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Code of Practice on ethical employment in supply chains

Published: 14/03/2019

Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet has noted the progress in implementing the Code of Ethical Practice in Supply Chains and to approve a statement on modern slavery.

Welsh Government’s Code of Practice on Ethical Employment in Supply Chains aims to improve procurement practice in Wales and secure greater social benefit from public expenditure.  Flintshire adopted the Code in June last year.

The Code fits with the Council’s own practices and beliefs as a social responsible and ethical organisation and is designed to tackle:

  • modern slavery
  • blacklisting
  • false self-employment
  • unfair use of umbrella schemes and zero hours contracts
  • paying the living wage

The Code contains 12 commitments (equating to 34 actions) that seek to prevent unethical employment practices.  Of the 34 actions, 21 have been completed.  One outstanding action is to approve an annual statement on modern slavery which describes how the council will to eradicate such unethical practice. The Cabinet will be asked to approve this statement at the meeting.

Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate Management and Assets, Councillor Billy Mullin, said:

“Flintshire embraces the principles which underpin the Code.  We have been working hard to implement the commitments since it was adopted last June.

“As a socially responsible and ethical public body, we seek to use our spending on works, goods and services to promote the local economy and, through the use of community benefits, causes which we support, such as the provision of training and apprenticeships.  The Council welcomes the commitments within the code of practice and the opportunity to further ensure that its procurement spend supports its aims and values.”

The Council already has arrangements in place through its Contract Procedure Rules and procurement practices to prevent its suppliers from using many of these practices. The Code is an extension to current practice but the commitments required under the Code support the Council’s own values and principles.