Our code of conduct sets out general obligations about the standards of conduct expected of members and co-opted members of the authority, together with provisions about registering and declaring interests.
The current members’ code of conduct was agreed at a Full Council Meeting and took effect on 1 January 2018.
The members' code of conduct is based on a set of principles including:
- selflessness
- integrity
- objectivity
- accountability
- openness
- honesty
- leadership
Any member of the public who thinks a Medway councillor, parish councillor or co-optee may have breached the code of conduct can make a complaint.
Complaints will be looked at by the Councillor Conduct Committee, which is made up of eight members of Medway Council.
Download the Councillor Conduct complaint form
Information about the complaints process
Find out more about the complaints process including:
- how complaints are dealt with
- information about investigations into misconduct
- police protocols for investigations about councillor conduct allegations
The following documents have been issued as guidance by the Councillor Conduct Committee:
- Guidance for Members of Medway Council on use of Council resources
- Ward Work - Guidance for Councillors
- Appointees to Outside Bodies and Organisations – A Guide to your Legal Obligations
Independent Persons
S28(7) of the Localism Act 2011 requires authorities to appoint at least one Independent Person whose views must be sought and taken into account by the authority before it makes its decision on an allegation that it has decided to investigate and whose views should be sought by a member if that person’s behaviour is the subject of an allegation.
The Council appointed 2 Independent Persons, John Greenhill and Harish Tekchandani, at its full Council meeting on 8 October 2020 for a 4 year term. In addition to the above, in line with the Council’s procedure for dealing with Member Conduct complaints, when a complaint is received the Monitoring Officer will undertake the initial screening process and will seek the views of one of the appointed Independent Persons.
Register of Interests
Councillors are required to be open and transparent by notifying the council of their personal interests, this is known as disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) and other specified non-pecuniary interests.
The Register of Interests is open to public inspection in the council's offices at Gun Wharf, Chatham. You can view each councillor's register of interests by finding your councillor online.
Councillors must also notify the council of any gifts or hospitality they receive that are worth more than £100. This is also recorded in the register.