Complaints against Members of the North of Tyne Combined Authority

The North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA) has adopted a Code of Conduct which sets out the conduct that is expected of elected members appointed to the Combined Authority (including the Mayor and substitute members) and voting co-opted members of its committees when they are acting in that capacity.  This means the code applies whenever they conduct the business of the NTCA (including the business of their office as an elected member appointed to the Combined Authority) or act, claim to act or give the impression they are acting as a representative of the NTCA.

If you consider that a member of the NTCA has breached the Code of Conduct in some way a complaint can be made.

The points listed below will help you decide whether this is the correct process to use when making your complaint:

  • Your complaint must be about conduct that occurred while the member(s) complained about were in office. Conduct of an individual before they were elected, co-opted or appointed to the NTCA, or after they have resigned or otherwise ceased to be a member, cannot be considered.
  • Your complaint must be about one or more named members of the Combined Authority.
  • Your complaint must be that the member(s) has, or may have, breached the Code of Conduct.
  • Complaints about dissatisfaction with a decision or action of the Authority, or one of its committees, or the Authority’s procedures do not fall within the scope of the NTCA Code of Conduct for Members.

Anyone who wishes to make a complaint against a member must complete the form below and return it to the NTCA’s Monitoring Officer either by post or email. The full Code of Conduct and the process to be followed when a complaint has been made against a member can be read here.

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Corporate Complaints

The Corporate Complaints Policy sets out how we deal with any complaints we receive.

What is a complaint?

A complaint is an expression of dissatisfaction made about the standard of service, actions or lack of action by the North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA) or any of its officers. We want to make sure that when you tell us that you are not happy with something your complaint is dealt with fairly and sorted out as quickly as possible.  We have tried to make our complaints process as straight forward as possible, which is set out below. 

Who can complain?

We are open to hearing from anyone who wishes to contact us.  When you contact us, please give us your name and address – including your postcode – and your phone number. If you prefer, you can ask a friend or relative to speak or write to us for you.  

Email: enquiries@northoftyne-ca.gov.uk  

Post: NTCA, The Lumen, Newcastle Helix, St. James Boulevard, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5BZ. 

What can a complaint be about? 

The complaint must be about something which the NTCA has responsibility for. This could include 

  • something that the NTCA is doing/has done 
  • advice you’ve been given from NTCA 
  • how you’ve been treated by NTCA 
  • because you’ve had difficulty getting in contact/a response from NTCA 
  • a member of NTCA staff 
  • feeling unfairly treated under a NTCA policy, procedure or process. 

The NTCA complaints process is published online and available to be downloaded.

If you wish to complain about the NTCA Elected Mayor or a Member of the NTCA Cabinet or any of its committees, these must be made to the NTCA Monitoring Officer. These complaints are dealt with under a different process and more information can be found here. 

If the complaint only relates to Newcastle City Council, North Tyneside Council or Northumberland County Council NTCA is unable to help and you must use their own complaints policy.  

Newcastle City Council Compliments and Complaints 

North Tyneside Council Compliment, Comment or Complain 

Northumberland County Council Compliments, Complaints and Suggestions

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Data Protection and Confidentiality Policy

This policy applies to all employees, contractors, agents, consultants, or other partners of the Combined Authority who process personal information held by, or on behalf of the North of Tyne Combined Authority  (NTCA).

This policy covers all personal data; however, they are held, on paper or in electronic format. It also covers the rights of individuals (data subjects) who wish to see information the NTCA holds about them (by submitting a Subject Access Request).

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Environmental Policy

Creating communities of inspiring places, homes and spaces that support more sustainable, low carbon futures, set within an environment where people want to live, work or visit is a key pillar of the North of Tyne Economic Vision. The North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA) and all three constituent Local Authorities declared a climate emergency in 2019 and NTCA is working towards becoming a net zero carbon organisation.

This Environmental Policy sets out how we intend to minimise the impact of our activities on the environment, maximise the benefits of positive environmental action, and lead by example in sharing our learning.

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Equalities and Diversity Policy

As an employer, commissioner of services and public body, the North of Tyne Combined Authority, is fully committed to complying with the Equality Act 2010 and to fulfilling its statutory duties towards its employees and residents with regards to equality and inclusion.

However, our ambition extends beyond this. We want North of Tyne to be a welcoming and truly inclusive region in which everyone is able to share in our prosperity, culture and community life regardless of their age, socio-economic background, disability, race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or whether they are pregnant or on maternity leave.

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Gifts and Hospitality Procedures

In general, North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA) employees shall not use their authority or office for personal gain and shall seek to uphold and enhance the standing of Combined Authority by maintaining an unimpeachable standard of honesty, impartiality and integrity in all their business relationships.

This document outlines the NTCA procedures for offering and accepting gifts, hospitality and other benefits.

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Inclusive Economy Policy Statement

The North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA) believes in opportunity for all, removing the barriers which make it difficult for people to take up employment and training opportunities. We want to empower our people with the skills and resources they need to take ownership of their futures and secure good jobs with fair living wages.

We will be the home of ambition, where every resident owns their economic future and all young people to have high aspirations, with support to enable them to make good choices. This statement outlines NTCA’s  Inclusive Economy policy.

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Modern Slavery Policy

The North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA) has a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and we are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in our own business or in any of our supply chains.

This policy applies to all persons working for NTCA or on our behalf in any capacity, including employees at all levels, directors, officers, seconded workers, volunteers, agents, contractors, external consultants, third-party representatives and business partners.

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NTCA Pay Policy

This policy articulates the Combined Authority’s pay arrangements which are designed to motivate and reward its employees to achieve high levels of performance in delivering services for the benefit of its communities and partners. The Policy is also intended to demonstrate the Combined Authority’s wish to have pay arrangements that provide value for money, are transparent, fair and provide consistency and equality for its employees. It further supports our approach to staff engagement, with openness and transparency in respect of remuneration and financial reward at all levels of the organisation

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Social Value Policy

The aim of this Policy is to set out how the North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA) will deliver social value through their commissioning and procurement activities and to set the NTCA’s priorities in relation to social value. We will establish a consistent and collaborative approach to commissioning and procurement activities to create, deliver and sustain social, environmental and economic benefits.

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