Keighley Town Council has signed up to the Civility & Respect Pledge at the meeting of Full Council on 29 September 2022.
Throughout many Town and Parish Councils there are growing concerns about the impact of bullying, harassment, and intimidation on local councils, councillors, clerks and council staff and the effectiveness of local councils. For this reason, the National Association of Local Councils has been working with partner organisations to put civility and respect at the top of the agenda and start a culture change for the local council sector.
Keighley Town Council has signed the pledge to demonstrate it is committed to standing up to poor behaviour across the sector and driving through positive changes that support civil and respectful conduct. This is the result of growing concerns about the impact of bullying, harassment and intimidation on local councils, councillors, clerks and council staff and the effectiveness of local councils.
By signing the pledge Keighley Town Council will:
- Treat all councillors, clerk and all employees, members of the public, representatives of partner organisations and volunteers with civility and respect in their role.
- Put in place a training programme for councillors and staff. Sign up to Code of Conduct for councillors.
- Have in place good governance arrangements in place including, staff contracts, and Dignity at Work Policy.
- Commit to seek professional help at early stages should civility and respect issues arise.
- Commit to calling out bullying and harassment when if and when it happens.
- Continue to learn from best practice in the sector and aspire to being a role model / champion council e.g., via Local Council Award Scheme.
- Support the continued lobbying for the change in legislation to support the Civility and Respect
- Pledge including sanctions for elected members where appropriate.
Further information can be found on the SLCC website