Most public sector organisations are required by the Standing Directions 2018 Instructions to have a policy on gifts, benefits and hospitality.
The Commission recommends that all organisations have one. We offer this model policy to assist your organisation.
Gifts, benefit and hospitality model policy
The model policy can be used by government departments, administrative offices, public entities, and special bodies under section 6 of the Public Administration Act 2004. Statutory offices can also choose to adopt the model policy.
Your organisation can adapt the model policy to take into account:
Your organisation’s policy must be at least as strict as the minimum accountabilities we issue. This model policy is based on them.
Some organisations choose to make their policy stricter than the model policy.
This model policy applies to:
Some organisations choose to apply their policy more widely – for example, to members of advisory groups not covered by a board policy.
This model policy does not apply to board members (directors).
This is because, whilst they are based on similar principles, the requirements for employees and board members differ.
Use this model register to develop your organisation’s internal and public registers. Both register are compliant with the model policy, but you can choose to add more information to either register if you wish.