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1. This Code has been developed to support the high standards of leadership and performance of members, and the openness and accountability necessary to ensure public confidence in the way in which you conduct your public duties. 

2. The Code applies to the Mayor, Councillors, and Co-opted Members of the Council, collectively referred to as Member(s) in the remainder of this document.

 3. A “Co-opted Member” is defined in the Localism Act 2011 Section 27(4) as “a person who is not a Member of the authority but who

a) is a Member of any committee or sub-committee of the authority, or;

b) is a Member of, and represents the authority on, any joint committee or joint sub- committee of the authority;

and who is entitled to vote on any question that falls to be decided at any meeting of that committee or sub-committee”.

 4. Some Co-opted Members of the Council’s Scrutiny Committees are not caught by the above definition as they do not have the right to vote, however all Scrutiny Co-optees are expected to abide by the terms of this Code of Conduct.

5. The Code does not apply to Independent Persons, Observers and other persons involved in the Council’s Committees, Boards, and Panels. They are expected to take into account the Code and to follow any rules set out by their own organisations and act appropriately. This includes those Members of bodies such as the Health and Wellbeing Board who are appointed by other organisations.

 6. The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to assist you, as a Member, in modelling the behaviour that is expected of you, to provide a personal check and balance, and to set out the type of conduct that could lead to action being taken against you. It is also to protect you, the public, fellow Members, local authority officers and the reputation of local government. It sets out general principles of conduct expected of all Members and your specific obligations in relation to standards of conduct. The LGA encourages the use of support, training and mediation prior to action being taken using the Code. The fundamental aim of the Code is to create and maintain public confidence in the role of Member and local government.

 7. In addition to the Member Code of Conduct, the Council’s governance arrangements include a number of further Codes and Protocols set out in the Constitution which provide additional guidance or obligations which Members must consider. These include, but are not limited to, the Planning and Licensing Codes of Conduct and the Member / Officer Relations Protocol.

 8. As Members you are also required to adhere to the Council’s Social Media policy in your role as a Member.

 9. The Member Code of Conduct has been set within the context of the Tower Values of ‘Together, Open, Willing, Excellent, and Respect’ which we all hold Council's TOWER values (towerhamlets.gov.uk).

 10. This Code of Conduct has been developed from the Model Code of Conduct published by the Local Government Association (LGA). The LGA has also produced guidance to accompany its Model Code. This guidance is a useful reference point for Members and officers on the application of the Code.

11. The relevant sections of the guidance are referenced throughout this Code as a useful guide on the application of the code The full guidance is available here: https://www.local.gov.uk/publications/guidance-local-government-association-model-councillor-code-conduct

12. Although the guidance is a useful reference for officers and Members, it will be for the Monitoring Officer in consultation with the Independent Person and/or Standards Advisory Committee as appropriate, (applying the Code), to determine whether a Member has breached it.

16. This Code of Conduct applies to you as soon as you sign your declaration of acceptance of the office of Mayor/Councillor or on appointment as a co-opted member and continues to apply to you until you cease to be a Member.

 17. This Code of Conduct applies to you when you are acting in your capacity as a member which may include, but is not limited to, when:

• You are acting on council business
• Your actions would give the impression to a reasonable member of the public with knowledge of all the facts that you are acting as a Member;
• You misuse your position as a Member

 18. The Code applies to all forms of communication and interaction, including:

• at face-to-face meetings
• at online or telephone meetings
• in written communication
• in verbal communication
• in non-verbal communication
• in electronic and social media communication, posts, statements and comments.

 19. You are also expected to uphold high standards of conduct and show leadership at all times when acting as a Member.

 20. Your Monitoring Officer has statutory responsibility for the implementation of the Code of Conduct, and you are encouraged to seek advice from your Monitoring Officer on any matters that may relate to the Code of Conduct.

22 .    As a Member:

a. I promote and support high standards of conduct through my leadership and example.

b. I treat other Members and members of the public with respect.

c. I treat local authority employees, and representatives of partner organisations and those volunteering for the local authority with respect and respect the role they play.

d. I take account of the views of others, including where applicable my political group, but I reach my own conclusions and act in accordance with those conclusions.

 23. Respect means politeness and courtesy in behaviour, speech, and in the written word. Debate and having different views are all part of a healthy democracy. As a Member, you can express, challenge, criticise and disagree with views, ideas, opinions, and policies in a robust but civil manner. You should not, however, subject individuals, groups of people or organisations to personal attack.

 24. In your contact with the public, you should treat them politely and courteously. Rude and offensive behaviour lowers the public’s confidence in Members.