Town Deal governance - Newcastle

Council policies

Important policies

In line with the government’s Town Deal prospectus, Board members should adhere to the governance standards and policies of the lead council. We are the lead council and accountable body for both Newcastle and Kidsgrove Town Deals, so the boards need to follow our policies in the following areas. 

However, this relates to the principle of these policies, recognising that not all aspects of the policies will apply to external organisations.

Conflicts of interest

All members of the Town Deal boards are stakeholders in the economic and social wellbeing of the Town Deal areas. However, there may be times when conflicts of interest arise or where members stand to benefit from Town Deal projects.

Members of both Town Deal boards should, where required, complete a declaration of interest. This will be held by the lead council. Declarations of interest is a standing item at the beginning of every board meeting.

Gifts and hospitality

Town Deal board members should not place themselves under any financial or other obligations to individuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their duties as board members. In addition, they should be open in their dealings. There should be no hidden motive for the decisions or actions they take.

However it is also important that we maintain a good relationship with other agencies, local businesses and the community. It is not always desirable to reject offers of gifts or hospitality where it enhances the conduct of our business particularly where it is on a modest scale.

Common sense is the general principle governing the acceptance of gifts and hospitality. Board members should consider the nature and scale of the gift or hospitality being offered and the surrounding circumstances including the relationship between the donor and the Town Deal projects. The main criterion in accepting hospitality is whether the decision can be fully justified to us and to the public. Where a gift is refused it should be politely declined. Where a gift is received which cannot be returned easily then it may be donated to a charity chosen by the board member and where possible the donor should be advised of the position.

Token gifts and hospitality from service users or those who might or do supply to us are acceptable and do not have to be registered. This covers gifts and hospitality reasonably estimated to be worth no more than £5 per individual recipient per giver per annum. However no gift or hospitality of any value is acceptable if it is offered solicited or accepted as an inducement to improper performance or is in the form of cash.

Gifts and hospitality from service users or those who might or do supply us which are more than token as defined above must be registered in the register of gifts and hospitality maintained by the Head of Legal and Governance whether refused or not. They must be refused unless authorised by the Executive Director or Chief Executive. They will only be authorised where it is considered they enhance the conduct of the Board's business. A working lunch of modest standard to enable parties to continue to discuss business and the offer of limited hospitality when visiting an organisation on our business would be acceptable as would an invitation to an occasion which is part of community life or where the board should be seen to be represented.

The acceptance of gifts or hospitality other than those approved by the council may be treated as serious misconduct which will would result in the board member, and possibly the organisation, being removed from the board. In certain circumstances, this could ultimately lead to prosecution.