LETTER: Complaints about councillor conduct

The decision by Horsham District Council members to remove the right of appeal for complaints about the conduct of councillors is yet another example of the contempt in which they hold the public. There was already little enough justice.

By The Newsroom

Published 29th May 2014, 07:00 BST

The Standards Committee Local Assessment Sub Committee which adjudicates on complaints comprises three councillors sitting - yes you have guessed it – in secret.

The complainant is not allowed to attend and the minutes are sanitised so that the public cannot know the identity of the members against whom complaints are made, or their real nature.

It was said that if people are dissatisfied they can approach the Ombudsman or the High Court.

The Ombudsman does not deal with complaints about the conduct of individual councillors, and who could afford recourse to the High Court?

It is simply another example of councillors putting their positions, convenience and reputations before those of the people they are supposed to represent.

Roll on the elections next year.

It is time for a complete clear out.

JOHN STEELE

Old Denne Gardens, Horsham

Horsham District Council High Court