Code of Conduct

Our training for members on the Code of Conduct explores the importance of maintaining high standards of conduct and examines the requirements of the local Code of Conduct, using real case scenarios for members to discuss. Areas which will be explored will include the use of social media, disclosure of confidential information and member-officer relations. We encourage as much discussion as possible around the cases so that members can see the issues from different perspectives and understand for themselves how cases have been resolved, whether formally or informally, including the role of party discipline.

There will also be an in-depth discussion on the requirements on members to register and declare interests, again with case scenarios to discuss.

The session is run by external presenters Paul Hoey and Natalie Ainscough of Hoey Ainscough Associates Ltd, a company set up in 2012 to support local authorities in managing their arrangements for handling councillor conduct issues. Paul was director of strategy at Standards for England from 2001 until its closure in 2012, and Natalie Ainscough worked as his deputy.

We have worked with over 400 authorities in one form or another through provision of training, investigative support and wider governance advice and are the national experts on standards arrangements and advised the Committee on Standards in Public Life during their 2018/19 review of the statutory framework. We were also commissioned by the Local Government Association to draw up a new model Code of Conduct and supporting guidance.

The sessions typically last between 2 and 2-and-a-half hours.

This course is subject to a minimum of 25 delegates