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.
Preparing for Elected Office in Scottish Local Government
13th May 2026
The Improvement Service has developed a short course in partnership with the Open University for people who are considering standing to become a councillor.
Elected Members are asked to share and promote this free resource to anyone who might be interested in standing for elected office in Scottish Local Government.
The course helps potential candidates understand:
- what councils in Scotland do, including their powers and the broad financial context that they operate in
- the relationship between local government, the Scottish Parliament and the UK Parliament
- the broad roles and responsibilities of a councillor, including time commitments, expectations on ethical standards and working with council officers.
The course is free to access and by signing up and enrolling learners can track their progress and earn a Statement of Participation upon completion. The course can be accessed here.
