Moray Council committee adopts ‘respect the public’ rule after Tracy Colyer cleared
A council committee has adopted a new rulebook requiring councillors to respect the public, after its ex-chair was cleared of rule-breaking for saying campaigners should “get a life”.
In September, Councillor Tracy Colyer (Conservative, Keith and Cullen) apologised and stepped down from both the Moray Integration Joint Board (MIJB) and NHS Grampian’s board after her comments, intended to be private, were accidentally livestreamed on the Moray Council website.
Earlier this month, Cllr Colyer was “invited back” into Moray Council’s Conservative administration after the Standards Commission watchdog cleared her of breaching the code.
Deciding against further investigations or holding a hearing, the body found her comments about the health campaigners did not breach the MIJB code of conduct - since the code lacked any rules about treating "members of the public with respect".
At a meeting last Thursday (January 30), the MIJB unanimously agreed to adopt the Standards Commission’s Model Code of Conduct.
An MIJB spokesperson said the move would reaffirm an “ongoing commitment to operating with the highest standards of transparency and accountability”.
The updated guidance replaces the previous code which had been in place since the MIJB was established in 2016.
Included among the new rules is one stating: “I must respect members of the public when performing my duties as a board member.”
Dennis Robertson, MIJB chairperson, welcomed the formal adoption of the Model Code of Conduct.
“The code aligns with the high standards of behaviour we have always maintained and provides a clear framework that reflects how we already operate,” he said.
“While these principles of public life have long guided our work, formally adopting the code reaffirms our commitment to good governance in our work overseeing health and social care services for Moray’s communities."
Both versions of the code cover principles for good conduct, but the new code includes expanded sections on respect and courtesy, confidentiality, registration of interests and lobbying.
It also outlines potential sanctions for breaches, including censure, suspension, and disqualification.
