Civility & Respect in Public Life
Hartford Parish Council have agreed that Civility & Respect in Public Life is a goal for the council and ALL the people the council interact with preforming their duties.
Hartford Parish Council has pledged that the council 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:
Has put in place a training programme for councillors and staff.
Has signed up to the Code of Conduct for councillors.
Has good governance arrangements in place including staff contracts and a dignity at work policy.
Will seek professional help at the early stages should civility and respect issues arise.
Will commit to calling out bullying and harassment if and when it happens.
Will continue to learn from best practices in the sector and aspire to be a role model/champion council through for example the local Local Council Award Scheme.
Supports the continued lobbying for change in legislation to support the Civility and Respect Pledge including sanctions for elected members where appropriate.
BULLYING AND HARASSMENT STATEMENT
We treat everyone with courtesy and
respect and ask for the same in return.
We ask that you treat your councillors
and council staff courteously without
violence, abuse, or harassment.
Councillors and council staff have the
right to carry out their civic duties and
work without fear of being attacked or
abused. Any behaviour whether that be
verbal, physical or in writing, which
causes either councillors or council staff
to feel uncomfortable, embarrassed, or
threatened, is totally unacceptable.
The zero-tolerance policy includes abuse,
aggression or threats made in person,
over the telephone or in written
communication, including on social media.
The council considers threatening
behaviour to be:
Attempted or actual aggressive, or
physical actions made towards any
councillor or member of staff.
The use of aggressive, or abusive language,
(including raising of the voice, swearing,
shouting or in writing) which threatens or
intimidates councillors or council staff”.
This policy applies throughout all Council
Meetings, but it also applies to any
Councillor or Council Staff away from
Council Meetings
