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Code of Conduct for Councillors

code of conduct for councillors

Wokingham Borough Council has launched a consultation seeking your views on proposed changes to its Code of Conduct for its borough councillors.

When you vote for local councillors you place the successful candidates in positions of responsibility and trust, and the code sets out the behaviours expected of them to maintain this.

These councillor behaviours are known as the Seven Principles of Public Life which are selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

Elected councillors should act with integrity and honesty, treat people with civility and impartiality, avoid conflicts of interest and ensure public resources are used prudently in the public interest. The code also sets out the process they should follow to register and declare their financial and other interests. It also states they must not do anything which may cause their council to breach any of the provisions of the 2010 Equality Act.

The code also covers elected members in town and parish councils.

The Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL) publishes a set of best practice principles for standards in local government and recommends local authorities carry out an annual consultation on their Codes of Conduct as part of this. These principles are set out in the borough’s consultation together with a summary of Wokingham Borough Council’s current Code of Conduct alongside the proposed changes to this code. 

“We welcome your overall views on the Code of Conduct as well as your specific views on the proposed changes,” said Andrew Moulton, assistant director for governance at Wokingham Borough Council. “The role of councillor in all tiers of local government is a vital part of our country’s system of democracy.

The closing date for the consultation is 23.59pm on 11 December. You can access the consultation on our website and respond to it by emailing neil.carr@wokingham.gov.uk or by post to Democratic Services, Wokingham Borough Council, PO Box 151, Shute End, Wokingham RG40 1WH. If you cannot access the consultation online you can also email Neil Carr for a paper version. 

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