The Constitution Committee of Gloucestershire Council is scheduled to meet on Monday 15 June 2026. The meeting's agenda includes a discussion on the council's scrutiny structure and a proposed amendment to the Employee Code of Conduct regarding secondary employment.

Scrutiny Structure Discussion

A significant item on the agenda is a discussion regarding the council's scrutiny structure. The report pack indicates that this topic is scheduled for discussion, but provides no further details on what aspects of the structure will be examined or what potential changes might be considered.

Employee Code of Conduct - Secondary Employment

The committee is also scheduled to consider proposed changes to the council's Employee Code of Conduct, specifically 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, this requirement does not explicitly extend to part-time employees.

The report pack highlights that this omission presents potential risks, including breaches of working time regulations if part-time employees' total working hours exceed legal limits, and the possibility of unmanaged conflicts of interest. To address these risks, a proposed amendment to paragraph 76 of the code of conduct is to be discussed. 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 ensure that all employees, regardless of their working hours, are subject to the same authorisation process for external work, thereby managing potential conflicts of interest and compliance with working time regulations. Eleanor Hutchison, Head of HR, is associated with this item.

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.