Code of Conduct

Maintaining standards

Steeple Morden Parish Council like every other Parish Council in the UK operates under a Code of Conduct. Introduced around 18 months ago, the Code is designed to safeguard the interests of everyone in the Parish, including the Parish Councillors themselves. Among other things, it requires us to declare any personal and/or prejudicial interest in a planning application or other item on the agenda before it's discussed, to rule out any bias (or suspicion of bias!).

The Code is constantly evolving and like any Ôone size fits allÕ piece of legislation, it's not perfect in some respects. However, it does provide a good basis for the way in which we conduct our business. If you want to know more, there are two websites with some useful information either do a Search for 'Code of Conduct' on the South Cambs website www.scambs.gov.uk or visit the Standards Board for England's own website at www.standardsboard.co.uk.

Though both sites are primarily designed for Parish Councillors with specific enquiries about the Code, they'll give you a good idea of what your Parish Council should and shouldn't be doing.

Tony Turner
Chairman
Steeple Morden Parish Council