Since 2003, 43 grievances have been lodged against councillors, prompting seven investigations.

The complaints ranged from failing to declare an interest at a meeting to treating others with disrespect.

The district council's cabinet member for finance and assets, Gordon Lindsay (Con, Billingshurst and Shipley), said: "It takes up a lot of council officer time and costs the taxpayer money to investigate a complaint.

"I am sure that many complaints could be resolved by the councillors involved sitting down and discussing the issue in an open and conciliatory manner."

Data obtained by the County Times under the Freedom of Information Act reveals that investigations into Billingshurst parish councillors alone have cost the taxpayer £24,614.79 since the beginning of last year.

A code of conduct was brought in for all parish councils in 2003, and the complaint system was introduced at the same time to investigate breaches of the code.

In one instance, an investigation was made into whether a Billingshurst parish councillor failed to give a written apology for a previous breach.

The probe, which cost £10,000, determined that he had not apologised.

Of the 43 complaints made against councillors, the overwhelming majority came from three councils – Billingshurst (12 complaints), North Horsham (12 complaints), and Upper Beeding (ten complaints).

Billingshurst parish councillor Doug Rands says he has been the subject of a number of complaints, none of which have been upheld, and only one of which was deemed suitable for investigation.

He said: "In some cases this can be a waste of public money, because the system can be used as a backstabbers' charter, but in other ways it is a necessity – a last resort.

"It can be very detrimental to the operation of the council, because it makes an uncomfortable atmosphere and distracts from the purpose we are there for."

He added: "The problems we have can be fixed with a one-to-one sit down or with a third party as referee."

Until May this year, complaints were made to the Standards Board of England, which would decide whether they merited investigation, and it kept the identity of complainants secret.

However since May 8, complaints are now referred directly to the district council which does not protect the complainants' identities.

Sally Pavey, of Warnham, the first person to make a complaint under the new system, said it was an important way of ensuring the accountability of local elected officials.

"The councillors are put in a position of authority and trust and residents need safeguards because otherwise they can play god.

"They spend our taxpayers' money and they have to be answerable."

She said her own complaint had been a last resort for a situation she had not been able to resolve by other means.

She added: "For me the cost is not an issue, because council officers determine whether the complaints merit investigation, and they decide whether to spend the money."

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