The Standards Committee of West Sussex Council convened to discuss the Annual Complaints and Compliments Report, the Standards Committee Annual Report 2022/23, and Whistleblowing Policy Referrals. Key decisions included the approval of the draft Standards Committee Annual Report for submission to the County Council and the noting of the Annual Complaints and Compliments Report and Whistleblowing Policy Referrals.

Annual Complaints and Compliments Report

The Committee reviewed the Annual Complaints and Compliments Report, introduced by David Tominey, Complaints Manager. The report highlighted a 10% decrease in complaints, potentially due to a spike in a specific area in 2021. Notably, 27% of complaints were upheld, down from 33% in 2021. Efforts are ongoing to improve the timeliness of complaint responses, with only 74% answered within published or statutory timescales.

David Tominey clarified several points in response to committee questions:

• The duplication of areas by team for Highways, Transport, and Planning complaints was due to directorate changes.
• The difference between 'closed with no further action' and 'not upheld' was explained, with the former indicating cases closed by the Ombudsman without a positive or negative finding.
• Premature findings refer to cases reported to the Ombudsman before being fully considered through the Council’s complaints process.
• Place Services received a high level of compliments, particularly from the library service.
• Most complaints for Special Educational Needs (SEN) are made by parents of children at the early stages of assessment.
• Financial remedies mainly concern complaints against Adults’ social care, Children’s social care, and Education & Skills.

The report was noted by the Committee.

Standards Committee Annual Report 2022/23

The Committee considered the Standards Committee Annual Report 2022/23, introduced by Tony Kershaw, Director of Law and Assurance. The report indicated a low level of work for the year, suggesting a high standard of conduct was maintained. The Committee approved the draft report for submission to the County Council on 17 July 2023.

Whistleblowing Policy Referrals

The Committee reviewed the Whistleblowing Report, also introduced by Tony Kershaw. The report noted a low level of whistleblowing referrals, with all cases reported to the committee. The Chairman commended the Council's promotion of the policy. Tony Kershaw explained that whistleblowing investigations and outcomes are typically handled at a senior level to ensure confidentiality and are not usually presented to a scrutiny committee. The policy applies only to schools under local authority control, with academies having their own policies.

The report was noted by the Committee.