The members' code of conduct

Standards of behaviour within the Council are regulated by codes of conduct and the ethical framework introduced under the Localism Act 2011. The Council is proactive in promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct through its standards committee.

"Whilst standards of behaviour within the Council are excellent, there is no room for complacency. We fully subscribe to the principles underpinning the ethical framework and expect all members and officers to do the same. We are both committed to working together to lead by example and upholding the ethical wellbeing and effective governance of the Council."

Leader of the Council and chief executive officer

All elected councillors and voting co-opted members on council committees ("members") must comply with the pdf icon Council's code of conduct for members [112kb] [pdf].

What does the code say?

View the members' code of conduct here [112kb] [pdf].

The code deals with general provisions, such as the scope and application of the code and general obligations, for example:

Not treating others with disrespect;
Not doing anything which may cause the County Council to breach any equality enactment;
Not bullying anyone;
Not doing anything which compromises the impartiality of those who work for the Authority; and
Not doing anything to bring the position of member or the Authority into disrepute.

The code also deals with the members' interests' regime.

Members are required to register certain pecuniary interests ("disclosable pecuniary interests"), as prescribed by law, in the register of members' interests. Members must also keep their forms up to date. Sensitive information need not be included in the register, with the agreement of the monitoring officer.

The register is maintained by the monitoring officer and is open to public inspection during office hours. The register of members' interests is also available online. If you would like to inspect the register, please contact:

Legal and democratic services
North Yorkshire County Council
County Hall
Northallerton
North Yorkshire
DL7 8AD

Tel: 01609 532953

Please note that where a member amends his/her interests form, there may be a short delay before the updated form is uploaded to the website.

Where a member has a disclosable pecuniary interest in any matter to be considered, or being considered, at a meeting of the Council, executive and committees, s/he must generally declare the existence and nature of the interest and then, unless s/he has a dispensation from the standards committee / monitoring officer to fully participate, leave the meeting room.

« Back