Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer which provided an update on complaints received by Durham County Council under the Code of Conduct for Members since the last meeting on 8 June 2023 (for copy see file of minutes).

In response to a question from Councillor Tinsley, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer indicated that they had not seen an increase in vexatious complaints although they were currently dealing with a complaint that they were minded to treat as vexatious but they do not arise very often. Her perception was that there had been an increase in complaints from Members against another Member.

Councillor Mavin asked if there had been an increase in the number of complaints. The Head of Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer responded that her recollection from the Annual report was that there was a slight increase in the number of complaints but there was no significant change in complaints been progressed.

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer indicated that the Code of Conduct Report for the next meeting would include an analysis of complaints for the next meeting.

Councillor Peeke asked if there was a cost breakdown to show the cost of complaints to the Council.

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer indicated that Officers in the legal team working on complaints recorded their team and so we could run a report to indicate time spent by the legal team on complaints. This would not include the time spent by Subject Members, Democratic Services Officers or the Independent Persons. They also kept a record of any external disbursements spent on investigations, which were largely outsourced. The Council bears such costs as there is no power to recover costs from Town and Parish Councils. The Head of Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer indicated that a indicative cost of complaints would be included in the Code of Conduct Report for the next meeting.

In response to a question from Councillor Atkinson, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer confirmed that the Committee would always be advised of the outcome of a complaint.

Resolved: That the contents of the report be noted.