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Contents
Introduction
Purpose
Business Conduct
Personal and prejudicial interests
Public Statements
Roles and Responsibilities
Breaching the Code of Conduct
Introduction
The Code of Conduct for the Derwentside Partnership provides an overview of the conduct and behaviour expected of all partners in their interactions with each other.
Purpose
The main purpose of this code is to provide a common understanding of the Partnerships expectations regarding the behaviour of its partners.
Business Conduct
Partners are expected to conduct business in an inclusive way. The Derwentside Partnership will take steps to address conduct that is considered to be unacceptable. Unacceptable behaviour includes abuse of the membership, the use of derogatory remarks, personal insults and threats towards any other partner.
Partners should not conduct themselves in a manner, which could reasonably be regarded as bringing the partnership into disrepute.
Personal and prejudicial interests
Conflicts of interest exist when it is likely that a partner could be influenced, or could be perceived to be influenced, by a personal interest which might reasonably be regarded as affecting to a greater extent, than other Derwentside residents the well being or financial position of herself/himself, a relative or friend or
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Any employment or business carried on by such persons
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Any person who employs or has appointed such persons, any firm in which they are a partner, or any company of which they are directors
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Any organisation of which he/she is a member
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Any organisation in which he /she is in a position of general control or management.
Personal interests must be declared immediately the interest becomes apparent.
A partner with a personal interest in a matter also has a prejudicial interest in that matter if the interest is one which a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts would reasonably regard as so significant that it is likely to prejudice member’s judgement of the public interest.
A partner with a prejudicial interest in any matter must:
In considering possible conflicts of interest, it is important to think how others would view a partner’s position.
Public Statements
Derwentside Partnership partners will be responsible in some cases for representing their organisation to the wider public. They should not, however identifying themselves as Derwentside Partnership representatives unless authorised to do so by the Chair or Vice-Chair. Partner’s should not make any comments in any public forum or interview, which could be interpreted as personal criticism of other partners’.
Roles and Responsibilities
Representatives on the Derwentside Partnership, Derwentside Partnership Executive Board, thematic sub-partnerships and working groups conform to the same shared standards of behaviour.
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Attending or presenting apologies for absence,
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Adhering to the format of the meeting, the rules of debate and generally the spirit and rules by which the meeting is conducted. This covers: speaking only when invited to do so by the Chair, avoiding the use of offensive language, ensuring remarks are concise and to the point, the right to speak without interruption,
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Identifying their responsibility and making clear their role within the partnership during debates,
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Mutually respecting all members of the partnership, ensuring everyone has a valid contribution to make
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Respecting the Chair who be responsible for the proper conduct of the meeting,
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Be empowered by their representative organisation to take decisions on all matters of business,
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To ensure partners are not merely consulted but design and develop policy, and receive feedback on input,
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Respecting the confidentiality and sensitivity of certain information,
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Not seeking to unduly influence other partners on matters prior to discussion at meetings,
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Must not make allegations or claims about other partners within the Derwentside Partnership,
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Recognise conflicts may arise between different partners but that these should not interfere with the work of the Partnership,
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Ensure partners are treated equally and there is no discrimination on the basis of age, gender, disability, ethnicity, culture, religion, sexuality or other grounds.
Breaching the Code of Conduct
Responsibility for ensuring compliance with the Code of Conduct will be the joint responsibility of the Derwentside Partnership Chair and secretary.
If the Chair or secretary believes that a partner is in breach of the Code of Conduct, they will ask that partner to immediately withdraw from the meeting. A letter recording the incident will be sent to the partners nominating body, and a full investigation be requested. Actions taken by the nominating organisation will be reported in writing, back to the full partnership. During the period of investigation, the partner in question will be suspended from participating in any future meetings of the partnership or its sub/working groups. A substitute may be nominated to attend in the partners place.
A first breach of the Code of Conduct will incur a written warning. A subsequent breach of the Code of Conduct will incur a final warning and require permanent exclusion of that partner and their substitution by the nominating organisation on the partnership.
If a partner persistently disregards the direction or ruling of the Chair, any member may put forward a motion that the partner in question leave the meeting.
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