Once a report of misconduct is made to Cherwell Council regarding a councillor, there are several steps the council takes to address the issue. Here's a summary of the actions involved:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Monitoring Officer reviews the complaint and consults with the Independent Person to decide if it merits a formal investigation. |
| 2 | If deemed appropriate, the Monitoring Officer may seek informal resolution, allowing the member to apologize or take remedial action without a formal hearing. |
| 3 | If the informal resolution is accepted, the Monitoring Officer reports the resolution but takes no further action. If rejected, the matter may be referred to a Standards Committee hearing. |
| 4 | During the hearing, evidence is presented by both the Investigating Officer and the member concerned, including witness testimonies. |
| 5 | The Standards Committee decides if the member failed to comply with the Code of Conduct and what action to take, which may include censure, public findings, or recommending removal from positions. |
If you're considering making a report or have more questions, you can find further details through the complaints procedure.