Code of conduct complaints to the Ombudsman against Pembrokeshire councillors have declined from previous years to date, from a peak of 42 in 2022-23 down to seven so far this year, members of the standards committee heard.
A complaints/concerns log was established back in 2022, the latest statistics including complaints made between January to May 2026.
A report for members at the May 12 Standards Committee meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council said: “Complaint volumes have fluctuated across the reporting periods, with the highest levels recorded in 2022-2023,” the report said, adding: “This was followed by a notable reduction in 2023-2024, a partial increase during 2024-2025 and a significant decline in the most recent period. The data for January to May 2026 indicates a continuation of this downward trend, with only a small number of complaints recorded to date.
“While this period covers fewer months than previous reporting years, the reduced volume nonetheless represents a marked contrast to earlier years.”
Statistics from previous years showed county and town and community council level complaints mostly dealt with by informal resolution or ombudsman investigation of: May 2022- April 23, 42; May 2023-April 24, 23; May 2024-April 25, 30; and 10 in May 2025-December 25.
There were 121 complaints received over the period May 2022 to May ‘26; 40 of them harassment, bullying or false accusations, 22 social media-related, 18 meeting behaviour, and 14 altercations with members of the public.
Of the latest complaints received since January, there were six harassment, three social media, two altercation, and one meeting behaviour, with seven complaints referred to the Ombudsman to date.
The report said, across all reporting periods, complaints relating to harassment, bullying and conduct at meetings remain the most common categories, although their frequency has reduced over time.
It added: “Complaints relating to town and community councils continue to account for most cases overall, however very few such complaints have been recorded since January 2026. Taken together, the data suggests a stabilisation of complaint numbers following earlier peaks, with the January to May 2026 position indicating a particularly low level of recorded concerns.”
Seven complaints referred to the Ombudsman highlighted in the report since the start of this year were: an alleged bullying and harassment claim at community council level, currently being investigated; a county council level claim of failure to treat others with respect; discriminatory conduct based on political affiliation, no further action taken; town council level bullying and harassment, disqualified for three years; and a town council level claim of making unsubstantiated or misleading statements, failure to uphold equality principles, conduct bringing the office into disrepute, no further action taken.
It also included three claims currently in the assessment stage: town council level bullying, intimidation, and threatening behaviour; a county level bringing the office or authority into disrepute; and a community council level claim of lack of openness and transparency, improper decision‑making, failure to act with integrity and accountability, and failure to provide accurate records.
All three dated to March.
Committee members agreed to note the report.
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