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Annex 13 AEWG Code of Conduct
Code of Conduct
The Members of the Adult Entertainment Working Group will be expected to follow this 'Code of Conduct' for the duration of their membership of the Group. Membership of the Group is at the invitation of the Minister for Finance and Public Service Reform and failure to adhere to any of the conditions of this Code may result in the individual concerned having their membership of the Group withdrawn.
The Adult Entertainment Working Group is not classed as a 'public body' but the general ethos of acting in the public interest is intended to apply to all its activities. The Ethical Standards in Public Life etc (Scotland) Act 2000 provides for new Codes of Conduct for local authority councillors and members of relevant public bodies based on a 'Model' Code of Conduct. Its general principles are set out in the Annex to this Code and are expected to apply as appropriate to the Working Group.
External Communication
Being a member of the Working Group will impose certain restrictions on what you can say and to whom when writing or speaking on any matter that is within the remit of the Group. This would apply on all occasions when in all likelihood you could be perceived as representing the Group or the Group's position. Members should simply confirm that they are serving on the Group that was set up by Scottish Ministers, as publicly announced on 24 March 2005. Any public or media queries about any aspect of the Group's activities, remit etc should be referred to the Chairman of the Working Group.
Travel and Subsistence Costs
Travel and subsistence costs will be paid in accordance with standard Scottish Executive arrangements set out in the separate note. You are entitled to claim travel expenses to and from home or your place of business to the meeting venue and travel and subsistence expenses incurred as part of the work of the Group away from the normal venue.
Gifts and Hospitality
You must never canvass or seek gifts or hospitality associated with your duties as part of the Working Group. You must not accept any offer by way of gifts or hospitality which could give rise to reasonable suspicion of influence on your part to show favour, or disadvantage, to any individual or organisation.
Confidentiality Requirements
There may be times when you will be required to treat discussions, documents or other information relating to the work of the Group in a confidential manner. You will often receive information of a private nature which is not yet public, or which perhaps would not be intended to be public. There are provisions in legislation on the categories of confidential and exempt information and you must always respect and comply with the requirement to keep such information private. In particular any evidence taken from individuals, which may amount to personal data, will need to be kept confidential under the Data Protection Act.
It is unacceptable to disclose any information to which you have privileged access, for example derived from a confidential document, either orally or in writing. In the case of other documents and information, you are requested to exercise your judgement as to what should or should not be made available to outside bodies or individuals. In any event, such information should never be used for the purpose of personal or financial gain, or used in such a way as to bring the public body into disrepute.
Registration of interests
Freedom of information
With regard to the Freedom of Information legislation, members should be aware that relevant information from the minutes of the Group will be published on the Scottish Executive website in an unattributable manner.
Any requests made under the Freedom of Information Act should be referred to the Group Secretariat.
AEWG: Secretariat
April 2005
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