Modernising Trust Ports 2nd Edition.pdf - SailingNetworks

3. THE BOARD.5 Guiding Principles - Membership.5.1 All board members should adhere to the following guiding principles in theconduct of trust port business. Board members must fully understand theirduties and responsibilities. Individual boards might consider adapting theseto publish their own Code of Practice, possibly in the context of the annualreport and/or their published strategy document.Eight Guiding Principles of Trust Board Membership, adapted from seven principles ofpublic life as defined in the Nolan Committee's First Report on Standards in Public Life.IndependenceA trust port is an independent statutory body. All board members are appointed to actindependently in the best interests of the trust port and all of its stakeholders both present andfuture.AccountabilityBoard members are accountable for their decisions and actions to all stakeholders of the trustport, and should submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.OpennessBoard members should be as open as possible with all with all stakeholders about thedecisions and actions they take. They should publicise the reasons for their decisions andrestrict information only to the extent that matters of commercial or personal (personnel)confidentiality are involved.SelflessnessBoard members should take decisions solely in terms of the interest of stakeholders of thetrust port, They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits forthemselves, their family and friends or any group or organisation with whom they areassociated.IntegrityBoard members should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outsideindividuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties.ObjectivityIn carrying out trust port business, including making appointments, awarding contracts, orrecommending individuals for rewards and benefits, board members should make choices onmerit.HonestyBoard members have a duty to declare any private interests which might influence their trustport duties, and to take steps to resolve any conflict arising, in a way that protects the interestsof stakeholders of the trust port.LeadershipBoard members should promote and support these principles (and ensure that they areadopted by fellow board members) by leadership and through example..5.2 Boards have a duty to ensure that new appointees are provided with clearinformation on all aspects of their duties as a trustee of the port. As aminimum all board members should be provided with a copy of thesestandards on appointment and be required to sign a binding declaration onjoining.32