The council encourages a high level of commitment to the highest
standards of conduct and excellent ethical standards in local
government. When borough and parish councillors are elected they
sign up to a code of conduct which covers matters like:
- promoting equality
- treating others with respect
- not improperly seeking an advantage or disadvantage
- following appropriate advice
- declaring personal and prejudicial interests
- and registering financial and other interests and gifts and
hospitality
The code is in place to protect all residents of West
Lancashire, to ensure that they are fairly represented by their
local councillors. All borough and parish councillors agree to
undertake their work in accordance with the code.
Special workshops are held for all councillors to help them
understand the code and comply fully with its requirements and
obligations.
Standards Committee
As part of our commitment to high ethical standards, a Standards
Committee has been established.
The committee looks at new ideas to make sure that the council
continues to develop best practice at borough and parish
council level. It has a proactive work programme to strengthen and
encourage practical initiatives, and it is hoped that this,
will help to ensure that local government standards in West
Lancashire are second to none.
Introduction of a new standards regime for local
government
The Localism Act 2011 has introduced a new
standards regime for local government.
The Council has a duty to promote and maintain
high standards of conduct by its elected members and co-opted
members and those of Parish Councils within its area. The
Council wishes to appoint an 'Independent Person' and a 'Reserve
Independent Person who will be consulted on alleged breaches of the
code of conduct for councillors, parish councillors and co-opted
members. Appointment will be effective from 1 July 2012.
West Lancashire Borough Council is inviting
local people to apply.
You cannot be appointed an “Independent
Person” if you are currently a member, co-opted member or an
officer of West Lancashire Borough Council or any of the Parish
Councils within the borough, or have been within the last five
years, or you are a relative or close friend of such a
person. You should also be politically neutral.
An allowance of £500 will be payable to the
Independent Person and £250 to the Reserve Independent Person for
carrying out this role.
Anyone who is interested in applying for these
vacancies can obtain an application form by:
· download application form (Adobe PDF
format 82.6kb)
download role description (Adobe PDF
format 71.5kb) and
download person specification (Adobe PDF
format 86.8kb)
Alternatively you can write to Jacky
Denning, Assistant Member Services Manager, West Lancashire
Borough Council at 52 Derby Street, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39
2DF or
· email:
jacky.denning@westlancs.gov.uk
or
telephone 01695 585384.
It is anticipated the appointment will be made
by the Council on 19 June 2012 following consideration of all the
applications received.
The closing date for receipt of applications
is Wednesday, 30 May 2012 and interviews will be held on Tuesday,
12 June 2012.
Anyone who would like to know more about these
positions should telephone the Borough Solicitor, Terry Broderick
on 01695 585001.
Read the code of conduct
You can read the current Code online:
Copies can also be obtained from the Council's Legal and Member
Services at 52 Derby Street, Ormskirk L39 2DF.
If you want to complain about the conduct of the member of West
Lancashire Borough Council or a member of one of our Parish Council
visit our complaining about a councillor page.
Related information