Why have a Framework and Code of Conduct?

The Framework and Code exist to maintain public confidence that councillors will act and make decisions in the public interest, and not in their own interests or those of their friends, family or associates.

The Code protects councillors from accusations that they are not acting in the public interest. As it regulates how they should behave towards each other, council officers and members of the public, it also helps safeguard the rights and reputations of others and ensures that standards of public debate do not fall below an acceptable level. While the Code’s provisions regulating the relationship between councillors and council officers help to ensure that councillors can focus on the strategic and scrutiny aspects of their role, they do not restrict councillors from undertaking their scrutiny role effectively or from holding or expressing political views.

The Code also regulates how councillors should behave when making decisions on quasi‑judicial and regulatory matters such as planning and licensing applications. In doing so, it helps protect local authorities from the risk of successful legal challenge, with the associated reputational and financial implications.

The Code sets out the relationship between councillors and council officers and distinguishes clearly between their respective roles. Its provisions on matters such as confidentiality, the use of council resources and expected standards of behaviour help to ensure that local authorities can function effectively and that officers can undertake their roles without undue interference.

The Framework promotes adherence to the Code, establishes processes for investigating and adjudicating alleged breaches, and allows sanctions to be imposed where breaches are found. In doing so it acts as a strong deterrent against poor conduct.