WITH regard to your article concerning the cost of investigation of councillors' behaviour by the standards committees of local authorities (Daily Echo, March 14), it must be borne in mind that in any democratic society the integrity of elected officers is underpinned by transparency.
The issues which raise questions are surely: Why do investigations take so long; why are they so expensive; and how can spurious complaints be addressed?
With regard to the first of these points, having been a magistrate in London for 15 years before retiring here, I have always operated on the premise that justice delayed is justice denied and the standards committee must take some responsibility for ensuring that investigations are not unnecessarily delayed.
On cost, it must be questionable that parties need to be legally represented or employ expensive consultants but this should surely be policed by the standards committee.
On the third point, it must be open to parties to seek to end proceedings on the basis of there being an abuse of process.
Whilst a proper complaints system is essential, safeguards need to be in place to ensure it's proper operation but let us not throw out the baby with the bathwater.
COLIN PIPE, Durley Gardens, Bournemouth
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