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Councillors' Behaviour, Interests and Standards Committee

Torbay Council recognises the importance of high standards of conduct and ethics from its politicians and officers. The Council strives to ensure that its politicians and officers maintain these standards when representing the Council and the people of Torbay.

When the Mayor and Councillors (known as 'members') are first elected and before they can carry out their duties, they have to agree to follow a code of conduct. The Code of Conduct ensures high standards and sets out the rules for how members should carry out their duties. It also covers areas of individual behaviour and makes sure members do not abuse their position or the Council’s resources.

Declaring Interests

Part of the Code of Conduct requires members and independent co-opted members to declare any interests, gifts or hospitality which they receive that could influence any decisions they make. They are required to declare their interests at meetings and also complete a register. The register for the Mayor, Councillors and Co-opted members is updated twice a year and is available to view below under related documents.

The Standards Committee

The Standards Committee is responsible for promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct by Members. The Committee is chaired by Roger Heath, an Independent Co-opted Member.

Membership

The Committee is made up of 6 Independent Co-opted Members, 4 Torbay Councillors and 3 Brixham Town Councillors.

Standards Role

The Standards Committee responsibilities are set out in the Terms of Reference. In summary the role of the Standards Committee covers:

helping members to follow high standards of conduct and assists them in conforming to the Code of Conduct;
advising the Council on any changes to the Code of Conduct;
providing advice and training on the Code of Conduct;
reviewing the Council’s protocols; and
considering reports on any Ombudsman investigations.

To ensure the Council is promoting high standards the Standards Committee intends to:

consult with local community organisations on their perceptions of ethical standards in the Council and how public trust can be improved, then identifying resulting actions;
provide regular updates on ethical issues at Senior Managers Forums;
utilise Council documents and other publications to promote current high standards of professionalism;
promote the values inherent in the Code of Conduct and the statutory general principles of conduct amongst other organisations in Torbay particularly our partners;
issue press releases on the high ethical standards of the Council.

Alongside this work the Standards Committee also deal with the local assessment, investigation and determination of complaints of alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct or Council’s protocols.

If you wish to make a complaint regarding the Mayor, a Torbay Councillor, a Brixham Town Councillor or an Independent Co-opted Member for breaching the Code of Conduct please complete the following form and return it to the Monitoring Officer c/o Democratic Services.

Notify - Allegation of a Breach of the Member Code of Conduct and/or Protocol

Councillors' Behaviour, Interests and Standards Committee

Declaring Interests

The Standards Committee

Membership

Standards Role

Related Documents