Code of Conduct for Steering Group Members
Selflessness
Steering Group Members of HCS have a general duty to act in the best interests of HCS. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material or personal benefits for themselves, their family, their friends or the organisation they come from or represent.
Integrity
HCS Steering Group Members:
Objectivity
In carrying out their role, making appointments (including those of other Steering Group Members), awarding contracts, recommending individuals for rewards and benefits or transacting other business, HCS Steering Group Members should ensure that decisions are made on merit and ability.
Accountability
HCS Steering Group Members:
Openness
HCS Steering Group Members:
HCS Steering Group Members:
Conflicts of Interest
HCS Steering Group Members:
Information to be given to a New Steering Group Member
Steering Group Members of HCS have a general duty to act in the best interests of HCS. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material or personal benefits for themselves, their family, their friends or the organisation they come from or represent.
Integrity
HCS Steering Group Members:
- Should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their role
- Should avoid impropriety and any appearance of improper behaviour
- Should avoid accepting gifts and hospitality that could reasonably be calculated to influence their judgement.
Objectivity
In carrying out their role, making appointments (including those of other Steering Group Members), awarding contracts, recommending individuals for rewards and benefits or transacting other business, HCS Steering Group Members should ensure that decisions are made on merit and ability.
Accountability
HCS Steering Group Members:
- Have a duty to comply with the law at all times in accordance with the trust placed in them and in such a way as to preserve public confidence in HCS
- Are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public, funders and service users. They must submit themselves to what scrutiny is appropriate to their role.
Openness
HCS Steering Group Members:
- Should ensure that confidential material, including information about individuals, is handled with due care;
- Should as far as possible be open about the decisions and actions that they take and restrict information only when the interest of HCS clearly demands it.
HCS Steering Group Members:
- Should promote and support the principles of leadership by example;
- Should respect the Manager. There will be circumstances under which Steering Group Members will be working directly with HCS staff; guidelines for such working relationships should be clear to both staff and Steering Group Members and, when these occasions arise, the Chairman should be informed in advance.
Conflicts of Interest
HCS Steering Group Members:
- Have a duty to declare any interest affecting their role and to take steps to resolve any conflict that may arise. Where a private interest of a Steering Group Member conflicts with their appointment, he / she must resolve this conflict in favour of the Steering role;
- Must make relevant declaration of interest in the different circumstances and roles they serve either within or outside HCS.
- If a Member has any interest in the matter under discussion which creates a real danger of bias, that is, the interest affects him / her, or a member of his / her household, more than the generality affected by the decision, he / she should declare the nature of the interest and withdraw from the room, unless he / she has a dispensation to speak.
- If a Member has any other interest which does not create a real danger of bias, but which might reasonably cause others to think it could influence their decision, he / she should declare the nature of that interest but may remain in the room, participate in the discussion and vote if he / she wishes.
- If in any doubt about the application of these rules, a Steering Group Member should consult with the Chairperson.
- It is recommended that the Steering Group Members’ interests are listed in a register.
Information to be given to a New Steering Group Member
- The governing document i.e. Constitution.
- Annual Report and Accounts.
- Minutes of the previous three or four board meetings.
- List of Steering Group Members.
- Outline of relationships with other sector organisations
- Steering Group Member Declaration