Report a Members' Code of Conduct Complaint - Liverpool

Land Use and Zoning England 3 Minutes Read · published February 12, 2026 Flag of England

In Liverpool, England, anyone who believes a councillor has breached the Members' Code of Conduct should raise the matter with the council's Monitoring Officer as the first step. This guide explains where to send a complaint, what information to provide, likely outcomes and how to escalate if you remain dissatisfied. It summarises the council's published process and points to official contacts and the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman for further review. Where a council page does not specify a detail, the text notes that it is "not specified on the cited page" and gives the official source.[1]

Penalties & Enforcement

Liverpool City Council handles alleged breaches through its standards arrangements; the Monitoring Officer receives complaints and may arrange an investigation or refer matters to the Standards Committee. The council's pages describe investigation and committee consideration but do not list fixed fine amounts for Members' Code breaches — fine amounts are not specified on the cited page.[1]

  • Enforcer: Monitoring Officer and the Standards Committee of Liverpool City Council.
  • Possible non-monetary sanctions: formal censure, report to Standards Committee, suspension from committee duties, removal from positions of responsibility, or referral to other authorities (police or relevant regulators) — specific sanctions and durations are not specified on the cited page.[1]
  • Monetary penalties: not specified on the cited Liverpool page.
  • Inspection and complaint pathway: submit a written complaint to the Monitoring Officer at Liverpool City Council; see the official contact details and complaint guidance.[1]
  • Appeals and review: the council process provides internal review routes; if you remain dissatisfied, you may contact the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman for further scrutiny.[2]
  • Defences and discretion: investigations assess justification, context and any declared interests; the council's guidance notes discretion but does not list statutory defences on the cited page.
Outcomes of investigations may be published in committee reports or minutes.

Applications & Forms

The council provides an online complaints route and guidance on the information required when reporting a councillor; no specific form number is shown on the cited page, and any fees are not applicable to code complaints ("not specified on the cited page"). Submit the complaint using the Monitoring Officer contact details on the council site or via the published online complaint form if available.[1]

How to prepare a complaint

  • Collect clear dates, times and a concise description of the alleged conduct.
  • Attach copies of supporting documents, emails, photos or witness names when possible.
  • Note when the conduct occurred; the council asks for prompt reporting, but a formal statutory time limit is not specified on the cited page.
  • State which part of the Members' Code you consider was breached, if known.
Be as factual and concise as possible and include supporting evidence where available.

Action steps

  • Step 1: Draft a written complaint with dates and evidence.
  • Step 2: Send the complaint to the Monitoring Officer using the council contact details or online form on the official page.[1]
  • Step 3: Await the council's acknowledgement and initial assessment; the council will say whether the matter proceeds to investigation.
  • Step 4: If you disagree with the council's outcome, consider contacting the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman with details of the complaint and the council's response.[2]

FAQ

Who can complain about a councillor?
Any member of the public, an organisation or another councillor can submit a complaint alleging a breach of the Members' Code of Conduct.
What happens after I submit a complaint?
The Monitoring Officer will acknowledge receipt, assess whether the complaint merits investigation under the council's standards procedures and inform you of next steps.
Can I appeal the council's decision?
You can request a review within the council process and, if still dissatisfied, contact the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman for independent review.

How-To

  1. Prepare a short written statement with dates, locations and a factual account of the councillor's conduct.
  2. Collect and attach copies of any supporting documents or evidence.
  3. Use the Liverpool City Council Monitoring Officer contact or the online complaint form to submit the complaint.[1]
  4. Keep a copy of your complaint and any acknowledgement from the council.
  5. If the council concludes the matter and you remain dissatisfied, contact the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman with the council's response.[2]
  6. Follow any timescales the council provides in its acknowledgement and respond promptly to information requests.

Key Takeaways

  • Report Members' Code concerns to the Monitoring Officer at Liverpool City Council with clear evidence.
  • Outcomes vary and may include censure or committee action; fixed fines are not specified on the council page.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Liverpool City Council - Standards and Code of Conduct
  2. [2] Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman

Categories

General Governance and Administration Public Safety Public Health and Welfare Land Use and Zoning Housing and Building Standards Transportation Environmental Protection Parks and Public Spaces Business and Consumer Protection Taxation and Finance Labor and Employment Education Civil Rights and Equity Elections and Campaign Finance Events and Special Uses Signs and Advertising Utilities and Infrastructure Technology and Data