Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill

moved Amendment No. 238ZL: 238ZL: Before Clause 203, insert the following new Clause— ““Code of conduct for local government employees In section 82(1) of the Local Government Act 2000 (c. 22) (code of conduct for local government employees) for the word ““expected”” substitute the word ““required””.”” The noble Baroness said: We discussed earlier the importance of the need to understand the difference between codes of conduct and the Standards Board regime. We on these Benches are in favour of codes of conduct—it is how to enforce them that has exercised us. I want to use this opportunity to raise the question of codes of conduct for employees because so far the debate has concentrated on codes of conduct for elected councillors. But, as we have heard from my noble friend Lord Greaves, there is a question about the behaviour of council officers and employees. It struck me that there is a particular issue because of the changing styles of governance. I ask the Minister to consider these and commission some work, through her department, regarding the impact that changes of governance have had on relationships between council members and officers. Those of us with a background in local government probably all started in the days when the loyalty of council officers was unequivocally to the council as a whole. We all know that in the real world, that probably meant slightly preferential treatment for the group in administration. Nevertheless, it was clearly understood that the loyalty was to the council as a whole. From discussions with colleagues, it appears to me that moving to executive arrangements, particularly those where the power is vested in one individual—a mayor or a so-called strong leader—changes the fundamental nature of the relationship. Officers become much more attuned to the needs and demands of the one person rather than the whole council. That is exacerbated by the fact that, as we do not have term limits for mayors or for leaders, some of them will be in place for a very long time. That may provide the strong government with continuity that central government wish for; nevertheless, there is a danger that, over the years, all the senior appointments will have been made by that individual and that a culture of independence and challenge that has been in local government runs the risk of being undermined. That could have serious knock-on effects for the way in which our councils are run. If the Government are serious about back-benchers having a proper scrutiny role, this is of profound importance. I beg to move.