Council Procedures & Policies

Changes to the complaints procedure

From 1 July 2012 local councils are required to adopt a local Code of Conduct for Members. The responsibility for considering complaints that a member may have breached the Code of Conduct will remain with South Gloucestershire Council.

What this means to you

Downend & Bromley Heath Parish Council reviewed and readopted its Code of Conduct on 16 December 2019. The Code of Conduct is available by following the link below, or can be obtained from the Parish Clerk. If you consider that a Parish Councillor has acted in such a way as to breach the Code of Conduct, you must submit your complaint in writing to:

The Monitoring Officer, South Gloucestershire Council, PO Box 300, Civic Centre, High Street, Kingswood, Bristol BS15 ODS.

A standard complaint form is available on the South Gloucestershire Council website. Complaints will be referred to the Standards Sub-Committee of South Gloucestershire Council. It will only deal with complaints about the behaviour of a member. It will not deal with complaints about things that are not covered by the members’ Code of Conduct.

The Civility and Respect Pledge is being introduced so Councils can demonstrate that they are committed to standing up to poor behaviour across the sector and to drive through positive changes which support civil and respectful conduct. The project will deliver training packages in support. Signing up to The Pledge is a simple process which requires councils to register and agree to the following statements: 

• Council has agreed that it will treat all councillors, clerk and all employees, members of the public, representatives of partner organisations, and volunteers, with civility and respect in their role
• Has put in place a training programme for councillors and staff
• Has signed up to the Code of Conduct for councillors
• Has good governance arrangements in place including staff contracts and a dignity at work policy
• Will seek professional help at the early stages should civility and respect issues arise
• Will commit to calling out bullying and harassment if and when it happens
• Will continue to learn from best practices in the sector and aspire to be a role model/champion council through for example the Local Council Award Scheme
• Supports the continued lobbying for change in legislation to support the Civility and Respect Pledge including sanctions for elected members where appropriate

Downend & Bromley Heath Parish Council signed up to the Pledge on 3 October 2022.