The Council adopted a new Code of Conduct for Members and Co-opted members at its meeting held on 17 May 2007 without amendment. This Code sets out rules governing the behaviour of its Members. All elected, co-opted and independent members of the Authority, including Parish/Town Councils within the District, are covered by the Code. This means that the Standards Board for England can receive and investigate any complaint that a Member of Wakefield Council has breached the Code of Conduct.
All Wakefield Council elected and co-opted Members must agree to be bound by the Code of Conduct before they can take up office/appointment. The Code covers areas of individual behaviour such as Members not abusing their position or not misusing their Authority’s resources. In addition there are rules governing disclosure of interests and withdrawal from meetings where Members have relevant interests. Members are also required to record on the public register their financial and other interests.
What does the Code say?
The Code is split into three parts:-
Part 1 deals with general provisions, such as the scope and application of the Code and Members’ general obligations, eg:
- promoting equality;
- treating others with respect; and
- not doing anything which compromises the impartiality of those who work for the Authority;
- not doing anything to bring his/her authority into disrepute.
Part 2 of the Code deals with the declaration of Members’ interests and the participation of Members in relation to disclosed interests. Members must disclose the existence and nature of any personal interest in a matter BUT they can still participate in a meeting and vote on a matter unless it is a prejudicial interest.
Part 3 of the Code deals with the requirements on Members to register certain financial and other interests in the Register of Members’ Interests. The Register is maintained by the Monitoring Officer and is open to public inspection during office hours.
Wakefield’s Code of Conduct is open to public inspection (see 'Downloads'). For further information about the Register, please Contact Committee Services.
Register of Interests (including Register of Gifts and Hospitality)
Members are required to declare interests and any gifts or hospitality valued at £25 or above. This is done on one document which forms the Register of Interests for Wakefield Council together with Registers relating to Town/Parish Councils within the District.
The registers are available for public inspection between the hours of 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Thursday and Fridays between 8.30am and 4.30pm. They are also available on the councillors' website (see 'Related Links')
Please see the "Contact Committee Services" link for further details.
