The Monitoring Officer submitted a report outlining the new recommended model Councillor Code of Conduct (the Model Code) that had been published by the Local Government Association (LGA) on 23 December 2020. The LGA had developed the Model Code in association with key partners and after extensive consultation with local authorities. The Model Code, which was attached at Annex A, provided a template for Councils to adopt in whole and/or with local amendments, should they wish to. It set out the standards of councillor conduct and guidance on the reasons for these obligations and how they should be followed. The report advised that discussions with Monitoring Officers from neighbouring authorities had indicated a collective leaning towards adoption of the Model Code, albeit with some variations.

A copy of the Council’s current Code of Conduct (dated 23 October 2012) was attached at Annex B.

The Monitoring Officer highlighted several issues for the Committee’s consideration as to whether local variations to the Model Code were appropriate. These were: 

·       Use of social media

·       Gift and hospitality threshold

·       Dealing with disrespect

·       Exempt information

In respect of the gift and hospitality threshold, the report explained that the monetary threshold of £50.00 in the Model Code was more than the £25.00 threshold in the Council’s current Code of Conduct. The LGA had reported that over seven in ten respondents (72%) supported £25.00 as the threshold for registering gifts and hospitality. The Committee considered that £25.00 was the appropriate figure, noting that any gifts received were estimated as being well within this value. 

In respect of exempt information, the report explained that the operation of the clauses set out in paragraphs 4.1(a) to 4.1 iv(3) of the Model Code was quite complicated, involving a number of matters which a councillor was required to take into account when dealing with exempt and confidential information. The report recommended adopting a more straightforward obligation on councillors, namely to seek advice from the Monitoring Officer before releasing any paper which was marked, or could reasonably be assumed to be, confidential or exempt. The Committee agreed with this proposed modification.

The Monitoring Officer agreed to produce a revised version of the Model Code, incorporating these two amendments and any other revisions, to a future meeting of the Committee before being recommended to Council for adoption.   

Resolved –

(1)     That the Monitoring Officer produce a revised version of the Model Code, to be submitted to this Committee prior to it being recommended to the Council for adoption; 

(2)     That a training programme for the new adopted Model Code be developed and presented by the Monitoring Officer after the next Council elections for the benefit of all new and existing councillors.