Our Purpose: Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council exists to serve and represent the interests of its citizens and communities. We strive to improve the economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being of all of our people. 

Our Vision: We want our county borough to be a place where everyone has an equal chance to get on in life – a place where people want to live, learn and work and bring up their family. 

We want our beautiful natural environment, and our rich cultural and industrial heritage to be appreciated and protected for many future generations to enjoy. 

We also want to pursue new and existing opportunities for economic growth so we can sustain our diverse communities for many years to come. 

Our Values: We will stand up for our citizens and our communities, advocating for the needs and aspirations of our people in every aspect of our work. 

We will listen to our citizens, our workforce and our many partners and seek ways to meaningfully involve people in our work. 

We will celebrate diversity in all of its forms and work tirelessly for greater equality in all of our communities. 

We will conduct the work of the Council in an open and accessible way, ensuring we are properly accountable for the decisions we make. 

We will make the best use of all resources available to us. 

We will be open to challenge and will promote a culture of learning and innovation throughout our organisation. 

We will further strengthen the bonds of collaboration, working with others – including the voluntary, statutory and private sectors to benefit our citizens and communities.

Any breach of the Council’s Employee Code of Conduct is a potential disciplinary offence, which will be dealt with in accordance with the Council’s Disciplinary Procedure, and which can lead to the dismissal of the employee(s) concerned. A breach of the Code may also constitute a criminal offence.

The public is entitled to expect the highest standards of conduct from all employees of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council. The role of such employees is to serve the Authority in providing advice, implementing its policies, and delivering services to the local community. In performing their duties, they must act with integrity, honesty, impartiality and objectivity. 

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council’s reputation and the public’s trust and confidence in its integrity are of vital importance. It must be seen to discharge its day to day responsibilities with openness and probity. This document is presented as a framework to make clear the standards of conduct expected of all employees. 

1.2 This Code of Conduct is applicable to all employees of the Authority, except those who are directly employed by School Governing Bodies, and forms part of each employee’s contract of employment.

1.3 Inevitably, some of the issues covered by the Code of Conduct affect senior, managerial and professional employees more than others, but the Code covers all employees.

1.4 Employees work for the Authority and serve the whole of that Authority. They are accountable to, and owe a duty to that authority.

They must act in accordance with the principles set out in this Code, recognising the duty of all public sector employees to discharge public functions reasonably and according to the law.
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2. STANDARDS
2.1 All employees are expected to give the highest possible standard of service to the public and, where it is part of their duties, to provide appropriate advice to Councillors and fellow employees with impartiality. In the event that an employee becomes aware of activities which that employee believes to be illegal, improper, unethical or otherwise inconsistent with this Code, the employee should report the matter, acting in accordance with the employee’s rights under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, and with the Authority’s confidential reporting procedure, or any other procedure designed for this purpose. 

. The whistleblowing procedure is set out in the Council’s Anti-Fraud, Corruption and Malpractice Strategy. Such reporting shall be without fear of recrimination. Employees must familiarise themselves with this procedure and should make relevant disclosure strictly in accordance with it.