Councillors complaints process

Complaints about Councillor Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct complaints - what you can complain about and how to do so

The Isle of Wight Council’s Councillors’ Code of Conduct and the Code of Conduct Complaints Procedure are both available within the Council’s Constitution.

To access them:

The Councillors’ Code of Conduct Complaints Procedure is located in Part 4 of the Constitution.
The Councillors’ Code of Conduct itself can be found in Part 5.

View the most up-to-date version of the Isle of Wight Council Constitution

If you need assistance navigating the document or locating the relevant sections, contact democratic.services@iow.gov.uk

Local Town, Parish and Community Councils

Parish and Town Councils can determine their own code and therefore if you wish to obtain a copy you will need to contact the relevant Town or Parish Council direct. Local Town, Parish and Community Council contact details

You can complain about a councillor breaking any part of their authority’s Code of Conduct when they are acting (or giving the impression they are acting) as a representative of their Council or doing Council business.

this includes:

  • treating others with respect
  • bullying
  • intimidating a complainant or witness
  • compromising the impartiality of officers
  • bringing their council or office as councillor or executive member into disrepute
  • disclosing information given in confidence or confidential information unless
    • they have consent
    • are required to do so by law
    • disclosure to obtain professional advice
    • disclosure is reasonable in the public interest in good faith and in compliance with reasonable requirements of the council
  • using their position improperly to obtain advantage or disadvantage for anyone
  • using council resources for political purposes
  • preventing anyone accessing information they have a legal right to
  • failing to register financial or other interests
  • failing to reveal a pecuniary interest at a meeting
  • failing to register any gifts or hospitality they have received in their role as a member worth over £50

You can complain about councillors, members and co-opted members of all of the authorities we cover.  A co-opted member is a voting member of an authority or one of its committees, who was appointed to their position for their particular skills and experience rather than being elected.

Under this process we can only consider complaints about individual councillors or members.

A complaint should be made in writing, by filling in a complaint form.

You need to do this within 10 working days of the alleged breach of the Members Code of Conduct.

Any documents that support a complaint should accompany the form.

For more information about the investigation and hearings view the Council's Code of Conduct Complaints, Investigation and Hearings procedure which can be found in the Council Constitution

If you have any questions or need any help filling in this form, contact democratic.services@iow.gov.uk

A complaint should be made in writing, by filling in a complaint form.

You need to do this within 10 working days of the alleged breach of the Members Code of Conduct.

Any documents that support a complaint should accompany the form.

For more information about the investigation and hearings view the Council's Code of Conduct Complaints, Investigation and Hearings procedure which can be found in the Council Constitution

If you have any questions or need any help filling in this form, democratic.services@iow.gov.uk

If you wish to complain about the Isle of Wight Council as a whole, services or about people employed by us or contractors, further information about this process is provided on the Council Complaints pages.

Designated Independent Persons

'Designated Independent Persons' are new roles required by the Localism Act 2011.

The people in these roles may be consulted by councillors on the Isle of Wight Council and the 33 Parish/Town Councils on the Island and senior council officers on matters relating to complaints that have been received about the conduct of councillors.

Alistair Drain, appointed December 2012

Alistair Drain is a retired Local Government Officer with over 33 years’ experience. He has held several senior and a Chief Officer post in departments ranging from Management Services to Head of Scrutiny at the Isle of Wight Council. Since retiring in 2005, he has worked for a charity taking disabled and vulnerable adults to Lourdes, in France. Recently moved to the West Wight, Alistair enjoys a variety of outdoor activities and sports with his family and grandchildren. 

John Matthews, appointed 20 November 2019

Registers of Interests for Designated Independent Persons can be found on the Council Meetings page

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