Assessment criteria for complaints against councillors
The following criteria will be taken into account in deciding what action, if any, to take:
| Criteria | Action |
| Has the complainant submitted enough information to satisfy the Monitoring Officer (or the Audit and Standards Committee if appropriate) that the complaint should be referred for investigation or other action? | If not, the information provided is insufficient to make a decision. So unless, or until, further information is received, no further action will be taken on the complaint. |
| Is the complaint about someone who is no longer a member of the council, but is a member of another authority? If so, should the complaint be referred to the monitoring officer of that other authority? | If yes, the complaint will be referred to the monitoring officer of that other authority to consider. |
| Has the complaint already been the subject of an investigation or other action relating to the Code of Conduct? Similarly, has the complaint been the subject of an investigation by other regulatory authorities? | If yes, there may be nothing more to be gained by further action being taken. |
| Is the complaint about something which happened so long ago that there would be little benefit in taking action now? | If yes, further action may not be warranted. |
| Does the complaint appear too trivial to justify the cost or inconvenience of further action? | If yes, further action will not be warranted. |
| Does the complaint appear to be simply malicious, politically motivated or tit-for-tat? | If yes, further action will not normally be warranted. |
| Is the complaint anonymous? | If yes, no action will normally be taken unless there are compelling reasons to suggest otherwise. For example, if it includes documentary or photographic evidence indicating an exceptionally serious or significant matter. |