Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

Local Government Officials: Bullying

09 May 2024 · 1 other contributor

Opened by Julian Lewis Con New Forest East

Standards & EthicsLocal Government

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Julian Lewis raised concerns about local government officials: bullying in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • MP highlighted bullying and intimidation faced by local council clerks in parish and town councils, citing a survey that over half of these councils experienced behavioural issues from councillors.
  • The MP mentioned a high turnover rate among clerks due to bullying and called for an independent body to oversee councillor behaviour with penalties.
  • The Minister acknowledged the issue and offered to have roundtable discussions to address concerns without imposing heavy-handed measures.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Julian Lewis Con New Forest East

The MP highlighted the issue of bullying and intimidation faced by local council clerks in parish and town councils, citing an academic survey which found that over half of these councils had experienced behavioural issues from councillors. He mentioned a high turnover rate among clerks due to this situation and stressed the need for an independent body to oversee councillor behaviour with sufficient penalties. The speech detailed specific examples of bullying incidents, the economic impact on affected parish and town councils, and called for government intervention to address the issue.

Other contributors (1)
  • Rachael Maskell Lab York Central

    The MP praised Julian Lewis's initiative and commended the idea of a clear legal definition of bullying.

Government Response

Simon Hoare

The Minister acknowledged the importance of the debate, expressing gratitude to Julian Lewis for raising the issue. He emphasised the need for councillors to adhere to high standards of conduct and welcomed a discussion with relevant organisations to find practical solutions without imposing heavy-handed measures. The Minister also offered to have roundtable discussions or meetings within the Department to address concerns regarding bullying in parish and town councils, aiming to foster civility, transparency, and collegiality.

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