Code of conduct

Introduction

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) recognises that it is the corporate body with local oversight of the Church, its mission and ministry, its funds, and its activities within the broader community, and therefore it is essential that the conduct of PCC members, who are also charity trustees, always conforms to the highest standards of integrity in order to maintain trust and confidence. Trustees are under a general duty to act in the best interests of the church for which they are trustees. This Code of Conduct sets out the standards of behaviour PCC members should expect of themselves and one another in carrying out their role.

At the first PCC meeting following the APCM, members should be encouraged to discuss this document and to indicate their assent to the principles behind it.

Values

This code has been adapted from the General Synod Members Code of Conduct, which was produced with the consideration of:

  • the Charity Governance Code’s seven principles of good governance, as follows:

    • organizational purpose;
    • leadership;
    • integrity;
    • decision-making, risk and control;
    • board effectiveness;
    • equality, diversity and inclusion;
    • openness and accountability;

  • and the Nolan Principles on Standards in Public Life, as follows:

    • selflessness: act in the best interest of the charity;
    • integrity: make decisions free from personal interests and relationships;
    • objectivity: make decisions impartially using the best evidence without bias;
    • accountability: submit themselves to necessary scrutiny for their decisions and actions;
    • openness: make decisions openly and transparently not withholding information;
    • honesty: be truthful;
    • leadership: exhibit these principles in their own behaviour and treat others with respect.

Code of Conduct

  1. Try to attend all meetings, sending apologies to the PCC Secretary for any necessary absences.
  2. Prepare for the meeting by reading the agenda, papers and any emails before the meeting.
  3. Talk to the chair before the meeting, where possible, if clarification of any matter is needed.
  4. Arrive on time and stay to the end, where possible.
  5. Declare any potential conflicts of interest that may arise in the meeting.
  6. Participate fully in the meeting:
    1. listen to what others have to say and keep an open mind;
    2. contribute positively to the discussions;
    3. try to be concise and avoid frequent repetition;
    4. listen quietly to the views and comments of others;
    5. do not interrupt or talk over others;
    6. focus on the matter under discussion and do not pursue tangential or irrelevant points;
    7. help others concentrate on the meeting by avoiding side conversations.
  7. Treat everyone with courtesy and respect.
  8. Observe the authority of the chair of the meeting.
  9. Challenge ideas and not individuals.
  10. Agree that any decision reached by a majority of PCC members, once made, must be accepted and will not be undermined with those not involved in the meeting.
  11. Fulfil any responsibilities assigned at the meeting and be prepared to report back on progress at the next meeting.