All Councillors have to keep to a Code of Conduct to ensure that
they maintain the high ethical standards the public expect from
them.
Members of the public concerned about District and Parish/Town
Councillors' conduct can now make complaints directly to Braintree
District Council. The Complaint Form and Information Sheet
can be downloaded and printed by using the useful link.
Investigations themselves will also be managed by Braintree
District Council, 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 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 Standards Committee also advises the Council on ethical
standards, monitors the effectiveness of the Code of Conduct, and
oversees, promotes and supports high standards of behaviour among
elected members.
Anyone can apply to be part of the Standards Committee, and
appointments must then be approved by the majority of local
authority members.
The Standards Committee is currently made up of five independent
members, three Parish Councillors and four District
Councillors. Following changes in legislation, which have
given Standards Committees additional powers, the Committee Chair
must be independent. In addition, 25 per cent of Committee
members must be independent.
Links to specific meetings of the Standards
Committee are listed on the left hand menu.
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