The Constitution Committee of Gloucestershire Council is scheduled to meet on Monday 15 June 2026. The meeting's agenda includes a discussion on the scrutiny structure and proposed changes to the employee code of conduct regarding secondary employment.

Employee Code of Conduct - Secondary Employment

A key item scheduled for discussion is a proposed update to the council's Employee Code of Conduct concerning secondary employment. Currently, the code requires full-time employees to obtain written consent from their directors or the Chief Executive before engaging in any other business or appointment. However, the existing wording does not extend this requirement to part-time employees.

The report pack indicates that this omission carries potential risks, including breaches of working time regulations and unmanaged conflicts of interest. To address this, a proposed amendment to paragraph 76 of the code of conduct is to be considered. The suggested new wording would ensure that No employee (either full time or part time) will engage in any other business, including self-employment, or take up any other additional appointment without the express written prior consent of their Directors, and in the case of Directors, the Chief Executive. This change aims to allow the council to manage compliance with working time regulations and potential conflicts of interest for all staff. Eleanor Hutchison, Head of HR, is listed as a contact for this item.

Scrutiny Structure Discussion

The committee is also scheduled to discuss the council's scrutiny structure. The agenda notes that this discussion is TO FOLLOW, suggesting it will be a significant item for consideration during the meeting.

The meeting will also address standard procedural items, including the approval of minutes from the previous meeting held on 27 April 2026, and the opportunity for public and members' questions. The attendees for this meeting include Cllr Michael Rees, Cllr Stephen Davies (Leader of the Conservative Group), Cllr Alex Hegenbarth, Cllr Jeremy Hilton, Stephen Bace, Cllr Ben Evans (Cabinet Member for Children's Safeguarding & Care), Cllr Colin Hay (Deputy Leader & Cabinet Member for Finance, Assets & Transformation), Cllr Vernon Smith (Leader of the Reform Group), Cllr Craig Horrocks, and Cllr Martin Horwood.