Tenant Engagement Group Code of Conduct

As a member of the Tenant Engagement Group (TEG), you are expected to uphold the values of respect, fairness, and integrity.

Attendance and Participation
Members should attend meetings regularly and be on time. If you are unable to attend, please let the Tenant Engagement Officer know in advance.

Respectful Conduct
All members must treat each other, staff, and visitors with courtesy and respect at all times. Disruptive, offensive, threatening, or abusive behaviour or language will not be tolerated.

Representing Others
Your role is to bring forward the views of other tenants - not to raise personal issues unless they reflect a wider concern affecting others.

Confidentiality
Members may become aware of sensitive or confidential information. This must be respected and not shared inappropriately.

Using Your Position
Members must not use their position on the group to seek personal gain or special treatment for themselves, family members, or friends.

Speaking in Meetings
If you wish to speak, raise your hand and wait to be invited by the Chair. All comments should be directed through the Chair to keep discussion fair and structured. Only one person should speak at a time.

Inclusive Participation
Be mindful of those who may be less confident, are not used to public speaking, or whose first language is not English. Help create an environment where everyone feels able to contribute.

Conflicts of Interest
If you have a personal or financial interest in a topic under discussion, you must declare it at the start of the meeting, or as soon as it becomes apparent. The group will then decide the best way to proceed. This could include:

a) Asking you to leave the room for that item
b) Allowing you to stay but not take part in the discussion
c) Allowing you to take part, if the group agrees there's no conflict
d) Taking another course of action agreed by the group

Persistent Misconduct
If a member repeatedly breaks the Code of Conduct, the Chair may ask them to leave the meeting. If the behaviour continues, the group may vote to exclude the member from future meetings.

Conflict of Interest - Eligibility
To protect fairness and impartiality, the following individuals cannot be formal members of the group:

• Local High Peak Borough Councillors
• HPBC staff who are also tenants
• Tenants currently subject to tenancy enforcement or flagged as a staff safety risk (reviewed case by case by the Head of Housing)

All members are responsible for declaring any potential conflicts. If in doubt, it's always better to declare it. You can do so by emailing: engagement@highpeak.gov.uk