And then there were three...NALC publishes template code of conduct

The National Association of Local Councils has published a “simple and sensible” template code of conduct ahead of the introduction of the new standards framework for local government on 1 July.

The Localism Act 2011 requires local councils to have codes of conduct based on the seven Nolan Principles.

NALC is a membership body representing the interests of 9,000 local – neighbourhood, parish, village and town – councils and 80,000 councillors in England.

The association said it believed that the new process needed to be kept simple, adding that “it makes sense for all our 9000 councils to have a simple and sensible code of conduct”.

NALC also felt that the local council sector “needed its own template code of conduct as local councillors need a clear, decisive, and concise ‘road map’ on matters of members’ registration, disclosure of interests, and other obligations.”

Publication of its template comes just weeks after the Department for Communities and Local Government issued an ‘illustrative text’ for a local authority code of conduct, and the Local Government Association and other stakeholders agreed their own version.

Cllr Michael Chater, NALC chairman, said: “This template is designed to assist local councils in adopting a new code of conduct. NALC believes that it is for each local council to decide on the right code for their council."

The Association’s code of conduct is available for members via the NALC website.

The Government’s reforms to local government standards saw the Standards Board for England cease its regulatory functions on 31 January 2012. The Board was formally abolished on 31 March 2012.

Philip Hoult

See also: Peter Keith-Lucas’ analysis of the DCLG and LGA codes.