All members and co-opted members are required to comply with the Council's Members' Code of Conduct
The next County Council elections are due in May 2021
Somerset County Council has 55 members (councillors) who are elected every four years.
In addition, the Council has some co-opted members (who are not councillors) on its committees.
All members and co-opted members are required to undertake to comply with the Council’s Members’ Code of Conduct. This ensures high standards of conduct in the way they carry out their duties.
The Code is based on the seven principles of public life, which are set out below. Elected members and co-opted members must have regard to these principles when fulfilling their role.
Selflessness Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.
Integrity Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.
Objectivity Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.
Accountability Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must admit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.
Openness Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.
Honesty Holders of public office should be truthful.
Leadership Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and be willing to challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.
The Code requires general behaviours and obligations from elected members and co-opted members when undertaking Council business. They must:
Breaching the Code is a serious matter and, in certain circumstances, can be a criminal offence punishable by a fine and disqualification from being a councillor for up to five years.
Your complaint must:
If you are not sure whether or not your complaint falls within these categories, please contact the Monitoring Officer for an informal discussion.
If you think that an elected member or co-opted member may have breached the Members’ Code of Conduct and you wish to make a formal complaint, please complete and submit our Complaint against a Councillor form to the Monitoring Officer. This form is also available in hard copy from the Monitoring Officer. This will ensure that all the information necessary to be able to deal efficiently with your complaint is provided. If you do not wish to use the form, you can also complain in writing by letter, email or fax to the Monitoring Officer. The Complaint against a Councillor form is accompanied by detailed guidance on the complaints procedure.
If you need help in submitting your complaint, please contact the Monitoring Officer. We can also provide support if English is not your first language, or if you have any disability.
If you think an elected member or co-opted member may have breached the Council’s Members’ Code of Conduct, it may be possible to deal with your concern satisfactorily without the need to go through the formal procedure. If you would like an informal discussion to explore this possibility, please contact the Monitoring Officer. Doing so will not prejudice your right to make a formal complaint at a later stage.
Monitoring Officer contact details:
Scott Wooldridge Monitoring Officer and Strategic Manager, Governance and Risk Democratic Services Somerset County Council County Hall Taunton TA1 4DY
Email SWooldridge@somerset.gov.uk
Councillor Complaints Guidance
Complaint against a Councillor form
Corporate Complaints Leaflet
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