Councillors' code of conduct

Ward and parish councillors are required to observe the code of conduct adopted by the council they are elected to when they are acting in their capacity as an elected member.

Declaration of interest

As part of the code, elected members of the council are required to register schedule 1, schedule 2 and other interests that might be seen as affecting the impartiality of their decision-making. This definition of members of the council also includes people who have been co-opted onto a committee of the council.

Members must register an interest in relation to:

Schedule 1

  • Any employment, office, trade, profession or vocation carried on for profit or gain
  • Sponsorships received
  • Contracts between them and the council, or contracts with companies they are involved in
  • Land in the area of the city council they own or control or have an interest in
  • Licences to occupy land in the city
  • Corporate tenancies where the council is the landlord
  • Securities, significant shareholdings worth more than £25,000

Schedule 2

  • Interests in charities, societies and other bodies of which they are members
  • Gifts and hospitality received in excess of £20 in value
  • Trade union membership

Other interests

  • A matter that affects the welfare or financial position of the member, a member of their family, and or a close personal associate

Download the councillors' declaration of interest form

Declaring interests in meetings

  • In addition to registering interests, councillors are required to declare them at council and committee meetings that they attend as members, where they directly relate to an item of business for that meeting
  • Any interests declared at the meeting are recorded in the minutes of the meeting
  • Where a member has an interest in an item of business in a meeting, the council members' code of conduct sets out the impact on the member and their ability to act in the meeting.

National guidance on councillors' personal interests