CODE OF CONDUCT
Parish Councillors represent local residents and work to develop better services and deliver local change. They have an individual and collective responsibility to meet these expectations by maintaining high standards and demonstrating good conduct. They are expected to challenge any behaviour which falls below expectations.
Councillors are bound by a Code of Conduct to ensure transparency in their actions. All elected members of the Parish Council must complete and keep up-to-date, an entry in the Register of Interests to allow parishioners to understand any factors that may influence Councillors’ decisions. The Register of Interests is held by Borough Council and contains the declarations of each public official in Bedford Borough.
Our Council Code of Conduct is reviewed every year at the annual meeting of the Parish Council and it incorporates the Nolan Principles, which were developed in response to growing public unease with scandal in public life.
It is also important that all Councillors should be able to undertake their role without being intimidated, abused, bullied, or threatened by anyone, including the general public.
THE DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
The Declaration provides information about factors that may affect the behaviour of a Councillor e.g. any local land ownership, their employment, membership of an organisation that seeks to influence public opinion including a political party and position on any charitable bodies. In the event of membership of a political party or charitable body, the participation of the Councillor is not limited to matters within the Parish and national or special interest organisations and charities should be recorded.
Regulations in the context of land ownership specify that enough clarity must be provided to allow any individual (not only parish residents) to identify the land held by the Councillor and/or their spouse/partner, including land that is owned, leased or licensed by them.
The Declaration is required by law. Failure to comply with making a full Declaration of Interests is a criminal offence and can result in criminal proceedings being brought against the individual who is in breach.
Should a Councillor have an interest in an item on a Parish Council meeting Agenda, a declaration of pecuniary and non-pecuniary interest is made at the beginning of the meeting.