The Co-operative Party

The Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2007

The revised Code of Conduct, which came into effect on 1 May 2007 and is now in force nationally for all councils in England, removes membership of Industrial & Provident Societies from the list of interests that need to be included in the council’s public register.

Membership of an I&P Society is no longer deemed to constitute an interest that must be registered. This means that it is no longer necessary for Co-operative Party members, Labour & Co-operative Councillors or members of an I&P Society to register their membership of that Society.

Members should continue to consider whether they have a personal or prejudicial interest in a matter under the revised Code of Conduct as a result of their membership of an I&P Society.

However, there are now few circumstances where this will arise unless a member is appointed or nominated to a society by the council. Regional  committee members and directors should bear in mind that other provisions of the  Code may be relevant to their participation in council business that affects their society (e.g. using their position as a councillor to improperly confer an advantage or disadvantage on a society which has applied for a grant or made a planning application).

The Co-operative Party

Local councillors (and London Assembly Members) continue to have a personal interest when the business of the authority relates to or is likely to effect -

• Any body… one of whose principal purposes includes the influence of public opinion or policy (including any political party or trade union), of which [they] are a member or in a position of general control or management
• Any person or body, other than a relevant authority, who has made a payment [to them] in respect of [their] election or any expenses incurred by [them] in carrying out [their] duties.

This means that membership of the Co-operative Party and election contributions by the Party  must be entered in the local authority’s register,  but need only be declared as a personal interest in meetings relating to matters affecting the Party.

Implementation

The new Code of Conduct became effective in all local authorities on or by 1 October 2007.  The Standards Board for England recommended that the Model Code be adopted in its model form, without amendment.

Scotland and Wales

The Model Codes for local authorities in Scotland and Wales have not been amended.

For further advice

Contact Karen Wilkie on 029 2022 6454,  k.wilkie@party.coop or see the Standards Board for England’s website.

Last updated January 2008