Member – Officer Protocol

Adopted by Council: 7th January 2020

Review Date: March 2022

Introduction

This protocol supports and adds detail to both the Members’ and Officers’ codes of conduct. It is based on a model drawn up by the Association of Council Secretaries and Solicitors and tailored to suit this Council and supersedes any previous versions.

Councillors are democratically accountable and may often have political affiliations. Officers must serve the whole Council objectively. Together they should balance a complex range of obligations and competing interests. For this to be effective, Councillors and Officers must have mutual trust and respect for each other’s requirements and duties. There is also a need for a transparent consistency in everyday working relations. 

Principles

  1. Members and Officers must at all times observe this protocol.
  2. The protocol has been approved by the Council and will be monitored along with the Codes which it supports.
  3. The protocol seeks to maintain and enhance the integrity of local government which demands the highest of personal conduct.
  4. Members and Officers must always respect the roles and duties of each other. They must show respect in all their dealings by observing reasonable standards of courtesy, and by not seeking to take unfair advantage by virtue of their position.
  5. Whilst members and Officers are indispensable to one another, their responsibilities are distinct. Members are accountable to the electorate and serve only as long as their term of office lasts. Officers are employed and their job is to give advice to members (individually and collectively) and to carry out the Council’s work under the direction of the Council.
  6. The Council has adopted codes of conduct for both members and Officers. Both represent best practice. Both codes are based on the Seven Principles of Public Life also known as the Nolan Principles and these underpin this Protocol:-
    • Selflessness – serving only the public interest.
    • Integrity – avoiding placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations and declare and resolve interests.
    • Objectivity – taking decisions impartially and on merit.
    • Accountability – to the public; being open to scrutiny.
    • Openness – taking decisions in an open and transparent manner.
    • Honesty – to be truthful.
    • Leadership – exhibit these principles in their own behaviour and be willing to challenge poor behaviour.
  7. A breach of this Protocol may also be a breach of the Members’ Code or provide contributory evidence and may result in a complaint to the Monitoring Officer of Cheshire East Council.
  8. A breach of this Protocol may also breach the Officer’s Code which may lead to disciplinary action.

The roles of members

  1. Members have a number of roles and need to be alert to the potential for conflicts of interest which may arise between the roles. Where such conflicts are likely, members may wish to seek the advice of senior colleagues, the Town Clerk and/or the Principal Council’s Monitoring Officer.
  2. Collectively, members are the ultimate policy-makers determining the core values of the Council and approving the authority’s policy framework, strategic plans and budget.
  3. Members represent the community, act as community leaders and promote the social, economic and environmental well-being of the community, often in partnership with other agencies.
  4. Every elected-member represents the interests of, and is an advocate for the Town and individual constituents. He/she represents the Town Council in the community, responds to the concerns of constituents, meets with partner agencies, and sometimes serves on local bodies.
  5. Many members have roles relating to their position as members of committees and working groups of the Council. Members who serve on committees may collectively have delegated responsibilities.
  6. Some members may be appointed to represent the Council on local, regional or national bodies.
  7. As politicians, members may express the values and aspirations of a party-political group to which they belong, recognising that in their role as members they have a duty always to act in the public interest.
  8. Members are not authorised to instruct Officers other than:
    • through the formal decision-making process;
    • request items to go on to agendas in accordance with standing orders.
    • to request the provision of consumable resources provided by the Council for members’ use;
    • where staff have been specifically allocated to give support to a member or group of members;

    In practice the Mayor will be consulted on the Agenda of full Council and offer guidance to the Clerk on behalf of the Council, similarly committee chairmen.

  9. Individual Members are not authorised to initiate or certify financial transactions, or to enter into a contract on behalf of the Council. Authorised signatories however may sign cheques or authorise electronic payments in accordance with Financial Regulations.
  10. Members must avoid taking actions which are unlawful, financially improper or likely to amount to maladministration. Members have an obligation to have regard when reaching decisions, to any advice provided by Officers.
  11. Members must respect the impartiality of Officers and do nothing to compromise it, e.g. by insisting that an Officer change his/her professional advice.
  12. Members have a duty under their code of conduct:
    • to promote equality by not discriminating unlawfully against any person and
    • to treat others with respect.
  13. Under the Code, a member must not, when acting as a member or in any other capacity:
    • bring the Council or his/her position as a member into disrepute, or
    • use his/her position as a member improperly to gain an advantage or disadvantage for his/herself or any other position.

The role of the Officers

  1. Officers are responsible for giving advice to members to enable them to fulfil their roles. In doing so, Officers will take into account all available relevant factor and if necessary, obtain specialist advice.
  2. Under the direction and control of the Council, Officers, led by the Town Clerk, manage and provide the Council’s services within the framework of responsibilities delegated to them. This includes the effective management of employees and operational issues.
  3. Officers have a duty to implement decisions of the Council, and committees which are lawful, and which have been properly approved in accordance with the requirements of the law and the Council’s constitution, and are duly recorded in the minutes. Officers must convene Committee meetings at the request of Members of that committee in accordance with Standing Orders.
  4. Officers have a contractual and legal duty to be impartial. They must not allow their professional judgement and advice to be influenced by their own personal views.
  5. Officers must assist and advise all parts of the Council. They must always act to the best of their abilities in the best interests of the authority as expressed in the Council’s formal decisions.
  6. Officers must be alert to issues which are, or are likely to be, contentious or politically sensitive, and be aware of the implications for members, the media or other sections of the public.
  7. Officers have the right not to support members in any role other than that of councillor, and not to engage in actions incompatible with this protocol. In particular, there is a statutory limitation on offices’ involvement in political activities.

The relationship between members and Officers: general

  1. The conduct of members and Officers should be such as to instil mutual confidence and trust.
  2. The key elements of this relationship are recognition of and a respect for each other’s roles and responsibilities. These should be reflected in the behaviour and attitude of each to the other, both publicly and privately.
  3. Informal and collaborative two-way contact between members and Officers is encouraged. But personal familiarity can damage the relationship, as might a family or business connection.
  4. It is not enough to avoid impropriety. Members and Officers should always be open about their relationships to avoid any reason for suspicion and any appearance of improper conduct. Where a personal relationship has been disclosed, those concerned should avoid a situation where conflict could be perceived. Specifically, a member should not sit on a body or participate in any decision which directly affects the Officer on a personal basis.
  5. Officers work to the instructions of their senior Officers, not individual members. It follows that, whilst such Officers will always seek to assist a member, they must not be asked to exceed the bounds of authority they have been given by their managers. Except when the purpose of an enquiry is purely to seek factual information, members should normally direct their requests and concerns to the Town Clerk, at least in the first instance.
  6. Officers serve the Town Council as a whole. They have a duty to implement the properly authorised decisions of the Town Council.
  7. Officers will do their best to give timely responses to members’ enquiries. However, Officers should not have unreasonable requests placed on them.
  8. Members will endeavour to give timely responses to enquiries from Officers.
  9. An Officer shall not discuss with a member personal matters concerning him/herself or another individual employee. This does not prevent an Officer raising on a personal basis, and in his/her own time, a matter with a member which he would otherwise do as a resident.
  10. Members and Officers should respect other’s free (i.e. non-Council) time.

The Council as employer

  1. Officers are employed by the Council as a whole.
  2. Members’ roles are limited to:
    • the appointment of specified posts,
    • determining human resources policies and conditions of employment.
    • undertaking the responsibilities of Personnel Committee
    • hearing and determining appeals.
  3. If participating in the appointment of Officers, members should:
    • remember that the sole criterion is merit
    • never canvass support for a particular candidate,
    • not take part where one of the candidates is a close friend or relative,
    • not be influenced by personal preferences, and
    • not favour a candidate by giving him/her information not available to the other candidates.
  4. A member should not sit on an appeal hearing if the appellant is a friend, a relative, or an Officer with whom the member has had a working relationship.

Mayor, chairman and leader

  1. Officers will respect the respective positions of Mayor, committee chairman and Leader and provide appropriate support.

Members of other committees and Officers

  1. The Town Clerk or other senior Officers will offer to arrange informal meetings with the Mayor and where appropriate committee chairmen, if required prior to formal meetings.
  2. The Town Clerk has the right to present reports and give advice to committees.
  3. Members of a committee shall take decisions within the remit of that committee and will not otherwise instruct Officers to act.
  4. At some committee meetings, a resolution may be passed which authorises a named Officer to take action between meetings in consultation with the chairman or Leader. In these circumstances it is the Officer, not the chairman/leader, who takes the action and is responsible for it. Neither a chairman or Leader has legal power to take decisions on behalf of a committee or Council, neither should he/she apply inappropriate pressure on the Officer.

Local members and Officers

  1. To enable them to carry out their ward role effectively, members need to be fully informed about matters affecting it. The Town Clerk must ensure that all relevant staff are aware of the requirement to keep local Members informed, thus allowing Members to contribute to the decision-making process and to develop their representative role.
  2. This requirement is particularly important:
    • during the formative stages of policy development, where practicable,
    • in relation to significant or sensitive operational matters,
    • whenever any form of public consultation exercise is undertaken
    • Issues may affect a single ward. Where they have a wider impact, a number of local Members will need to be kept informed.
  3. Whenever a public meeting is organised by the Council to consider a local issue, all relevant members (e.g. Ward or committee) should be invited to attend the meeting as a matter of course.
  4. If a local member intends to arrange a public meeting on a matter concerning some aspect of the Council’s work, he/she should inform the Town Clerk. Provided the meeting has not been arranged on a party-political basis:
    • An Officer may attend but is not obliged to do so, and
    • the meeting may be held in Council-owned premises.
  5. No such meetings should be arranged or held in the immediate run-up to Council elections. (remember Purdah rules).
  6. Whilst support for members’ ward work is legitimate, staff should not be asked to accompany members to ward surgeries.
  7. In seeking to deal with constituents’ queries or concerns, Members should not seek to jump the queue but should respect the Council’s procedures. Officers have many pressures on their time. They may not be able to carry out the work required by Members in the requested timetable, and may need to seek instructions from their managers.
  8. Members must be clear about when they are acting as individual councillors and when they are representing the Council. Members may not commit the Council unless the commitment is Council policy or the subject of a specific resolution.

Party Groups and Officers

  1. The Town Clerk may properly be asked to contribute to deliberations of matters concerning Council business by party groups. The Town Clerk has the right to refuse such requests, but will not attend a meeting of a party group where some of those attending are not members of the Council.
  2. Officer support will not extend beyond providing factual information or professional advice in relation to matters of Town Council business. Officers must not be involved in advising on matters of party business, and therefore should not be expected to be present at meetings or parts of meetings when such matters are to be discussed.
  3. Party group meetings are not empowered to make decisions on behalf of the Town Council, and conclusions reached at such meetings do not rank as formal decisions. The presence of an Officer confers no formal status on such meetings in terms of Town Council business and must not be interpreted as doing so.
  4. Where Officers provide factual information and advice to a party group in relation to a matter of Town Council business, this is not a substitute for providing all necessary information and advice when the matter in question is formally considered by the relevant part of the Town Council.
  5. It must not be assumed that an Officer is supportive of a particular policy or view considered at a party group meeting simply because he/she has attended or provided information to the meeting.
  6. Officers will respect the confidentiality of any party group discussions at which they are present and, unless requested to do so by that party shall not relay the content of such discussions to another party group or to any other members.
  7. In their dealings with party groups, Officers must treat each group in a fair and even-handed manner.
  8. Members must not do anything which compromises or is likely to compromise Officers’ impartiality.
  9. The duration of an Officer’s attendance at a party group meeting will be at the discretion of the group, but an Officer may leave at any time if he/she feels it is no longer appropriate to be there.
  10. The Town Clerk accepting an invitation to the meeting of one-party group shall not decline an invitation to advise another group about the same matters. He/she must give substantially the same advice to each.
  11. An Officer should be given the opportunity of verifying comments and advice attributed to him/her in any written record of a party group meeting.
  12. No member will refer in public or at meetings of the Town Council to advice or information given by Officers to a party group meeting.
  13. At party group meetings where some of those present are not members of the Town Council, care must be taken not to divulge confidential information relating to Town Council business. Persons who are not members are not bound by the Members’ code of conduct. They do not have the same rights to Town Council information as members.

Members’ access to documents and information

  1. Members may request the Town Clerk to provide them with such information, explanation and advice as they may reasonably need to assist them to discharge their roles as members. This may range from general information about some aspect of the Council’s services to specific information on behalf of a constituent. Where information is requested on behalf of a third party, it will only be provided if:
    • It is in the public domain, and
    • It is not barred by the Data Protection Act from being given.
  2. Every member of a committee, sub-committee or working group has a right to inspect documents about the business of that committee sub-committee or working group.
  3. A member who is not a member of a specific committee, sub-committee or working group may have access to any document of that specific part of the Council provided:
    • he/she can demonstrate a reasonable need to see the documents in order to carry out his/her roles as a member (the “need to know” principle), and
    • the documents do not contain “confidential” or “exempt” information as defined by the law.
  4. Disputes as to the validity of a member’s request to see a document on a need to know basis will be determined by the Town Clerk but a Member may request a written justification for refusal. Other Officers should seek his/her advice if in any doubt about the reasonableness of a Member’s request.
  5. A member should obtain advice from the Town Clerk in circumstances where he/she wishes to have access to documents or information:
    • where to do so is likely to be in breach of the Data Protection Act, or
    • where the subject matter is one in which he/she has a disclosable pecuniary interest as defined in the members’ code of conduct.
  6. Information given to a member must only be used for the purpose for which it was requested.
  7. Members and Officers must not disclose information given to them in confidence without the consent of a person authorised to give it, or unless required by law to do so.
  8. When requested to do so, Officers will keep confidential from other members, advice requested by a member.
  9. Members and Officers must not prevent another person from gaining access to information to which that person is entitled by law.

Media relations

  1. All formal relations with the media must be conducted in accordance with any Council agreed procedures and the law on local authority publicity.
  2. Press releases or statements made by Officers must promote or give information on Council policy or services. They will be factual and consistent with Council policy. They cannot be used to promote a party group.
  3. Officers will keep relevant members informed of media interest in the Council’s activities, especially regarding strategic or contentious matters.
  4. Before responding to enquiries from the media, Officers will ensure they are authorised to do so.
  5. If a Member is contacted by, or contacts, the media on an issue, he/she should:
    • indicate in what capacity he/she is speaking (e.g. as an individual member, in a personal capacity, on behalf of the Council, or on behalf of a party group);
    • be sure of what he/she wants to say or not to say;
    • if necessary, and always when he/she would like a press release to be issued, seek assistance from the Town Clerk, except in relation to a statement which is party political in nature;
    • consider the likely consequences for the Council of his/her statement (e.g. commitment to a particular course of action, image, allegations of jumping to conclusions);
    • never give a commitment in relation to matter which may be subject to claims from third parties and/or are likely to be an insurance matter;
    • consider whether to consult other relevant members; and
    • take particular care in what he/she says in the run-up to local or national elections to avoid giving the impression of electioneering, unless he/she has been contacted as an election candidate or political party activist.

Correspondence

  1. Correspondence between an individual member and an Officer should not be copied to another member unless the author expressly intends and states that this is the case or consents. Where correspondence is copied, this should always be made explicit, i.e. there should be no “blind” copies.
  2. Official letters written on behalf of the Council should normally be in the name of the Town Clerk or other authorised Officer.
  3. The Mayor may initiate correspondence in his/her own name, but that should not usually be on behalf of the Council, unless it concerns his Mayoral role only.
  4. Letters which create legally enforceable obligations or which give instructions on behalf of the Council should never be sent in the name of a member.
  5. When writing in an individual capacity as a Town member, a member must make clear that fact.

Access to premises

  1. Officers have the right to enter Council land and premises to carry out their work.
  2. Members have a right of access to Council land and premises to fulfil their duties.
  3. When making visits as individual members, Members should:
    • whenever practicable, notify and make advance arrangements with the appropriate manager or Officer in charge;
    • comply with health and safety, security and other workplace rules;
    • not interfere with the services or activities being provided at the time of the visit;
    • if outside his/her own ward notify the ward Member(s) beforehand; and
    • take special care at schools and establishments serving vulnerable sections of society to avoid giving any impression of improper or inappropriate behaviour.

Use of Council resources

  1. If the Council provides members with services such as typing, printing and photocopying or goods such as stationery and computer equipment to assist them in discharging their roles as members of the Council, these goods and services are paid for from the public purse. They should not be used for private purposes or in connection with party political or campaigning activities.
  2. Members should ensure they understand and comply with the Town Council’s own rules about the use of such resources, particularly:
    • where facilities are provided in Members’ homes at the Town Council’s expense;
    • in relation to any locally-agreed arrangements e.g. payment for private photocopying; and
    • regarding ICT security.
  3. Members should not put pressure on staff to provide resources or support which Officers are not permitted to give. Examples are:-
    • business which is solely to do with a political party;
    • work in connection with a ward or constituency party political meeting;
    • electioneering
    • work associated with an event attended by a member in a capacity other than as a Member of the Town Council;
    • private personal correspondence
    • work in connection with another body or organisation where a Member’s involvement is other than as a Member of the Town Council;
    • support to a Member in his/her capacity as a Councillor of another local authority. 

Interpretation, complaints and allegations of breaches

  1. Members or Officers with questions about the implementation or interpretation of any part of this protocol should seek guidance of the Town Clerk or a Member colleague.
  2. A member who is unhappy about the actions taken by, or conduct of, an Officer should:
    • avoid personal attacks on, or abuse of the Officer at all times,
    • ensure that any criticism is well founded and constructive,
    • never make a criticism in public, and
    • take up the concern with the Officer or his/her manager privately.
  3. If direct discussion with the Officer is inappropriate (e.g. because of the seriousness of the concern) or fails to resolve the matter, the member should raise the issue with the Town Clerk or as appropriate Personnel Committee or Council.
  4. A serious breach of this protocol by an Officer may lead to an investigation under the Town Council’s disciplinary procedure.
  5. An Officer who believes a Member may have acted other than in accordance with this protocol should raise his/her concern with the Town Clerk. He/she will consider how the complaint or allegation should be dealt with. At a minor level, this may be no more than informally referring the matter to the leader of the relevant party group. More serious complaints may involve alleged breaches of the Members’ code of conduct, and may be referred to the Monitoring Officer.
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