COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT News Release (087) issued by The Government News Network
on 8 May 2007
A simpler, clearer
and more proportionate code of conduct for local councillors in
England is now in force.
The new code will remove rules which have stood in the way of
councillors acting as advocates for and leaders of their local
communities, as proposed in last year's Local Government
White Paper.
Local Government Minister Phil Woolas said:
"This revised code provides a simpler, clearer and more
proportionate code of conduct for local councillors. It is
important that members and councils are given the right
responsibilities and tools in order to be able to manage the
conduct of councillors effectively.
"It also removes the current barriers to councillors
speaking up for their constituents or for the public bodies on
which they have been appointed to serve.
"The new code is widely supported by local authorities, and
the changes will help to maintain public confidence and trust in
local government which is necessary if councils are to fulfil
their leadership role."
The revised code is part of the Government's wider vision
for a more devolved conduct regime, including more locally-based
decision-making with most misconduct allegations being
investigated and dealt with at local level.
Notes to Editors
1. The Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2007,
issued on 04 April, promulgates a revised model code of conduct
for local authority members. The new model code came into effect
on 3 May, following the negative resolution procedure. This code
replaces with amendments the four separate codes of conduct issued
in 2001 in respect of members of different categories of authorities.
2. The revised code follows consultation with local authorities
on proposed amendments which was carried out between 22 January
and 9 March. This attracted 906 responses. Consultees generally
welcomed the proposals. A number of suggestions made by
respondents, including measures to improve the accessibility and
user-friendliness of the code and to amend further the rules
relating to prejudicial interest and conduct undertaken in a
member's private capacity, have been incorporated into the
revised code. The provisions of the revised model code will apply
to members of local authorities in England, following each
authorities' adoption of the new code. In the case of those
authorities which do not adopt the code, the Local Government Act
2000 provides that the provisions of the revised code will
automatically apply in respect of members of those authorities.
3. The Local Government White Paper, 'Strong and Prosperous
Communities', issued in October 2006, indicated the
Government's intention to introduce a revised code of conduct
for members which would be simpler, clearer and more
proportionate. This revised code fulfils this promise.
4. Copies of the order, which came into effect on 3 May, to
coincide with the next round of local government elections, have
been placed in the libraries of the House of Commons and the House
of Lords, and circulated to local authorities and other stakeholders.
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