Issue - meetings

Report of the Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services

Further to Minute No. 28 of the Audit and Governance Committee held on 17 March 2020 the Council considered the report of the Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services on proposals for a new Members’ Code of Conduct.

It was moved by Councillor Roche, seconded by Councillor Fairclough and

RESOLVED:

That the new Member Code of Conduct as set out in Appendix A to the report, be approved.

Report of the Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services

The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services on proposals for a new Members’ Code of Conduct.

The Chief Legal and Democratic Officer (CLDO) presented the report and indicated that the Local Government Association (LGA) had published a model Councillor Code of Conduct (the Model Code); that the Model Code, attached at Appendix A, was described by the LGA as ‘designed to protect our democratic role, encourage good conduct and safeguard the public’s trust in local government’; that guidance was expected to follow in April 2021; and the Model Councillor Code of Conduct was a template for local authorities to adopt in whole and/or with local amendments.

The report indicated that in accordance with the Council’s statutory duty to promote and maintain standards of conduct members were asked to consider whether the new code should be adopted by the Council in its entirety or in part or to keep the current code. Code of Conduct training sessions would be held for all members and co-opted members in the new municipal year.

RESOLVED:

That Council be requested to approve the adoption of the new Member Code of Conduct set out in Appendix A to the report.