
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.
- What We Do
- Who We Are
- Standards Commission Meetings
- Audit and Risk Committee
- Who We Cover
- Our Service
- Policies & Procedures
- FAQs
-
News and Blog
- Health and Social Care IJBs - Standards Officer Appointments
- Survey on the Hearing Process
- Feedback on the Hearings Survey
- Advice Note for Councillors on ALEOs
- Updated Standard Presentation to Elected Members
- New Convener Appointed
- Consultation on the Councillors' Code of Conduct
- How Councils Work - Follow Up Report Nov 2016
- New Member of the Commission - Mr Michael McCormick
- Appointment of New Commission Member
- @StandardsScot
- Updated Standard Presentation to Board Members
- Application of Article 10 of ECHR at Hearings of the Standards Commission
- Consultation on Draft Advice Note on Application of Article 10
- Advice for Councillors on How to Declare Interests
- A Councillor's Responsibilities to the Council as a Member of the Public
- Standards Commission's Regional Roadshows
- Revised Guidance on the Councillors' Code of Conduct
- Advice Note for Councillors on the Application of Article 10 of the ECHR
- Festive Closure
- January 2018 Professional Briefing
- Consultation on draft Advice Note for Councillors on Distinguishing Between Strategic and Operational Management
- Member vacancy
- Administrative Assistant Vacancy
- Flowchart on Making Declarations of Interest
- April 2018 Professional Briefing
- Proposed changes to the Councillors' Code of Conduct
- Standards Commission - BSL Plan
- New Standards Commission Member appointed
- Advice Note for Councillors on Distinguishing between their Strategic Role and any Operational Work
- Health & Social Care Integration Joint Board Members' Workshop 24 Sept 2018
- BSL Video on role of the Standards Commission
- British Sign Language Event reminder
- Response to Committee on Standards in Public Life's Review of Ethical Standards in Local Government in England
- June 2018 Professional Briefing
- Amended Councillors' Code of Conduct
- Amended Guidance on the Councillors' Code of Conduct
- Annual Report 2017/18
- Regional Roadshows on the Councillors' Code of Conduct
- Draft British Sign Language (BSL) Plan - consultation
- Standards Commission - Role and Remit (BSL Video)
- British Sign Language (BSL) Plan
- Sept 2018 Professional Briefing
- Interim Suspensions
- Survey of Members of Devolved Public Bodies
- Standards Commission Member Recruitment
- Standards Update December 2018
- Change of Venue - Regional Roadshow
- Assisting Constituents Card
- Further Analysis of Responses to Survey of Members of Devolved Public Bodies
- New Standards Commission Member appointed
- Hearings Flowchart
- Standards Update March 2019
- Ethical Standards Act Section 19(6) Policy
- Standards Update July 2019
- Appeal Judgement
- Annual Report 2018-19
- Standards Update September 2019
- Interim Suspensions
- Advice Note for Members of IJBs
- Draft Strategic Plan 2020-24
- Standards Update December 2019
- Standards Officers' Workshop
- Suspension Guidance
- Postponement of Standards Officers' workshop on 23 March 2020
- Hearing in Stornoway on 18 March 2020 postponed
- Standards Commission - remote working arrangements
- Standards Update March 2020
- Amended Advice Notes
- Standards Update July 2020
- Standards Commission Hearings
- Advice Note for Public on Councillors’ Code
- Standards Update September 2020
- Disqualification
- Scottish Government Consultations on the Councillors' Code of Conduct and the Model Code of Conduct for Members of Devolved Public Bodies
- Direction on the Outcome of Investigations
- Recruitment for a new Convener
- Committee on Standards in Public Life Public (CSPL) Consultation: Standards Matter 2
- Standards Update December 2020
- Business Manager & Caseworker Recruitment
- Appeal Decision
- "You're on Mute!"
- Direction on the Eligibility of Complaints
- Vacancies
- Accessibility
- Use of Personal Information
Standards Commission's Policies & Procedures
This section contains information about some of the Standards Commission's policies and procedures. Please note, however, the Rules that govern how the Standards Commission conducts Hearings about alleged breaches of the Codes of Conduct are contained in the Hearing Process Guide and Rules, which can be found here.
The Equality Act 2010, which came into force in 1 October 2010, obliges public bodies to assess and review policies, procedures and practices to ensure there is no unlawful discrimination or disadvantage as a result of their impact against any individual. It is a way of ensuring and showing due regard has been paid to the general duties under the 2010 Act. Equalities impact assessments can also be used to promote or improve equality of opportunity. The Standards Commission undertake equalities impact assessments when any policies, procedures and practices are introduced or amended.
Standing Orders
The Standards Commission's Standing Orders outline the arrangements that cover the conduct of business and how the organisation will discharge its functions.
Code of Conduct for Members of the Standards Commission
Members of the Standards Commission are subject to their own Code of Conduct, which sets out the standards of conduct that must be observed in all situations where they act as a Member of the Standards Commission. A copy of the Code of Conduct for Members of the Standards Commission is available to download as a pdf.
Use of Personal Information
Personal information provided to the Standards Commission will be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Policy, and the Data Protection Privacy Statement.
Equality Impact Assessment Policy
The Standards Commission is aware of, and complies with, its duties under the Equality Act 2010. In its decisions and operations, the Standards Commission has regard to the need to:
- Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and any other conduct prohibited by the Act;
- Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it; and
- Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it.
The Standards Commission uses Equality Impact Assessments (EQIA) as a tool to help it to anticipate the needs of diverse groups when making decisions about policies, procedures and service delivery. It enables the Standards Commission to ensure its decisions accords with its values. A policy outlining when and how the Standards Commission will conduct EQIAs can be found in our Equality Impact Assessment Policy, which is available to download as a pdf.
Records Management Plan
The Records Management Plan outlines how the Standards Commission's manages the records generated and retained by the organisation.
Fraud Prevention & Whistleblowing Policy
The Standards Commission's Fraud Prevention & Whistleblowing Policy provides information to Members and staff, which includes former Members or employees, about reporting any genuine concerns they may have about wrongdoing and malpractice which they believe has occurred or is likely to occur.
Scheme of Delegation
The Standards Commission's Scheme of Delegation outlines the delegated decision making powers, including decisions made under statutory powers along with the ones on governance and staffing matters and in respect of the organisation's rules, policies and procedures.
Risk Management Policy
The Risk Management Policy outlines the Standards Commission's approach to and the management of risks.
Procurement and Finance Policy and Procedures
The Standards Commission's Procurement and Finance Policy and Procedures details the financial decision making powers in respect of procurement and contract management together with outlining the authorisation procedures in relation to all financial transactions.
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Standing Orders2019 v1.0 |
Download PDF |
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Code of Conduct for Standards Commission Members3rd November 2015 |
Download PDF |
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Data Protection PolicyDPA Policy 2019v2 |
Download PDF |
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Data Protection Privacy StatementDPA Privacy 2019v2 |
Download PDF |
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Procurement and Finance Policy and Procedures2020 v2 |
Download PDF |
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Risk Management Policy2019 |
Download PDF |