How we will deal with your complaint
The Localism Act 2011 requires all local authorities to adopt their own Code of Conduct for members (and for any co-opted members who have the right to vote in meetings). The Code has to be based on seven principles of public life namely: Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty and Leadership.
In addition, the Code requires members to declare and publicly register certain financial interests that they may have. These are called Disclosable Pecuniary Interests. Failure to declare and register these particular Interests is a criminal offence.
In May 2012 Staffordshire County Council adopted its new Code and in July 2012 approval was given to the addition of the section on Disclosable Pecuniary Interests. The code was most recently updated in May 2021. You can view the full code in Section 3 of our Constitution.
The Localism Act 2011 goes on to require local authorities to have arrangements in place to deal with formal complaints against members. Those arrangements have to include the appointment of an ‘Independent Person’ whose views must be sought by the authority before making a final decision on a complaint and can also be sought at any stage of dealing with a complaint. In addition the member being complained about has a right to consult an Independent Person at any time in the process.
The County Council has appointed four Independent Persons. The Monitoring Officer is required to consult an Independent Person when considering a complaint against a member.
