Issue - meetings

The Council considered the report of the Director – Governance & Organisational Development and Monitoring Officer which invited Members to consider the adoption of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) Model Member Code of Conduct. The LGA had developed the Model Code, following consultation with the local government sector, as a template for Councils to consider adopting in whole and/or with local amendments. The LGA had undertaken to complete a review of the Code annually to ensure that it continues to be fit for purpose, particularly with respect to advances in technology, social media and any relevant changes to legislation.

The differences between the existing Code of Conduct and the new model Code were detailed in the report. There were three obligations in the current code which the Councillors’ Commission had recommended be included in the new code. These were set out in the report and incorporated into the proposed new Code. Otherwise the Councillors’ Commission had recommended the adoption of the model code as set out.

AGREED (unanimously) that Members approve the adoption of the Member Code of Conduct for the Council, as set out in Appendix A of the report, to apply with immediate effect.