In order to ensure that all the information needed to be able to process a complaint is included, complaints should be submitted using the complaint form for allegation of breach(es) of code of conduct for members.
The form is also available on request from members.services@devon.gov.uk.
If you are unable to use the form, you can submit a complaint by emailing Maria Price (Monitoring Officer and Director of Legal And Democratic Services) at monitoring.officer@devon.gov.uk or by writing to Maria Price at Devon County Council, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter, EX2 4QD.
If you are submitting a complaint in writing, please provide your name and a contact address or email address, so your complaint can be acknowledged and you can be kept informed of its progress.
The subject member will, in normal circumstances, be told from the outset who has complained about them.
The monitoring officer
The monitoring officer is a statutory and senior officer of the Authority who has a legal responsibility for maintaining the register of members’ interests and who is responsible for administering the system in respect of complaints of member misconduct.
The monitoring officer will acknowledge receipt of your complaint within five working days of receiving it and will keep you informed of the progress of your complaint.
In the event of there being a conflict of interest in relation to both the monitoring officer and deputy monitoring officer, the monitoring officer will, in consultation with the Chief Executive, seek to appoint another deputy monitoring officer, or alternatively, refer the matter to a monitoring officer from another authority.
Confidentiality
If you want to keep your name and address or email confidential, you should indicate this in the space provided on the complaint form. This request will be considered by the monitoring officer prior to the member being notified that a complaint has been made.
Each request for confidentiality will be considered on its merits and in determining such a request the following will be considered:
- Whether the complainant reasonably believes that they, or those connected to them, will be at risk of harm if their identity is disclosed.
- Whether the complainant is alleging harassment, bullying, or victimisation.
- That the complainant is reasonably concerned about the consequences to their employment, or those connected to them if their identity is disclosed.
- That the complainant, or somebody closely connected to them, suffers from a medical condition and there is evidence of medical risks associated with their identity being disclosed or confirmation from an appropriate medical professional that that is the case.
If it is not considered appropriate to grant a request for confidentiality, you will be offered the opportunity to withdraw the complaint rather than proceed with it. Complainants must recognise that maintaining confidentiality may hinder the effectiveness of any investigation.
The Authority does not normally investigate anonymous complaints, unless there is a clear public interest in doing so. These are complaints where the complainant cannot be identified such as the submission of a unsigned letter or an email with no name or address.