Agenda item

Kevin Gordon, Assistant Director – Professional Services, introduced a report on the proposed revisions to the Employee Code of Conduct (form hereon referred to as the Code).

Members were informed that the proposed revisions to the Code were designed to ensure parity with the revised Members Code of Conduct, updated in 2012 subsequent to the Localism Act 2011. The revisions were designed to modernise the Code to ensure greater accessibility and readability, and included policy on Officer roles, budget etc.

If approved, Officers would undergo training on the new Code via a comprehensive E-Learning training package. The training would be compulsory for all staff.

Members were supportive of the proposed revisions to the Code, though sought clarity on the following points:

Paragraph 1.3 – “The code may also apply contractors, consultants or volunteers.” Members felt that this point was too open to interpretation. Could this be made more unequivocal?

The Officer confirmed that the language was designed to allow the Council a degree of flexibility when dealing with this kind of staff. For example, if a contract of employment was created between SBC and these parties, the Council would have certain liabilities, including financial liabilities, that they would be required to adhere to. However, it was agreed that this point would be given further consideration.

Members requested confirmation as to whether temporary staff would be covered by the Code?

The Officer confirmed that temporary staff would be covered by the Code, though their contract of employment would be with their Agency, not the Council.

Members also thanked Mr Gordon for his years of service, and wished him the best in his future endeavours.

Resolved -   (i) That the Code be further reviewed in light of Member comments regarding paragraph 1.3, with a view to ensuring the wording around contractors, consultants and volunteers is unambiguous.

(ii) That the revised Code be submitted for approval at the next meeting of the Employment & Appeals Committee.