Code of Conduct for Councillors

The Members’ Code of Conduct is intended to promote high standards of behaviour amongst the elected and co-opted members of the council. It is intended to provide a personal check and balance, and to set out the type of conduct that could lead to action being taken against councillors. It is also to protect councillors, the public, fellow councillors, local authority officers and the reputation of local government. It sets out general principles of conduct expected of all councillors and the specific obligations in relation to standards of conduct.

The fundamental aim of the code is to create and maintain public confidence in the role of councillors and local government. Eye Parish Council adopted the Code of Conduct on 14 August 2022.

Principles of Public Life

The Code is underpinned by the following principles of public life, which should be borne in mind, when interpreting the meaning of the code:

  • Selflessness
    Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.
  • Integrity
    Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.
  • Objectivity
    Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.
  • Accountability
    Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.
  • Openness
    Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.
  • Honesty
    Holders of public office should be truthful.
  • Leadership
    Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and be willing to challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

Open the full code of conduct below:

pdf Members’ Code of Conduct

Complaints

Complaints about parish councillors can be made by contacting the monitoring officer at Peterborough City Council.