7       The decision of the Standards Committee will be final and a written note of the decision will be given to the aggrieved within five working days of the hearing.

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