Agenda item

The Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive were welcomed to the meeting for a discussion on matters relating to the Council’s ethical governance framework and issues of probity and conduct.

The Monitoring Officer summarised an Ethical Audit Desktop Analysis that had been prepared to provide background for the discussion.  The document set out key information held by the Council on areas such as councillor and officer codes of conduct, procedure rules and other protocols along with details of the current situation to assist the committee in identifying any particular areas for review or further action.

In his opening remarks to the Committee the Leader confirmed the commitment of the new administration to seek to uphold the highest standards of behaviour including adherence to the Nolan Principles of standards in public life.  He stated that he wanted to promote and embed a culture of accountability, transparency and empowerment across the Council and that he had written to staff and communicated these priorities widely.  High standards of conduct and behaviour were expected of all councillors and he indicated that he had spoken to other group leaders who shared the desire to focus on ways of working constructively together in the future.  The ethical audit prepared by the Monitoring Officer was welcomed and set out how the Council already had relevant and up-to-date policies and procedures covering all main areas of the ethical framework.  The Chief Executive highlighted that high standards and good Member-Officer relations were an important part of the Council’s recovery and this was a particular focus following the May 2023 elections with a change in political administration and the fact that over half of the Members elected were new to the Council.

(Councillor Naveed joined the meeting)

The Committee welcomed the stated priority to promote high standards of conduct and behaviour. Members expressed support for the principles of accountability and transparency and encouraged the group leaders to work together and seek to improve conduct, including at Council and committee meetings.  It was recognised that there would be political disagreements amongst elected members and groups and there should be the opportunities to hold decision makers to account in a constructive and civil manner.

A question was asked about whistleblowing procedures and whether a previous concern that some employees did not feel confident about coming forward had been addressed.  The Monitoring Officer responded that there had been an internal audit of whistleblowing during the year.  The actions included measures to raise awareness of the policy to employees and a staff survey would be carried out in the future which would ask about awareness of and confidence in the system.  The number of whistleblowing cases remained low but that was not considered to be due to a reluctance of staff to come forward.

In relation to the Employee Code of Conduct, Members raised the issue of the standards of behaviour and responsiveness that residents could expect to receive in their interactions with Council officers.  The Leader recognised the concern raised and indicated that improving customer service was a priority.  The Chief Executive explained some of the steps being taken to improve external communications and staff training.

The Monitoring Officer was asked if he considered the Councillors’ Code of Conduct to be adequate in relation to social media activity, including the accuracy and appropriateness of statements or comments made.  He responded that he believed the Code was adequate and no recent formal complaints about social media activity had been made.  The LGA had also issued social media guidance.  However, in light of the issue raised by the Committee the Monitoring Officer would give further consideration as to whether the current approach was sufficient and encouraged Members to highlight any specific issues or omissions in the code or other policies relating to councillors use of social media.

A number of other issues were raised during the course of the discussion including the publication of the register of gifts and hospitality and the application of the code to parish councils.

At the conclusion of the discussion the Committee thanked the Leader and Chief Executive for their contribution to the meeting and the Ethical Audit Desktop Analysis was noted.  Recommendation (b) to the report asked Members to recommend any actions that the Committee felt would support continued improvement in the Council’s approach to ethical governance.  Members agreed these issues to be high standards of customer care and responsiveness for residents under the Officer Code of Conduct, potentially including further staff training; and Member behaviour at Council and committee meetings, which the Monitoring Officer would discuss further with group leaders.

Resolved –

(a)  That the opportunity for a discussion on standards and ethical issues with the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive be welcomed and matters discussed noted.

(b)  That the actions the committee felt would support continued improvement in the Council’s approach to ethical governance be customer care in interactions with residents and Member behaviour at Council and committee meetings.