Bullying, harassment and 'pub fights' discussed as Hartlepool councillors debate new rules for themselves

It comes as discussions continue over Hartlepool Borough Council adopting a new revised code of conduct, which will now include clauses condemning bullying of staff by councillors.

After being discussed by the audit and governance committee in January, the issue went to the constitution committee for debate and recommendations to go to a future full council meeting.

Councillors stressed the importance that the code of conduct ensures elected members take responsibility for ‘any actions while holding the office of councillor’, and ensure they act correctly during both council duty and in their personal lives.

Cllr Brenda Harrison raised a point of how councillors must be careful with their actions, both when carrying out council work and elsewhere.

“I am of the opinion that, whatever you do while you are a councillor, it’s reflective of the fact that you’re a councillor. Whether you’re actually in that capacity at that particular time or not,” she said.

“For example if I went into a pub, got roaring drunk and then got into a fight, I think that reflects my position as a councillor, even though I wasn’t on council duty at the time.”

This was supported by Cllr James, who noted if any incident occurred, extra scrutiny would be placed on how a councillor was involved.

She said: “It is a job that’s a 24/7, seven days a week job, and I think that has to be reflected somewhere.”

Concerns were also raised that more needs to be done to allow councils to be able to take action against any elected members found guilty of harassment or bullying within the local authority.

Cllr Marjorie James, who raised a motion on the issue in 2019, said it is ‘absolutely right’ that councillors are held to account on the issue, and face severe punishment if guilty.

She said: “Whilst we may not be able to enforce it legally, i.e. make a member resign, the onus ought to be when they sign their acceptance declaration at the elections, that it’s on there that they will resign if they are found to be guilty of harassment or sexual misconduct.

“There has to be something, we need a process, I don’t know how we come to it, but we have to have a process.”

She added: “The ultimate outcome would have to be the same as a member of staff, that you would lose your position, because the victim cannot be left in a position where they don’t have any rights to do anything.

“We need to protect Hartlepool and protect both members and staff in that way.”

Cllr Shane Moore, Hartlepool Borough Council leader, added any process would have to be completely impartial and carried out by independent persons.

Hayley Martin, council chief solicitor, reminded councillors by law they do not have the power to suspend or sack a councillor unless they’ve been convicted of certain criminal offences.

However, she added as part of a national ongoing review of officer member protocol, she would be happy to speak and write to the Local Government Association (LGA) for updates on the issue.

This would include seeing if any pressure could be put on central Government to try and get legislation moving on the issue to provide further sanctions.

Cllr Moore added re-engaging with the LGA for further clarification and to see what could be done is the most prudent course of action in the circumstances.

The comments will help make up the model code of conduct which will go before a future full council meeting for approval.

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