Code of conduct

Honesty, integrity, impartiality and objectivity

These must be the principles for all employees to perform their duties.

Employees have a responsibility for implementing policy, delivery of services and our operational management.  

Employees will work with political sensitivity in advising and supporting members. Political views and preferences will not influence employees in carrying out your role.  

The public has a right to expect the highest levels of integrity and responsibility of all employees. Employees will work to honour this, at all times.  

Political neutrality 

Employees are required to serve all councillors whether or not those councillors are part of the controlling group. In their job employees may also be required to advise political groups.   

Employees must not: 

  • be involved in advising any political group 
  • attend any of their meetings, without the express consent of their manager or director 
  • compromise their political neutrality 

Employees are required to serve the council. Therefore, employees cannot be accountable for individual political groups. Employees must not allow their personal political opinions to interfere with your work. 

Employees cannot stand as a county councillor if employed by:  

  • the county council  
  • community and voluntary controlled primary, secondary and special schools with delegated budgets 

Provided any resultant conflict of interest is declared, school employees are eligible to stand for office as: 

  • a member of parliament  
  • a member of a county, district, borough or parish council 

There are certain restrictions for politically restricted or sensitive posts. The terms of restriction constitute contractual provisions.   

Employees must check with their manager or refer to the policy and procedure on politically restricted posts. This incorporates advice for employees standing for election. 

Employees in a position of trust  

Employees working with children or vulnerable adults must inform their manager immediately if they are subject to a: 

  • criminal conviction 
  • caution 
  • ban 
  • police enquiry  
  • pending prosecution 

We may discuss this within the context of the duties of the post held. It is essential in helping to safeguard the safety of children and vulnerable adults. It is a requirement as part of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) process.