Promoting Values and High Standards of Conduct and Behaviour

The Council has a range of systems and procedures in place to ensure that members and employees of the authority are not influenced by prejudice or conflicts of interest in dealing with its citizens. The Council maintains a continually updated "Register of Members' Interests" which is available for inspection by members of the public.

The Council has a Members/Officers Code of Conduct in addition to the Financial Regulations, Standing Orders and Disciplinary Procedures. The Council has a "Helpline for Employees - Disclosure of Information" policy in place to provide for the direct reporting of problems to senior managers without fear of recrimination.

The National Code of Conduct, the Disciplinary Procedures and the Local Code on Corporate Governance are also applicable in general terms to any external organisations to which members and/or officers are appointed. Such organisations must also comply with the Following The Public Pound Guidelines which is covered by a separate report to committee.

The council is committed to equal opportunities including both the elimination of discrimination and the use of positive action measures to ensure that employment opportunities, service provision and access to civic life are bias free and made equally an easily available to people from target groups.