Code of Conduct for Neighbourhood Board Members

Pride in Place Methil and Buckhaven

Neighbourhood Board members (NBM), as representatives of their communities, have a responsibility to make sure that they are familiar with, and that their actions comply with, the principles set out in this Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct and its principles shall apply to all NBM. 

These principles are as follows:
 

• Representing the community
• Selflessness
• Integrity
• Objectivity
• Accountability and Stewardship
• Openness
• Honesty
• Leadership
• Respect

Representing the Community

As an NBM, you have a duty to act in the interests of the local community, which you represent. You also have a duty to act in accordance with any current or future advice issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG), relating to best practice for good governance.

You have a duty to establish and reflect, through the Neighbourhood Board discussions and decisions and production of a local regeneration plan, the views of the community, irrespective of your own opinions.

You should ensure that the Neighbourhood Board is, within reason, accessible to your local community and local residents. Various mechanisms to allow the general community to express their views, i.e. email address, website, social media channels, suggestion boxes, community surveys and opinion polls should be made available, and widely advertised.

Selflessness

You have a duty to take decisions solely in terms of the interest of the community that you represent. You must not use your position as an NBM to gain financial, material, political, or other personal benefits for yourself, family, or friends.

Integrity

You must not place yourself under any financial or other obligation to any individual or organisation that might reasonably be thought to influence you in your representation of your community. If you have any private and/or personal interest in a matter to be considered by the Neighbourhood Board, you have a duty to declare this and if deemed necessary by the chair, withdraw from discussions and the decision-making process with regard to that matter.

You should not accept gifts or hospitality that may be seen to influence or be intended to influence your opinion or judgement. The offer and/or receipt of any gifts, regardless of form, should always be reported to and noted by the Secretary of the Neighbourhood Board.

Objectivity

In all your decisions and opinions as an NBM, you must endeavour to represent the overall views of your community, taking account of information which is provided to you or is publicly available, assessing its merit and gathering information as appropriate, whilst laying aside personal opinions or preferences.

You may be appointed or nominated by your Neighbourhood Board to serve on a subgroup of the Neighbourhood Board or as a member of another representative body. You should ensure that this Code of Conduct is observed when carrying out the duties of any other fora.

You are free to have political and/or religious affiliations; however, you must ensure that you represent the interests of your community and Neighbourhood Board and not the interests of a particular political party or other group.

Accountability and Stewardship

You are accountable for the decisions and actions that you take on behalf of your community through the Neighbourhood Board. You must ensure that the Neighbourhood Board uses its resources prudently and in accordance with the law. You will also consider any advice provided to you by the Accountable Body (Fife Council) in relation to matters relating to procurement, subsidy control, and any other matters that may be the responsibility of the Accountable Body.

NBM will individually and collectively ensure that the business of the Neighbourhood Board is conducted according to the terms and the spirit of this Code of Conduct.

NBM will individually and collectively ensure that annual accounts are produced showing the financial undertakings of the Neighbourhood Board. They must also ensure that all resources are used efficiently, effectively and fairly and are used strictly for the purposes of achieving the stated aims of the Neighbourhood Board, and for no other purpose.
 

Minutes of Meetings recording all actions and decisions made should be produced and circulated to all members of the Neighbourhood Board as soon as possible after each meeting.

Openness

You have a duty to be open about your decisions, actions and representations, giving reasons for these where appropriate. You should be able to justify your decisions and be confident that you have not been unduly influenced by the views and/or opinions of others.

If you have dealings with the press, members of the public, including through social media channels, or others not directly involved in your Neighbourhood Board, you should ensure that an explicit distinction is made between the expression of your personal views and opinions from any views or statement made about or on behalf of the Neighbourhood Board.

Honesty

You have a duty to act honestly. You also have an obligation to always work within the law. You must declare any private interest relating to your Neighbourhood Board duties and take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the interest of the community and the Neighbourhood Board.

Leadership

You have a duty to promote and support the principles of this Code of Conduct by leadership and example, to maintain and strengthen the community’s trust and confidence in the integrity of the Neighbourhood Board and its members in representing the views and needs of the local area. You must also promote social inclusion and challenge discrimination in any form.

You should act to assist the Neighbourhood Board, as far as possible, in the interest of the whole community that it serves. Where particular interest groups’ concerns are in conflict with those of other groups or other areas, you should help ensure that the Neighbourhood Board is aware of them.

Respect

You must respect fellow members of your Neighbourhood Board and those that you represent, treating them with courtesy, respect and in a non-discriminatory manner always. This should extend to any person you have dealings with in your capacity as a NBM, regardless of their position.
 

Recognition should be given to the contribution of everyone participating in the work of the Neighbourhood Board. You must comply with equalities legislation, including the Equality Act 2010, and ensure that equality of opportunity be given to every participant to have their knowledge, opinion, skill and experience taken into account. 

You should ensure that confidential material, including details about individuals, is treated as such and that it is handled with dignity and discretion and is not used for personal, malicious or corrupt purposes.

Statement Agreed at Neighbourhood Board Meeting No.2 on 09/07/26