Eastleigh Town Council has agreed to sign a Civility and Respect Pledge promising to put civility and respect at the top of the agenda and to support positive cultural change for the local council sector. 

The Civility and Respect Pledge is being introduced to enable councils to demonstrate that they are committed to standing up to poor behaviour, bullying, harassment and intimidation across the sector and to drive through positive changes which support civil and respectful conduct. 

The Pledge is part of a project created and overseen by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), One Voice Wales (OVW), the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) and county associations. 

Eastleigh Town Council will:

  • Treat all councillors, clerk and all employees, members of the public, representatives of partner organisations and volunteers with civility and respect in their role.
  • Put in place a training programme for councillors and staff.
  • Sign up to Code of Conduct for councillors.
  • Have in place good governance arrangements in place including, staff contracts, and Dignity at Work Policy.
  • Commit to seek professional help at early stages should civility and respect issues arise. Commit to calling out bullying and harassment when if and when it happens.
  • Continue to learn from best practice in the sector and aspire to being a role model / champion council e.g., via Local Council Award Scheme.
  • Support the continued lobbying for the change in legislation to support the Civility and Respect Pledge including sanctions for elected members where appropriate.