Introduction
Linton Parish Council (the Authority) has adopted this Code of Conduct pursuant to Section 27 of the Localism Act 2011 to promote and maintain high standards of behaviour by its members and coopted members whenever they are acting in their capacity as a member of the Authority or when they claim to act or give the impression of acting as a representative of the Authority.
This Code is based on the principles of selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership (“the Nolan Principles”) which are appended to this Code. This Code of Conduct will be interpreted by reference to these Principles.
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Application
This Code of Conduct applies to you whenever you are acting, claim to act or give the impression you are acting in your capacity as a Member of the Authority, including:–
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at formal Meetings of the Authority
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when acting as a representative of the Authority
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when corresponding with the authority other than in a private capacity
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Meeting
In this Code “Meeting” means any meeting organised by or on behalf of the Authority, including :–
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any meeting of the Council, or a Committee or Sub-Committee of Council
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at any site visit to do with the business of the Authority
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General Conduct
You must –
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provide leadership to the authority and the community within its area, by personal example and
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respect others and not bully or threaten or attempt to bully or threaten any person
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respect the confidentiality of information which you receive as a Member by–
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not disclosing confidential information to third parties unless required by law to do so or where there is a clear and over-riding public interest in doing so; and
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not obstructing third parties legal rights of access to information
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not conduct yourself in a manner which is likely to bring the Authority into disrepute
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use your position as a Member in the public interest and not for personal advantage
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comply with the Authority’s reasonable rules on the use of public resources for private and political purposes
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exercise your own independent judgement, taking decisions for good and substantial reasons by –
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attaching appropriate weight to all relevant considerations including, where appropriate, public opinion and the views of political groups
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paying due regard to the advice of Officers
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stating the reasons for your decisions where those reasons are not otherwise apparent
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do nothing that causes the Authority to act unlawfully.
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Disclosable Pecuniary Interests
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You have a disclosable pecuniary interest if it is of a description specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State ( as set out in the Appendix) and either:
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it is an interest of yours, or
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it is an interest of:
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your spouse or civil partner; or
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a person with whom you are living as husband and wife; or
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a person with whom you are living as if you were civil partners; and you are aware that other person has the interest.
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4.2 You must -
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comply with the statutory requirements to register, disclose and withdraw from participating in respect of any matter in which you have a disclosable pecuniary interest
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ensure that your register of interests is kept up to date and notify the Monitoring Officer in writing within 28 days of becoming aware of any change in respect of your disclosable pecuniary interests
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make a verbal declaration of the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interest at any meeting at which you are present at which an item of business which affects or relates to the subject matter of that interest is under consideration, at or before the consideration of the item of business or as soon as the interest becomes apparent
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Where you have a disclosable pecuniary interest, whether the interest is registered or not, you must not (unless you have obtained a dispensation from the Authoritys Monitoring Officer)
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participate, or participate further, in any discussion of the matter at the meeting; or
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remain in the meeting room whilst the matter is being debated or participate in any vote taken on the matter at the meeting.
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Other Interests
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In addition to the requirements of Paragraph 4, if you attend a meeting at which any item of business is to be considered and you are aware that you have a “nondisclosable pecuniary interest or non-pecuniary interest” in that item, you must make verbal declaration of the existence and nature of that interest at or before the consideration of the item of business or as soon as the interest becomes apparent
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You have a “non-disclosable pecuniary interest or non-pecuniary interest” in an item of business of your authority where –
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a decision in relation to that business might reasonably be regarded as affecting the well-being or financial standing of you or a member of your family or a person with whom you have a close association to a greater extent than it would affect the majority of the Council Tax payers, ratepayers or inhabitants of the parish area for which you have been elected or otherwise of the authoritys administrative area, or
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it relates to or is likely to affect any of the interests listed in the Table in the Appendix to this Code, but in respect of a member of your family (other than a relevant person) or a person with whom you have a close association and that interest is not a disclosable pecuniary interest.
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Gifts and Hospitality
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You must, within 28 days of receipt, notify the Parish Clerk in writing of any gift, benefit or hospitality with a value in excess of £50 which you have accepted as a Member from any person or body other than the authority.
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The Parish Clerk will place your notification on a public register of gifts and hospitality.
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