Member conduct

Clients: Many local authorities across the country

Issue: In 2007/8 a new Code of Conduct was issued for local authority Councillors, accompanied by a new complaints procedure. Since councillors can be disqualified for up to five years if they are found in breach of these regulations, it was vital that they received high quality training to understand the new procedures.

Weightmans Investigation and actions: Weightmans used staff with hands-on experience and real expertise in this area to provide training, give legal advice on process and procedure, carry out investigations, provide advice and guidance at Standards Committee hearings and to undertake mediation.

We devised three training packages, one for Monitoring Officers, one for Councillors in general, and a more intense session for Standards Committee members, who would now have the task of considering and determining complaints.

Result: We have delivered this training successfully to local authorities around the country, receiving “excellent" and “highly recommended" feedback from both officers and members.