Issue - meetings

Report on the possible introduction of an Ethical Policy for the Council

Meeting: 27/09/2011 - Overview and Scrutiny Board (Item 35)

35 Report on the possible introduction of an Ethical Policy for the Council PDF 71 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive Director, Finance and Resources gave background information on the policies in place and operational processes that were followed, which ensured that when the Council undertook activities either directly or indirectly through contractors, these were carried out in an appropriate manner and the Council acted responsibly when providing services to the community. The Equality and Diversity Officer ensured that robust policies and procedures were in place to support the equality duty of the Council.

The report submitted to the Board demonstrated that there were sufficient operational procedures and processes in place to ensure that the work of the Council was done within an ethical framework.

The Board discussed the following areas in more detail:

The procurement questionnaire
The bank facilities used by the Council and their compliance with the updated procurement questionnaire (officers to seek clarification to ensure this was the case and report back to the Board).
How staff and contractors would be made aware of the procedures in place to ensure they are adopted – Officers provided details of how this would be carried out.

RESOLVED:

(a) that the Board is satisfied that the current organisational requirements are being met and there is no need for a specific ethical policy to be developed; and

(b) that Officers seek clarification to ensure the use of the procurement questionnaire for the sponsorship of roundabouts.

RECOMMENDED that Cabinet ensure that all staff and suppliers are aware of the current procedures in place to ensure that services are provided within a positive framework of addressing ethical issues.