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
Flowchart on Making Declarations of Interest
12th March 2018
Aberdeenshire Council has produced a flowchart for its elected members, aimed at helping them identify when a declaration of interest should be made and whether they can remain in the room and participate in the discussion and voting on the item in question. The flowchart includes wording to be used, depending on the circumstances, including whether the interest is financial or non-financial, whether any general or specific exclusion applies and whether any dispensation has been granted. Aber...
Administrative Assistant Vacancy
14th February 2018
Standards Commission for Scotland – Administrative Assistant Salary Range: £21,087-£24,891 (pro-rata) – part time, 28 hours per week We are currently seeking a part time Administrative Assistant to work in the Standards Commission's offices, based within the Scottish Parliament. For more information about this role and how to apply, please click here
Member vacancy
9th February 2018
The Parliamentary corporation is seeking to appoint, with the agreement of the Scottish Parliament, a new Standards Commission Member. The advert and more information about how to apply can be found here.
Consultation on draft Advice Note for Councillors on Distinguishing Between Strategic and Operational Management
7th February 2018
The Councillors’ Code of Conduct provides that a councillor's role is to determine policy and to participate in decisions on matters placed before them and not to engage in direct operational management of the Council’s services (as this is the responsibility of Council officers). The Standards Commission considered, therefore, that it might be helpful to produce an Advice Note for councillors on the topic.A draft Advice Note, which is intended to assist councill...
January 2018 Professional Briefing
12th January 2018
Our latest quarterly professional briefing note can be found here.
Festive Closure
22nd December 2017
The Standards Commission for Scotland will close for the festive break at 3pm on Friday 22 December 2017 and reopen at 9am on Wednesday 3 January 2018.
Advice Note for Councillors on the Application of Article 10 of the ECHR
4th October 2017
The issue of how to apply Article 10 of the ECHR concerning freedom of expression in light of the provisions in the Codes of Conduct has arisen in a number of recent Hearings before the Standards Commission. The Standards Commission considered, therefore, that it would be helpful to issue advice on how it will deal with such cases and to also suggest issues councillors and members of devolved public bodies may wish to consider to help them comply with the courtesy and respect provisions...
Revised Guidance on the Councillors' Code of Conduct
1st September 2017
The Standards Commission recently reviewed and updated the revised Guidance on the Councillors' Code of Conduct to ensure it remains fit for purpose. The latest version, which incorporates the Code, comes into effect from 1 September 2017. The changes have also been made to the standalone version and both can be found on the Standards Commission’s website at http://www.standardscommissionscot...
Standards Commission's Regional Roadshows
16th August 2017
The Standards Commission for Scotland is planning to host 4 events across Scotland later in the year. All Councillors, whether newly elected or experienced, are invited to attend one of these free events. The sessions will be taking place as follows: 5 October 2017 – INVERNESS Council Chambers, The Highland Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, IV3 5NX 9 November 2017 – AYR County Hall, South Ayrshir...
A Councillor's Responsibilities to the Council as a Member of the Public
16th August 2017
A councillor has responsibilities to his or her Council both as a elected member and as a member of the public. The Councillors' Code of Conduct notes, at paragraph 3.20, that if a councillor is in two months' arrears with payment of Council tax that councillor may not participate in certain decisions concerning Council tax issues, in order to preserve public confide...
