Rules of Conduct

6. Members shall base their conduct on a consideration of the public interest, avoid conflict between personal interest and the public interest and resolve any conflict between the two, at once, and in favour of the public interest.

7. Members shall observe the following rules:-

General requirements

(1)   Do treat everyone with respect
(2)   Do not bully any person
(3)   Do not harass any person
(4)   Do promote equalities and do not discriminate unlawfully against any person
(5)   Do not use your position improperly to confer on or secure for yourself or any other person, an advantage or disadvantage, or seek to improperly influence a decision about any matter from which you are excluded from participating or voting as a result of the requirements of Part VI of this Code
(6)   Do not do anything which compromises, or is likely to compromise, the impartiality of those who work for, or on behalf of, the Council
(7)   Do not disclose information given to you in confidence by anyone, or information acquired by you which you believe, or ought reasonably to be aware, is of a confidential nature, unless–

(i)    you have the consent of a person authorised to give it;
(ii)   you are required by law to do so;
(iii)  the disclosure is made to a third party for the purpose of obtaining professional legal advice provided that the third party agrees not to disclose the information to any other person; or
(iv)  the disclosure is –

(a)   reasonable and in the public interest; and
(b)   made in good faith and in compliance with the reasonable requirements of the Council.

        Before making any disclosure under (iv) above, the written advice of the Monitoring Officer must be sought and considered.

(8)   Do not prevent another person from gaining access to information to which that person is entitled by law
(9)   Do promote and support high standards of conduct when serving in your public post by leadership and example
(10)   Do not behave in a manner which brings your role or the Council into disrepute
(11) Do not use knowledge gained solely as a result of your role as a Member for the advancement of your own interests.

When using the resources of the Council, or authorising the use of those resources by others:

(12) Do act in accordance with the Council’s requirements including the requirements of the Council’s ICT Policies
(13) Do ensure that such resources are not used for political purposes (including party political purposes) unless that use could reasonably be regarded as likely to facilitate, or be conducive to, the discharge of the functions of the Council or to the office to which you have been elected or appointed
(14) Do have regard to any applicable Local Authority Code of Publicity made under the Local Government Act 1986

When making decisions on behalf of, or as part of, the Council:

(15) Do ensure that decisions are made on merit, particularly when making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards or benefits
(16) Do have regard to advice provided to you by the Council’s Officers, particularly that provided by the Chief Financial Officer and Monitoring Officer where such advice is offered pursuant to their statutory duties
(17) Do be as open as possible about your own decisions and actions and those of the Council and be prepared to give reasons for those decisions and actions
(18) Do ensure that you are accountable for your decisions and co-operate fully with whatever scrutiny is appropriate to your office