15 STEPS TO PREVENT CORRUPTION IN YOUR MUNICIPALITY

STEP 1

Develop and communicate your local government’s  integrity policy statement. Demonstrate clearly your commitment to integrity by words, as well as by deeds. Work with local assembly towards strengthening integrity controls and enhancing resilience to corruption.

STEP 2

Commit to a Code of Ethics. Communicate it effectively, train staff, ensure effective reporting, and adequate enforcement and response to breaches.

STEP 3

Assign and communicate responsibilities and authorities in integrity management, including oversight and integrity counselling.

STEP 4

Conduct a thorough corruption risk assessment in all areas of function, aligned with framework conditions, operational complexities, regulations and requirements of stakeholders.

STEP 5

Based on risk assessment, develop an integrity plan, to specify integrity risk treatment measures, responsibilities, deadlines and means.

STEP 6

Adequately resource the timely implementation of the integrity plan and procedures, ensuring relevant competence and awareness of staff and effective partnerships with CSOs, media and businesses.

STEP 7

Implement an effective internal and external communication system regarding integrity, with maximal transparency and protecting access to information. Use effectively “open government” and “open data” projects to maximise gains for integrity prevention.

STEP 8

Ensure timely and adequate implementation of the integrity plan.

STEP 9

Implement integrity controls to minimize risk levels in key processes.

STEP 10

Ensure safe and effective internal and external reporting of integrity violations, with whistleblowers fully protected.

STEP 11

Maintain an appropriate system to detect and investigate integrity violations, taking disciplinary measures, as required.

STEP 12

Monitor implementation of integrity plans and integrity performance. Integrate lessons learnt into decision-making.

STEP 13

Conduct regular internal audits to ensure adequacy of prevention.

STEP 14

Treat adequately non-implementation of regulations, codes and internal procedures to prevent non-compliance in the future.

STEP 15

Analyze periodically and systematically all data from implementation and monitoring, to define the necessary improvement framework and plan for the future.

GUIDE TO CORRUPTION-FREE LOCAL GOVERNMENT