Councillors Code of Conduct

Winterbourne Abbas & Steepleton Parish Council

Councillors Code of Conduct

Councillors must be registered by the clerk of the parish council with Dorset Council and a declaration made of their interests. This information will be published by the Parish Council and Dorset Council. Councillors must inform the clerk of any alterations to their position. Councillors shall be strictly non-political.

The Seven Principles of Public Life (the Nolan Principles) apply to anyone who works as a public office-holder. They apply to all forms of communication – face to face meetings, written hard copy, electronic media or phone calls.

1). Selflessness: Councillors shall act solely in terms of the public interest and their local communities.

2). Integrity: Councillors must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any conflicts of interests and relationships.

3). Objectivity: Councillors must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

4). Accountability: Councillors are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions. They must exercise reasonable care and diligence to ensure that public funds are used in the public interest. If required, they shall submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

5). Openness: Councillors should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing. They must not disclose information given to them in confidence.

6). Honesty: Councillors should be truthful and act lawfully at all times. They must declare any gifts or hospitality and register these if they exceed £50 in value.

7). Leadership: Councillors should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour and treat all others with respect. They must not bully, harass or discriminate unlawfully against any person. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

Updated May 2026

Below is a copy of the councillor's Declaration of Acceptrance of Office - In May 2024, all councillors had to stand down and then be re-elected. They can remain for 4 years (ie May 2028) before having to be re-elected. Due to the population of Winterbourne Abbas increasing, Dorset Council added one more councillor to this parish. The offices of Chairman and Vice Chairman are nominated and approved at the May parish council meeting each year.

The current signed Declaration of Acceptance of Office forms including those of Chairman and Vice Chairman can be accessed here