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
Changes to Guidance and Advice Notes
28th March 2025
The Standards Commission has made the following changes to its Guidance on the Councillors' Code of Conduct, its Guidance on the Model Code of Conduct and some of its Advice Notes for councillors and members of devolved public bodies. The changes are outlined below, and the revised versions are all on the website, under either the 'Guidance' page or the '
New Standards Commission Member
12th March 2025
The Standards Commission is delighted to welcome its newest Member, Malcolm Bell. A retired senior police officer, Mr Bell was an elected councillor and Convener of Shetland Islands Council for 10 years until 2022, working under and promoting the Councillors' Code of Conduct. Mr Bell is an experienced investigator and has extensive governance experience. Amongst his previous appointments, he was Vice-Chair of NHS Shetland, President of the Scottish Provosts Association, has chai...
Making Planning and Licensing Decisions
4th March 2025
Elected members of local authorities are often required to make decisions on planning and licensing matters, such as on applications for planning permission and for licenses for: Houses in multiple occupancy, and short-term lets Taxis and private cars; Alcohol sales; and Entertainment, betting and gaming venues Section 7 of the Councillors...
New Advice Note for Councillors on Quasi-Judicial and Regulatory Decision-Making
3rd March 2025
The Standards Commission has published a new Advice Note for Councillors on Quasi-Judicial and Regulatory Decision-Making. The Advice Note aims to assist councillors in complying with the Councillors’ Code of Conduct (the Code) when they are involved in, considering and making decisions on quasi-judicial and regulatory matters. Section 7 of the Code outlines what councillors should do when involved in making decisions on quasi-judicial or regulatory matters. The Code notes what q...
Outcome of Appeal Against Standards Commission Decision
27th February 2025
At a Hearing held yesterday, a Sheriff Principal dismissed an appeal brought by a councillor against the Standards Commission’s decision to find a breach of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, and to impose a two-month suspension, in case LA/NL/3978. The appeal was dismissed following a motion raised by the Standards Commission on the basis that it was time-barred as it had not been lodged within the statutory time limit. It is likely, nevertheless, that the Standards Commission wou...
Video for Respondents
28th January 2025
The Standards Commission has produced a guidance video for Respondents. The video provides an overview of the Hearing process and explains what will happen before, during and after the Hearing. It can be found on the Respondent's Information page of this website, here.
Appearing at a Standards Commission Hearing
28th January 2025
APPEARING AT A STANDARDS COMMISSION HEARING Why are Hearings held? The Standards Commission has a statutory responsibility to adjudicate on alleged breaches of the codes of conduct for councillors and members of devolved public bodies and, where a breach is found, to apply a sanction. Following the conclusion of any investigation undertaken into an alleged breach of the applicable code by a councillor or member, the Ethical Standards Commissione...
Advice Note for Members of Health and Social Care Integration Joint Boards
24th January 2025
Following a consultation, the Standards Commission has reviewed and updated its Advice Note for Members of Health and Social Care Integration Joint Boards (IJBs). The Advice Note aims to provide members of IJBs with an overview of their responsibilities under the ethical standards framework. It seeks to assist members in recognising and dealing with potential conflicts of interest to minimise the risk that such a conflict will erode effective governance and scrutiny arrangements. The Advice N...
Dispensation for Cairngorms National Park Authority Members
22nd January 2025
The Standards Commission has granted a dispensation to allow all members of Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) to take part in discussions and decision-making in respect of local authority visitor levies (including in respect of any responses to levy proposals). The dispensation allows all members of CNPA to take part in discussions and decision-making, without having to declare an interest, regardless of whether they have a connection to the issue by virtue of being an elected member...
Upcoming Webinars with the Improvement Service
13th January 2025
The Standards Commission and Improvement Service are conducting the following two free webinars for elected members: Identifying and Managing Conflicts of Interest - Thursday, 16 January, 10.00-11.30am Involvement in Quasi-Judicial and Regulatory Matters - Thursday, 30 January, 10.00-11.30am Both webinars will be held on MS Teams. More information on the webinars and how to sign up can be found o...
