In October 2022, Witney Town Council adopted the Civility & Respect Pledge for local authorities.
What is The Pledge About?
Throughout the public sector, there are growing concerns about the impact bullying, harassment, and intimidation are having on local (parish and town) councils, councillors, clerks and council staff and the resulting effectiveness of local councils.
To address this, the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), One Voice Wales, the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) and county associations have set up the Civility and Respect Project.
The aim of this is to put civility and respect at the top of the agenda and start a culture change for the local council sector.
There is no place for bullying, harassment and intimidation within our sector. The pledge is intended to demonstrate that Councils are committed to standing up against poor behaviour across our sector and to driving through positive changes which support civil and respectful conduct.
Councillors and council staff have the right to carry out their civic duties and work without fear of being attacked or abused, and without any encroachment into their personal lives.
We treat everyone with courtesy and respect and ask for the same in return. The intimidation, abuse, bullying and harassment of councillors, clerks and council staff, in person or online, is never acceptable, whether by councillors, clerks, council staff, or members of the public.
There is a huge difference between scrutinising and holding people to account those in public office and harassing or intimidating them. Any behaviour, whether that be verbal, physical, in writing, over the phone or on social media, which causes either councillors or council staff to feel uncomfortable, embarrassed, or threatened, is totally unacceptable.
Cllr, Liz Duncan, Mayor of Witney said
“I am pleased that Witney Town Council has unanimously signed up to the civility and respect pledge, along with many other councils. Staff and Councillors will continue to work hard for everyone in our town. Social media is great for keeping us all informed, but talking directly usually works better if there are any questions which come up. I hope that as a town we can all work together and move forward with kindness, understanding and respect.”
Witney Town Council is proud to sign the NALC Civility & Respect Pledge and promise that our council will treat councillors, clerks, employees, members of the public, and representatives of partner organisations and volunteers with civility and respect in their roles.
As a council we have taken further steps to promote a robust response to incidences of bullying and harassment including signing up to the new Code of Conduct for councillors. Witney Town Councillors are unpaid volunteers.
The Pledge
By signing the Pledge, your council has agreed that the council will treat councillors, clerks, employees, members of the public, and representatives of partner organisations and volunteers with civility and respect in their roles and that it:
- Has put in place a training programme for councillors and staff
- Has signed up to the Code of Conduct for councillors
- Has good governance arrangements in place including staff contracts and a dignity at work policy
- Will seek professional help at the early stages should civility and respect issues arise
- Will commit to calling out bullying and harassment if and when it happens
- Will continue to learn from best practices in the sector and aspire to be a role model/champion council
- Supports the continued lobbying for change in legislation to support the Civility and Respect Pledge including sanctions for elected members where appropriate
