Councillors warned against bullying with new code of conduct

The code has been amended following recommendations from an ethical standards workshop held last September.

It now has a definition of bullying so councillors are clear on the kinds of behaviour that is not acceptable.

It says: "Members must not bully or intimidate any person. In order to help members understand the types of behaviour that might constitute bullying the following definition has been adopted as a guide - offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour, an abuse or misuse of power through means that undermine, humiliate, denigrate or injure the recipient."

The Local Government Association says bullying may be a regular pattern of behaviour or a one-off incident and it can be in person or on social media, emails or phone calls.

Any breach of the code of conduct could result in the councillor having to make a formal apology through to being barred from attending committees for up to two months. Individual political parties can also take action.

There's also been work to improve the form used by the public to lodge a complaint against a councillor and it'is now more easily accessible on the council’s website. A new online complaint form has also been devised and will be launched in the next few months.

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