The independent Committee on Standards in
Public Life today published its report and
recommendations on ethical standards in local government,
following a year-long review and wide consultation.
Key recommendations include:
- a new power for local authorities to suspend councillors
without allowances for up to six months
- revised rules on declaring interests, gifts and hospitality
- an updated model code of conduct, in consultation with
representative bodies of councillors and officers of all tiers of
local government
- a right of appeal for suspended councillors to the Local
Government Ombudsman
- a strengthened role for the Independent Person
- greater transparency about the number and nature of Code
complaints.
Launching the report, Lord Evans, Chair of the
Committee on Standards in Public Life, said:
“Local government impacts the lives of citizens every day,
providing front-line services to those it serves. Its decisions
directly affect the quality of life of local people. High standards
of conduct in local government are needed to demonstrate that those
decisions are taken in the public interest and to maintain the
public’s confidence.
“The evidence we received supports the view that the vast
majority of councillors and officers maintain high standards of
conduct. There is, however, clear evidence of misconduct by some
councillors. Most of these cases relate to bullying or harassment,
or other disruptive behaviour. There is also evidence of persistent
or repeated misconduct by a minority of councillors.
Lord Evans continued:
“We are also concerned about a risk to standards under the
current arrangements, as a result of the current rules around
declaring interests, gifts and hospitality, and the increased
complexity of local government decision-making.”
“We believe that the benefits of devolved arrangements should
be retained, but that more robust safeguards are needed to
strengthen a locally determined system. We are also clear that all
local authorities need to develop and maintain an organisational
culture which is supportive of high ethical standards. A system
which is solely punitive is not desirable or effective; but, in an
environment with limited external regulation, councils need the
appropriate mechanisms in place to address problems when they
arise.
“Our recommendations would enable councillors to be held to
account effectively and would enhance the fairness and transparency
of the standards process. Introducing a power of suspension and a
model code of conduct will enable councillors to be held to account
for the most serious or repeated breaches and support officers to
address such behaviour, including in parish councils. Strengthening
the role of the Independent Person and introducing a right of
appeal for suspended councillors will enhance the impartiality and
fairness of the process, which is vital to ensure that councillors
are protected from malicious or unfounded complaints. And greater
transparency on how complaints are assessed and decided in a system
which is currently too reliant on internal political party
discipline will provide a safeguard against opaque decision-making
and provide reassurance to the public.
“Finally, I would like to thank all those who responded to
our consultation or gave us their time and contributions to help
build the evidence base for this report. It is clear to us that
local government in England has the willingness and capacity to
uphold the highest standards of conduct; our recommendations and
best practice will enable them to do so.”