Consultation on New Councillor Code of Conduct

Stratford-on-Avon District Council is consulting the public on a new draft code of conduct for its councillors, and we need your help to make sure the code is in line with the kind of behaviour that we should reasonably expect from our elected representatives. By law the code of conduct can only deal with conduct of councillors when they are carrying out council business so does not cover what they do when they are not acting as a councillor.

The existing code, adopted by the council in 2012, is based on a model promoted by Central Government. This code has also been adopted by a majority of the town and parish councils in the district. However, experience in dealing with individual complaints over the last five years has shown that the current code is no longer fit for purpose. For example, the language used was not always clear enough to help people who want to complain or who investigate those complaints.

A series of workshop events have taken place with councillors from both the district council and a representative sample of Parish and town councillors and clerks, out of which a new draft code has emerged as a basis for consultation. The process is being facilitated by Hoey Ainscough Associates Limited, recognised leaders in the field of ethics and standards. The code will be accompanied by separate guidance that will explain some of the terms used in the code and include a digest of case studies.

This is the chance to have your say about the draft code. So, whether you are a resident, a customer, a local business, or a parish council within the area, we want to hear what you have to say. The consultation runs to the end of August. Your comments will be considered by the Audit and Standards Committee in September, and Full Council will be invited to adopt a new code in October.

A copy of the draft code, the draft guidance and the report that explains the principles behind it can be found here.

Your comments need to be in writing and addressed to:-

By post:-
The Monitoring Officer
Stratford-on-Avon District Council
Elizabeth House
Church Street
Stratford-upon-Avon
CV37 6HX

By e-mail:-
monitoring.officer@stratford-dc.gov.uk

The consultation period ends on 31 August 2017.