Part 10Ethical standards
Chapter 1Conduct of local authority members
Codes of conduct
183Conduct that may be covered by code
I31
In section 49 of the Local Government Act 2000 (c. 22) (principles governing conduct of members of relevant authorities), after subsection (2) insert—
F12A
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F12B
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2C
An order under subsection (1) may define, for the purposes of the order—
“official capacity”; and
“criminal offence”.
2D
An order under subsection (2)—
a
may specify principles which are to apply to a person at all times;
b
may specify principles which are to apply to a person otherwise than at all times.
I42
In section 50 of that Act (model code of conduct), after subsection (4) insert—
F24A
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F24B
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4C
A model code of conduct issued under subsection (1) may define for the purposes of the code—
“official capacity”; and
“criminal offence”.
4D
Provision included under subsection (4A) or (4C) in a model code of conduct—
a
must be consistent with the provision for the time being included in an order under section 49(1) by virtue of section 49(2A) or (2C);
b
is to be mandatory except to the extent that it relates to an optional provision;
c
to the extent that it relates to an optional provision, is to be mandatory where that optional provision is incorporated in a code of conduct under section 51.
4E
A model code of conduct issued under subsection (2) may include—
a
provisions which are to apply to a person at all times;
b
provisions which are to apply to a person otherwise than at all times.
I53
In section 51 of that Act (duty of relevant authorities to adopt codes of conduct), after subsection (4) insert—
F34A
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F34B
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4C
The provisions which may be included under subsection (4)(c) by a relevant authority in Wales other than a police authority include—
a
provisions which are to apply to a person at all times;
b
provisions which are to apply to a person otherwise than at all times.
I24
In section 52 of that Act (duty to comply with code of conduct), in each of subsections (1) to (4), omit the words “in performing his functions”.
I25
Subsection (6) below applies where immediately before the commencement date a person is a member or co-opted member of a relevant authority and not prevented by any provision of section 52 of that Act from acting as such.
I26
The coming into force of this section shall not have the effect of preventing the person from acting as a member or co-opted member of the relevant authority, but—
a
he must before the end of the prescribed period give to that authority a written undertaking that he will observe the authority's code of conduct for the time being; and
b
if he fails to comply with paragraph (a), he shall cease to be a member or co-opted member at the end of that period.
I17
With effect from the commencement date—
a
any order under section 49(2) or 50(2) of the Local Government Act 2000 (c. 22), and
b
any code of conduct of a relevant authority F4...,
which is in force immediately before that date shall have effect as if the amendments made by this section had always had effect.
I18
Subsection (7) does not affect the operation of any order or code in relation to any time before the commencement date.
I19
In this section the following expressions have the same meanings as in Part 3 of the Local Government Act 2000—
“code of conduct”;
“co-opted member”;
“member of a relevant authority”;
“relevant authority”.
I110
References in subsections (6) to (8) to the code of conduct of a relevant authority include, in relation to a relevant authority whose members and co-opted members are subject to mandatory provisions by virtue of section 51(5)(b) of the Local Government Act 2000, those mandatory provisions.
I111
In this section—
“the commencement date” means the date this section comes into force;
“the prescribed period” means such period, beginning with the commencement date, as may be prescribed for the purposes of subsection (6) by order made by the Secretary of State.