“Where are the consequences?” Leading councillor questions standards as ‘code of conduct’ training offered to all elected members

Rochdale council’s handling of disciplinary issues among its elected members has been questioned by the long-standing leader of one of its political groups.

Councillor Andy Kelly, who heads up the borough’s Lib Dems, claims the authority is facing repeated problems as those who step out of line face ‘no consequences’ for their actions.

In March, he warned councillors had no place complaining about the public , while the council was ‘facing a record number of complaints about councillor conducts’.

He has hit out after ‘code of conduct’ training was offered to all councillors, after the controlling Labour group made it mandatory for its members.

While Councillor Kelly says his group will be undertaking the training – he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he will be asking what consequences wayward members will face – and what has changed since it was last rolled out.

“It’s a long-standing bugbear of mine that councillors across the board – elected members – don’t observe the code of conduct, whether that be bullying, whether that’s the way they speak to colleagues, other elected members, the way they conduct themselves in public life and the way they think they can speak to people,” said Councillor Kelly.

“But they do that because they see there’s no consequence to their actions, there’s no punishment. And we see time and time again councillors being found to have broken the code of conduct.”

Councillor Kelly says his frustrations with the council’s handling of disciplinary matters date back to 2018, when Councillor Faisal Rana stepped down from his cabinet position after accepting a police caution for voting twice in the local elections. Councillor Rana said it was a ‘genuine mistake’ and he had misunderstood the rules.
 

Read more: Rochdale councillor accepts police caution for electoral offencePublished: 13 August 2018

In the same year, former leader Allen Brett admitted to bringing the authority into disrepute over comments about withholding highways funding from non-Labour voting areas. The one-time Labour boss said his remarks were ‘banter’ and was required to undertake further code of conduct training.
 

Read more: Leader admits breaching council's code of conductPublished: 17 December 2018

Back in March, councillors unanimously signed up to the Local Government Association’s Debate Not Hate campaign, which aims to improve support for local politicians facing abuse and intimidation.

However, Councillor Kelly warned a full council meeting at the time that councillors must meet the same standards they demand of others – or face accusations of double standards.

His amendment to an original Tory motion – calling on all political groups to sign up to an ‘anti-bullying’ code of conduct – was supported across the board. Conservative Councillor Peter Winkler was among those who backed him – claiming that name calling, abuse and threats were regularly used by some members.

Councillor Kelly says the situation is ongoing – and questions the point in the training if the council is not going to impose serious sanctions on those who breach the code of conduct.

“Now you find out complaints have gone in from members of staff and other councillors. What is going on?” he said. “Even if you are found guilty, where’s the consequence?”

A spokesperson for Rochdale council said: “Councillors in every local authority are routinely provided with the training, guidance and support that enables them to perform their role effectively.

“Policies and procedures are also regularly reviewed and updated where necessary to ensure they are suitable.”

Nick Statham, Local Democracy Reporting Service