There are seven Nolan principles that apply to the conduct of people in the public sector.
They are:
Selflessness: you should act in the public interest
Integrity: you should not put yourself under any obligations to others, allow them improperly to influence you or seek benefit for yourself, family, friends or close associates
Objectivity: you should act impartially, fairly and on merit
Accountability: you should be prepared to submit to public scrutiny necessary to ensure accountability
Openness: you should be open and transparent in your actions and decisions unless there are clear and lawful reasons for non-disclosure
Honesty: you should always be truthful
Leadership: as a councillor, you should promote, support and exhibit high standards of conduct and be willing to challenge poor behaviour.
Each local council must adopt and publicise a code of conduct that is in line with the Nolan principles. The code deals with Councillors’ obligations about their conduct including the registration and disclosure of their interests. Complaints about Councillors’ conduct are dealt with by the principal authority i.e. Lewes District Council.
To download a copy of Seaford Town Council’s Councillors Code of Conduct, please visit the Council’s policies page.
Civility and Respect Pledge
Throughout the sector, there are growing concerns about the impact bullying, harassment, and intimidation are having on local (parish and town) councils, councillors, clerks and council staff and the resulting effectiveness of local councils.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC), One Voice Wales (OVW), the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) and county associations have responded to this by setting up a Civility and Respect Working Group to oversee the Civility and Respect Project.
NALC, SLCC, and OVW believe now is the time to put civility and respect at the top of the agenda and start a culture change for the local council sector.
The Civility and Respect Pledge is being introduced because there is no place for bullying, harassment and intimidation within our sector. The pledge is easy for councils to sign up for and it will enable councils to demonstrate that they are committed to standing up to poor behaviour across our sector and to driving through positive changes which support civil and respectful conduct.
On 23rd February 2023, at its Full Council meeting the Town Council resolved to sign up to the Civility & Respect Pledge.
More information about the Civility and Respect Project can be found by clicking here.
