Our code of conduct reflects the seven 'Nolan Principles – GOV.UK' for holders of public office. Full details of the code of conduct can be found in part F of our constitution.
The remit of the Governance, General Purposes and Local Government Reorganisation Committee includes the code of conduct. The committee is currently responsible for:
- Promote and maintain high standards of conduct by Members and Co-opted Members of the Council.
- Overview of the Council’s Members’ Code of Conduct, Arrangements for Dealing with Standards Complaints and associated Protocols; recommendations as to the adoption of and/or amendments to the Code, Arrangements and associated Protocols.
- Assist and advise Members and Co-opted Members of the Council and parish councils within the district of the Council on standards and compliance with the Code and associated Protocol including as regards members’ interests, gifts and hospitality.
- Make recommendations as to the appointment of Independent Persons.
- Support and assist the Monitoring Officer in their discharge of the role as regards member standards, conduct and behaviour.
- Convene a Standards Complaint Hearing Panel as may be required by the Monitoring Officer for the purpose of determining a standards complaint made against a Member or Co-opted Member of the Council or parish council in accordance with the Arrangements.
- Overview of the Council’s arrangements for Member training and development.
Complaints
If you would like to make a complaint yourself, visit our councillor complaints page.
Independent Persons
Independent Persons assist us in assessing complaints of alleged misconduct by elected councillors within the district, town and parish councils in Newark and Sherwood.
The views of the Independent Persons will also be sought and taken into account before a decision is made on a complaint which has been investigated. The elected councillor who is subject of an allegation may also consult with them.
Current Independent Persons
The current Independent Persons are:
- Sarah Britton
- Paul Cox
Allowances scheme
Councillors are not paid a salary, but they are entitled to allowances and expenses to cover some of the cost of carrying out their public duties.
Member's allowances are based on a scheme recommended to us by an independent panel.
Our councillors can claim the following allowances:
- basic allowance – all members are entitled to this
- special responsibility allowances – recognising that some members, usually those who chair council committees, will spend more time on council work
- dependents' carer's allowance – assisting members by contributing towards the cost of employing another person to undertake their caring or childcare responsibilities while they attend meetings
- travel and subsistence allowance – for our members this is the same as the casual rate scheme for council officers
Publication of allowances
As part of our code of conduct, councillors must declare any financial interests, gifts or hospitality that could influence any decisions they make. They must also declare their interests in any item to be debated in council or committee.
We publish our members' allowance scheme annually.
This sets out what members are entitled to receive and what expenses they can claim. Most allow councillors to claim for some travel, subsistence, meals and accommodation when away from home for council approved duties. There are strict rules about this. The total amount of allowances claimed by each councillor is published here each year.
For previous years' records, contact us.