Members of Trafford Council and parish or town councils must follow a statutory Code of Conduct. If you believe a councillor has breached this Code, you can make a complaint.
What counts as a councillor complaint
Only complaints about breaches of the Code of Conduct can be considered. Examples include when a councillor has:
- bullied or failed to treat people with respect
- intimidated someone involved in an investigation
- revealed information given in confidence, or prevented access to information people are entitled to
- damaged the reputation of their office or the council
- used their position improperly for advantage or disadvantage
- misused council resources, including for political purposes
- failed to register financial or other interests
- failed to declare an interest at a meeting
- taken part in a decision where they had a prejudicial interest
- improperly influenced a decision in which they had an interest
You can read the full Members Code of Conduct for a complete list of rules councillors must follow.
How to make a complaint
You must make your complaint in writing.
member.complaints@trafford.gov.uk
Post
Members complaints
Governance Services
Trafford Town Hall
Talbot Road
Stretford
M32 0TH
Mark the envelope “Confidential”.
To help us deal with your complaint quickly, we advise you to use the Members Code of Conduct Complaint Form as a template for your submission.
All complaints are treated as confidential. Your name and details are usually shared with the councillor you are complaining about. In exceptional circumstances, the Standards Committee may agree to withhold your identity. If you want your details withheld, explain why on the form.
What happens after you complain
You will get an acknowledgement within 5 working days. The Monitoring Officer will then review your complaint, consult an Independent Person, and decide within 20 working days whether:
- it should be investigated
- it can be resolved in another way
- it should be rejected
The complaint will be rejected if:
- it is not against a named councillor of Trafford Council, or a parish or town council within Trafford
- the councillor was not in office at the time of the alleged conduct
- the behaviour, if proven, would not breach the Code of Conduct
Other factors may also be considered, such as whether the complaint is very old, anonymous, trivial, malicious or already dealt with.
If accepted, the Monitoring Officer may arrange an investigation or an informal resolution. In exceptional cases, the decision may be referred to a sub-committee of the Standards Committee.
About the Standards Committee
The Standards Committee promotes and maintains high standards of conduct among councillors. It covers Trafford Council and all parish and town councils in Trafford. Its membership includes independent members who are not councillors.
You can view the Standards Committee on the democratic portal to see membership, meeting dates and reports.