Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services regarding proposed revisions to the Employee Code of Values, Behaviours and Conduct on Section 5.10 Gifts and Hospitality (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Governance Solicitor informed the Committee that as part of the aim to promote high ethical standards within the authority and as good practice a review was undertaken of the Code of Values, Behaviours and Conduct in January 2019, particularly in relation to Gifts and Hospitality.

The review recommended a number of amendments to the Code by way of clarification to make it easier for employees to understand their obligations in relation to gifts and hospitality.

Councillor Stoker referred to ‘short notice’ in Paragraph 13 of the report and suggested that the term short notice should be clearly defined.  Councillor Stoker also referred to ‘specific circumstances’ in the Code and suggested that some examples be given of such special circumstances.

The Governance Solicitor undertook to provide clarity on both of these matters.

Resolved:

That the proposed changes be considered by the Constitution Working Group prior to consideration by full Council.