The new ethical framework
The new ethical framework is part of the Local Government Act 2000. It provides clearer rules for councillors and officers about openness and honesty in their conduct. For the first time, there is now a rigorous mechanism for tackling infringements.
The code of conduct
As part of the framework, all councils have had to adopt a code of conduct. All councillors must sign up to it. This code of conduct is based on a national model that features stringent standards. The code sets out 10 general principles:
- Selflessness
- Honesty and integrity
- Objectivity
- Accountability
- Openness
- Personal judgement
- Respect for others
- Duty to uphold the law
- Stewardship
- Leadership
North Lincolnshire Council adopted the code on 23 May 2007 and all members of the council have signed up to it. The code is simpler than the previous rules on conduct.
Councillors have to declare their interests in two ways. If they have a significant personal interest affecting their impartiality on a matter discussed at a meeting, they should not take part and should leave when these issues are considered.
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Councillors must also declare a range of other interests. These are kept in a register that anyone can inspect at council offices.
North Lincolnshire Council is also responsible for maintaining the registers for parish and town councils in their area. The clerks to those councils also have copies.
To inspect the registers please contact Mr S Whittemore, Democratic Services, Telephone 01724 296232 or email steve.whittemore@northlincs.gov.uk.
Download forms and guidance
North Lincolnshire Council and Parish/Town Council
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The council's Standards Committee reviews and advises on the code of conduct.
The government is preparing a code of conduct for officers. It will introduce this code in the near future.
Further information on the ethical framework can be found on the Department for Communities and Local Government website.
Note: The above document is in Portable Document Format (PDF). You will need a suitable reader to view it. A reader can be downloaded free from the Adobe website (full instructions for downloading the reader are provided on the site).