Part 4 – Codes and Protocols

Part 4 of the Portsmouth City Council Constitution sets out the codes of conduct and protocols that guide how councillors and officers behave and work together. These documents help maintain high standards of conduct, support good governance and promote respectful, professional working relationships.

Part 4 explains the standards expected when carrying out Council duties, including how interests are managed, how planning decisions are handled, and how statutory roles operate.

Each document is available as a separate PDF. Some PDFs may not be fully accessible for all users. If you need any document in an alternative format, such as accessible Word, large print or plain text, please contact us and we will help. All files open in PDF format.

• Part 4A – Councillors’ Code of Conduct (PDF)
  Sets out the standards of behaviour expected of councillors when carrying out their duties.
• Part 4B – Code of Conduct for councillors and planning applications (PDF)
  Explains how councillors should act when dealing with planning matters.
• Part 4C – Employee Code of Conduct (PDF)
  Sets out the standards of behaviour expected of Council employees.
• Part 4D – Protocol on councillor and officer relations (PDF)
  Explains how councillors and officers should work together professionally and respectfully.
• Part 4E – Appointments to outside bodies – political proportionality protocol (PDF)
  Sets out how appointments to outside bodies are made in line with political balance rules.
• Part 4F – Statutory officers: Monitoring Officer and Section 151 Officer (PDF)
  Explains the roles and responsibilities of the Council’s statutory officers.