Standards of Behaviour

Your council will have its own code of conduct. However the Committee on Standards in Public Life (the Nolan Committee) defined seven principles of public life as a good guide to the ethos of the job of councillor:

1. Selflessness
   Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other benefits for themselves, their family or their friends.
2. Integrity
   Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties.
3. Objectivity
   In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.
4. Accountability
   Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions
   to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
5. Openness
   Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.
6. Honesty
   Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.
7. Leadership
   Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

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