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
New Advice Note on the Ethical Standards Framework for Independent Councillors
21st October 2025
The Standards Commission, has produced an Advice Note on the Ethical Standards Framework for Independent Councillors. The Advice Note aims to provide guidance to independent (non-political party affiliated) councillors on their responsibilities under, and how to seek assistance with, any aspect of the ethical standards framework. While the guidance in this Advice Note is relevant to all councillors, it has been developed specifically with independent members in mind. This is because th...
Standards Update September 2025
30th September 2025
Our latest Standards Update is now available.
Collective Responsibility
17th September 2025
Model Code of Conduct The Scottish Parliament demonstrated its commitment to the promotion of high standards in public life by passing the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 as one of its earliest statutes. The Act introduced an ethical framework which required a Model Code of Conduct to be issued for board members of the devolved public bodies listed in Schedule 3 of the Act. The Model Code of Conduct for Members of Devolved Public Bodies, which is issu...
New eLearning Module for Councillors on Making Quasi-Judicial and Regulatory Decisions
11th September 2025
The Standards Commission has produced an eLearning Module for Councillors on Section 7 of the Councillors’ Code, which covers their conduct when they make decisions on quasi-judicial and regulatory matters, such as planning and licensing application. The eLearning Module can be found here.
New Advice Note for Local Authority Chairs
28th August 2025
The Standards Commission has published a new Advice Note for Local Authority Chairs. The Advice Note aims to provide guidance to local authority Chairs and Conveners on their role and responsibilities within the ethical standards framework. It is primarily intended to assist those who chair full Council Committee and Sub-Committee meetings and those who, from time to time, deputise for them. The new Advice Note can be downloaded here:
Meet the Standards Commission's Members - Lezley Stewart
15th August 2025
1. Why did you apply to be a member of the Standards Commission? At the time I saw the vacancy advertised, I had recently ceased working full time and was enjoying all the freedom and opportunities that brings! The vacancy sparked my interest however, as the work of the Commission connects with my values, and reflects my own career [as an Office Holder working under a Code of Conduct]. I felt I had the experience/skills that the Commissio...
What does 'respect' look like?
16th July 2025
We’ve previously published blogs explaining why it is essential that those in public life, including councillors and members of devolved public bodies, behave with courtesy and respect. This is important not only to help ensure public confidence in them as individuals, but also in their roles and the organisations they represent. We’ve also explained why a failure to so behave can have a significant detrimental impact on both the standards of public debate and on the culture and w...
Standards Update June 2025
30th June 2025
Our latest Standards Update is now available.
Meet the Standards Commission's Members - Helen Donaldson
26th June 2025
Meet the Standards Commission Members – Helen Donaldson Q: Why did you apply to be a member of the Standards Commission? A: I applied to join the Standards Commission because I have always felt strongly about the importance of high ethical standards in those who seek to make decisions on our behalf. Having worked in various local authority roles, I wanted to make use of my experience to support the work of the Commission in upholding high standards of...
Video on the Complaint Process
16th June 2025
The Standards Commission has produced a new video in which we explain the roles of the Standards Commission and Ethical Standards Commissioner in the ethical standards framework. We also outline: what the Codes of Conduct for councillors and board members of devolved public bodies in Scotland do and do not cover; how to make a complaint that a councillor or board member has contravened their Code; and what happens when a complaint is made. The vide...
