The Monitoring Officer is responsible for ensuring that Mid Suffolk's decision making process is carried out lawfully and fairly. He is also responsible, with the Council's Standards Committee, for the operation of the ethical framework provisions introduced under the Local Government Act 2000. What this means is that he, his staff and the Standards Committee assist in promoting and maintaining high standards of Member conduct at both District and Parish Council level. They also assist the Standards Board for England in any cases which need to be investigated or determined. Complainants must make formal complaints to the Standards Board - that is the only official channel. The Standards Board is keen to discourage complaints that are frivolous and to encourage their informal amicable resolution before things escalate too much. More information can be found on the Standards Board website Standards Board for England.

Complaint forms can also be obtained from:

Monitoring Officer's Assistant
Mid Suffolk District Council
131 High Street
Needham Market
IP6 8DL
Telephone: 01449 724689
E-mail: marion.rivers@midsuffolk.gov.uk

Subject to time being available from his other duties, the Monitoring Officer is available to discuss cases of concern on a confidential basis before things get to the formal stage. However, with 95 parish councils in Mid Suffolk he may not have the relevant knowledge of the council concerned.