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Code of conduct

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Introduction

All Parish Councillors agree to abide by a code of conduct laid down by the government. 
However, in 2011 the government disbanded the Standards Board Committee.  From 2012 The National Association of Local Councils issued  a revised code to which this council adheres.  The basic principles are set out below. The full document can be found at www.nalc.gov,uk


 
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Selflessness

Councillors should act solely in terms of the public interest.They should not act in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family or friends.

Personal judgement

Councillors should act solely in terms of the public interest.They should not act in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family or friends.

Accountability

Councillors should be accountable to the public for their actions and the manner in which they carry out their responsibilities.

Honesty and Integrity

Councillors should act solely in terms of the public interest.They should not act in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family or friends.

Respect for others

Councillors should promote equality by not discriminating unlawfully against any other person.

The Law

Councillors should uphold and act within the law, promote equality by not discriminating unlawfully against any other person.

Register Of Interests

When councillors are elected they must register specific financial interests, the name of their employer, any land holdings and other business interests. The signed register of interests goes to the monitoring officer of West Somerset and Taunton Council. There are 2 types of interest which may affect Parish Councillors:-personal and prejudicial.

Personal interests

A councillor must make a declaration  of interest as soon as they are aware they, or member of their family, might benefit from an item of discussion on the agenda. The councillor must leave the meeting for that agenda item.

Prejudicial interests

Personal interests become prejudicial interests if a member of the public , (with knowledge of the relevant facts ) might think that your judgement of the public interest could be prejudiced. For example;- if the matter in question may affect your financial position, or the financial position of any person or body in which you have a personal interest.