5. Request for Confidentiality (Optional)
[Only complete this section if you are requesting that your identity or complaint is kept confidential]
In the interest of fairness and natural justice, we believe members who are complained about have a right to know who has made the complaint and what it contains. We also believe they have a right to be provided with this and full details or a summary of the complaint at the outset. We are very unlikely to withhold your identity or the details of your complaint unless we have good reason to believe that if your identity is disclosed:
You have reasonable grounds to believe you will be at risk of physical harm or
You are an officer working closely with the Member in question and you fear the employment consequences or
It would create medical risks associated with a serious health condition
Please note that requests for confidentiality or suppression of complaint details will not normally be granted. The Monitoring Officer will make the initial decision should there be such a request in consultation as appropriate with the Chairman/Vice Chairman of the Committee or an Independent Person. If your request for confidentiality is not granted, you may have the option of withdrawing your complaint at that stage. However, it is important to understand that in exceptional circumstances where the matter complained about is very serious, we can proceed with an investigation or other action and disclose your name even if you have withdrawn your complaint - the Council will weigh up the public interest.
NB: Even if details are withheld during the Monitoring Officer's initial deliberations, then should there be an investigation, only in truly exceptional circumstances will the member in question not be given full details of the complaint. Some complaints (e.g. bullying) may not be possible to investigate without disclosure of identity in any event.