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.
New Advice Note for Councillors on Quasi-Judicial and Regulatory Decision-Making
3rd March 2025
The Standards Commission has published a new Advice Note for Councillors on Quasi-Judicial and Regulatory Decision-Making. The Advice Note aims to assist councillors in complying with the Councillors’ Code of Conduct (the Code) when they are involved in, considering and making decisions on quasi-judicial and regulatory matters.
Section 7 of the Code outlines what councillors should do when involved in making decisions on quasi-judicial or regulatory matters. The Code notes what quasi-judicial and regulatory decisions typically involve, including:
- Planning or other applications in terms of planning legislation;
- Applications for alcohol licensing, and for betting and gaming premises;
- Applications for taxi licences and all other forms of civic licensing; and
- Actions where the council is involved in any form of statutory enforcement procedure.
The Advice Note, along with the Standards Commission's other notes on different aspects of the Code, can be found here: https://www.standardscommissionscotland.org.uk/education-and-resources/professional-briefings
