The Constitution Committee of Gloucestershire Council met on Monday 15 June 2026. The meeting's agenda included discussions on the council's scrutiny structure and proposed amendments to the employee code of conduct regarding secondary employment.

Scrutiny Structure Discussion

The committee was scheduled to discuss the council's scrutiny structure. Further details on this item were to follow.

Employee Code of Conduct - Secondary Employment

A report was presented for discussion regarding proposed amendments to the council's Employee Code of Conduct, specifically concerning secondary employment. The current wording of paragraph 76 of the code states that Full-time employees shall devote their whole time service to the work of the Council, and shall not 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. ¹

The report highlighted that the existing code does not require part-time employees to obtain consent for work undertaken outside the council. This omission was identified as carrying potential risks, including breaches of working time regulations and unmanaged conflicts of interest.

The proposed amendment sought to extend the requirement for consent to all employees, both full-time and part-time. The suggested new wording for paragraph 76 was:

Full-time employees shall devote their whole time service to the work of the Council. 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. The Director or the Chief Executive reserves the right to withdraw such consent at any time.

The report recommended approving this change to the wording of paragraph 76 of the code of conduct for employees. Eleanor Hutchison, Head of HR, was the contact for information on this report.