New! Code of Conduct & Interests – Your Responsibilities – July 4th – 10am 4pm

This is a three part information and learning session delivered by Paul Hoey, Buckinghamshire Council and Milton Keynes Council 

Who should attend: Suitable for officers and councillors

Code of Conduct – Behaviours – complying with the Code 10am – 12pm 

Speaker: Paul Hoey & Natalie Ainscough – Hoey Ainscough Associates 

This training on the Code of Conduct explores the importance of maintaining high standards of conduct and examines the requirements of the LGA model Code of Conduct, using real case scenarios for members and officers to discuss. Areas which will be explored will include the use of social media, disclosure of confidential information and member-officer relations. Encouraging as much discussion as possible around the cases so that members and officers 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.

This 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. They 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 the new model Code of Conduct and supporting guidance.

30 minute break 

Buckinghamshire Council:  – Code of Conduct Complaints – a view from Buckinghamshire – 12.30pm – 2pm

Speakers: Nick Graham & Glenn Watson (Monitoring Officers)

A view from Buckinghamshire Council about dealing with member code of conduct complaints. To include:  the role of the principal council and the Monitoring Officer; an insight into the ‘Arrangements’ in place for dealing with complaints; the importance of the process and of being proportionate; the Ledbury ruling and keeping grievances and complaints processes separate; the ‘Article 10’ right to freedom of expression; engaging with the process if a complaint is made against you; the role of the Independent Person; hearings; sanctions; and lessons learned.

30 minute break 

Milton Keynes Council: – Reflections on the standards regime – 2.30pm – 4pm

Speaker: Sharon Bridglalsingh, Director, Law and Governance at Milton Keynes Council 

Reflections on the standards regime, lessons learnt and an interactive session on how do we achieve high standards of conduct for councillors

Location: This session will be held online via zoom. Joining details will be sent direct to participants

Cancellation: A full refund will be given if 14 days or more notice prior to the date of the training course is given. However, this could cause an event to be cancelled if it becomes uneconomic to run.

Members:  £75 per ticket

Non-members:  £150 per ticket