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  1. The Chief Executive or other nominated officer will have an opportunity to explain the council's position and questions may be asked by (i) the complainant and (ii) members.
  2. If the Chief Executive or other nominated officer is unable to answer a question, they have the right to request either an adjournment in order to obtain the information needed to answer any question, or if requiring more detailed work, may request to answer that question in writing at a later date (in which case any decision on the complaint would be postponed until such time as that information has been provided to both the complainant and the panel).
  3. The Chief Executive or other nominated officer and then the complainant should be offered the opportunity to summarise their position.
  4. The Chief Executive or other nominated officer and the complainant should be asked to leave the room/virtual room while members decide whether or not the grounds for the complaint have been made. If a point of clarification is necessary, both parties shall be invited back.
  5. The Chief Executive or other nominated officer and the complainant should be given the opportunity to wait for the decision but if the decision is unlikely to be finalised on that day they should be advised when the decision is likely to be made and when it is likely to be communicated to them.

After the Meeting

  1. The decision should be confirmed in writing within seven working days after it has been reached, together with details of any action to be taken. The complainant does not have a right of appeal.
  2. If any action relates to a member of staff, that staff member has the right of appeal any decision reached by the complaints panel/committee. If an appeal is lodged, a separate and independent appeals panel shall be formed before a disciplinary process is started; in which the employee will be able to put forwards their case and may be accompanied. Depending on the nature of the appeal or circumstances, the original complainant may not be able to attend the independent appeal panel hearing.
  3. If an appeal fails or is not lodged in accordance with 14. Above, then a separate disciplinary process will be started.