Policies & Procedures

North Kesteven DistrictCouncil Members’ Code of Conduct

Adopted by Wadddington Parish Council

Effective from 8th July 2024 

Contents

Jointstatement..........................................................................................................................................................................3

Introduction...............................................................................................................................................................................3

Definitions.................................................................................................................................................................................3

Purpose of theCodeofConduct...............................................................................................................................................3

Generalprinciplesofcouncillorconduct...................................................................................................................................4

ApplicationoftheCodeof Conduct...........................................................................................................................................4

Standardsof councillorconduct................................................................................................................................................5

General Conduct........................................................................................................................................................................5

1.Respect..........................................................................................................................................................................5
2.Bullying, harassment and discrimination......................................................................................................................5
3.      Impartiality of officers of the council............................................................................................................................6
4.Confidentiality and access to information....................................................................................................................6
5.Disrepute.......................................................................................................................................................................6
6.Use of position...............................................................................................................................................................7
7.Use of localauthority resources and facilities..............................................................................................................7
8.Complying with the Code of Conduct...........................................................................................................................7
9. Interests.........................................................................................................................................................................8
10.Gifts and hospitality..................................................................................................................................................8

Appendices..............................................................................................................................................................................9
AppendixA–TheSevenPrinciplesof PublicLife.................................................................................................................  9

AppendixBRegistering interests.........................................................................................................................................10
AppendixC–theCommitteeonStandardsinPublicLife....................................................................................................14

Joint statement

The roleofcouncillor across all tiersof local government isavital partofourcountry’s systemof
democracy. Itisimportant that ascouncillors we canbeheldaccountable andalladopt thebehaviours andresponsibilitiesassociated with therole. Ourconduct asanindividualcouncilloraffectsthe
reputationof all councillors.  Wewant the roleofcouncillor tobe onethatpeopleaspireto. We also
wantindividuals from a rangeofbackgrounds andcircumstancesto beputtingthemselvesforward to becomecouncillors.

Ascouncillors, we represent local residents, work to develop betterservices anddeliverlocal change. The public havehighexpectationsof usand entrustustorepresent ourlocal   area, takingdecisions
fairly,openly, andtransparently. Wehavebothanindividual andcollectiveresponsibility tomeet these expectations bymaintaining highstandards anddemonstratinggood conduct,andbychallenging
behaviour whichfallsbelowexpectations.Importantly,we shouldbe able toundertakeour role as a councillor without beingintimidated,abused,bullied,or threatenedbyanyone,includingthegeneral
public.  ThisCode hasbeendesigned toprotect ourdemocraticrole, encouragegoodconductandsafeguard thepublic’strust inlocal government.

Introduction

The LocalGovernmentAssociation (LGA) hasdeveloped this Model Councillor Codeof Conduct, in association withkeypartners andafterextensiveconsultation with thesector,as partofitswork on supporting alltiersoflocalgovernment tocontinuetoaspiretohighstandardsof leadershipand
performance.

North Kesteven District Council resolved on 28 April 2022toadoptthe LGA Model Code of Conduct in its entirety (subject to amendment for registering gifts & hospitality) with effect from 12 May 2022.

All councils arerequiredtohavealocalCouncillor Code ofConduct.

TheLGAwillundertakean annual reviewoftheir ModelCode toensureitcontinues tobefit-for-
purpose,incorporatingadvancesin technology,social mediaandchangesinlegislation. North Kesteven District Council will consider any the recommendations from any such reviews and
adopt any changes it considers appropriate through its governance processes.

Definitions

For thepurposesof this Code of Conduct,a“councillor” meansamember or co-optedmember of a
localauthorityoradirectly electedmayor.A “co-optedmember”is definedintheLocalism Act 2011
Section 27(4) as“apersonwhoisnot amemberof the authoritybutwho;

• is a memberof anycommitteeor sub-committeeof theauthority,or;
• is a member of,andrepresentsthe authorityon,any jointcommitteeor jointsub-committeeof the

authority;

and who isentitledtovote onanyquestionthat falls to bedecidedat anymeetingofthatcommitteeor

sub-committee”.

For thepurposesof this Code ofConduct, “localauthority” includes countycouncils, district   councils, Londonborough councils, parishcouncils, town councils, fireandrescueauthorities, policeauthorities, joint authorities,economicprosperityboards, combinedauthoritiesandNationalParkauthorities.

Purpose of theCodeofConduct

The purposeofthis Codeof Conduct istoassistyou,asacouncillor, in modellingthebehaviour that is expectedof you, toprovideapersonal checkandbalance, andto setoutthe typeofconduct thatcould leadtoaction beingtakenagainst you.It isalso toprotectyou, the public,fellowcouncillors, local
authorityofficersandthereputationof localgovernment. Itsetsoutgeneralprinciplesofconduct
expectedofall councillors andyour   specific obligations in relation tostandardsof conduct.TheLGA encouragestheuseofsupport, trainingandmediationprior toactionbeingtakenusing theCode. The fundamentalaimof theCodeis tocreateandmaintainpublic confidenceinthe roleofcouncillor and
local government.

Generalprinciplesofcouncillorconduct

Everyoneinpublicofficeat all levels; all whoserve thepublicor deliverpublicservices,including
ministers, civilservants, councillors andlocalauthorityofficers;should upholdtheSevenPrinciplesof Public Life,also known asthe NolanPrinciples.

Buildingontheseprinciples, thefollowinggeneralprincipleshavebeendevelopedspecifically for the roleofcouncillor.

Inaccordance withthepublic trust placedinme,on alloccasions:

• I act with integrityandhonesty
• I actlawfully
• I treat all personsfairlyand with respect; and
• I lead byexampleand act inawaythatsecurespublic confidence intheroleofcouncillor.

Inundertakingmyrole:

• Iimpartiallyexercisemy responsibilitiesin the interestsof thelocal community
• I donotimproperlyseekto confer anadvantage,or disadvantage, onanyperson
• I avoidconflictsof interest
• Iexercisereasonablecare and diligence; and
• Iensurethatpublic resourcesareusedprudentlyinaccordancewithmylocalauthority’s
  11613.  

ApplicationoftheCodeof Conduct

This Code of Conductapplies toyouassoonasyou signyour declarationofacceptanceoftheoffice ofcouncilloror attend your firstmeetingas aco-optedmemberand continuestoapply to you untilyou ceasetobeacouncillor.

This Code of Conductapplies toyouwhenyouareacting inyour capacityasacouncillor
which mayinclude when:

• you misuseyour positionasacouncillor
• Your actions would givetheimpression toa reasonablememberof thepublic withknowledge of

all the facts that youareactingasacouncillor;

The Code applies to all forms of communication and interaction, including:

• at face-to-facemeetings
• at onlineortelephonemeetings
• inwrittencommunication
• in verbal communication
• in non-verbalcommunication
• in electronicand socialmediacommunication, posts,statementsandcomments.

You are alsoexpectedtoupholdhighstandardsofconduct andshowleadershipatall timeswhen actingasacouncillor.

Your MonitoringOfficerhasstatutoryresponsibility for theimplementationof theCodeofConduct,and youareencouragedtoseekadvicefrom yourMonitoringOfficer onanymatters thatmayrelateto the Codeof Conduct.Townand parishcouncillorsareencouraged toseekadvice from their Clerk, who
may refer matterstotheMonitoringOfficer.

Standardsof councillorconduct

Thissectionsetsoutyourobligations,whicharetheminimumstandardsofconduct requiredofyouasa councillor.Should yourconduct fallshort of thesestandards,acomplaint maybemade against you,
whichmay resultinactionbeing taken.  Guidance is includedtohelpexplainthereasonsfor theobligations andhow theyshould befollowed.

General Conduct

1.Respect

Asacouncillor:

• I treat other councillors and members of the public with respect
• I treat localauthorityemployees,employeesand representativesof partner organisations

andthosevolunteering forthelocal authority with respect andrespect therole theyplay.

Respectmeanspoliteness andcourtesyin behaviour,speech,andinthewrittenword.
Debateandhaving different views areall partofahealthydemocracy. Asacouncillor, youcan
express,challenge, criticiseanddisagreewith views, ideas,opinionsandpoliciesinarobust but civil manner.You should not, however,subjectindividuals,groupsofpeopleor organisationsto personal
attack.

Inyourcontact withthepublic, youshouldtreat them politelyandcourteously. Rudeandoffensive
behaviour lowers thepublic’sexpectations andconfidenceincouncillors.

In return, you havearight to expect respectfulbehaviour from thepublic. Ifmembersof thepublicare beingabusive, intimidatoryor threateningyouareentitledtostopanyconversationor interactionin
personoronlineandreport them tothelocalauthority, therelevant social media provideror thepolice. Thisalso applies tofellowcouncillors, whereaction couldthenbetakenunder theCouncillorCode of Conduct,andlocalauthorityemployees, whereconcerns should beraised in line with thelocal
authority’s councillor-officerprotocol.

2.Bullying, harassment and discrimination

Asacouncillor:

• Ido not bully any person
• I do not harass any person
• I promote equalities and do not discriminate unlawfully against any person.

The Advisory, Conciliation andArbitrationService(ACAS)characterisesbullying asoffensive,
intimidating,malicious or insultingbehaviour,anabuseormisuseof powerthroughmeansthat
undermine,humiliate,denigrateorinjuretherecipient. Bullyingmight bea regularpatternofbehaviour or a one-offincident,happenface-to-face,on social media, inemailsor phonecalls, happen in the
workplaceor at work socialeventsand maynotalwaysbe obviousornoticedbyothers.

TheProtectionfromHarassment Act 1997defines harassmentasconduct thatcausesalarmor
distressor putspeoplein fearof violenceand mustinvolvesuchconductonat least   twooccasions. It canincluderepeatedattemptstoimposeunwantedcommunicationsandcontactuponapersonina
manner that couldbeexpectedto causedistressor fear inanyreasonable person.

Unlawful discriminationiswhere someoneistreatedunfairly becauseofaprotectedcharacteristic.
Protectedcharacteristicsare specific aspectsof aperson'sidentitydefinedbytheEqualityAct 2010.
Theyareage, disability,genderreassignment,marriage andcivil partnership,pregnancyand
maternity, race,religionor belief, sexandsexualorientation.

The Equality Act 2010 placesspecific dutiesonlocalauthorities.Councillorshaveacentralrole toplay inensuringthatequalityissuesareintegraltothe local authority'sperformanceandstrategicaims, and that thereisastrong visionandpubliccommitmenttoequalityacrosspublicservices.

3.Impartiality of officers of the council

As a councillor:

• I do not compromise, or attempt tocompromise, the impartiality of anyone who works for,

      or on behalf of, the local authority.

Officers workfor thelocal authorityasawholeand must bepolitically neutral(unlesstheyarepolitical assistants).They should notbecoercedorpersuadedtoact in awaythat would   underminetheir
neutrality.Youcanquestionofficers inordertounderstand, forexample, theirreasonsforproposingto act in a particularway,or thecontentof areportthat they havewritten. However,you must nottryand forcethemtoactdifferently,changetheiradvice, or alterthe contentofthat report,if doing sowould
prejudice theirprofessional integrity.

4.Confidentiality and access to information

Asacouncillor:

• Ido not discloseinformation:
  • giventomeinconfidencebyanyone
  • acquiredbymewhichI believe,or ought reasonably tobeaware, isof
    •  
    • I havereceived theconsentofapersonauthorisedtogiveit;
    • Iam required bylawtodo so;
    • thedisclosureismade toathirdpartyfor the purposeof
      • 
        not todisclose theinformationto anyotherperson;or
    • thedisclosureis:
      • reasonableand in thepublicinterest; and
      • madeingoodfaithandincompliance withthereasonable
        requirementsof thelocal authority; and
      •     I have consultedtheMonitoring Officerprior to itsrelease.
      • I do not improperly use knowledge gained solely as a result of my role as a
        councillor for the advancement of myself, my friends, my familymembers,

my employe or my bsiness interet

• Ido not preventanyone from gettinginformation that theyareentitledtoby
  law.

Local authoritiesmustwork openlyandtransparently,and theirproceedings andprinted
materialsareopentothepublic,except incertainlegallydefinedcircumstances. Youshould   work on this basis, buttherewill betimeswhen itisrequiredbylaw thatdiscussions,documents andother
information relatingtoorheldbythe localauthoritymust be treated ina confidentialmanner.Examples includepersonaldata relatingtoindividualsorinformationrelatingtoongoing negotiations.

5.Disrepute

Asacouncillor:

• I do not bring my role or local authority into disrepute.

As aCouncillor, youaretrusted tomakedecisionsonbehalfof yourcommunityandyouractionsand behaviouraresubjecttogreaterscrutinythanthatofordinarymembersof thepublic. Youshouldbe
aware thatyouractionsmight haveanadverseimpacton you,othercouncillorsand/or your local
authorityandmay lowerthepublic’sconfidence inyouror yourlocal authority’sability todischarge
your/itsfunctions.Forexample, behaviour that isconsidereddishonestand/or deceitful canbringyour localauthority intodisrepute.

You areabletoholdthelocal authorityandfellow councillors toaccount and areable to
constructively challengeand expressconcernaboutdecisionsandprocessesundertakenby   the
councilwhilstcontinuingtoadhere tootheraspectsof thisCodeof Conduct.

6.Use of position

Asacouncillor:

• I do not use, or attempt to use, my position improperly to the advantage or disadvantage of

myself or anyn else.

Yourpositionasamemberof thelocalauthorityprovides youwithcertainopportunities,

responsibilities, andprivileges,andyoumakechoices all thetimethatwillimpactothers.However,you should not take advantageoftheseopportunitiestofurtheryour ownor others’privateinterestsor to
disadvantageanyoneunfairly.

7.Use of local authority resources and facilities

Asacouncillor:

• Ido not misuse council resources
• I will, whenusingtheresourcesof thelocal authorityor authorisingtheir usebyothers:
  • act in accordancewiththe localauthority'srequirements; and
  • ensure that suchresourcesare not usedforpolitical purposesunlessthat use

couldreasonablyberegarded aslikely tofacilitate, orbe

conduciveto, thedischargeof thefunctionsof thelocal authorityorof theofficetowhichIhavebeenelectedorappointed.

You maybeprovidedwith resourcesand facilities by thelocalauthoritytoassist youincarrying out your dutiesasacouncillor.

Examplesinclude

• office support
• stationery
• equipment suchasphones,and computers
• transport
• access anduseoflocal authoritybuildings androoms.

These aregiven toyouto help you carry out your roleasacouncillor moreeffectively andarenot tobe usedforbusinessor personal gain.Theyshouldbeusedinaccordancewiththe purposeforwhich

they havebeenprovidedand thelocal authority’sown policiesregardingtheiruse.

8.Complying with the Code of Conduct

AsaCouncillor:

• I undertake Code of Conduct training provided by my local authority.
• I cooperate with any Code of Conduct investigation and/ordetermination.
• Ido not intimidate orattempt tointimidateanypersonwho is likely tobeinvolvedwiththe

administrationof anyinvestigationorproceedings.

• I complywithanysanctionimposedonmefollowingafindingthat Ihavebreached the

CodeofConduct.

It is extremelyimportant for youasacouncillor to demonstratehighstandards, foryoutohave your actionsopen to scrutinyandfor younot tounderminepublictrust inthelocalauthorityorits
governance.  Ifyoudonotunderstandorareconcernedabout thelocalauthority’sprocessesin
handlingacomplaintyoushould raisethiswith your MonitoringOfficer.

Protecting your reputation andthereputation of thelocal authority

9.Interests

Asacouncillor:

• I register anddisclosemyinterests

Section 29of theLocalism Act 2011requires the MonitoringOfficer toestablish andmaintaina
registerof interestsof membersof theauthority.

You needto registeryour interests sothat thepublic, localauthorityemployeesandfellow councillors knowwhichof yourinterestsmight give risetoaconflictof interest.Theregister isapublicdocument thatcan beconsultedwhen (orbefore) anissuearises. Theregisteralsoprotectsyoubyallowing you todemonstrateopennessandawillingness tobeheldaccountable.Youarepersonally responsiblefor

decidingwhetherornotyou shoulddiscloseaninterest in ameeting,butit canbehelpful foryouto
know early onifothersthinkthatapotentialconflict mightarise. It is alsoimportantthat thepublic
knowaboutanyinterest thatmighthave to be disclosedbyyouorother councillorswhenmakingor
takingpartindecisions,sothatdecisionmakingisseenby thepublicasopenand honest. Thishelps toensurethat publicconfidenceintheintegrityof localgovernanceis maintained.

You should note that failure to registeror disclosea disclosablepecuniaryinterestassetout inTable 1, isacriminaloffenceunderthe Localism Act2011.

AppendixB setsoutthedetailedprovisionsonregisteringanddisclosinginterests. Ifindoubt, you
should alwaysseek advicefrom your MonitoringOfficer.

10.  Gifts and hospitality

Asacouncillor:

• Idonotacceptgiftsorhospitality,irrespectiveof estimatedvalue,which couldgiveriseto

realorsubstantivepersonal gainorareasonablesuspicionof influenceon mypart toshow favour frompersonsseeking toacquire, developor dobusiness with thelocalauthorityor from personswho mayapplytothe local authorityfor anypermission, licenceorother significant advantage.

• I register withthe MonitoringOfficer anygiftor hospitalitywithanestimatedvalueof at least £50within28daysof itsreceipt.
• I register with the Monitoring officer any gifts or hospitality received over a rolling 28 day period and which when totalled together during that 28 days has an estimated value of at least £50.
• I register withthe MonitoringOfficer anysignificant giftor hospitality that Ihavebeen offered buthave refusedtoaccept.

Inorder toprotect yourpositionand the reputationof thelocal authority, youshouldexercisecautionin accepting any giftsor hospitality whichare (or whichyoureasonablybelievetobe)offeredtoyou
becauseyouareacouncillor. Thepresumption shouldalwaysbe nottoaccept significant giftsor
hospitality. However,theremaybetimeswhensucharefusal maybedifficult ifit is seenasrudeness inwhich case youcouldaccept itbut mustensureit ispubliclyregistered. However,you donotneedto register giftsand hospitalitywhich are notrelatedtoyour roleasacouncillor, such asChristmasgifts
fromyour friendsandfamily. Itisalsoimportanttonotethat it isappropriate toaccept normal
expensesandhospitality associatedwith yourdutiesasacouncillor. Ifyouareunsure,do contact your MonitoringOfficer forguidance.

Appendices

AppendixA–TheSevenPrinciplesof PublicLife

Theprinciplesare:

Selflessness

Holders of publicofficeshould actsolely in termsofthe publicinterest.

Integrity

Holders of publicofficemustavoid placing themselvesunder anyobligation topeopleororganisations thatmight tryinappropriately toinfluencethem intheir work.Theyshould notactortake decisionsin
order to gain financialorother materialbenefitsfor themselves,theirfamily,or theirfriends. Theymust discloseand resolveanyinterestsand relationships.

Objectivity

Holders of publicofficemust actandtakedecisionsimpartially, fairlyandonmerit, usingthe best
evidence andwithout discriminationor bias.

Accountability

Holders of publicofficeareaccountabletothepublic for theirdecisionsandactionsandmustsubmit
themselvesto thescrutinynecessary toensurethis.

Openness
Holdersofpublicofficeshouldactandtakedecisionsinanopenandtransparentmanner.Information shouldnotbewithheldfromthepublicunlessthereareclearandlawfulreasonsfor sodoing.

Honesty

Holdersof publicofficeshould betruthful.

Leadership

Holders of publicofficeshould exhibit theseprinciplesin their ownbehaviour. Theyshouldactively
promote and robustly supporttheprinciplesand bewillingtochallenge poorbehaviour wherever it
occurs.

AppendixBRegistering interests

Within 28 daysofbecomingamemberoryour re-electionor re-appointment toofficeyoumustregister with theMonitoring Officer theinterestswhich fall within thecategories setoutinTable1(Disclosable PecuniaryInterests) whichareasdescribed in“TheRelevantAuthorities(Disclosable Pecuniary

Interests) Regulations 2012”. Youshould also register details of your other personal interestswhichfall within thecategoriesset out inTable2(OtherRegisterable).

“DisclosablePecuniary Interest”meansaninterestofyourself,orofyour partnerif youareaware of your partner'sinterest, within thedescriptions set out in Table1 below.

"Partner"meansaspouse or civil partner,oraperson withwhom youareliving as husbandor wife, orapersonwithwhom youareliving as if youarecivil partners.

1.You mustensure thatyour registerof interestsiskeptup-to-dateandwithin28daysof becoming
aware of anynewinterest,orof anychange toaregisteredinterest, notifytheMonitoring Officer.

2.A‘sensitiveinterest’is asan interest which, ifdisclosed, couldlead tothecouncillor,oraperson
connected withthecouncillor,beingsubject toviolenceor intimidation.

3.Whereyouhavea‘sensitiveinterest’ youmustnotifytheMonitoringOfficerwiththereasonswhy
you believeit isasensitiveinterest. IftheMonitoringOfficeragreestheywillwithholdthe interest
from thepublic register.

Non participationincase of disclosablepecuniary interest

4.Where a matterarises at a meeting which directly relates to one of yourDisclosablePecuniary

Interests as set out in Table 1, you must disclose the interest, notparticipatein any discussion or
vote on the matter and must not remain in the roomunless you havebeen granted a
dispensation. If it is a ‘sensitive interest’, youdo nothave to disclose the nature of the interest,
just that you have an interest.Dispensation may be granted in limited circumstances, to enable
you to participateand vote on a matter inwhich you have a disclosable pecuniary interest.

5.[Whereyou have a disclosable pecuniary interest on a matter to be considered or isbeing
considered by you as a Cabinet member in exercise of  your executive function,you must notify

the Monitoring Officer of the interest and must not take any stepsorfurther steps in the matter
apart from arranging for someone else to deal with it ]

Disclosureof OtherRegisterable Interests

6.Whereamatterarisesat ameeting whichdirectly relatesto the financial interestorwellbeing of

oneofyour Other RegisterableInterests (asset out inTable 2), youmustdisclosetheinterest.
You mayspeakonthematteronlyif membersof thepublicarealsoallowedtospeakatthe
meetingbutotherwise must not takepart inanydiscussionor voteonthematterandmust not
remain intheroom unlessyouhavebeengrantedadispensation. Ifitis a ‘sensitive interest’,
youdonot haveto disclosethenatureof theinterest.

Disclosure ofNon-Registerable Interests
7.Whereamatterarisesatameetingwhichdirectly relatestoyour financialinterestorwell-being

(and is nota Disclosable Pecuniary Interestset outinTable1)orafinancial interestorwell-
beingof a relativeor close associate, youmustdisclose theinterest.Youmayspeakon the

matter only if membersof thepublic arealso allowedto speak at themeeting. Otherwiseyou mustnot takepart in anydiscussionorvoteon thematter andmustnotremainintheroom
unlessyouhavebeengrantedadispensation. If it is a ‘sensitive interest’, youdonot haveto disclosethenatureoftheinterest.

8.Whereamatterarisesatameetingwhichaffects-
8.1.        your ownfinancialinterestorwell-being;

8.2.        afinancial interestor well-beingof arelativeorcloseassociate;orafinancial interest or
wellbeing of a bodyincludedunder Other Registrable Interestsassetout inTable2

you mustdisclosetheinterest. Inorder todetermine whether youcan remain in themeetingafter
disclosing your interestthefollowing test should beapplied

9.Where a matter (referred to in paragraph 8 above) affects the financial interest or well-being
9.1.        toagreaterextent thanitaffectsthefinancialinterestsofthemajority  ofinhabitantsof

thewardaffectedbythedecision and;

9.2.        a reasonablememberof thepublicknowingallthefactswouldbelievethatitwould

affectyour viewof the widerpublicinterest

Youmayspeakon thematter onlyifmembersofthe publicarealsoallowed tospeakatthe

meeting.Otherwiseyoumust nottake part in anydiscussion or voteon thematterandmustnot
remainin theroom unlessyouhavebeengrantedadispensation.

If it isa‘sensitiveinterest’, you donothavetodisclose thenatureof theinterest.

10.[Whereyou havean OtherRegisterableInterestorNon-RegisterableInterestonamatterto be

consideredor isbeing consideredbyyouasa Cabinet member inexerciseofyour executive
function, you must notifytheMonitoring Officerof theinterest andmustnot takeanystepsor
further stepsin the matterapart from arranging forsomeoneelseto dealwithit]

Table1:DisclosablePecuniaryInterests

This table setsouttheexplanationof Disclosable PecuniaryInterestsassetout in theRelevantAuthorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests)Regulations2012.

*‘director’includesamemberof thecommitteeof managementof anindustrialandprovident society.

*‘securities’meansshares, debentures, debenturestock, loanstock, bonds,unitsofacollective investment scheme withinthemeaningof theFinancialServices andMarketsAct2000 andother securitiesof anydescription,other thanmoneydepositedwithabuildingsociety.

Table2:Other RegistrableInterests

You must register asanOtherRegisterableInterest
a)any unpaiddirectorships

b)anybodyof which youarea member or arein a positionof general controlor
management andto whichyouare nominatedorappointedby your authority

c)anybody

a.exercising functionsofapublic nature

b.directedtocharitablepurposesor

c.one of whoseprincipal purposesincludestheinfluence of public opinion or policy

(including anypolitical partyor trade union)

of which youareamemberor inapositionof general controlor management

AppendixC–theCommitteeonStandardsinPublicLife

TheLGAhasundertakenthis review whilst theGovernmentcontinues toconsider the
recommendationsmade bytheCommittee onStandardsin PublicLifein theirreport onLocal
GovernmentEthicalStandards.If theGovernmentchoosestoimplement anyoftherecommendations, thiscould requireachangeto thisCode.

The recommendationscover:
·RecommendationsforchangestotheLocalismAct2011toclarifyin law when the

Code ofConductapplies

·The introductionofsanctions

·An appealsprocessthroughthe LocalGovernment Ombudsman

·ChangestotheRelevant Authorities(DisclosablePecuniaryInterests)Regulations2012
·Updatestothe LocalGovernmentTransparencyCode

·Changes totherole and responsibilities oftheIndependent Person

·That thecriminaloffences in theLocalism Act2011 relatingtoDisclosablePecuniaryInterests

should be abolished

The LocalGovernmentEthicalStandardsreport also includesBestPracticerecommendations.These

are:

Bestpractice1:Localauthoritiesshouldinclude prohibitionsonbullyingandharassment incodesof
conduct.Theseshouldincludeadefinitionof bullying andharassment, supplemented withalist of
examplesofthesortof behaviourcovered bysuchadefinition.

Bestpractice2:  Councils should includeprovisions intheircodeofconduct requiringcouncillors to
complywith anyformalstandardsinvestigation andprohibitingtrivialor malicious allegationsby
councillors.

Bestpractice3:Principalauthoritiesshouldreview theircodeofconducteach year and regularly
seek,where possible, theviewsof thepublic, communityorganisationsandneighbouringauthorities.

Bestpractice4:An authority’s code should bereadilyaccessible tobothcouncillorsandthepublic, in aprominent positiononacouncil’swebsite andavailable incouncilpremises.

Bestpractice5:Localauthoritiesshouldupdate their giftsandhospitality registerat least once per
quarter, andpublish it in anaccessibleformat, suchas CSV.

Bestpractice6:Councils shouldpublish a clear andstraightforwardpublicinterest test against which allegationsarefiltered.

Bestpractice7:Localauthoritiesshouldhaveaccesstoatleast two Independent Persons.
Bestpractice8:An IndependentPersonshouldbeconsultedastowhethertoundertakeaformal
investigationonan allegation, andshould be giventheoptiontoreview andcommentonallegations
which theresponsibleofficer isminded todismissas beingwithoutmerit,vexatious,or trivial.

Bestpractice9: Wherealocal authoritymakesadecisiononan allegationofmisconduct followinga
formalinvestigation,adecision noticeshouldbepublishedassoon as possibleon its website,
includinga briefstatement of facts, theprovisionsof thecodeengagedby theallegations, theviewof
the Independent Person,thereasoningof thedecision-maker, andanysanctionapplied.

Bestpractice10: Alocalauthority shouldhavestraightforwardandaccessible guidance on its website onhowtomakea complaint underthe codeofconduct, theprocessfor handlingcomplaints,and
estimatedtimescales for investigations and outcomes.

Bestpractice11:Formalstandardscomplaintsabout theconductofaparish councillor towardsa
clerkshouldbe madebythechair orby theparishcouncil, rather thantheclerk in all butexceptional
circumstances.