Help deal with complaints against councillors

Volunteers are being sought for an independent role with a focus promoting high standards of conduct among district, parish and town councillors.

Daventry District Council is looking to recruit an ‘Independent Person’ primarily to help the authority properly investigate any complaints about district, town or parish councillors.

All elected or co-opted councillors in Daventry district work to agreed codes of conduct. Independent persons are asked for their opinion by the district council where allegations that codes have been breached are investigated or where informal resolution is sought.

They can offer guidance on process to councillors who are the subject of a complaint and may also be asked to be ‘mystery shoppers’, occasionally attending parish or town council meetings.

The role, which lasts for a three-year term, starting May 2016, is voluntary and therefore carries no salary but post holders will be able to claim reasonable expenses.

It is expected an independent person will need to commit a maximum of three hours per month, but typically it is much less.

Applicants cannot be a councillor or officer of Daventry District Council or any of the town and parish councils in Daventry district, or have been so in the five years leading up to 30 June 2016. Neither can they be a relative of someone holding any of those posts.

The closing date is Friday, 8 April, with selection by interviews taking place on 22 April.

To apply call Wendy Craven at Daventry District Council on 01327 871100 or email [email protected]

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