CODE OF ETHICAL CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The County Council has had a Standards and Ethics Committee in place since 1997.  Its roles and responsibilities have changed over time, more recently to reflect the New Ethical Framework which was put in place as part of the Local Government Act 2000.

The Council’s revised constitution, which came into force in October 2003, reflects these changes and prescribes the following functions to the Committee:-

·    To promote and maintain a high standard of conduct by County Councillors, co-opted members and church and parent governor representatives; to oversee the Register of Members Interests; and to oversee the effectiveness of the Council’s procedures for investigating and responding to complaints against Councillors.

·    To assist County Councillors, co-opted members and church and parent governor representatives to observe the Members’ Code of Conduct and protocols in place from time to time.

·    To advise the County Council on the adoption or revision of any Members’ Code of Conduct and protocols of the County Council.

·    To monitor the operation of such codes and protocols.

·    To advise, train or arrange to train County Councillors, co-opted members and church and parent governor representatives on matters relating to any Members’ Codes of Conduct and protocols.

·    To consider any report from the Chief Internal Auditor in pursuance of Financial Regulations.

·    To grant dispensations to County Councillors, co-opted members and church and parent governor representatives from requirements relating to interests set out in the Members’ Code of Conduct.

·    To consider reports or recommendations from a case or interim case tribunal, the Monitoring Officer or Ethical Standards Officer, including conducting hearings into such allegations of failure to comply with the Members’ Code of Conduct as are referred to it, and to take such action as required, permitted or appropriate.(The Committee has established a Sub-Committee to undertake this aspect of its work).

The Committee has considered how it would wish to discharge these functions.  It has concluded that it would be extremely helpful to pull together an Ethical Code of Corporate Governance.   This Code provides an excellent reference point covering expected standards of behaviour and ways of doing business with the County Council.

Now that the component parts of the Ethical Code have been agreed, the Committee intends to test the extent to which the Council, its members and officers are meeting the standards and expectations set out in this Ethical Code.   The Committee therefore sees its future work programme as including testing views and seeking feedback from both inside and outside the County Council on performance against the Ethical Code.  From time to time it will be necessary to update individual codes and protocols and when necessary add new ones.  This will form a further dimension to our work.

We believe that the existence of this Ethical Code should be publicised widely in order that those who have a role to play in the work of the County Council are aware of the expectations of them.  Similarly it will inform external parties of the standards they can expect when dealing with the Council.

The Ethical Code will continue to develop over time and updates will be issued periodically.  In the meantime you can email any comments or concerns you may have to the following email address: standards@worcestershire.gov.uk

Section        Detail

1	Principles of Public Life  (53.65 KB)
2	Members’ Code of Conduct  (104.31 KB)
3	Officers’ Code of Conduct  (106.58 KB)
4	Member/Officer Relations Protocol  (231.95 KB)
5	Use of Facilities by Members  (90.45 KB)
6	Policy on the use of Email, the internet and External Computerised Information Service Providers
7	Members’ Access to Information and Council Documents  (129.89 KB)
8	Code of Practice on Planning Matters  (103.81 KB)
9	Equal Opportunities  (65.53 KB)
10	Local Authority Publicity – Code of Practice  (110.48 KB)
11	Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy  (142.62 KB)
12	Whistleblowing Policy (currently being updated)