|
CODE OF CONDUCT
Issued 24th July 2004
Purpose of the Code
1. The purpose of this Code of Conduct is:
(a) to provide guidance for Members of the Committee on the standards of conduct expected of them in the discharge of their duties;
(b) to provide the openness and accountability necessary to reinforce public confidence in the way in which Members of the Committee perform their duties.
2. This Code applies to all Members of the Committee.
Personal conduct
3. Members of the Committee:
(a) must comply with the Code of Conduct;
(b) should act always on their personal honour;
(c) must never accept any financial inducement as an incentive or reward for exercising influence;
(d) must not vote on any motion, or ask any question whilst on the committee, or promote any matter, in return for payment or any other material benefit.
4. Members of the Committee should observe the seven general principles of conduct. The seven principles are:
(a) Selflessness: Members of the Committee should take decisions solely in terms of the Supporters interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends.
(b) Integrity: Members of the Committee should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their duties.
(c) Objectivity: In carrying out Committee business, including awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for office etc, members of the Committee should make choices on merit.
(d) Accountability: Members of the Committee are accountable for their decisions and actions to the members of the Supporters Association and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
(e) Openness: Members of the Committee should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take with relation to Committee business. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.
(f) Honesty: Members of the Committee have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the Supporters interest.
(g) Leadership: Members of the Committee should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.
Register of Interests
5. There shall be established a register of interests. The register shall be maintained by the General Secretary and made available for viewing by Committee members at any time.
Registration and Declaration of Relevant Interests
6. Members of the Committee must:
(a) register in the Register of Interests all relevant interests, in order to make clear what are the interests that might reasonably be thought to influence their actions;
(b) declare when speaking in Committee any interest which is a relevant interest in the context of the matter under discussion. This is necessary in order that their audience may form a balanced judgement of their arguments.
What is a relevant interest?
7. The test of relevant interest is whether the interest might reasonably be thought by the public to affect the way in which a Member of the Committee discharges his or her duties.
8. The test of relevant interest is therefore not whether a Member of the Committee will be influenced by the interest, but whether the public might reasonably think that this might be the case.
9. Relevant interests include both financial and non-financial interests.
Relevant interests
10. The following interests are always relevant and therefore must be registered:
(a) any consultancy agreement under which Members of the Committee provide advice or services to the Milton Keynes Dons F. C. or any companies related to it via Directorships, or ‘parent’/’child’ companies (i.e. InterMK etc).
(b) employment by the club or associated companies;
(c) provision of free match day tickets, hospitality and gifts related to the association with Milton Keynes Dons F.C.
(d) Supply of Goods or services to Milton Keynes Dons FC or any of it’s related companies in return for financial payments either in a personal capacity or acting on behalf of your employer.
Enforcement of the Code of Conduct
11. Allegations of non-compliance with this Code are dealt with as follows:
(a) Any allegation should normally be raised first with the Member complained against. However, there may be circumstances when it is more appropriate to raise the matter with the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, General Secretary or Treasurer.
(b) If the complainant chooses to pursue the matter, he or she should refer the allegation via the method provided for in clause 9 of our constitution.
|
