Councillors will be reminded to treat each other with respect by the mayor of Brighton and Hove at the next full council meeting.
The announcement came after Green councillor Sue Shanks spoke about poor behaviour when she addressed Brighton and Hove City Council’s Audit and Standards Committee this afternoon (Tuesday 30 January).
Councillor Shanks said that members’ behaviour at council meetings had deteriorated and she wanted a better way to handle the resulting complaints.
She called for something less than a full hearing and more than complaints just being dismissed.
Councillor Shanks told the Audit and Standards Committee that behaviour at several meetings had fallen below acceptable standards with some councillors making personal remarks rather than sticking to the subject being debated.
She said: “In the House of Commons, they call each other honourable members. I’m not suggesting that necessarily but I do think we need to agree that we’re all doing an important piece of public work. We need to be respected for that.
“It’s been particularly difficult for some of our newer members in our group, maybe in other groups as well, where they feel personally attacked.
“We want to encourage more people to become councillors because a lot of the time it’s a great role.
“Personally, I’ve enjoyed it a lot. That’s why I’ve continued to do it. But when I find myself being quite upset by it or upset by the way I’ve personally been treated, I think that’s enough.
“I think I’m quite robust. Having been a youth worker in my past life, I’m used to being sworn at.
“It felt to me the behaviour has gone further than I expected because I went home feeling quite upset about it.”
Independent councillor Peter Atkinson said that Councillor Shanks’s comments were a “timely reminder” on how members should behave at meetings.
He asked for a reminder to all chairs of all committees on how to deal with unacceptable behaviour.
Labour councillor Joy Robinson said that all councillors were responsible for conducting themselves in an appropriate way in line with the “seven principles of public life” – also known as the Nolan principles.
The seven principles were selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
Green councillor Pete West, who chairs the Audit and Standards Committee, said that the standards arrangements were regularly reviewed and training was given to help councillors comply with the code of conduct.
He said: “Whatever the provocations members must never make personal comments. I appreciate Councillor Shanks’s concerns about member behaviour extend to committees too and I hope this positive action by the mayor will show the way forward at all levels.”
The full council is due to meet, with the mayor, Councillor Jackie O’Quinn, in the chair, at 4.30pm on Thursday 1 February. The meeting is scheduled to be webcast on the council’s website.
Timely response as well, considering the active complaints about several unnamed Councillors right now for lying and being AWOL.
I think it’s obvious who the responsible party are for the behaviour stated and hinted at in this article.
Yes, the individuals themselves who continue to make this choice. No-one is making them do this.
I hope the Mayor will also remind herself and council leaders to behave better to the public. In her role as Chair she ordered the physical ejection of a woman who’d been invited to ask a question (full council Oct 19th). As this resident read out her follow up question she was, without warning, manhandled out of the chamber by several male security staff as many councillors laughed. Disgraceful.
I am sure the speech was practiced in a mirror. Does that count ?
What speech are you refrring to Chris?
There’s some critical elements missed out from that description events. It was right for her to be removed. She had earned her ejection from what I witnessed.
She simply tried to read her question to it’s conclusion despite having her mic switched off. Without being asked to leave or warned that security would approach, she was physically manhandled out of the chamber by 2 men(as councillors laughed). But I guess you had to be there given the webcast looked the other way.
I hope the Mayor will also remind herself to behave better to the public. In her role as Chair she ordered the physical ejection of a woman who’d been invited to ask a question (see webcast of full council Oct 19th). As this resident read out her follow up question she was, without warning, manhandled out of the chamber by several male security staff as many councillors laughed. Disgraceful.
Personal attacks, ad hominems, also make for terrible debating points. Critic the policy, not the person.
I’d also suggest that we regular folks also consider how we articulate ourselves when we talk to council officers and councillors. I’ve witnessed some really poor decorum; that detracts from the topic, and also makes people less willing to support a topic, which may be actually a really good and valid point. Argued badly or aggressively however, it becomes less likely to be resolved.
Something I will continue to reflect on at the very least.
Councillors yes, but I haven’t witnessed any poor decorum from residents asking questions in chamber (though I only started watching every Full Council, TSC and CFS committee webcasts a year ago). Do you have any examples?
It can take some nerve for residents to go into the chamber – especially for the first time, especially if they might be laughed at or heckled and especially if they’re unfamiliar with speaking publically. The power is stacked against the public. With a limit of 100 words and a council prone to insult questioners if the issue raised is on a topic council leaders dont want to discuss, I commend anyone with temeity to go through this experience.
Every question put to committee or full council this year (and I’ve watched most of them) have been commendable. Takes some bravery in a lot of cases.
I agree. To stand and ask a question can be very daunting. And very commendable to people to spend the time to talk about topics they are passionate about.
So we should not criticise bullies and fraudsters? That sounds like a free pass to more of the same…
Sneering and belittling the electorate they are supposed to be there to serve is a breach of the Councillor conduct rules they signed up to comply with. If they are in breach of contract, out they should go, permanently, including Ms Sankey.
Sadly I’ve heard that a legally savvy and comprehensive complaint (quoting Nolan Principles) was submitted by women back in December but has been rehected by BHCC + ‘Independent Person’ as not worthy of investigation. Same happenned to me on ‘baseless smears’ (and rejected by Ombudsmen too).
Cllr Shanks – the phrase ‘ physician , heal thyself’ springs to mind
Indeed couldn’t agree more around Cllr Shanks. In fact one would of though local politicians have a thicker skin instead of being a pack of total melts.
I agree with Councillor Sue Shanks, over a year ago I attended a community meeting with Councillors from all Party’s, Sue was the only Councillor for her Party and from all the negative remarks thrown at her and the attitude at which those remarks were made I would say they were out of order, but Sue was brilliant she refused to react and was diplomatic and with integrity throughout the meeting, despite the spiteful remarks.
As a citizen of Brighton & Hove I would expect better behaviour and respect by Councillors towards each other as a fellow human and worker, there is no place for arrogance and puffing of chests. At the end of the day their goals should be working together for the good of the citizens of this city. Well done Sue for the call for respect and integrity.