Complaints against Dudley councillors rise to ten in six months

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 06:08 · Archive

Dudley received ten complaints against councillors from January to June, more than the entire previous year's total of seven.

The number of complaints against Dudley councillors in the first half of 2026 exceeded the total for the entire previous year. The council's standards chief received ten complaints from January to June 2026, compared to seven in the whole of 2025.

Of the 2026 complaints, seven came from elected members about fellow councillors, covering issues ranging from inappropriate behaviour at council meetings to public allegations on social media. The remaining three came from members of the public regarding conduct.

Dudley Council's monitoring officer, Aftab Razzaq, said: 'The complaints received do not necessarily indicate a deterioration in standards but do demonstrate an increase in reported concerns and the need to continue promoting respectful behaviours and constructive engagement between members, officers and the public.' In September, the Standards Committee chairperson and vice-chairperson reminded councillors in a letter that good behaviour was important for effective decision-making and public confidence.

Councillors are being asked to consider a voluntary pledge setting out principles around communication, empowerment, trust and accountability, which would work alongside existing governance documents including the Members' Code of Conduct and the council's constitution.

How it is being reported

• Complaints against Dudley councillors up as new pledge consideredCouncillors get a telling off from watchdog committee after complaints on the rise for bad behaviourBirminghamLive · 16 Oct, 05:30
• Complaints against Dudley councillors up as new pledge consideredThere were 10 complaints received from January to June this year compared to seven in the whole of 2025Express & Star · 16 Oct, 03:00

In this story: Dudley · Dudley Council · Aftab Razzaq · Standards Committee

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