Chard Town Council – Member-officer relations

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Chard Town Council – Protocol for
Member/Office Relations
Adopted by the Finance & Personnel Committee 19th January 2015
Introduction
This protocol is intended as a guide for Members and Officers in their dealings with one another
and as a supplement to the Members’ Code of Conduct. To a large extent the protocol is a
statement of practice and convention which is intended to provide clarity.
The reputation and integrity of the Council is significantly influenced by the effectiveness of the
Councillor, the Clerk and other staff working together to support each other’s roles. The aim is
effective and professional working relationships characterised by mutual trust, respect and
courtesy.
In this document Council refers to Chard Town Council and Councillor refers to Councillors of
Chard Town Council.
General Principles
1.
1.1 The ideal relationship is best defined as a partnership of Councillors and Officers working
together to achieve the overall aims of the Council.
1. Members and Officers should avoid any close personal familiarity that could give rise to
the suspicion of bias or undue influence.
2. Every person must be treated fairly with dignity and respect. Harassment and bullying is
not acceptable.
3. In general, Councillors make policy and Officers implement the Council’s policy. In most
cases Councillors should avoid becoming involved in the operational and administrative
aspects of service delivery.
4. Members and Officers share a responsibility to work together to achieve and implement
decisions in the interests of the Council and the area it serves.
5. All dealings between Members and Officers should be conducted courteously and
neither party should seek to take advantage of their position.
6. To ensure high standards of conduct Councillors are required to abide by the Members’
Code of Conduct and Officers the Staff Handbook.
7. If an Officer is concerned about the behaviour of a Councillor, or if a Councillor is
concerned about the behaviour of an Officer the nature of the concern should be
brought to the attention of the Town Clerk.
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1.

Councillors 2.1 Councillors have 4 main areas of responsibility

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To determine council policy and provide community leadership

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To monitor and review council performance in delivering services

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To represent the council externally

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To act as advocates for their constituents

2.2 Councillors make decisions in Committee and Council meetings (when the topics
discussed will be in accordance with the Committee Terms of Reference).
2.3 A Councillor acting as an individual cannot give instructions to a Council employee.
2.4 Councillors should not involve themselves in the day to day running of the Council. This is
the Clerk’s responsibility and the Clerk will be acting on instructions from the Council or its
Committees, within an agreed job description. Progress on actions will be reported to the
relevant committee.
2.5 Any Councillor may inspect and make a copy of any document in the possession or under
the control of the Council and which the Councillor may require in the course of their duties as a
Member of the Council – subject to 2.6 below.
2.6 A Councillor may not knowingly inspect or call for a copy of any document relating to a
matter in which they have a professional, personal or pecuniary interest.
2.7 Any document provided for a Councillor and marked as “Confidential” or “Not For
Publication” shall be exclusively for the use of that Councillor and shall not be disclosed to any
other person.
2.8 Council equipment or supplies e.g. stationery provided to Councillors must only be used
to assist them in their role as members of the Council.
2.9 Members must not seek to influence the appointment of Council staff other than where
they are properly appointed to a selection panel.
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Officers

1.
3.1 The role of Officers is to give advice and information to Councillors and to implement the
policies determined by the Council. In giving such advice to Councillors, and in preparing and
presenting reports, it is the responsibility of the Officer to express their own professional views
and recommendations. An Officer may report the views of individual Councillors on an issue,
but any recommendation should be the Officer’s own. If a Councillor wishes to express a
contrary view they should not pressurise the Officer to make a recommendation contrary to the
Officer’s professional view, nor victimise an Officer for discharging their responsibility.
1. Officers are required to discharge their responsibilities in a professional manner and
without political bias or favour.
2. Officers are expected to declare any prejudicial interests relating to their work to the
Town Clerk.
3. Officers must not normally lobby Councillors e.g. about personal employment matters
or budgetary matters; such issues should be taken through agreed procedures.

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4. Council equipment or supplies e.g. stationery provided to Officers must only be used to
assist them in their role as employees of the Council.
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Expectations

1.
4.1 All Councillors can expect:
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A commitment from Officers to the Council as a whole, and not to any individual
Councillor, group of Councillors, political group or pressure group

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An effective and co-operative working partnership with Officers

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Officers to understand and support respective roles, workloads and pressures

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A timely response from Officers to enquiries and complaints

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Officer’s professional advice, not influenced by political views or personal preferences

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Regular up to date information on matters that can reasonably be considered
appropriate and relevant to their needs, having regard to any individual responsibilities
or positions that they hold

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Officers to be aware of and sensitive to the public and political environment locally

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Respect, courtesy, integrity and appropriate confidentiality from Officers

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Training and development opportunities to help them carry out their role effectively
(records of any such training will be kept by the Town Council)

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Not to have personal issues raised with them by Councillors outside the Council’s
agreed procedures

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That Officers will not use their contact with Councillors to advance their personal
interests or to influence decisions improperly

1. Officers can expect from Councillors:
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An effective and co-operative working partnership

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An understanding of, and support for, respective roles, workloads and pressures

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Leadership and direction

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Respect, courtesy, integrity and appropriate confidentiality

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Not to be bullied or put under undue pressure

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That Councillors will not use their position or relationship with Officers to advance their
personal interests or those of others or to influence decisions improperly

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That Councillors will at all times comply with the Council’s adopted Members Code of
Conduct.

Background Papers:
Chard Town Council Code of Conduct for Members (20 August 2012)

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Governance Toolkit for Parish & Town Councils (version 3 April 2009)
The Good Councillors Guide (3 rd edition 2010)