On 16 July 2012, Dartford Borough Council adopted a Code of Conduct. The Code was reviewed and the amendments adopted by the Council on 16 December 2013. The Code describes how Councillors and [voting] Co-opted Members on committees of the Council should conduct themselves. Parish/Town Councils in the Borough of Dartford must also adopt a code of conduct.
Where to see the Codes of Conduct:
- Dartford Borough Council - contact Member Services (01322 343251) if you want to be sent a copy.
- Bean Parish Council
- Darenth Parish Council
- Longfield and Newbarn Parish Council
- Southfleet Parish Council
- Stone Parish Council
- Sutton at Hone and Hawley Parish Council
- Swanscombe and Greenhithe Town Council
- Wilmington Parish Council
Please contact the relevant Parish/Town Clerk for further information regarding their own code of conduct or if you want to be sent a copy.
Independent Persons:
Under the Localism Act 2011, the Council is required to make its own arrangements for dealing with complaints that Members had failed to comply with the Member Code of Conduct and these arrangements must include the appointment of at least one Independent Person. The Council's Independent Person is currently:
- Linda Comstive c/o Member Services, Civic Centre, Home Gardens, Dartford Kent DA1 1DR
Members' Registers of Interest:
There are rules governing disclosures of interest and withdrawal from meetings where Members have relevant interests. Councillors, [voting] Co-opted Members and Parish/Town Councillors are required to record their disclosable pecuniary interests on a public register.
Under the Localism Act 2011, the Council has a statutory duty to promote and maintain high standards of conduct by both its elected Members and co-opted Members. The 2011 Act prevents Members from participating in any business of the Council where they have a disclosable pecuniary interest unless they have sought a dispensation under Section 33 of the 2011 Act. This provision is extended by the Council, to prejudicial interests.
Where to see the Registers of Interest:
The Registers of Members' Interests for the Borough Council and the eight Parish/Town Councils are maintained by the Monitoring Officer and available for public inspection on the this website. Each Parish/Town Council is also required to publish its own Register on its website. Entries on the Registers may change from time to time. There will inevitably be an administrative delay between receiving notification of a change and updating the on-line versions of the Registers.
Hard copy versions of the Registers are held at the Civic Centre, Home Gardens, Dartford Kent DA1 1DR and may be inspected, by appointment, during office hours. Appointments may be made by contacting Member Services on 01322 343430 or Online: Contact the Members Services Team