I will always treat others as I would wish to be treated, with honesty and integrity, in the spirit of the traditional City principle that ‘My Word is my Bond’.
The Code of Conduct has been developed to help in the achievement of the aims of the Guild of Young Freemen, namely in creating a welcoming and equal environment where all our members and guests will be treated with due respect and consideration.
The Code of Conduct applies equally to all Members, Candidate Members, Prospective Members, and Guests of Members. All Members and Guests are encouraged to report any breaches of the Code of Conduct as soon as possible to the Clerk, or any other official representative of the Guild (e.g. a Court Member). All reports are handled sensitively and in strict confidence, both during and after investigation.
The Code of Conduct sets out standards of behaviour expected from Members of the Guild of Young Freemen. It is not intended as a definitive guide covering every aspect of conduct, insteading offering a set of core principles which the Court expects all Members to adhere to. The Court is empowered to take appropriate disciplinary action if standards of behaviour fall below those outlined in the Code of Conduct, up to and including explusion from the Guild.
Members of the Guild of Young Freemen are also expected to adhere to the standards and values set out in The City Obligation as defined by The City Values Forum.
The Guild expects conduct at all meetings and official Guild functions to be of the highest standard. Members have a duty to behave in a way that reflects well on themselves and on the Guild, working at all times within the law, strictly according to the City Corporation procedures and regulations whilst in meetings on site at the Guildhall or at any other place which is used to conduct the business of the Guild.
Members are also expected to maintain these standards of behaviour and conduct in their daily lives. If a member is found to have fallen short of these standards, is found guilty of wrongdoing in any legal or disciplinary proceedings, or is otherwise found to have engaged in conduct inconsistent with being considered a Member of Good Character, the Court will take appropriate disciplinary action up to and including explusion from the Guild.
Members of the Guild of Young Freemen are responsible for the conduct of their Guests at official Guild functions (and at any post-function gatherings which may informally arise). If a Guest is found to be in breach of our Code of Conduct, the Court will take apprioriate disciplinary action up to and including barring the Guest from attending future functions, and barring the Guest from taking up membership of the Guild of Young Freemen. The Court may also take apprioriate disciplinary action against the hosting Member, if deemed necessary.
The Seven Principles of Public Life
Members of the Court, Committees, and any other representatives of the Guild are also expected to pay regard to the Seven Principles of Public Life as defined in the Corporation of London’s own Code of Conduct for Members, which are reproduced below.
- SELFLESSNESS: Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public
interest. - INTEGRITY: Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any
obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence
them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial
or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must
declare and resolve any interests and relationships. - OBJECTIVITY: Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially,
fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias. - ACCOUNTABILITY: Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their
decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to
ensure this. - OPENNESS: Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and
transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless
there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing. - HONESTY: Holders of public office should be truthful.
- LEADERSHIP: Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own
behaviour. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and
be willing to challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.
Our Code of Conduct is reviewed periodically to ensure it is up-to-date, and will be updated in line with any alterations to the City of London Corporation’s Code of Conduct.