The following Code of Conduct must be followed at all times by both our employees and potential or current suppliers to the Council.
All of our employees must abide by this Procurement Code of Conduct. Each employee must declare any interests in existing or potential suppliers, and say if the connection is a private, social, domestic or professional one. This also applies to local Councillors who are governed by a strict code of conduct.
Our Procurement Code of Conduct states that all of our employees must:
- raise any matter of concern of an ethical nature with their immediate supervisor or another senior colleague if appropriate
- maintain the highest possible standard of integrity in all their business relationships both inside and outside of the Council
- reject any business practice that could be deemed inappropriate and never use their authority for personal gain
- enhance the proficiency and stature of the profession by acquiring and maintaining current technical knowledge and the highest standards of ethical behaviour
- foster the highest possible standards of professional competence amongst those for whom they are responsible
- optimise the use of resources that they influence and for which they are responsible to provide the maximum benefit to us
- comply with the letter and the spirit of:
- the law
- contractual obligations.
In applying these principals officers should follow the guidance set out below:
- declaration of interest - any personal interest that may affect or be seen by others to affect an officer's impartiality in any matter relevant to his or her duties should be declared
- confidentiality and accuracy of information - the confidentiality of information received in the course of duty should be respected and should never be used for personal gain. Information given in the course of duty should be honest and clear
- competition - the nature and length of contracts and business relationships with suppliers can vary according to circumstances. Arrangements that might in the long term prevent the effective operation of fair competition should be avoided
- business gifts - business gifts. other than items of very small intrinsic value such as business diaries or calendars, should not be accepted
- hospitality - the recipient should not allow him or herself to be influenced or be perceived by others to have been influenced in making a business decision as a consequence of accepting hospitality. The frequency and scale of hospitality accepted should be managed openly and with care and should not be greater than the officers employer is able to reciprocate
Council employees also abide by an 'Employee Code of Conduct'.