A new code of conduct for councillors has been dubbed 'as useless as a chocolate fire guard' after it became clear there is no way to enforce it. Wigan Council’s Audit, Governance and Standards Committee endorsed a new protocol put forward by the government which all councillors must adhere to.
The code itself requires councillors to 'act with integrity and honesty, act lawfully, treat all persons with civility, lead by example and act in a way that secures public confidence in the office of councillor'. It also demands that they 'show impartially exercise responsibilities in the interests of the local community, not improperly seek to confer an advantage, or disadvantage, on any person, avoid conflicts of interest, exercise reasonable care and diligence and ensure that public resources are used prudently and in the public interest'.
The committee, sitting at Wigan Town Hall on January 12, all agreed with the principle of the new code of conduct, but believed that without legitimate powers to enforce these rules they would be useless to those that did not adhere.
