Councillors’ conduct and standards of behaviour
When elected, all councillors have to sign an undertaking that they will observe their council’s code of conduct. This ensures that they maintain the high ethical standards the public expect from them.
You can read the Hertsmere code of conduct here. Parish and town councils in the borough have also adopted a code of conduct.
If you are concerned that these standards have not been met you can make a complaint to the local Standards Committee of Hertsmere Borough Council. A sub-committee will then assess the complaint and, if they consider that the alleged misconduct may have breached the Code of Conduct, they will refer it to the council’s Monitoring Officer for investigation or other action.
On rare occasions the complaint may be referred to the Standards Board for England. The Standards Board is an independent body and provides guidance to the Hertsmere standards committee and monitors its effectiveness to ensure that results are consistent.
If you believe that the conduct of a ward councillor or a member of one of the five parish/town councils in the borough may be in breach of the code that they have signed up to observe, please complete contact us. Anonymous complaints will not be considered, and your identity will normally be disclosed to the committee bar exceptional circumstances.
You can write to us at:
Standards Committee
c/o Democratic Services
Hertsmere Borough Council
Civic Offices
Borehamwood
Herts
WD6 1WA
Email: standardscommittee@hertsmere.gov.uk
Fax: 020 8207 7482
Phone: 020 8207 2277
We can then help you complete the required form or send you a hard copy if preferred. You do not need to complete the form, a letter, fax or email is acceptable, but we need to ensure we have all the information to assess your complaint.