Complaints against councillors up as new pledge considered

The number of complaints against Dudley councillors in the first half of 2026 was more than the total for the entire previous year.

A report by the council’s standards chief, who is referred to as the monitoring officer, says there were ten complaints received from January to June this year compared to seven in the whole of 2025.

The cause of complaints for 2026 breaks down into seven from elected members about fellow councillors, ranging from inappropriate behaviour at council meetings to public allegations on social media while the remaining three came from the public in relation to conduct.

The report, signed by Dudley Council’s monitoring officer, Aftab Razzaq, said: “The complaints received do not necessarily indicate a deterioration in standards but do demonstrate an increase in reported concerns and the need to continue promoting respectful behaviours and constructive engagement between members, officers and the public.”

In September, councillors got a slap on the wrist from the chairperson and vice-chairperson of the watchdog Standards Committee in a letter which reminded them good behaviour was important to ensure effective decision-making, constructive working relationships and public confidence.

The report added: “Failure to uphold the standards expected under the Members’ Code of Conduct may result in reputational damage to the council, deterioration in working relationships between members and officers, increased numbers of complaints and the diversion of officer resources to address conduct issues.”

Councillors are being asked to consider a voluntary pledge setting out principles around communication, empowerment, trust and accountability.

The pledge, if adopted, would work alongside other governance documents including the Members’ Code of Conduct, Member/Officer Charter and the council’s constitution.

The draft pledge document, prepared by Mr Razzaq, said: “It does not replace those documents but sets out the behaviours and values we voluntarily commit to uphold in our daily conduct and decision-making.”

By Martyn Smith | Local Democracy Reporting Service