Complaint over taking down flags lodged with Devon council

Complaint over taking down flags lodged with Devon council

An allegation of a slanderous Facebook post and a row over taking down flags are among the latest complaints to be lodged against members of councils in the Teignbridge area.

There were seven complaints between October 5 and December 23 last year, according to a report prepared for Teignbridge Council’s governance committee which meets next week (January 8).

Six of the complaints were ruled invalid while the other resulted in no further action being taken. None of the councillors complained against is named in the report.

In October an employee of a different council alleged that they were being treated differently from other members of staff, alleging bullying and disrespect in the workplace. The complaint was ruled invalid because it could not amount to a breach of Teignbridge Council’s code of conduct.

A member of the public alleged that a district councillor had been posting ‘inflammatory’ posts about a political party and misrepresenting a motion put forward by another councillor. No further action was taken as the matter was considered to fall under ‘freedom of speech’.

An elected member of another council claimed a district councillor had encouraged and instigated theft, as some flags had been taken down in the area, alleging breaches of the code around respect, misuse of position, integrity and leadership. The complaint was ruled invalid.

An allegation of a slanderous Facebook post made by an elected member against a local town or parish councillor was ruled invalid, as were complaints regarding council tax and licensing which had been made through the wrong channels.

Also ruled invalid because it could not amount to a breach was a complaint against a district councillor alleging that a previous complaint had not been investigated properly. The member of the public said the councillor had failed to keep them informed, and also alleged harassment for saying they would report communication received to the police.