Standards Complaints

Our  Code of Conduct [491.13KB] sets out the standards of behaviour we expect from all Councillors at South Hams District Council. The Code of Conduct also requires Councillors to register and declare pecuniary and other interests.

Town and Parish Councils must also adopt their own Code of Conduct and copies are available from the Clerk to the Town or Parish Council.

On this page you can find out how to make a standards (or Code of Conduct) complaint, find the South Hams Code of Conduct, read the Council's Policy for Dealing with Standards Complaints and read the Decision Notices for complaints where there has been a breach of the Code (or where the Councillor has requested publication of the Decision on a finding of no further action).

Before you make a standards complaint, it is important to read the Guidance Notes included with the Complaint Form carefully.  It will help you understand what can and cannot be considered under the standards complaints process and to understand what kind of information you need to give to make sure that your complaint can be considered properly.

How to complain

You need to make a standards complaint in writing.  You can:

Complete the Code of Conduct Complaint Form [616.27KB]

You can also download and the form and complete it by hand. Once completed the Complaint Form should be returned to Monitoring.Officer@swdevon.gov.uk

Complaints must always be submitted in writing. However, we can help you if you have a disability that prevents you from making your complaint or makes it difficult for you to submit your complaint in writing. We can also help if English is not your first language.

What happens next?

• Your complaint will be acknowledged within five working days.
• An initial assessment will be carried out within ten working days.

You can read the Council's  Dealing with Standards Complaints [434.05KB] procedure here,including the potential outcomes and sanctions that the Council can make on your complaint.

Decision Notices

From May 2019, you can read the Decision Notices here for complaints where there has been a breach of the Code (or where the Councillor has requested publication of the Decision on a finding of no further action).