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Civil Servants |
Local Government Employees |
| References |
Civil Service Management Code,
Section 4.4 and 4.4 Annex A. (CSMC) |
Local Government and Housing Act 1989,
Part I, Sections 1-3. (LGHA) |
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Civil Service StaffHandbook (CSSH) |
Schedule to the Local Government
Officers (Political Restrictions) |
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Servants ofthe Crown (Parliamentary,
European Assembly and Northern
Ireland Assembly Candidature)
Order 1987. (SCO) |
Regulations 1990 (SI 1990/851). (LGOR) |
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House of Commons Disqualification
Act 1975. (HoCDA) |
|
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European Assembly Elections Act 1978.
(EAEA) |
|
| Politically
Restricted Posts |
Staff at Grade 7 and above
(salary threshold £27,100(a))
plus Administration
Trainees (band minimum £16,270(b))
and HEO(D) grades.
(CSMC: 4.4.9.) |
Staff earning upwards of£26,391(f).
Inclusion ofcertain nominated posts such
as Head ofPaid Service, ChiefOfficer and
Deputy ChiefOfficer is mandatory.
(LGHA: Part I, Section 2(1) & (2)). |
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Certain sensitive posts in other grades
such as Private Office staffand those
giving advice to Ministers.
(CSSH: Chapter 1, Section 7,
2 (1) &(2)) . |
Staff whose duties include giving advice or
speaking to the media, ifthey appear on a
list held by the authority.
(LGHA: Part I, Section 2 (2) & (3).
LGOR: Part II) |
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Blanket ban on political activity at
national level. All grades may seek
permission to take part in political
activity at local level only.
(CSMC: 4.4.9.) |
Blanket ban on political activity at
national and local level for mandatory
inclusions and those giving advice or
speaking to the media. Other staffon
authority lists may apply for exemption.
(LGHA: Part I, Section 2(1) & Section 3 (2)
(3) & (4). LGOR: Part II). |
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Must not publicly announce/be
announced as a (prospective) candidate
for election to the House of Commons
or the European Parliament.
(CSMC: 4.4.21.) |
Must not publicly announce/be announced
as a (prospective) candidate for election to
the House of Commons, European
Parliament or a Local Authority.
(LGOR: Part I, 1.) |
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Must resign on formal adoption as a
prospective political candidate. Period
of notice must not overlap with formal
adoption.
(CSMC: 4.4.21.) |
Must resign on formal adoption as a
prospective political candidate. Period of
notice must not overlap with formal
adoption.
(LGOR: Part I, 2.) |
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Must not hold a post in a political
organisation which mainly impinges on
party politics nor canvass on behalf of
a candidate for Parliament or the
European Parliament.
(CSMC: 4.4.1.) |
Must not act as an election agent, hold a
general management position, canvass or
act on behalf of a political party,
(LGOR: Part I, 3.4. and 5.) |
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Must not speak in public or publish
material on matters of political
controversy.
(CSMC: 4.4.1.) |
Must not speak or publish written work
with intent to affect public support for a
political party. (Not applicable to political
assistants).
(LGOR: Part II, 6.7. and 8.) |
| Politically
Intermediate Posts |
Office staff below Grade 7. |
No category. |
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Ban on political activity at national and
local level, without permission.
(CSMC: 4.4.10.) |
|
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All grades can seek permission to take
part in political activity at national and
local level. (Permission refused for
sensitive posts).
(CSMC: 4.4.10.) |
|
| Politically
Free Posts |
Industrial and non-office staff. Free to
take part in all political activity but not
while on duty, in uniform or on official
premises.
(CSMC: 4.4.2.) |
All officers below the salary threshold not
on a list. |
| Summary for
Politically
Restricted Posts |
– Pay threshold higher. |
– Pay threshold lower.
|
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– All grades may seek permission for
exemption from restricted status at
local level only. |
– Head of Paid Service, Chief Officer,
Deputy Chief Officer, staff giving advice
and speaking to the media may not apply
for exemption from restricted status.
All others may apply.
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– Exemption can only be given to local
political activity. Blanket ban at
national level. |
– Exemption can be given for activity at
national and local level to staff on lists.
|
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– Thresholds predominantly dependent
on grade - uniform approach (except
for fast stream and sensitive posts). |
– Thresholds dependent on salary – in
large authorities junior posts are affected –
less uniform approach.
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| Numbers Holding
Politically
Restricted Posts |
23,440 at Grade 7 and above –
approximately 800 in AT and
HEO(D) posts.
Total = 24,240 (c). |
12,000 chief officers; 28,000 above
salary threshold; 7,000 others.
Total = 47,000 (f).
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| Numbers Holding
Politically
Intermediate Posts |
Total = 415,060 (d). |
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| Numbers Holding
Politically
Free Posts |
Total = 36,0000 (e). |
Total = 1,560,000.
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(a) & (b) – DETR national band
minimum 1997-98. |
(f) – Figures based on National Joint
Council’s Scheme 1997-98.
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(c) (d) &(e) Civil Service Statistics 1997.
Figures for GB |
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