Eynsham Parish Council is pleased to announce that we have made the Civility & Respect Pledge. It is a commitment to promoting civility and respect in public life. We pledge to ensure that the Parish Council is a respectful, safe and supportive environment for all staff and Councillors.
Our chair, Ross Macken, was delighted that all his fellow Councillors voted to make the Pledge at a recent Council meeting. “I’m a great fan of ‘treat others how you would wish to be treated’,” he said. “For me, the Civility and Respect pledge should be a no-brainer and I was really pleased that the whole team has agreed for the Parish Council to sign up.”
The idea was brought to the attention of the Council by Clerk Michelle, who had been involved in getting the Civility & Respect Pledge made by Councillors at Wheatley Parish Council (where she previously worked).
Michelle explained: “A respectful environment benefits everyone - it enables more effective decision-making, encourages broader community engagement, and helps councils attract and retain both elected members and staff.”
What is the Civility & Respect Pledge?
The Civility & Respect Pledge was launched in 2022 by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC). It is made by town and parish councils to demonstrate their commitment to addressing poor behaviour and nurturing positive change, creating an environment free from bullying, harassment or intimidation.
The Pledge was introduced in response to a rising incidence of poor behaviour and negative working environments across the public sector. To date, over 1,800 councils have made the pledge.
Why does it matter?
Michelle, who suggested the idea, is keen to point out she’s not experienced any poor behaviour at Eynsham Parish Council. Rather, she is passionate about improving conditions across the whole sector and felt that supporting the Pledge was a way to draw attention to the issue and show solidarity with others, improving working conditions for all.
She explained that “creating a respectful environment isn't just about addressing poor behaviour when it occurs - it's about fostering a culture where such behaviour is less likely to take root in the first place.”
“As a practicing Clerk, I am grateful to our Parish Council for recognising the importance of establishing a respectful environment for the council to operate in and to support the learning and development of councillors and officers.”
[Take a look at our certificate in our Governance area. The certificate lists the commitments Eynsham Parish Council has made as part of the Pledge.]