© Tom Blewitt – Predator Awareness

Concerns have been raised regarding a recent Code of Conduct decision involving Sandwell Council, after a finding confirmed that a breach had occurred — but resulted in no further action.

In correspondence addressed to the Council’s monitoring officer, Mr Jones, local resident Tom Blewitt questioned the practical meaning of a Code breach when no sanction or corrective step follows.

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A Confirmed Breach — But No Consequence

The decision notice acknowledged that the language used by an elected member fell below the standard of respect required under the Council’s Code of Conduct. However, despite confirming that the expected standards were not met, the outcome determined that no further action would be taken.

Mr Blewitt expressed difficulty in reconciling those two positions.

“If the Code of Conduct can be breached without consequence, it raises a genuine concern as to what purpose the Code serves in maintaining standards and public confidence,”

The central issue raised is one of accountability. While the incident was described as isolated, the correspondence argues that even single breaches can undermine public trust in elected representatives and the institutions they serve.

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The Role of a Code of Conduct

Local authority Codes of Conduct are designed to ensure that councillors uphold principles such as respect, integrity, and professionalism. These frameworks are intended not only to guide behaviour but also to reassure the public that standards are monitored and enforced.

When a breach is formally identified but no corrective action follows, questions arise about what practical weight such findings carry.

Mr Blewitt has asked for clarification on:

* What tangible significance a breach finding holds

* How public confidence is maintained when no action follows

* How accountability is upheld in such cases

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Public Confidence and Standards

Maintaining standards in public office is central to democratic governance. While monitoring officers may consider context, proportionality, and whether conduct was an isolated incident, transparency around decision-making remains crucial.

The issue is not simply whether punishment is appropriate in every case, but whether the outcome aligns clearly with the stated standards and expectations.

As Mr Blewitt concluded in his letter:

“Even isolated breaches undermine the standards expected of elected representatives.”

The Council has yet to provide further clarification in response to these concerns.