The Ethical Framework
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. The Codes of Conduct seek to ensure that members observe the highest standards of conduct in their civic 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.
The Ten General Principles are:
Selflessness - Members should serve only the public interest and should never improperly confer an advantage or disadvantage on any person.
Honesty and Integrity - Members should not place themselves in situations where their honesty and integrity may be questioned, should not behave improperly and should on all occasions avoid the appearance of such behaviour.
Objectivity - Members should make decisions on merit, including when making appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards or benefits.
Accountability - Members should be accountable to the public for their actions and the manner in which they carry out their responsibilities, and should co-operate fully and honestly with any scrutiny appropriate to their particular office.
Openness - Members should be as open as possible about their actions and those of their authority, and should be prepared to give reasons for those actions.
Personal Judgement - Members may take account of the views of others, including their political groups, but should reach their own conclusions on the issues before them and act in accordance with those conclusions.
Respect for Others - Members should promote equality by not discriminating unlawfully against any person, and by treating people with respect, regardless of their race, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability. They should respect the impartiality and integrity of the authority's statutory officers, and its other employees.
Duty to Uphold the Law - Members should uphold the law and, on all occasions, act in accordance with the trust that the public is entitled to place in them.
Stewardship - Members should do whatever they are able to do to ensure that their authorities use their resources prudently and in accordance with the law.
Leadership - Members should promote and support these principles by leadership, and by example, and should act in a way that secures or preserves public confidence.
Eden District Council Members' Code of Conduct
Eden District Council adopted a Members Code of Conduct on 19 July 2007. The Code sets out the rules governing the behaviour of Members of Eden District Council. Each Member has signed an undertaking to act in accordance with the Code of Conduct.
Members' Code of Conduct (PDF: 180Kb / pages)can be found under Part 5 of the Constitution: Codes and Protocols.
Parish Council Members' Code of Conduct
Each Parish Council has adopted a Code of Conduct which is substantially the same form as Eden 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.
Councillors Register of Interests
All Members and Co-opted Members of District and Parish Councils are required by law (Local Government Act 2000) 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 carried on 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 Councillors can be viewed online by selecting one from the Councillor list.
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 9am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday at the Town Hall, Penrith.
To make an appointment you can:
- Write to Democratic Services, Town Hall, Penrith CA11 7QF
- Email: cttee.admin@eden.gov.uk
- Telephone 01768 212207 or 212231
The Standards Committee
The Council's 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. Further information about how to Report a Breach and the work of the Standards Committee can be found on this website.
