Breaching the code of conduct
Complaints alleging that councillors have breached their Code of Conduct must be made to the local Standards Committee who will decide whether any action should be taken, and if so, what.
The committee is made up of three city councillors and six independent members who are not councillors or Liverpool City Council employees.
How to make a complaint
- Make a complaint online.
- Write to: The Monitoring Officer, Liverpool City Council, Municipal Buildings, Dale Street, L2 2DH.
If you would like to discuss the matter with the Monitoring Officer before making a formal complaint, call 225 6795.
What should I include when making a complaint?
You should say which councillor you are complaining about and why you think they are in breach of the Code of Conduct. Include as much information as possible to support your complaint, including any documents which you would like us to consider.
How will my complaint be dealt with?
Once you have made a complaint, we will write to you to tell you what will happen. If we decide that your complaint is a matter for the Standards Committee, it will set up a meeting of the Assessment Sub-Committee, which will decide what happens next. The meeting should be held within 20 days of receiving your complaint.
The sub-committee can decide to:
- Investigate your complaint.
- Take some other action (mediation or training to resolve the matter).
- Send it to the Standards Board for England to investigate.
- Take no further action.
If your complaint is to be investigated, the Monitoring Officer will submit a report on the findings to the Standards Committee.
If your complaint is sent to the Standards Board for England, they will decide on what action to take, which may be an investigation carried out by an Ethical Standards Officer.
If no further action is taken, you will be told in writing. If you do not agree with the decision you can ask for the decision to be reviewed within 30 days of receiving the decision. The review will be carried out by three different members of the Standards Committee and you will be told in writing of their decision.
Local Assessment Framework for complaints
The Standards Committee has agreed a number of protocols and procedures to assist in assessing and dealing with complaints.