Friends of Evington

Friends of Evington Code of Conduct Policy

CODE OF CONDUCT POLICY

PERSONAL CONDUCT

  • 1.1  Trustees are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively on Friends of Evington and not to conduct themselves in any way that could reasonably be regarded as bringing their office of Friends of Evington into disrepute.
  • 1.2  Specifically trustees must act in the best interests of the Friends of Evington at all times, be loyal, ethical, honest and act with integrity and probity.
  • 1.3  Adhere to the Friends of Evington’s values and support the executive trustees in instilling the appropriate culture, values and behaviours in the board meetings and beyond.
  • 1.4  Seek to ensure no one is unlawfully discriminated against and promote equal opportunities and social inclusion in accordance with Friends of Evington’s Equality Policy.
  • 1.5  Contribute to the workings of the Board in order for it to fulfil its role and functions.
  • 1.6  Recognise that the Board is collectively responsible for the exercise of Friends of Evington’s powers and performance.
  • 1.7  Raise concerns and provide constructive challenge regarding the management and operation of the Friends of Evington.
  • 1.8  Adhere to good practice in respect of the conduct of meetings and respect the views of others.
  • 1.9  Take and consider advice on issues where appropriate.
  • 1.10  Not use their position for personal advantage or seek to gain preferential treatment for themselves, their family or their friends; not seek improperly to confer disadvantage on any other person.
  • 1.11  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 Board duties.
  • 1.12  Accept responsibility for their own performance, learning and development.

2.  CONFIDENTIALITY AND ACCESS TO INFORMATION

  • 2.1  Trustees must comply with the Friends of Evington’s data protection policy.  They must not disclose any confidential information or personal data, except in specified circumstances as outlined in the Policy and/or required by law.

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3.  FIT AND PROPER PERSON

  • 3.1  All trustees are required to complete and comply with the Charity Commission’s Charity trustee declaration of eligibility and responsibility.  Trustees must certify on appointment and upon each term reappointment, that they are/remain a fit and proper person.
  • 3. 2  If circumstances change so the Trustee can no longer be regarded as a fit and proper person or if it comes to light that a trustee is not a fit and proper person, they will be suspended from being a trustee with immediate effect pending confirmation and any appeal.  Where it is confirmed that a trustee is no longer a fit and proper person, their position as a trustee will be terminated.

4.  CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

  • 4.1  Trustees must comply with the Friends of Evington’s  Conflict of Interests Policy. Trustees have a duty to avoid a situation in which they have or could have a direct or indirect interest that conflicts (or possibly may conflict) with the interests of The Friends of Evington. Trustees have a further duty not to accept a benefit from a third party by reason of being a Trustee or doing (or not doing) anything in that capacity.
  • 4.2  Trustees are required to record all relevant interests in the register of interests in accordance with the provisions of the Policy. It is the responsibility of each Trustee to provide an update to their register entry if their interests change.
  • 4.3  If a Trustee has, in any way, a direct or indirect interest in a proposed transaction or arrangement with the Friends of Evington, the trustee must declare the nature and extent of that interest to the other trustees at the earliest opportunity. If such a declaration proves to be, or becomes, inaccurate or incomplete, a further declaration must be made. Any such declaration must be made as soon as possible and before the Trustees enter into the transaction or arrangement.
  • 4.4  The Chair or acting Chair will advise Trustees in respect of any conflicts of interest that arise during Board meetings, including whether the interest is such that the Trustee should withdraw from the meeting for the period of the discussion. In the event of disagreement, it is for the Board to decide whether a Trustee must withdraw from the meeting.

5.  GIFTS AND HOSPITALITY

  • 5.1  The Board will set an example in the use of its funds and the need for good value, particularly with respect to public funds and donations, when incurring expenditure. The use of the Friends of Evington’s funds for hospitality and entertainment will be carefully considered. All expenditure on these items should be transparent and capable of justification in light of the Friends of Evington’s business objectives.

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6. COMPLIANCE

  • 6.1 The members of the Board should satisfy themselves that their actions and the actions of the Board in conducting business fully reflect the values, general principles and provisions in this Code and, as far as is reasonably practicable, that any concerns expressed by volunteer members or others associated with Friends of Evington are fully investigated and acted upon. All trustees, on appointment, will be required to give an undertaking to abide by the provisions of this Code.

7.  BREACH OF THE CODE

  • 7.1  A reported breach or suspected breach of this code of conduct will result in an investigation being undertaken by the Safeguarding officer  or the Independent examiner of Friends of Evington, or their nominated representative. Serious breaches will result in termination of the Trustees’ appointment in accordance with the Articles of Association.
  • 7.2  In the unlikely event of an unresolved dispute between a Trustee and the Friends of Evington over the decision to terminate their appointment due to a breach of this code, the Trustee may appeal by setting out in writing to the Safeguarding officer the reasons for their appeal. The Friends of Evington will utilise the services of an independent dispute resolution service for the appeal and the trustee raising the appeal may be required to contribute towards the cost of this. In the event of the appeal being found in favour of the trustee, the financial contribution will be returned in full.

I confirm that I have read this Trustees Code of Conduct and understand my obligation to abide by its requirements.

Signature:

Print name:

Date:

End of Code of Conduct Policy