Decision details

The HR Joint Transition Group submitted a paper that enclosed a proposed Code of Conduct for Employees of the new Cheshire East Council. The Government had recently issued a revised draft Officer Code of Conduct for consultation.  It was noted that it may be some time before any final document is produced by the Government. It was suggested that in the meantime the Council should agree its own Code, which can be reviewed if necessary when any final national framework is issued. Members noted that Schools will have their own Codes of Conduct.

The Staffing Committee had considered the draft Code of Conduct at its meeting held on 27 November 2008, as staff appointments were beginning to be made, and it was vital that there is a Code of Conduct for Officers in place.

This key document would ensure the good governance of the new Council and provide clear direction to employees on the standards of Conduct expected of them. It would be necessary for this Committee to recommend to the Council that it considers the adoption of an Officer Code of Conduct, its immediate inclusion in the Shadow Council’s Constitution and, thereafter in Cheshire East Unitary Council’s Constitution with effect from 1 April 2009.

RESOLVED – to recommend that the Council:

1)    adopts the Officer Code of Conduct appended to the Report (Noting that the Core Values for Cheshire East as a whole are still in draft and will require Cabinet approval in January 2009);

2)    agrees that the Officer Code of Conduct will take effect immediately and will apply to all officers appointed by the Shadow Council;

3)    agrees that the Officer Code of Conduct will continue to have effect, and will apply to all officers employed by Cheshire East successor authority on 1st April 2009 and thereafter;

4)    agrees that the Officer Code of Conduct will be included immediately in the Shadow Council’s Constitution and, with effect from 1st April 2009, in Cheshire East successor authority’s Constitution; and

5)    authorises the Interim Monitoring Officer to make such consequential amendments to the Constitution as she considers are necessary to give effect to the decision of Council.