The Constitution Committee of Gloucestershire Council met on Monday 15 June 2026. The meeting's agenda included discussions on the council's scrutiny structure, a review of the employee code of conduct regarding secondary employment, and the appointment of a member to the Independent Remuneration Panel.

Scrutiny Structure Discussion

A significant portion of the meeting was scheduled to be dedicated to a discussion regarding the council's scrutiny structure. The report pack indicated that this would involve an examination of how the council's oversight functions are organised and operate.

Employee Code of Conduct - Secondary Employment

The committee was scheduled to consider an update to the council's Employee Code of Conduct, specifically concerning secondary employment. The report pack detailed a proposed amendment to paragraph 76 of the code. Currently, this paragraph requires full-time employees to obtain written consent from their directors or the Chief Executive before engaging in any other business or appointment. The proposed change aimed to extend this requirement to all employees, including part-time staff.

The report highlighted that the omission of part-time employees from this requirement could pose risks, including potential breaches of working time regulations and unmanaged conflicts of interest. The suggested revised wording for paragraph 76 stated:

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 indicated that the recommendation was to approve this change to the wording of the code of conduct for employees. Eleanor Hutchison, Head of HR, was listed as the contact for information regarding this report.

Independent Remuneration Panel Member Appointment

The committee was also scheduled to discuss the process for appointing a new member to the Independent Remuneration Panel¹. In line with constitutional requirements, the report sought the committee's approval for the proposed selection process. It was suggested that a selection panel be formed, comprising one Liberal Democrat member, one Reform member, and one Green member of the committee, with the Head of Democratic Services in an advisory role. The Chair of the Independent Remuneration Panel would also have an advisory capacity. The report indicated a resolution was proposed to delegate authority to this panel to make the appointment.

Other Scheduled Business

The agenda also included standard items such as apologies for absence, the approval of minutes from the previous meeting held on 27 April 2026, and provisions for public and members' questions. No public questions were submitted for the previous meeting, and no member questions were submitted.