Councillor Code of Conduct

Councillors are required whilst undertaking their role to always observe and adhere to the Council's Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct for Great Yarmouth Borough Council Members can be found within the Council's Constitution.

All Members of Great Yarmouth Borough Council have a responsibility to represent the community and work constructively with Council staff and partner organisations to secure better social, economic and environmental outcomes for all.

In accordance with section 28(1) of the Localism Act 2011, when acting in the capacity of Member, Members are committed to behaving in a manner that is consistent with the following principles to achieve best value for Council citizens and maintain public confidence in the Council. This includes acting in accordance with the Seven Principles of Public Life (also known as the Nolan Principles) which are as follows:

Selflessness

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

Integrity

Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties.

Objectivity

In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.

Accountability

Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.

Openness

Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.

Honesty

Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.

Leadership

Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

Complaints that a Borough or Parish Councillor may have breached their code of conduct, are dealt with by the Councils' Monitoring Officer and Legal Team in consultation with an Independent Person.

Parish Councils individually have their own code of conduct which can be located on each Council's website. A list of the Parish Councils within the Borough of Great Yarmouth can be found on the Committee Management Information System (opens new window).

The Monitoring Officer can only deal with complaints arising from breaches of the specific rules within the relevant Code of Conduct. In submitting a complaint complainants should be clear as to which part of the code has been breached.

Once we have received your complaint, we will provide you with a reference number.

The Councillor who is the subject of the complaint will be provided with a copy of the complaint and asked to provide a response to the allegations before it is investigated.

The Monitoring Officer will then undertake an initial assessment of whether there is a breach and consults the independent person. Together they decide on the next step:

• that no action be taken
• the issue may be dealt with by informal resolution, for example an apology from the councillor, training, mediation or other action
• an investigator appointed

The investigator's report is considered by the Monitoring Officer and the Independent person who will conclude whether a formal hearing before the Standards Sub-Committee is required.