Parish Councillors agreed that Wem Rural Parish Council would sign the Civility and Respect pledge.
By Signing the Civility and Respect pledge Wem Rural Parish Council agree to the following:
- All councillors, clerk and all employees, members of the public, representatives of partner organisations, and volunteers, will be treated with civility and respect in their role.
- Commit to training all councillors and staff.
- Sign up to Code of Conduct for councillors.
- Have good governance arrangements in place including staff contracts, and a dignity at work policy.
- Seek professional help in the 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 the 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.
Wem Rural Parish Council agrees with The National Association of Local Councils (NALC), the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC), and One Voice Wales (OVW), that now is the time to put civility and respect at the top of the agenda and start a culture change for the local council sector.
