Councillors
Councillor conduct - Member Code of Conduct
The Localism Act 2011 requires all local authorities to adopt a code of conduct setting out the standards of behaviour expected from local councillors.
Cheshire East Council adopted the current Code of conduct for members (PDF, 231KB) as part of the Constitution on 19 October 2022.
The Council’s Audit and Governance Committee has overall responsibility for considering any complaints that a councillor elected in the Cheshire East area may have breached the relevant Code of Conduct. This is delegated to the Council’s Monitoring Officer to deal with in the first instance, who will assess complaints and consult with the Independent Person in line with the Cheshire East Council – Arrangements for Dealing with Complaints Against Councillors Procedure (PDF, 201KB).
The Monitoring Officer can only deal with complaints about the behaviour of a Councillor.
Each Town and Parish Council must also adopt a code of conduct. It may not be exactly the same as the Cheshire East Council code. Contact your parish clerk to view the code of conduct for your Town and Parish area. Cheshire East Council’s Monitoring Officer has been given delegated authority to deal with such complaints in the first instance. They will assess complaints and consult with the Independent Person in line with the Arrangements for Dealing with Complaints Against Councillors Procedure (PDF, 186KB).
Councillors declaration of interest
All members of the Council are required by law to complete a declaration of interest form to register their interests.
Amongst other things these include:
- details of any employment or business carried out by them
- the name of their employer
- membership of outside bodies
- details of any significant shareholdings
- contracts between themselves/their firm and the Council
- interests in land in the area
- gifts and hospitality
The declaration of interest of every member can be viewed online by opening the web page for each individual Councillor. List of Councillors
The full Register is maintained by the Monitoring Officer and is available for inspection by appointment at Westfields during normal office hours, Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm (except public holidays).
Making a complaint about the conduct of a councillor (member)
To complain that a Councillor or co-opted Member of Cheshire East Council may have failed to comply with the relevant Code of Conduct complete the Code of Conduct Complaints Form (MS Word, 191KB). You must set out why you believe the Councillor has not followed the relevant Code of Conduct and which sections of the Code you feel have been breached.
To complain that a Town or Parish Councillor in the Cheshire East area may have failed to comply with the relevant Code of Conduct complete this Code of Conduct Complaints form (MS Word, 163KB). You must set out why you believe the Councillor has not followed the relevant Code of Conduct and which sections of the Code you feel have been breached.
You must then send it to:
MonitoringOfficerCEC@cheshireeast.gov.uk (preferred)
or
The Monitoring Officer
Cheshire East Council
Westfields
C/O Municipal Buildings
Earle Street
Crewe
CW1 2BJ
Page last reviewed: 02 December 2022
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