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Corporate Governance

Find out information about the council's ethical and governance framework, including codes of conduct for members and officers of the council and information about standards, governance and audit committee.

The Constitution

Southampton City Council’s Constitution sets out how the Council operates, how decisions are made and the procedures which are followed to ensure that these are efficient, transparent and accountable to local people.

Code of Conduct for Members

The Code of Conduct covers areas of individual behaviour such as Members not abusing their position or not misusing their authority's resources.

Duty to Act Policy

The Council has a Duty to Act Policy which reflects the legal framework and obligation on the Council to enable staff to raise concerns about malpractice.

Officer/Member Protocol

The Council has an Officer/Member Protocol as part of its Constitution, the purpose of which is to guide Members and officers in their day-to-day working relationships.

Standards and Governance Committee

All local authorities are obliged to have a Standards Committee. They are required as generally to promote and maintain high standards of conduct within the authority and to assist members of that authority to observe the authority's code of conduct.

Standards Board for England

The Standards Board for England was established by virtue of the Local Government Act 2000. Its function is to help build confidence in local democracy.

Complaints about Elected Members

The Government wants to address public concern, as well as promote the highest standards of conduct in local government.

Local Determination and Adjudication Panel

At the end of an investigation the Ethical Standards Officer may decide (assuming that they consider there is case to answer) that the case should be referred back to the Standards and Governance Committee.

Guidance

In addition to national guidance produced by the Standards Board for England, from time to time, local guidance will be issued on specific topics and issues. When that happens, and where appropriate, it will be posted here.

Guidance on Use of Resources by Members

Under the Members' Code of Conduct, Members are required to follow local guidance on Use of Resources. The Council has established this guidance and it can be found by following this link.

Guidance for Members who sit on outside bodies

A number of Members sit out outside bodies and guidance for them can be found on this link.

Probity in Planning - The Role of Councillors and Officers

This page contains information about probity in planning, including the role of councillors and officers.

Anti Fraud & Anti Corruption Policy and Strategy

This anti fraud and anti corruption policy represents a commitment by the Council to protect the public purse. The strategy is to set out for Members and employees of Southampton City Council the main principles for countering fraud and corruption.

Financial and Contract Procedure Rules in the Constitution

The Council publishes the Financial Procedure Rules and the Contract Procedure Rules in the Constitution.

What to do if you suspect Fraud & Corruption

If you suspect fraud or corruption anywhere within the Council, you should follow this guidance.

National Fraud Initiative

Information on the National Fraud Initiative (NFI).

Other useful website/links

Click on the links on the right for information from various websites