Code of Conduct and Complaints Procedure
Our Code of Conduct and Process for handling complaints
The Co-operative Councils’ Innovation Network (CCIN) is a collaboration between local authorities committed to transforming the way they work with communities and is a Special Interest Group of the Local Government Association. It has always been the purpose of the CCIN to share our developing good practice and to support one another in our co-operative aims and values. We welcome feedback on how we can improve and where something goes wrong your feedback will help us to put it right and improve our working practices.
1.1 We aim to:
The Network is open to all UK councils regardless of political affiliation who can demonstrate innovation and a willingness to drive forward the co-operative council agenda. We also welcome affiliate members from professional bodies, policy groups and other associations.
2.1 Local government members and Associate members Councillors serving on the CCIN’s member structures, or otherwise undertaking CCIN business, are required to operate in accordance with the councillor code of conduct of their home local authority.
Under the Localism Act 2012, Councils must adopt a code of conduct for Members that is consistent with the seven Nolan principles of Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty and Leadership, and put in place local arrangements for handling concerns that a Member of the Council has failed to comply with the code. All Members are subject to the code adopted by their local authority.
In the event that a CCIN member is under investigation for a serious offence either by the home standards committee, or the Standards Board in England or Commissioner for Local Administration in Wales and is temporarily suspended by his/her home authority, then that member will also be suspended from membership of the CCIN.
2.2 Affiliate Members Affiliate member organisations serving on CCIN boards or otherwise undertaking CCIN business, are required to operate in accordance with their organisation’s code of conduct.
3.1 What can you complain to us about?
You can complain to us if we have not acted in accordance with:
If your complaint relates to a Councillor serving on the CCIN, or otherwise undertaking CCIN business, then this should be referred to their home local authority and their complaints procedure followed. If this is not satisfactorily resolved, then you can refer your case to the Local Government Ombudsman.
You cannot use this procedure to complain about individual council decisions or requests for access to information made under data protection or freedom of information legislation.
If your complaint relates to an individual from an affiliate member organisation serving on CCIN boards or otherwise undertaking CCIN business, then their organisational complaints procedure should be followed.
If you have a complaint about the working practices of the CCIN please see how to make a complaint in 3.2 below.
3.2 How do I make a complaint?
The CCIN seeks to resolve concerns through collaboration and conciliation. If you have a complaint about the working practices of the CCIN you should:
3.3 What can you do if you think our decision is wrong or unfair?
Chair of Corporate Finance and Performance Scrutiny Panel
Royal Borough of Greenwich
Town Hall
Wellington Street
Woolwich
London
SE18 6LJ
Leader of the Council
Town Council
The Old Mining College Centre
Queen Street
Chasetown
Burntwood
WS7 4QH
Partner
Bates Wells
10 Queen Street Place
London
EC4R 1BE
Leader
Stevenage Borough Council
Daneshill House
Danestrete
Stevenage
SG1 1HN