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
Consultation on Section 31 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973
6th July 2023
Following a request to do so by the Standards Commission, the Scottish Government is currently seeking views on making changes to Section 31 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, which outlines the circumstances in which individuals are automatically disqualified for nomination, election and holding office as member of local authority. The Government is seeking views regarding whether individuals subject...
Standards Update June 2023
29th June 2023
Our latest Standards Update is now available.
Making a complaint
19th June 2023
Making a Complaint We’ve noted in previous blogs, the importance of those elected and appointed to serve as local government councillors and board members of public bodies adhering to the key principles of public life and complying with their Codes of Conduct. But what happens if they don’t? Well… anyone can make a complaint about the conduct of a councillor or a member of a public body in Scotland. We would encourage anyone who is considering making a...
Standards Commission's Response to the Scottish Government's Consultation on the Review of the National Outcomes
31st May 2023
Response to the Scottish Government's Consultation on the Review of the National Outcomes The Scottish Government is consulting on the National Performance Framework. The consultation and review are designed to ensure the National Outcomes reflect what matters most to communities in Scotland. On 31 May 2023, the Standards Commission submitted a response to the consultation. The response is outlined below: The Standards Commission notes that the current...
Preferential Treatment
22nd May 2023
We’ve noted, in previous blogs, that the success of public bodies, including local authorities, in delivering effective services relies in no small part on them having constructive relationships with the public, key stakeholders and service users. This is because a lack of trust in those in public life does not just affect the reputation of any one individual, it can also erode confidence in public messaging, public bodies and the delivery of public services. Mutual respect, comm...
Distinguishing between lobbying and helping constituents or service users
28th April 2023
For local authorities and public bodies to be as accessible, approachable and responsive as possible to the people they serve, they should aim to put the public interest at the forefront of all decision-making. This can mean seeking the views of and engaging with service users, constituents, stakeholders and members of public in general. There is, however, a difference between on the one hand, engaging with and helping those who might be affected by the work of a council or public body...
New Standards Commission Member - Helen Donaldson
5th April 2023
We are delighted to welcome another new Standards Commission Member, Helen Donaldson. Helen enjoyed a long career in education, working locally and nationally, initially as an English teacher in Stirling and in Angus. Thereafter she moved to more strategic roles firstly as a literacy development officer before taking on leadership responsibilities in Aberdeenshire as a Quality Improvement Officer then Acting Head of Early Years. Helen continued in local authority work as Head of Educat...
Standards Update March 2023
30th March 2023
Our latest Standards Update is now available.
Multiple Roles: Conflicts of Interest?
17th March 2023
Councillors and members of devolved public bodies in Scotland often have multiple roles. A councillor might, for example, also be a member of the local health board or regional transport partnership. Similarly, a member of a health board may also be a member of the local health and social care partnership, or they may sit on the board of a college or enterprise organisation. Being a member of two or more organisations can bring real benefits to both, in terms of a councillor or member...
New Standards Commission Member
13th March 2023
We are delighted to welcome a new Standards Commission Member, Anne-Marie O'Hara, who started in post today. Anne-Marie has worked in various property, charity and grant-giving roles. She was Head of the Capital Team at The BIG Lottery Fund and led the Property Planning, Projects and European Funding Team at the National Trust for Scotland. Anne-Marie retired recently from her post as CEO of an Edinburgh-based charity and social enterprise providing affordable space for the third secto...
