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
Committee on Standards in Public Life Public (CSPL) Consultation: Standards Matter 2
2nd December 2020
The CSPL is carrying out a landscape review of the institutions, processes and structures in place to support high standards of conduct. The review’s terms of reference can be found here and include: reviewing how well ethical standards are upheld in public life in the UK as a whole and the strength of...
Recruitment for a new Convener
26th November 2020
As Professor Dunion’s fixed term appointment is due to end next year, the Scottish Parliamentary corporation is seeking to appoint, with the agreement of the Scottish Parliament, a new Convener for the Standards Commission. The Convener’s role is to promote and encourage high ethical standards in public life and ensure the Standards Commission operates efficiently and effectively. The advert can be found at
Direction on the Outcome of Investigations
17th November 2020
The Standards Commission has issued a Direction to the Ethical Standards Commissioner (ESC) requiring her to provide a report to the Standards Commission, at the conclusion of every investigation into a complaint about a councillor or member of a devolved public body received on or after 12 November 2020, outlining her findings and conclusions as to whether or not there has been a contravention of the relevant Code. The Direction means that the Standards Commission will make the final de...
Scottish Government Consultations on the Councillors' Code of Conduct and the Model Code of Conduct for Members of Devolved Public Bodies
19th October 2020
The Scottish Government has today launched consultations on both the Councillors' Code of Conduct and the Model Code of Conduct for Members of Devolved Public Bodies. The consultation on the Councillors’ Code can be found here.
Disqualification
6th October 2020
A Standards Commission Panel recently used its powers to disqualify an elected member for the first time, following a finding that the councillor had subjected colleagues and council officers to unjustified allegations of wrong-doing and demeaning personal attacks over a long period of time. These went well beyond what might be considered normal or even acceptable in a party-political context and, instead, were found to amount to harassment. The written decision can be found
Standards Update September 2020
30th September 2020
Our latest Standards Update is now available.
Advice Note for Public on Councillors’ Code
30th July 2020
We’ve produced a new leaflet on the Councillors’ Code of Conduct for members of the public. It explains what the Code does and does not cover, so that members of the public can see what is expected of a councillor and what could constitute a potential breach of the Code. The leaflet also outlines how members of the public can raise concerns about a potential breach of the Code and provides information about the complaint process. The leaflet can be found
Standards Commission Hearings
16th July 2020
While Hearings are normally open to the public and press, social distancing guidelines in place during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic mean that the Standards Commission will have to limit the number of attendees at Hearings scheduled to be held in August, September and October 2020. We intend to do so on a first come, first served basis, so if you would like to reserve a place at a Hearing, please email: enquiries@standardscommission.org.uk...
Standards Update July 2020
1st July 2020
Our latest Standards Update can be found here.
Amended Advice Notes
27th May 2020
We’ve amended the following three Advice Notes for Councillors on: · Distinguishing between Strategic and Operational Matters · The Application of Article 10 of the ECHR · Bullying and Harassment The amendments aim to strengthen the provisions concerning respect, bullying and harassment and how these are interpreted.
