The Localism Act
The Localism Act 2011 replaced the previous Standards regime. Councils are now responsible for promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct by their members. All councils, including town and parish councils are required to adopt their own code of conduct.
The Code of Conduct
All councils have had to adopt a code of conduct. All councillors must sign up to it. The code sets out 7 general principles:
- Selflessness
- Integrity
- Objectivity
- Accountability
- Openness
- Honesty
- Leadership.
North Lincolnshire Council adopted its code on 1 July 2012.
Councillors have to declare their interests in two ways. If they have a personal interest on a matter discussed at a meeting, they need to declare it. Where that interest is considered prejudicial, i.e. it might be seen to affect their judgement they should not take part and should leave when these issues are considered.
Councillors must also declare a range of other interests. The Localism Act requires them to register 'Disclosable Pecuniary Interests', failure to do so being a criminal offence. The Council's Code of Conduct also requires them to register other Personal Interests.
Details of Interests registered by members and co-opted members of North Lincolnshire Council and Parish and Town Councils in North Lincolnshire can be found here. Copies are also kept in a register that anyone can inspect at the Civic Centre, Scunthorpe by appointment. To do so please contact Steve Whittemore in Democratic Services on 01724 296232.
North Lincolnshire Council is also responsible for maintaining the registers for Parish and Town Councils in their area. The clerk to those councils also have copies.
Further Information:
