NEW FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL

CODE OF CONDUCT (From 5 May 2023)

EXPLANATORY NOTE FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS

By law, all Councillors are required to follow their Council’s Code of Conduct when acting in their capacity as a Councillor.

The Code set out below has been adopted by New Forest District Council to fulfil its obligations under section 27 (2) of the Localism Act 2011, and is consistent with the following principles of public life set out in the Act:  selflessness;  integrity;  objectivity;  accountability;  openness;  honesty, and leadership.

If you have any doubt about whether any action you propose to take may be in breach of the Code, you should seek advice from the Monitoring Officer beforehand.  However, please remember that responsibility for your actions remains at all times with you.

Anyone who considers you have failed to comply with this Code may make a formal complaint about you.  The Council has adopted procedures for dealing with complaints.  If a complaint is upheld, this may lead to your formal censure, adverse publicity (“naming and shaming”), or the Council removing you from a Committee or other position.

Apart from the provisions of this Code, members are required to register and disclose both pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests, as set out in the law and the Council’s Standing Orders.  Failure to comply with the law as it applies to disclosable pecuniary interests is a criminal offence. 

(This explanatory note does not form part of the Code).

NEW FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL

CODE OF CONDUCT

Whenever you are acting in your capacity as a Councillor:

1.         You must not use, or try to use, your position improperly to obtain an advantage or disadvantage for yourself or any other person or body.

2.         You must not use your Council’s resources improperly for political purposes or any other purposes forbidden by your Council.

3.         You must not do anything that compromises, or is likely to compromise, the impartiality of those who work for the Council.

4.         You must not bully anyone. 

(Bullying is offensive, intimidating, malicious, insulting or humiliating behaviour that is directed at someone over whom you have some actual or potential influence).

5.         You must not intimidate, or try to intimidate, anyone who has complained about you or who may be involved with a complaint about you.

6.         You must not disclose information that you know, or ought to know, is confidential, without authority or a legitimate reason.

7.         You must not prevent, or try to prevent, anyone from obtaining information to which they are entitled by law.

8.         You must not do anything that may cause your Council to breach any of the Equality laws that prohibit discrimination on grounds such as age, sex, race, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or pregnancy.