• The Code of Conduct formalises the ethical guidelines which govern the behaviour of all elected representatives. It is currently being extended to employees of public bodies,

• The Code of Conduct applies to all Parish Councils irrespective of size,

• You may view the Code Of Conduct 2001 here
  

Members' code of conduct background  

•  Section 51 of the Local Government Act 2000, requires all relevant authorities to adopt a members' code of conduct

•  Each authority's code must incorporate the mandatory conditions contained in a model code of conduct issued by the Secretary of State and approved by Parliament. (see general background brief).

• On 5th November 2001 the Government issued 4 model codes of conduct for: principal authorities (si no 3575), parish councils (SI no 3576), Police Authorities in England and Wales (SI no 3578) and National Parks & The Broads authority (SI no 3577). All these instruments are available at http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/stat.htm

•  The model codes contain mandatory provisions covering:

  • The respect owed to people, including council employees

  • non-discrimination

  • access to information

  • impartiality, objectivity and integrity

  • stewardship of resources

  • accountability; and

  • confidential reporting

• The codes also provide:

  • that members should record their personal interests, and any gifts or hospitality that they receive as a consequence of their duties, in public registers to be maintained by the authority's monitoring officer;

  • rules about when members should declare personal interests before participating in council business; and;

  • the circumstances in which they should take no part in council business because their interests could be considered to be "prejudicial".

• Authorities had until 5 May 2002 in which to adopt their own code of conduct, based on the relevant model. If they fail to do so the mandatory conditions of the relevant model code apply automatically to an authority and its members.

• From the time that an authority adopts its code of conduct - or 5 May 2002 - whichever is the earlier, anybody who believes that a councillor has breached the code can complain to the Standards Board for England (see the Standards Board for England brief). The Board will investigate the complaint.

•  Ultimately, any member who has breached the code of conduct may be censured, suspended, or even disqualified from being a councillor (see the Adjudication Panel for England brief)