Issue - meetings

To consider the recommendation from the Standards and Ethics Committee in respect of the LGA’s Model Member Code of Conduct.

Pursuant to Standard and Ethics Committee Minute No.106 (2020/21), consideration was given to a report than recommended that the Local Government Association’s Model Code of Conduct be adopted by the Council.

The Local Government Association Model Councillor Code of Conduct 2020 was attached as an appendix to the officer’s report.

Resolved: -  That the Local Government Association Model Councillor Code of Conduct be adopted by the Council.

Mover: Councillor McNeely                               Seconder: Councillor Clark

To consider whether to recommend to Council that the LGA’s Model Code of Conduct should be adopted by the Council.

Further to Minute No. 97 of the previous meeting of the Standards and Ethics Committee consideration was given to the report following the Council’s receipt of the final approved version of the LGA Model Code of Conduct on 23^rd December 2020. 

The Committee were, therefore, asked to consider the final version and to decide whether they would recommend it being adopted by the Council, and whether any amendments to the Model Code of Conduct would be appropriate.  The Model Code, as per the LGA website set out the importance of the role of the Councillor and holding Councillors to account.

The attention of the Committee was drawn to the general principles of conduct expected of all councillors and the specific obligations in relation to standards of conduct with the aim of creating and maintaining public confidence in the role of Councillor and Local Government.

Whilst the new Code was not greatly different, it provided more guidance when the Code was to be applied.

The LGA would endeavour to review and evaluate the Code on an annual basis to ensure it remained fit for purpose and to consider any reasonable adjustments.

The Council would look to synchronise its own annual review with that of the LGA and would contact them accordingly to give sight to both reviews to  this Committee for consideration before being recommended onto full Council.

The new Code was welcomed and whilst there were some slightly improved variations it also clarified some concerns relating to social media.  It did not address or resolve the lack of sanctions that could be applied following complaints.

Adoption of the new Code would require further training and every effort would be made to put this in place, in accordance with the current pandemic regulations.

Resolved:-  That the Committee recommends to Council that the LGA’s Model Member Code of Conduct be adopted.