5.1 You should play a full and active role in the work of the body. You should fulfil your duties and responsibilities responsibly and, at all times, act in good faith and in the best interests of the body.
5.2 You should promote an inclusive and diverse culture in the body and your actions should help create an environment where different perspectives and backgrounds are encouraged and valued.
5.3 You should deal with the public and their affairs fairly, efficiently, promptly, effectively and sensitively, to the best of your ability. You must not act in a way that unjustifiably favours or discriminates against particular individuals or interests.
5.4 You must not harass, bully or act inappropriately towards or discriminate towards others. Such behaviour is not consistent with what is expected of you as a board member and will not be tolerated.
5.5 You must comply with any statutory or administrative requirements relating to your post.11
5.6 You should respect the principle of collective decision-making and corporate responsibility. This means that, once the board has made a decision, you should support that decision.12
5.7 You must not use, or attempt to use, the opportunity of public service to promote your personal interests or those of any connected person, firm, business or other organisation.
5.8 You must inform the sponsor department of the body of any bankruptcy, current police investigation, unspent criminal conviction or disqualification as a company director in advance of appointment, or should any such instances occur during your appointment.
5.9 You must also inform the sponsor department of the body of any change in your circumstances which results in you becoming bankrupt, subject to a police investigation, convicted of a criminal offence or disqualified from being a company director.
5.10 You have additional responsibilities as the chair of the body in leading the board/body and in ensuring that the principles covered in the Codes of Conduct for Board Members and Staff (where applicable) are upheld.
11 In the case of a body incorporated under the Companies Act https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/contents or the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisi/1986/1032, you will also be subject to the duties of directors under company law. In the case of a body that has charitable status, you will also be subject to the duties of trustees under charities law.
12 This does not apply to departmental non-executive board members, whose role is to advise and challenge the board and department.
