Councillors

Code of Conduct

The 10 general principles governing the conduct of Members of Local Authorities

The principles as set out below define the standards that Members should uphold.

Selflessness

Members should serve only the public interest and should never improperly confer an advantage or disadvantage on any person.

Honesty and Integrity

Members should not place themselves in situations where their honesty and integrity may be questioned, should not behave improperly and should on all occasions avoid the appearance of such behaviour.

Objectivity

Members should make decisions on merit, including when making appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards or benefits.

Accountability

Members should be accountable to the public for their actions and the manner in which they carry out their responsibilities, and should cooperate fully and honestly with any scrutiny appropriate to their particular office.

Openness

Members should be as open as possible about their actions and those of their authority, and should be prepared to give reasons for those actions.

Personal judgement

Members may take account of the view of others, including their political groups, but should reach their own conclusions on the issues before them and act in accordance with those conclusions.

Respect for others

Members should promote equality by not discriminating unlawfully against any person, and by treating people with respect, regardless of their race, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability. They should respect the impartiality and integrity of the authority's statutory officers and its other employees.

Duty to uphold the law

Members should uphold the law and, on all occasions, act in accordance with the trust that the public is entitled to place in them.

Stewardship

Members should do whatever they are able to do to ensure that their authorities use their resources prudently and in accordance with the law.

Leadership

Members should promote and support these principles by leadership, and by example, and should act in a way that secures or preserves public confidence.

Members code of conduct PDF 39K