The new ethical framework has been a central part of the Government's plan to modernise local government.  Based on the recommendations of the Nolan Report on "Standards of Conduct in Public Life" - much of which was incorporated into Part III of the Local Government Act 2000.

 

The Act requires all District (Town and Parish) Councillors to comply with a Code of Conduct and to register their interests.  The Register of Interests is maintained by the Council's Monitoring Officer and  Doug Hall, pictured above, is the new Independent Chairman of the Standards Committee.  The Act also requires gifts or hospitality received in connection with a person's role as a Councillor with a value of £25 or over to be registered.  Forms for this purpose are available via links on the right.

 

The Codes of Conduct for Members and Employees and other protocols to guide Members and employee conduct are reproduced in Part 5 of the Constitution (please see linked document on the right).

 

The Council also has a duty to appoint a Standards Committee to promote high standards of conduct amongst District as well as Town and Parish Councillors.  In addition to District Councillors, the Committee comprises three representatives of Town and Parish Councils as well as four Independent Members appointed following public advertisement.  (Use Standards Committee link on the right of this page.)

 

Code of Conduct Complaints Process

 

From 8 May 2008, responsibility for considering complaints that a Member may have breached the Code of Conduct is moving to the Standards Committees of local authorities.

 

What this means to you

 

After 8 May 2008, if you want to complain about the conduct of a Member of Huntingdonshire District Council or a Member of one of our Parish or Town Councils, you must submit your complaint to:

 

The Standards Committee

FAO: The Monitoring Officer

Huntingdonshire District Council

Pathfinder House

St Mary's Street

Huntingdon

PE29 3TN

 

The Standards Committee can only  deal with complaints about the behaviour of a Member. It will not deal with complaints about things that are not covered by the Members' Code of Conduct. If you make a complaint to the Standards Committee it must be about why you think a Member has not followed the Code of Conduct.