If you wish to make a complaint against a councillor you can do so by completing and returning the following form.
- Councillors conduct complaint form (word 54 kb)
It is important to note that not every complaint that falls within the jurisdiction of the code of conduct will be referred for investigation or other action.
Although you are not required to prove your complaint at this stage of proceedings, you do have to demonstrate that you have reasonable grounds for believing that the councillor(s) complained about has breached the code of conduct.
Your complaint will be dealt with in accordance with the Council’s arrangements for dealing with allegations that a member has failed to comply with the Code of Conduct.
- Flowchart of complaint process (word 57 kb)
Councillors conduct complaint guidance notes
The points listed below will help you decide whether this is the correct procedure for your complaint.
You should speak to the contact name listed at the end of this guidance.
Your complaint must be about conduct that occurred while the councillor(s) complained about were in office.
Conduct of an individual before they were elected, co-opted or appointed to the authority, or after they have resigned or otherwise ceased to be a councillor, cannot be considered by the Assessment Sub-Committee.
- Your complaint must be about one or more named councillors of Havant Borough Council
- Your complaint must be that the councillor(s) has, or may have, breached the code of conduct. You may also contact any of the officers listed at the end of this guidance if you require further information
- Complaints about dissatisfaction with a decision or action of the authority or one of its committees, a service provided by the authority or the authority’s procedures do not fall within the jurisdiction of the code of conduct. Complaints about the actions of people employed by the authority also do not fall within the jurisdiction of the code of conduct. Your complaint must be in writing. If a disability or language issue prevents you from making your complaint in writing you may contact Havant Borough Council Customer Services 023 9244 6019 for assistance
How should I set out my complaint?
It is very important that you set your complaint out fully and clearly, and provide all the information at the outset.
You should also provide any documents or other material that you wish to be considered.
We recommend that you use our complaint form or provide a covering note summarising what you are complaining about, especially if your complaint includes a lot of supporting documentation.
In the summary you should tell us exactly what each person you are complaining about said or did that has caused you to complain.
If you are sending supporting documentation please cross-reference it against the summary of your complaint.
You should be as detailed as possible and substantiate your complaint where you can.
Although you are not required to prove your complaint at this stage of proceedings, you do have to demonstrate that you have reasonable grounds for believing that the councillor(s) complained about has breached the code of conduct.
If you would like to discuss your compliant with a member of our team, please contact:
- Monitoring Officer: Jo McIntosh, email: jo.mcintosh@havant.gov.uk
- Democratic & Electoral Services Manager: Jenni Harding, email: jenni.harding@havant.gov.uk