On this page: Information about restrictions which apply to some posts within Swindon Borough Council because they involve some political aspect.
Some posts in the Council are politically restricted under the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009. If this applies to a job you are applying for, then the advertisement and job description will make this clear, and it will be explained to you during the appointment process.
You will be prevented from having any active political role either in or outside the workplace. You will not be able to hold or stand for elected office, but it will also prevent you from:
Participating in political activities, publicly expressing support for a political party or undertaking other activities such as canvassing on behalf of a person who seeks to be a candidate; and
Speaking to the public at large or publishing any written or artistic work that could give the impression that you are advocating support for a political party
Effects of the Restrictions
The restrictions aim to prevent politics coming into play where an employee is in a politically influential position. This could be where an employee implements the Council’s policies, gives advice to, or speaks on behalf of, the Council.
Categories of Restricted Posts
Posts are considered to be politically restricted if they fall into two categories:
Specified Posts
Specified posts are automatically subject to restrictions on public political activity and as such, there is no right of appeal.
Sensitive Posts
These posts meet one or both of the following:
Giving advice on a regular basis to the authority itself, to any committee or sub-committee of the authority or to any joint committee on which the authority are represented; or where the authority are operating executive arrangements, to the executive of the authority; or any committee of that executive; or to any member of that executive who is also a member of the authority; and/or
Speaking on behalf of the authority on a regular basis to journalists or broadcasters
Exemptions
All headteachers, teachers and lecturers are exempt from political restrictions and will not be regarded as holding politically restricted posts, whatever their role.
Further Information
Full details will be be provided at interview.
The full policy about politically-restricted posts is included in our Freedom of Information (FOI) Publication Scheme Database - Our Policies and Procedures.