The Ethical Framework
All local authorities are required to adopt a Code of Conduct, which sets out rules governing the behaviour of their members.
All elected, co-opted and independent members of local authorities, including parish councils, are required to abide by their own, formally adopted, Code. The Government issued the current Model Code of Conduct for members on 4 April 2007. Guidance on the Code is also available.
The Code of Conduct seeks to ensure that members observe the highest standards of conduct when carrying out their role. The current Code incorporates the Ten Principles of Public Life based on the seven 'Nolan' principles set out by the Committee on Standards in Public Life.
In addition to the Code of Conduct, the Council has also adopted a Code of Corporate Governance. This sets out how the Council meets the six principles of good governance as defined in the Corporate Governance Framework issued by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and the Society of Local Council Chief Executives and Senior Managers (SOLACE).
North East Derbyshire District Council’s Members' Code of Conduct
The Council adopted its Members’ Code of Conduct on 21 May 2007.
The Code sets out the rules governing the behaviour of members of North East Derbyshire District Council. Each member has signed an undertaking to act in accordance with the Code of Conduct.
A copy of the Code of Conduct adopted by the Council can be found under Part 5 – Codes and Protocols of the Council’s Interactive Constitution.
Parish Council Members' Code of Conduct
Each Parish Council has adopted a Code of Conduct which is in substantially the same form as the District Council's. Each Parish Councillor has agreed to observe the Code of Conduct.
You should contact your Parish Clerk direct should you wish to view the Code of Conduct relevant to your Parish.
In 2009, the Council took part in a Compact Pilot Evaluation organised by BMG Research on behalf of Standards for England with the aim of improving governance arrangements at town and parish council level. The findings from the pilot were published in January 2010.
Work on a Parish Charter for North East Derbyshire is currently ongoing.
Councillors’ Register of Interests
All members and co-opted members of local authorities are required by law to complete a register of interests form to register their financial and other interests. They have to complete their register of interests within 28 days of being elected.
The information includes:
· Details of any employment or business undertaken by them;
· The name of their employer;
· Details of people who have paid towards election expenses;
· Contracts between themselves/their firm and the Council;
· Interests in any land in the area;
· Details of any directorships.
Details of the register of interest for each District councillor can be viewed online.
The full register of District and Parish Councillors' interests is maintained by the Council's Monitoring Officer. The register is available for public inspection, by appointment, between the hours of 8.30am and 5.00pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8.30am and 4.30pm on Friday at the Council House, Saltergate, Chesterfield.
To make an appointment please contact John Newby, Assistant Director - Governance (details below).
The Ethical Standards Committee
The Council's Ethical Standards Committee is responsible for establishing and maintaining the highest standards of integrity within the Council at all levels of decision making.
It also considers complaints, made to it through the Council's Monitoring Officer, about possible breaches of the Code of Conduct by District or Parish Councillors.
The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Ethical Standards Committee are both independent members who have been co-opted on to the Council.
The Ethical Standards Committee ordinarily meets five times a year. Its meetings are usually held in public. You can access agenda and other meeting papers in the Committees and Meetings section of the Council’s website.
Reporting a Breach of the Code of Conduct
Anyone may report a breach of the Code of Conduct by a Councillor.
Until 8 May 2008, a report of a breach had to be made to Standards for England. This changed on 8 May and a complaint about a breach of the Code of Conduct may now be made to the Council’s Monitoring Officer.
Find out more information about how to make a complaint against a councillor.
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