The Council is committed to promoting the highest standards of conduct by members and has adopted a Code of Conduct for all members as part of its constitution.
The Council has also established a Standards Committee responsible for promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct by members of the Council - Terms of Reference of Standards Committee (para 35 of Section 3 of Part 3 of Constitution)
The Code of Conduct is underpinned by principles of
- Selflessness
- Honesty and integrity
- Objectivity
- Accountability
- Openness
- Respect for others
- A duty to uphold the law
- Stewardship
- Leadership
The Standards Committee has a key role in supporting and training Members in compliance with the Code of Conduct but also has a role in investigating potential breaches of the Code of Conduct and enforcing its provisions.
The Standards Committee is chaired by an Independent Member and has 8 Elected Members and 5 Independent Members and also has representatives from the Haigh and Shevington Parish Councils.
The current Membership is:
Elected Members
- Councillor Mrs K Aldred
- Councillor B Baldwin
- Councillor S Dewhurst
- Councillor S F Ell
- Councillor J Ellis
- Councillor T W Halliwell
- Councillor F B Walker
- Councillor R Winkworth
Independent Members
- Mr D A Lea
- Mr R Kidd
- Mr P G Pennington (Chairman)
- Mrs P A Wheal
- Vacancy
Parish Representatives
- Parish Councillor C Chadwick
- Parish Councillor Mrs M A Thomson
The Committee is advised by the Council’s Monitoring Officer, John Mitchell (head of Service - Legal and Risk).
Complaints
From 8 May 2008, local authorities are responsible for operating a locally based system for the initial assessment of complaints that a member may have breached the Code of Conduct. The assessment of such complaints is a new function for the Standards Committee, this function was previously undertaken by the Standards Board for England.
Anyone who believes that a member of the Council may have breached the Code of Conduct can make a complaint to the Assessment Sub-Committee of the Standards Committee. Each complaint will be assessed to establish whether it falls within the Standards Committee's jurisdiction. A decision will be made on whether any action should be taken either by way of investigation or alternative measure. This does not mean that the Standards Committee has made up its mind about the allegation, it means that the Committee has concluded that the alleged conduct, if proven, may amount to a failure to comply with the Code of Conduct.
The only types of complaint that the Standards Committee can investigate are those which involve an alleged breach of the Code of Conduct which include where a member has -
- caused the Council to breach any of the equality enactments, bullied or failed to treat people with respect, or done something to prevent those who work for the authority from being unbiased;
- intimidated any person involved in any investigation or proceedings about a member's alleged misconduct;
- revealed information that was given to them in confidence, or stopped someone getting information that they are entitled to by law;
- damaged the reputation of their office or authority bringing their office or the council into disrepute;
- used their position improperly, to their own or someone's else's advantage or disadvantage;
- misused the authority's resources including using them improperly for political purposes;
- failed to register financial or other interests;
- failed to follow the rules relating to disclosure of a personal interest at a meeting;
- taken part in a meeting or made a decision where they have an interest that is so significant that it is likely to affect their judgment (a "prejudicial interest");
- improperly influencing a decision about a matter that they have a prejudicial interest in
How to make a Complaint
If you believe that a member may have breached the Code of Conduct please submit your complaint in writing, together with any supporting documents, which you can do by completing the attached form and sending it to:
The Chair of the Assessment Sub-Committee
Wigan Council
Town Hall,
Library Street
Wigan WN1 1YN
Telephone: 01942 827026
Fax: 01942 827093
E-mail: newcomplaints@wigan.gov.uk
A guidance note on How to make a complaint about a breach by a Member (.pdf, 41kb) has been prepared – and a Complaints Form (.pdf, 38kb) should be used.
Please note that your identify and details of your complaint will normally be disclosed to the subject Member. This information will only be withheld in exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the Standards Committee. If you consider that the information should be withheld, please indicate the reason(s) on the form.
Useful information
