April 2007
Changes to the Commissioner’s Code of Practice
It is the intention of the Commissioner to review the Code of Practice in order to bring it up to date and ensure it is suitable and applicable for Northern Ireland and the devolved administration.
In the meantime, the Commissioner has approved several amendments to the current Code of Practice in anticipation of a new Code being drawn up.
In order to ensure that the code amendments do not pose any difficulties for competitions currently running, and to give departments time to update their systems, the amendments will not be enforced until 1 May 2007. However any competition, notified to OCPA NI, with sift meetings held after 1 May 2007, will be expected to be compliant with the amended Code.
Implementation of new Complaints and Conflicts of Interest information leaflet
A new leaflet has been published in replacement of the ‘Complaints Leaflet’ and the ‘Probity and Conflicts of Interest – A Guide for Candidates’ booklet. Both of these are now obsolete.
Copies of the new leaflet are available from the OCPA NI office. The leaflet will be included in the information packs issued to potential candidates.
Access to publication entitled ‘Complaints and Conflicts of Interest: Information Guidance’