FOI Request - Misogyny

Request 101003093311

Do you have the following information to hand at all please:-

1. How many complaints have the council received about misogyny allegations against Councillors since the new administration took over?
2. How many complaints have the council received about misogyny allegations against Councillors in the previous council?

3. How many complaints have the council received about misogyny allegations against council staff since the new administration took over?
4. How many complaints have the council received about misogyny allegations against council staff in the previous council?

Response 07-07-2022

Complaints against councillors can be made by the public, staff or by fellow councillors. Whilst the Ethical Standards Commission is the recognised body which handles complaints against Councillors they will often be passed to the Council’s Monitoring Officer for informal mediation and advice. The Council’s monitoring officer keeps a record of general advice to councillors (including complaints) in date order under each councillors name.

There is an element of subjectivity in considering whether behaviour complained about could be considered as misogynistic. For the purpose of this response the definition has been taken to include: male privilege, patriarchy, gender discrimination, sexual harassment, belittling of women, violence against women, and sexual objectification of women.

1. How many complaints have the council received about misogyny allegations against Councillors since the new administration took over?
None since 18 May 2022
2. How many complaints have the council received about misogyny allegations against Councillors in the previous council?
There are 5 instances where complaints logged could fall within the definition above, involving 3 separate councillors.
There is one known instance where the a complaint was taken to the Ethical Standards Commissioner but which did not proceed to a hearing.

3. 0

4. 1