A message from Dennis Hall, Solicitor and Monitoring Officer, Sedgefield Borough Council.
I hope that both members and officers will find this standards and ethics website useful in assisting them to understand the rules and regulations governing member conduct.
As Monitoring Officer my role is to assist the Standards Committee to carry out its functions, including training and developing a greater awareness of the way in which the standards and ethics regime operates.
I am also responsible for setting up the registers for members' interests and gifts and hospitality and advising on what is appropriate to be included within them.
I also provide advice on declarations of interests at Borough Council meetings and provide an important link between members and the Standards Committee of the Council.
A key part of my work is in connection with Parish and Town Council members I will monitor the Code and ensure that appropriate training is made available.
I am confident that this website will assist in a number of respects, particularly in offering guidance to members, available information from the Standards Board through its own bulletins, keeping members up to date with changes in the law and procedure.
Any feedback would be gratefully received!
Dennis Hall