Code of Conduct
The Localism Act was granted Royal Assent on 15th November 2011. New standards requirements apply to all local authorities, including Parish councils. All will be under a duty to "promote and maintain high standards of conduct by members and co-opted members of the authority‟. The duty includes an authority adopting a code of conduct which applies to members [Councillors] when they are acting in their capacity as members. A Parish Council may revise its existing code or adopt a code to replace its existing code. Codes must be consistent with the Nolan principles, which are:
1. selflessness 2. integrity 3. objectivity 4. accountability 5. openness 6. honesty 7. leadership
and must include a requirement for members [Councillors] to register and disclose pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests. [Go to 'Councillors' page then - Registers of Interest]
All Councils must have in place “arrangements” for the investigation of allegations against Members [Councillors] (which must be made in writing) and for making decisions on allegations, with or without an investigation or a hearing. For Hannington Parish Council, this function will continue to be carried out by the Monitoring Officer, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.
Chris Pottinger,
Clerk, Hannington Parish council