Appendix 1: Complaint data
Table 1 - Complaints unresolved at time of last meeting of this Committee, in September 2025:
|
URN |
Date received |
Date determined |
If concluded, basis on which decision was taken |
Complaint Topic |
Additional notes |
|
N2025 |
20/03/2025 |
1/12/2025 |
An external investigator considered the complaints in a detailed way outlined their view that neither the Code of Conduct nor relevant protocols had been breached. The Monitoring Officer concurred with them and – having followed correct process – concluded this complaint on that basis. |
B |
Complaint alleging that a member had acted outside their powers |
|
U2025 |
03/07/2025 |
Ongoing |
Not yet concluded |
D |
Complaint concerned remarks and claims made online about the complainant and other third parties. |
|
X2025 |
01/07/2025 |
18/9/2025 |
Decision made to take no further action at preliminary assessment stage, insufficient evidence of a breach of the Code having been identified to merit progressing the complaint .
|
B |
Complaint alleging a member made misrepresentations at a council meeting. |
|
Z2025 |
24/08/2025 |
Ongoing
|
Not yet concluded – still at preliminary assessment stage.
|
D |
Complaint about comments made by a member about a politician from another Party. |
|
A12025 |
24/08/2025 |
15/10/2025 |
Decision made to take no further action at preliminary assessment stage on the basis that insufficient evidence in support had been identified.
|
A |
Complaint that a member had made unfounded accusations about the complainants’ conduct of their business. |
|
B12025 |
31/08/2025 |
02/12/2025 |
Decision made to take no further action at preliminary assessment stage. on the basis that insufficient evidence in support had been identified.
|
D |
Complaint about a member’s comments and statements during an online exchange, initially about a politician from another party. |
|
C12025 |
02/09/25 |
18/11/2025 |
Decision made to take no further action at preliminary assessment stage. Insufficient evidence of conduct giving rise to a breach of the Code. |
C |
Complaint about statements made by a member in the press. |
Table 2: Complaints received in since the September meeting of this Committee:
|
URN |
Date received |
Date determined |
If concluded, basis on which decision was taken |
Complaint Topic |
Additional notes |
|
D12025 |
16/09/25 |
18/11/2025 |
Decision made to take no further action at preliminary assessment stage.Insufficient evidence to support complaint to merit progressing it, having noted that the councillor concerned had previously sent two substantive responses, which included a clear indication of their position on communicating as well as signposting information considered to be of potential relevance. |
A |
Complaint alleging that the subject member had not responded to the complainant’s email requesting for assistance. |
|
E12025 |
21/09/25 |
22/10/2025 |
Decision made to take no further action at preliminary assessment stage. Insufficient evidence to support complaint to merit progressing it. |
A |
Complaint alleging Cllr had not not responded to a member of the public regarding their concerns. |
|
F12025 |
10/09/25 |
22/10/2025 |
Decision made to take no further action at preliminary assessment stage. Insufficient evidence of a potential breach of the Code of Conduct to merit any action. |
C |
Complaint alleging that Cllr had not forwarded an FOI request to the correct recipient despite agreeing to do so. |
|
G12025 |
05/10/2025 |
Ongoing |
Not yet concluded |
A |
Complaint alleging misinformation conveyed within a newsletter |
|
H12025 |
03/10/2025 |
Ongoing |
Not yet concluded |
D |
Complaint regarding comments which the complainant believed had encouraged racism. |
|
I12025 |
15/10/2025 |
02/12/2025 |
Decision made to take no further action at preliminary assessment stage as the article which was the subject of the complaint was considered to be a ‘standard’ press release about an improved facility being brought back into use |
C |
Complaint alleging that a Cllr had misrepresented who was responsible for successfully renovating a local resource. |
|
J12025 |
17/10/2025 |
Ongoing |
Not yet concluded |
B |
Complaint regarding conduct during a Cllr’s speech. |
|
K12025 |
16/10/2025 |
3/12/25 |
Decision made to take no further action at preliminary assessment stage, insufficient evidence to support the allegations having been identified. |
A |
Complaint regarding conduct in the local community and comments in the press. |
|
L12025 |
16/10/2025 |
Ongoing |
Complaint referred for formal investigation, which remains underway. |
D |
Complaint about the conduct of a Cllr alleging inappropriate conduct. |
|
M12025 |
21/11/2025 |
Ongoing |
Not yet concluded |
B |
Complaint about the conduct of the Chair of a Council meeting.
|
|
N12025 |
29/11/2025 |
Ongoing |
Not yet concluded |
B |
Complaint about the conduct of three separate Cllrs at a Council meeting.
|
|
O12025 |
06/12/2025 |
Ongoing |
Not yet concluded |
A |
Complaint alleging lack of response to comms sent to three Cllrs. |
|
P12025 |
18/12/2025
|
Ongoing |
Not yet concluded |
B |
Complaint about the conduct of three separate Cllrs at a Council meeting. |
Key to Complaint topics
|
Code |
Description of type of conduct complained about |
|
A |
Complaints about members’ conduct in their wards, including when discharging their ward responsibilities or otherwise communicating with constituents or other stakeholders. |
|
B |
Complaints about comments or conduct either at council meetings, or at meetings at which members are representing BHCC |
|
C |
Complaints about conduct relating to council business or other members made outside council meetings, including on social media |
|
D |
Complaints about a member’s conduct or position on an issue which is not council business or a ward matter, including conduct or a statement reported in the press or made on social media |