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Code of Practice in Handling Complaints
- If a complaint about procedures or administration is notified orally to a
councillor or the Clerk and they cannot satisfy the complainant fully
forthwith the complainant shall be asked to put the complaint in writing to
the Clerk and be assured that it will be dealt with promptly after receipt.
- If a complainant prefers not to put the complaint to the Clerk he or she
shall be advised to put it to the Chairman.
- (a) On receipt of a written complaint the Clerk or Chairman, as the case
may be, shall (except where the complaint is about his or her own actions)
try to settle the complaint directly with the complainant but shall not do
so in respect of a complaint about the behaviour of the Clerk or a
councillor without first notifying the person complained of and giving an
opportunity for comment on the manner in which it is intended to attempt to
settle the
complaint.
(b) Where the Clerk or Chairman receives a written complaint about his or
her own actions he or she shall forthwith refer the complaint to the
Council.
- The Clerk or Chairman shall report to the next meeting of the Council any
written complaint disposed of by direct action with the complainant.
- The Clerk or Chairman shall bring any written complaint which has not been
settled to the next meeting of the Council and the Clerk shall notify the
complainant of the date on which the complaint will be considered, and the
complainant shall be offered an opportunity to explain the complaint orally.
- The Council shall consider whether the circumstances attending any
complaint warrant the matter being discussed in the absence of the press and
public but any decision on a complaint shall be announced at the Council
meeting in public.
- As soon as may be after the decision has been made it and the nature of
any action to be taken shall be communicated in writing to the complainant.
- The Council shall defer dealing with any written complaint only if it is
of the opinion that issues of law or practice arise on which advice is
necessary from the National Association of Local Councils (NALC). The
complaint shall be dealt with at the next meeting after the advice has been
received.
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