1.0   Introduction

1.1   This code applies to all Board members of Riverside Inverclyde (RI) and Riverside Inverclyde (Property Holdings) Limited (RIPH). The purpose of this policy is to reassure the public that RI and RIPH operate in a professional and ethical manner.

2.0   Principles of this code

2.1   You will conform to all relevant national and international laws.

2.2   You will ensure you are familiar with and fully understand all of RI and RIPH policies and will uphold RI and RIPH values.

2.3   You will behave ethically and will not do anything which might damage the reputation of Riverside Inverclyde or Riverside Inverclyde (Property Holdings) Limited.

2.4   You will treat others with respect and dignity and will not bully or harass any person. In the event that a Board Member feels bullied or harassed by any other Board Member, this should be reported to the Accountable Officer or Chair of the RI or RIPH Board, to be dealt with referring to this Code of Conduct and RI and RIPH Bullying and Harassment policy.

2.5   You must not do anything which may cause Riverside Inverclyde or Riverside Inverclyde (Property Holdings) Limited to breach any of the equality enactments.

2.6   You will take special care when working with children and other vulnerable groups.

2.7   You will ensure that projects and activities are designed, carried out, reported and documented accurately, transparently, objectively and to appropriate quality.

2.8   You must not, without consent, disclose information given to you in confidence by anyone, or information which you believe to be of a confidential nature.

2.9   You must not conduct yourself in a manner which could reasonably be regarded as bringing the companies into disrepute.

2.10  You must ensure that resources are not used improperly.

2.11  You must not use your position improperly to gain an advantage or confer a disadvantage.

3.0   Disclosure of Personal Interests

3.1   Board members have an obligation to act in the best interests of the company.  Conflicts of interest can arise where an individual’s personal or family interests and/or loyalties conflict with those of the company.

3.2   Such conflicts may create problems, which can: 

• Inhibit free discussion;
• Result in decisions or actions that are not in the best interests of the companies; and 
• Pose a risk of damaging RI and RIPH’s reputations.

3.3   Where you have a personal interest in any business activity involving Riverside Inverclyde or Riverside Inverclyde (Property Holdings) Limited and you attend a meeting at which the business is considered, you must disclose to the meeting the existence and nature of that interest at the commencement of the meeting.  You must not be involved in managing or monitoring a contract in which you have any interest.  Board Members may not vote on matters affecting their own interest.  They must comply with the Companies Memorandum and Articles of Associations in this regard.

3.4   The aim of this policy is to protect both the organisation and the individuals from any appearance of impropriety and possible disqualification and removal of directorship.

3.5   Accordingly, Board Members are asked to declare their interests and any gifts or hospitality received in connection with their role in Riverside Inverclyde and/or Riverside Inverclyde (Property Holdings) Limited.  A Declaration of Interests form is provided for this purpose (appendix 1), listing the types of interests you should declare.  To be effective, this needs to be updated annually and also when any changes occur.

3.6   If you are not sure what to declare please err on the side of caution.  Interests will be maintained on file.

 3.7  The information provided will be processed in accordance with data protection principles as set out in the Data Protection Act 2018.  Data will be processed only to ensure that Board Members act in the best interests of the companies.  The information will not be used for any other purpose.

Appendix 1

The Declaration and Register of Interest forms should be completed annually by all Board Members.  It allows a record to be kept of any actual or potential conflict of interest that may arise.  Those completing this form should provide details of any interest in the box provided.  Where a box does not apply, this should be noted on the form.

If you are in any doubt as to whether an interest needs to be declared, this should be discussed with the Accountable Officer or Chair of the Board.

Both this declaration and the subsequent form must be signed and dated.

DECLARATION FORM

Declaration by Board Member:

NAME: ................................................................................

I acknowledge that this Declaration and the accompanying Register of Interest form detailing my divulged interests in terms of Riverside Inverclyde and Riverside Inverclyde (Property Holdings) Limited’s Governance Framework and associated policies will be publicly available.

By signing below I (a) consent to the use and disclosure of such information in this way and (b) acknowledge and agree that, with regard to any information I supply before making disclosure I have obtained (and in respect of future disclosures, I will obtain) all necessary consents from those others to the use and public disclosure of their information.

Signed:

Date: