MD2263 Update to the Code of Conduct for GLA Elected Members

1.1 The Code of Conduct for GLA Elected Members covers the Mayor, the 25 Assembly Members, the Deputy Mayor for Policing & Crime (whether or not an Assembly Member) and any independent person appointed to assist with the discharge of ethical standards functions. The Code covers both the GLA and MOPAC roles of the Mayor.

1.2 The Code already provides ways in which misconduct can be investigated as necessary. However, further to informal discussions with the Mayoralty and leading Assembly Members, and in response to a number of allegations of sexual harassment within Parliament and in the media industry more broadly, it was agreed that the Code of Conduct for GLA Elected Members would be reviewed to ensure sexual harassment was explicitly addressed within the Code.

1.3 In updating the Code of Conduct for GLA Elected Members, the recent ACAS advice on sexual harassment and updated conduct codes issued by major political parties have been reviewed.

1.4 The recent cross-party Parliamentary Working Group, chaired by Andrea Leadsom MP, set up to establish a new independent complaints and grievance procedure for MPs, published its first report on 8 February 2018.

1.5 Key elements of this report including the establishment of a new code of behaviour for MPs, recommends that complaints and grievances are investigated outside of political parties and that complaints are dealt with confidentially to protect victims’ anonymity. These are all addressed by the current Code of Conduct for GLA Elected Members and its supporting procedure for handling complaints.

1.6 The Appendix shows proposed revisions to the GLA’s Code.

1.7 The revisions closely reflect the essential components of ACAS’s advice, particularly its definition of sexual harassment. The definition of harassment more broadly is drawn from the Equalities Act 2010.

1.8 The Code has also been updated to make reference to the Bribery Act 2010.

1.9 A number of other minor corrections to the Code have additionally been made to ensure it is easier to understand and up-to-date.

2.1 The adoption and publication of an updated Code of Conduct which includes explicit references to sexual harassment and bribery.

3.1 These proposed updates to the Code of Conduct have been written taking into account best practice by ACAS and are aligned with definitions of harassment as set out in the Equalities Act 2010.

4.1 The proposed revised Code is also being submitted to the London Assembly for consideration and adoption at its meeting on 22 March 2018.

5.1 There are no direct financial implications arising for the Authority.

6.1 The Mayor and the Assembly are under a statutory duty to promote and maintain high standards of conduct and must adopt a code of conduct for that purpose. The approval of the Code and any subsequent amendments is a function exercisable by joint agreement between the Mayor and Assembly. As well as including the “Nolan Principles”, the Code may include other matters the Mayor and Assembly consider appropriate such as the explicit references to sexual harassment and bribery which have been added.