The Ethical Governance and Personnel Committee of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council met on 1 September 2025 to address several complaints against councillors. The committee decided to investigate a complaint of bullying against a parish councillor, take no further action on a complaint against a borough councillor, and address multiple complaints against another parish councillor by informing their party leader of their behaviour and reminding the parish council to update their register of interest forms.

Complaints Regarding Parish Councillor Behaviour

The committee addressed complaints 2025/09, 2025/10, and 2025/11, which involved a series of allegations against a parish councillor. Complaints 2025/09 and 2025/10 alleged that the councillor displayed aggression and rudeness at a meeting, resulting in police reports, and failed to declare their membership of a political party when asked directly. Complaint 2025/11 alleged that two parish councillors were deceiving the public by changing their political allegiance after being elected.

The committee decided to take action regarding complaints 2025/09 and 2025/10. They agreed to have the chair write to the leader of the political party the councillor was allegedly a member of, informing them of the councillor's repeated poor behaviour. The committee also resolved to remind the parish council to ensure that all councillors keep their register of interest forms up to date.

In relation to complaint 2025/11, the committee decided to take no further action, as they did not believe any deception had taken place.

The committee's discussion highlighted concerns about repeated complaints against the councillor. They noted that the councillor had not complied with previous resolutions of the committee and had continued to behave poorly. The committee felt that launching another investigation would be a waste of public money. They also noted that the leader of the councillor's alleged national party had expressed the need to improve the behaviour of its members.

Complaint 2025/08

The committee considered complaint 2025/08, which alleged bullying and victimisation by a parish councillor. The members agreed that the seriousness of the allegations warranted a formal investigation. Councillor SL Bray, Leader of the Council, seconded by Councillor MJ Crooks, moved to refer the complaint for investigation, and the motion was carried.

Complaint 2025/04

The committee discussed complaint 2025/04, which concerned a borough councillor who was alleged to have misled councillors and the public. The committee determined that some of the issues raised in the complaint were matters for other agencies and that the committee was not equipped to make medical diagnoses. They concluded that the complaint was politically motivated and had wasted officers' and members' time and public money.

Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor WJ Crooks, moved that no further action be taken, and the motion was carried.

Complaints Update

The committee received an update stating that the subject member in complaint 2024/26 had submitted a written apology to the complainant, thus meeting the requirements set by the committee at the previous meeting.

Declarations of Interest

Several councillors declared interests at the meeting. Councillor MC Bools, Deputy Leader of the Council, noted his attendance at a meeting referenced in complaint 2025/09 but stated that he did not participate and therefore had no interest to declare. Councillor MB Cartwright declared a personal interest in complaint 2025/04 and left the meeting during its consideration. Councillor CE Green, Chair, declared a personal interest in complaint 2025/10 and also left the meeting during its consideration.