Code of Conduct
Fishtoft Parish Council
Councillor Code of Conduct
The role of councillors across all tiers of local government is a vital part of our country’s system of democracy. It is important that as councillors we can be held accountable, and all adopt the behaviours and responsibilities associated with the role. Our conduct as an individual councillor affects the reputation of all councillors. We want the role of councillor to be one that people aspire to. We also want individuals from a range of backgrounds and circumstances to be putting themselves forward to become councillors.
As councillors, we represent local residents, work to develop better services and deliver local change. The public have high expectations of us and entrust us to represent our local area, taking decisions fairly, openly, and transparently. We have both an individual and collective responsibility to meet these expectations by maintaining high standards and demonstrating good conduct, and by challenging behaviour which falls below expectations.
Importantly, we should be able to undertake our role as a councillor without being intimidated, abused, bullied, or threatened by anyone, including the general public.
This Code has been designed to protect our democratic role, encourage good conduct and safeguard the public’s trust in local government.
Boston Borough Council has adopted this code setting out the expected behaviours required of its Members or co-opted members, acknowledging that they each have a responsibility to represent the community and work constructively with staff and partner organisations to secure better social, economic and environmental outcomes for all.
In accordance with the Localism Act provisions, when acting in this capacity all Councillors must be committed to behaving in a manner that is consistent with the following principles to achieve best value for our residents and maintain public confidence in this authority.
General principles of councillor conduct
Everyone in public office at all levels; all who serve the public or deliver public services,
including ministers, civil servants, councillors and local authority officers; should uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life, at Appendix A, also known as the Nolan Principles.
Building on these principles, the following general principles have been developed
specifically for the role of councillor.
In accordance with the public trust placed in me, on all occasions:
• I act with integrity and honesty
• I act lawfully
• I treat all persons fairly and with respect; and
• I lead by example and act in a way that secures public confidence in the role of councillor.
In undertaking my role:
• I impartially exercise my responsibilities in the interests of the local community
• I do not improperly seek to confer an advantage, or disadvantage, on any
person
• I avoid conflicts of interest
• I exercise reasonable care and diligence; and
• I ensure that public resources are used prudently in accordance with my local authority’s requirements and in the public interest.
Application of the Code of Conduct
This Code of Conduct applies to you as soon as you sign your declaration of acceptance of the office of councillor or attend your first meeting as a co-opted member and continues to apply to you until you cease to be a councillor.
This Code of Conduct applies to you when you are acting in your capacity as a councillor which may include when:
• you misuse your position as a councillor
• Your actions would give the impression to a reasonable member of the public with knowledge of all the facts that you are acting as a councillor;
The Code applies to all forms of communication and interaction, including:
• at face-to-face meetings
• at online or telephone meetings
• in written communication
• in verbal communication
• in non-verbal communication
• in electronic and social media communication, posts, statements and comments.
You are also expected to uphold high standards of conduct and show leadership at all times when acting as a councillor.
The principles are:
SELFLESSNESS: Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends.
INTEGRITY: Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties.
OBJECTIVITY: In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.
ACCOUNTABILITY: Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
OPENNESS: Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.
HONESTY: Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.
LEADERSHIP: Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.
The Act further provides for registration and disclosure of interests and in Boston Borough Council this will be done as follows:
On taking up office a Member or co-opted member must, within 28 days of becoming such, notify the Monitoring Officer of any ‘disclosable pecuniary interests’, as prescribed by the Secretary of State.
On re-election or re-appointment, a Member or co-opted member must, within 28 days, notify the Monitoring Officer of any ‘disclosable pecuniary interests’ not already included in his or her register of interests.
If a Member or co-opted member is aware that they have a ‘disclosable pecuniary interest’ in a matter they must not participate in any discussion or vote on the matter at a meeting.
If a Member or co-opted member is aware of a ‘disclosable pecuniary interest’ in a matter under consideration at a meeting, but such interest is not already on the Council’s register of interests or in the process of entry onto the register having been notified to the Monitoring Officer, the member or co-opted member must disclose the ‘disclosable pecuniary interest’ to the meeting and register it within 28 days of the meeting at which it is first disclosed.
The Council has adopted Council Procedure Rules requiring: -
A Member or co-opted member with a ‘disclosable pecuniary interest’ to withdraw from the meeting while any discussion or vote on any matter relating to it takes place, taking no part in the debate or vote – EXCEPT that a Member or co-opted member with a ‘disclosable pecuniary interest’ may take part in any public speaking scheme at that meeting, but must leave the room immediately after having so participated.