Civility and Respect

 The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) is currently promoting the Civility and Respect Pledge in an effort to improve the behaviour of Chairs, Clerks and Councillors, particularly in Parish Councils.

And what I am hearing from other councillors - mainly women - not to mention my own experience of being a Parish Councillor in Betley, change is long overdue.

The Civility and Respect Pledge that councils and other related institutions and organisations such as Borough Councils and County Councils, Churches, is not a big thing.  In the main it calls for a an awareness of bad behaviour, inequality, sexism and misogyny, with a view to amending how that behaviour is played out especially in the work place and elsewhere.

The pledge asks for common sense (in the main) adjustments:

1.  Has put in place a training programme for councillors and staff (no)

2.   Has signed up to the Code of Conduct for councillors (in a manner of speaking)

3.  Has good governance arrangements in place including staff contracts and a dignity at work policy (a staff contract but no Dignity n the Work Place Policy)

4.  Will seek professional help at the early stages should civility and respect issues arise 
(was not taken up by the Chair when offered)
5.  Will commit to calling out bullying and harassment if and when it happens (no)

6.  Will continue to learn from best practices in the sector and aspire to be a role model/champion council (doubtful)

7.  Supports the continued lobbying for change in legislation to support the Civility and Respect Pledge including sanctions for elected members where appropriate (doubtful)

As a councillor I proposed the support of this Pledge to the Parish Council (and others in the Parish).  It was dismissed  and not mentioned again.

I proposed and wrote a Dignity in the Work Place Policy, which was also dismissed and not mentioned again.    

I requested training to update myself with regard to rules and codes of conduct, which was also dismissed.  In the end I paid for this myself.   What I learned was how a Parish Council should function and run.  The behaviour and practices I witnessed at council meetings bore little relation to what was learned at these training sessions.

Policies were few and far between (to regulate actions (and behaviours) until 2024 and after a shocking code of conduct 'hearing', which in my view was not a Hearing at all.   the policies were 'adopted' with hardly any discussion and how they could be tailored to this Parish Council's needs.  

With the latest co-option the Parish Council membership and skill set has reverted to what it was before May 2022.  

Clearly this Parish Council appears to have a long way to go.