News
1,000 local councils sign the Civility and Respect Pledge
1,000 local (parish and town) councils have signed up for the Civility and Respect Pledge.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) is urging councils yet to sign the Pledge to do so. The sector must continue to stand up against bullying and harassment. The more councils that sign the Pledge, the more significant impact it will have in lobbying the government to re-visit its response to the Committee on Standards in Public Life report on local government ethical standards.
The Pledge allows local councils to demonstrate a commitment to stand up to poor behaviour across the sector and enforce positive changes that support civil and respectful conduct.
By signing the Pledge, local councils agree that it will treat councillors, clerks, employees, members of the public, and representatives of partner organisations and volunteers with civility and respect in their roles and that it:
- Puts in place a training programme for councillors and staff
- Signs up to the code of conduct for councillors
- Has good governance arrangements in place, including staff contracts and dignity at work policies
- Seeks professional help at the early stages should civility and respect issues arise
- Committed to calling out bullying and harassment if and when it happens
- Continue to learn from best practices in the sector and aspire to be a role model/champion council
- Supports the lobbying for change in legislation to support the Civility and Respect Pledge.
NALC, One Voice Wales, the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) and county associations developed the Civility and Respect Pledge to address growing concerns about bullying, harassment and intimidation within the sector.