Members of the public concerned about councillors’ conduct can now make complaints directly to any of the seven local authorities in Cumbria (Cumbria County Council, Allerdale Borough Council, Barrow Borough Council, Carlisle City Council, Copeland Borough Council, Eden District Council, South Lakeland District Council).
Previously, anyone wishing to complain about the conduct of elected members had to report their allegations to the Standards Board for England, who would decide whether or not to investigate. This responsibility has now been taken over by all local authorities in England, with the Standards Board’s role moving towards one of advice and support.
All councillors have to keep to a Code of Conduct to ensure that they maintain the high ethical standards the public expect from them. If a complainant reveals that a potential breach of this Code has taken place, Cumbria's local authorities may refer the allegations for investigation or decide to take other action.
Investigations themselves will also be managed by the relevant local authority, except in cases where a conflict of interest or other unusual circumstances mean that it would be more appropriate for the Standards Board to handle.
Once cases have been investigated, the authority’s independently-chaired standards committee will decide what action, if any, should be taken against the member. On rare occasions this responsibility will be given to the Adjudication Panel for England, an independent judicial tribunal.
The new system will streamline the process for both the complainant and the member under investigation, making it more quick and efficient, and allow complaints to be handled at a local level.
The Standards Board will continue to provide guidance to authority standards committees and will monitor their effectiveness to ensure that results are consistent.
To make a complaint about a member of Cumbria County Council, contact Chair of the Standards Committee c/o the Monitoring Officer Brian Walker, The Courts, Carlisle, CA3 8LZ Tel: 01228 607344 Fax: 01228 607351E-mail: joanne.coyles@cumbriacc.gov.uk
To make a complaint about a member of Allerdale Borough Council, contact Standards Committee, Democratic Services, Allerdale Borough Council, Allerdale House, Workington, CA14 3YJ
To make a complaint about a member of Barrow Borough Council, contact Director of Corporate Services & Monitoring Officer, Borough of Barrow in Furness, Town Hall, Duke Street, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA14 2LD. Tel 01229 87650, Fax 01229 876407, E-mail: ooduwole@barrowbc.gov.uk
To make a complaint about a member of Carlisle City Council, contact Legal & Democratic Services, Carlisle City Council, Civic Centre, Carlisle, CA3 8QG. Tel: 01228 817033 or email iand@carlisle.gov.uk
To make a complaint about a member of Copeland Borough Council, contact The Chair of the Assessment Sub-Committee, c/o The Monitoring Officer, Copeland Borough Council, The Copeland Centre, Catherine Street, Whitehaven, CA28 7SJ
To make a complaint about a member of Eden District Council, contact Paul Foote, Director of Corporate and Legal Services, Town Hall, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 7QF. Tel: 01768 818717 email: paul.foote@eden.gov.uk
To make a complaint about a member of South Lakeland District Council, contact The Chairman of the Standards Committee/Standards Sub-Committee (initial assessment), c/o Debbie Storr, Monitoring Officer, South Lakeland District Council, South Lakeland House, Lowther Street , Kendal, Cumbria LA9 4UQ or download the complaint form from http://www.southlakeland.gov.uk/ (external link)
ENDS
Please note: Cumbria County Council's media team telephone numbers have now changed.
Media enquiries to Gareth Cosslett, News Manager on 01228 226332