About Us
The Standards Commission is an independent body whose purpose is to encourage high ethical standards in public life through the promotion and enforcement of Codes of Conduct for councillors and those appointed to the boards of devolved public bodies.
News and Blog
Standards Update September 2023
28th September 2023
Our latest Standards Update is now available.
Scottish Government’s Consultation on Mandatory Training for Councillors on their role in the Planning System
23rd September 2023
The Scottish Government’s is currently consulting on mandatory training for councillors on their role in the planning system. The consultation closes on 26 October 2023. The Government notes that elected members have a crucial role in the decision-making process within the planning system, by carrying out specific planning functions including the determination of certain planning applications for their local authority. It notes, however, that elected members do not necessarily ha...
Eligibility Direction
22nd August 2023
The Standards Commission issued a Direction, on 1 March 2021, to the former Ethical Standards Commissioner (ESC) outlining the criteria for assessing the eligibility of complaints about councillors and members of devolved public bodies. Following consultation and agreement with the current ESC, the Standards Commission has now rescinded the Direction. The eligibility criteria are now outlined in the ESC’s Investigations Manual, a copy of which can be found on his
Volunteering at The Yard
17th August 2023
The Standards Commission recently signed up to a Social Impact Pledge, aimed at increasing the social impact of public sector organisations in Scotland. As part of its pledge, the Standards Commission decided that its staff would give back to the community by spending a day working for a charity. On 16 August 2023, staff spent the day working for The Yard, a Scottish charity, supporting disabled children and young people, and their families, through adventure play. Staff really enjoyed...
Confidentiality
10th August 2023
Confidentiality Local authorities and public bodies in Scotland spend public money and provide services to the public. The public cannot, however, hold local authorities and public bodies to account unless they are open and transparent about their work, performance and how they use their resources. But does this mean that, as constituents, service users and stakeholders, we should expect local government councillors and those appointed, nominated or elected to t...
Sanctions
31st July 2023
As part of its adjudicatory function, the Standards Commission holds Hearings to determine whether councillors or members of devolved public bodies have breached their Codes of Conduct. Hearings arise if Standards Commission members, following their consideration of an investigation report referred by the Ethical Standards Commi...
Consultation on Section 31 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973
6th July 2023
Following a request to do so by the Standards Commission, the Scottish Government is currently seeking views on making changes to Section 31 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, which outlines the circumstances in which individuals are automatically disqualified for nomination, election and holding office as member of local authority. The Government is seeking views regarding whether individuals subject...
Standards Update June 2023
29th June 2023
Our latest Standards Update is now available.
Making a complaint
19th June 2023
Making a Complaint We’ve noted in previous blogs, the importance of those elected and appointed to serve as local government councillors and board members of public bodies adhering to the key principles of public life and complying with their Codes of Conduct. But what happens if they don’t? Well… anyone can make a complaint about the conduct of a councillor or a member of a public body in Scotland. We would encourage anyone who is considering making a...
Standards Commission's Response to the Scottish Government's Consultation on the Review of the National Outcomes
31st May 2023
Response to the Scottish Government's Consultation on the Review of the National Outcomes The Scottish Government is consulting on the National Performance Framework. The consultation and review are designed to ensure the National Outcomes reflect what matters most to communities in Scotland. On 31 May 2023, the Standards Commission submitted a response to the consultation. The response is outlined below: The Standards Commission notes that the current...
