STANDARDS OF CONDUCT POLICY

Approved by the Trustees on: 15 June 2022
Review Date:  September 2026

1.    INTRODUCTION
This policy sets the standards of conduct which Aycliffe and District Bus Society (the Museum) expects from its members:  the Trustees, the senior officers, the volunteers.

2.    PRINCIPLES
This policy has been developed following the Museum’s Association’s Code of Ethics and has made extensive use of The British Museum’s Standard of Conduct Policy 2020.
2.1    The success of the Museum depends on the trust and confidence of all those with whom the Museum comes into contact with.  That trust and confidence depends on the Museum’s reputation for acting ethically, with integrity and to the highest professional standards. Therefore, the Museum expects its members to strive at all times to avoid acting in such a way as would, accidentally or otherwise, bring the Museum into disrepute.
2.2    The Museum expects its members to:
⦁    Discharge its functions reasonably according to, and with respect for, applicable UK and international law, ethical standards and the provisions of any relevant trust or legal condition;
⦁    Apply the ethical standards as defined in the ADBPS’s Ethics Policy;
⦁    Act with honesty and integrity, and never knowingly mislead any person;
⦁    Protect confidential information obtained in their roles in and for the Museum;
⦁    Avoid bringing the Museum into disrepute;
⦁    Recognise and acknowledge the contributions of others to the work and support of the Museum;
⦁    Be impartial, i.e.
⦁    Ensure that they declare and make known personal interests and do not give or receive inducements which could be, or could be seen to be, corrupt or in conflict with the interest of the Museum;
⦁    Adhere to the Seven Principles of Public Life (see below);
⦁    Offer or provide services to any donor to the Museum on terms commensurate with those on which services are made available to other donors;
⦁    Promote objectivity in research and public knowledge relating to the collection by working, where appropriate, with professional colleagues regardless of their national, regional, local, ethnic, religious or political identity;
2.3    In furtherance of these principles, Trustees and senior officers of the Museum must make known to the Board of Trustees:
⦁    any actual or potential conflict between their own and the Museum’s interests that might arise or might be perceived to arise in the mind of an impartial observer; and
⦁    any actual or potential pecuniary interest they or a member of their close family may have in any fundraising, investment or commercial dealings entered into or proposed by or to the Museum.
2.4    The Museum maintains a register of interests, donations and benefits received.







NOLAN’S SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC LIFE
Selflessness    Holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public interest.  They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family or their friends.
Integrity    Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties.
Objectivity    In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.
Accountability    Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
Openness    Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take.  They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.
Honesty    Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.
Leadership    Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and by example.