1. Does the council have a formal policy in place for maternity, paternity, adoption and kinship care for all councillors? If yes, please provide a copy.
2. If no, does the council have any informal arrangements in place by which it would make provisions for maternity, paternity, adoption and kinship care for all councillors?
Not applicable
3. Does the council have a formal policy in place for maternity, paternity, adoption and kinship care for councillors with a Special Responsibility Allowance? If yes, please provide a copy.
See Question 1 – the linked policy covers this.
4. If no, does the council have any informal arrangements in place by which it would make provisions for maternity, paternity, adoption and kinship care for councillors with a Special Responsibility Allowance?
Not applicable
5. Does the council have a formal standards committee?
Yes – Committee details – Standards Committee – Democracy in Devon
6. Does the council have a formal role to oversee member conduct and promote equality (e.g. chair of the standards committee, chief whip, etc.)?
Yes – as above Standards Committee / formal complaints procedures and we also have a Lead Cabinet member with equality in their remit.
7. Does the council’s Code of Conduct under Section 27(2) of the Localism Act 2011 make any reference to promoting equality or tackling sexism?
Yes – section 5b of the code states you must not do anything which may cause the County Council to breach a statutory duty or any of the equality enactments (as defined in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010).
We have a separate guidance note on sexual harassment which sits next to the code – Constitution – Part 6c Code of Personal Conduct Sexual Harassment Acceptable Conduct and Guidan.pdf (devon.gov.uk). We also included sexual harassment in the acceptable behaviour policy and provided training (led by Devon Rape and Sexual Abuse Service).