Model Code of Conduct

• Local Government Act 2000 – Model Code of Conduct for Members and Co-opted Members with voting rights.

Our role and process

Click here for information on: What we do when we get a complaint about an elected member’s conduct.

Please read the information carefully. It will help you understand our process for dealing with Code of Conduct complaints. It details what we do if we decide to investigate a complaint about an elected member, the role required of the elected member, and what happens if we think that a breach of the Code of Conduct may have occurred.

See also this video: Councillors’ Guide to the role of the Public Ombudsman for Wales – The Members’ Code of Conduct 

Guidance for elected members

• The Code of Conduct for Members of Local Authorities in Wales – Guidance from PSOW for Members of Community and Town Councils 
• The Code of Conduct for Members of Local Authorities in Wales – Guidance from PSOW for Members of County Borough Councils, Fire and Rescue Authorities, National Park Authorities and Police and Crime Panels
• Summary Report of Consultation on Revised Guidance on the Local Government Member Code of Conduct

One Voice Wales has also produced the following guidance to assist town and community councils to support them with the local resolution process:

• Model Local Resolution Protocol for Community and Town Councils (2021)

Guidance on the use of social media

You can find guidance on the Code of Conduct and the use of social media in:

• The Code of Conduct for Members of Local Authorities in Wales – Guidance from PSOW for Members of Community and Town Councils  (page 22)
• The Code of Conduct for Members of Local Authorities in Wales – Guidance from PSOW for Members of County Borough Councils, Fire and Rescue Authorities, National Park Authorities and Police and Crime Panels(page 21)

Welsh Local Government Association has also published a relevant guide, which you can find here:

• Social Media and Online Abuse

Factsheets for elected members

These factsheets provide general information for elected members:

• Code of Conduct – General Information
• Code of Conduct – Assessing Public Interest
• Code of Conduct – Information for Members
• Code of Conduct – Information for Witnesses
• Code of Conduct – Member Interviewees
• Code of Conduct – What we do when we get your complaint
• Code of Conduct – What we do when we get your complaint (Easy read)
• Code of Conduct – Interim Powers
• Complaints against Community & Town Councils – General information

Previously investigated Code of Conduct complaints

To see summaries of past Code of Conduct reports issued under section 69(4) of the Local Government Act 2000, please see our:

• Code of Conduct Casebook
• Our Findings

Do you want to complain about another councillor?

Please read our How To Complain section.