Complaints procedure
This is how to complain about Nettlestead Parish Council itself — its administration, or the way it has handled something. Complaints about a councillor's conduct, about the accounts, or about how your data has been handled go elsewhere, and those routes are set out at the bottom.
Step 1 — raise it informally
Most things are a misunderstanding or an oversight and are quickest to fix by simply saying so. Contact the Clerk at clerk@nettlesteadpc.gov.uk or 07396 725 812.
Step 2 — complain formally
If that does not resolve it, write to the Clerk setting out what happened, what you would like the council to do, and any dates or documents that help. The Clerk will acknowledge it within 10 working days.
If your complaint is about the Clerk, write to the Chair of the Council instead, care of the same address.
Step 3 — the council considers it
The complaint goes to the next convenient meeting of the council. You may attend and speak, and you may bring someone with you. The council will decide in public whether the complaint is upheld, but it may consider the detail with the public excluded where that is necessary — for example where a named employee is involved.
You will be told the outcome in writing, with reasons, normally within 20 working days of that meeting.
Where else to go
- A councillor's conduct. Complaints that a councillor has breached the Code of Conduct are not dealt with by the parish council. They go to the Monitoring Officer at the principal authority — Maidstone Borough Council for this parish.
- The accounts. During the annual public inspection period any local elector may inspect the accounts and put questions to the external auditor, or object to an item in them. The dates are published on this site each year.
- Your personal data. See the privacy policy, and the Information Commissioner's Office.
- A criminal matter. Allegations of fraud or theft are for the police, not this procedure.
One thing worth knowing
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman does not have jurisdiction over parish and town councils. This is a common misunderstanding, and being sent there wastes months. For parish councils the routes are the ones above: the council itself, the Monitoring Officer, the external auditor, the ICO, or the police.
Persistent or unreasonable complaints
The council will deal with every complaint on its merits. Where a complainant repeats a complaint already answered, or behaves abusively towards staff or members, the council may decide to limit contact and will say so in writing, with reasons.
Last reviewed Tuesday 1 September 2026.