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
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...
Culture of Respect in Public Bodies
6th January 2025
Culture of Respect in Public Bodies The Model Code of Conduct for Members of Devolved Public Bodies is based on the nine key principles of public life in Scotland. These include selflessness, integrity and objectivity. They also include the principle of ‘respect’. Most public bodies in Scotland are obliged to adopt the Code, meaning their board members must adhere to its provisions. The Standards Commission can impose a sanction, which can be either censure...
Office closure for festive period
23rd December 2024
The Standards Commission will close for the festive break from 1200 on Tuesday, 24 December 2024 until 0900 on Friday, 3 January 2025. We wish everyone the best for the festive season and new year.
Combined Councillors' Code of Conduct and Guidance 2024
23rd December 2024
The Standards Commission updated its Guidance on the Councillors' Code in December 2024. A version of the updated Guidance, with the Code embedded, can now be found on the website here.
Standards Update December 2024
18th December 2024
Our latest Standards Update is now available.
Section 10 Direction on the Outcome of Investigations
18th December 2024
In 2020, the Standards Commission issued a number of statutory directions to the then Ethical Standards Commissioner (ESC) under Section 10 of the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000. Only one of these, being the Direction on the Outcome of Investigations, remains in force. The Direction was initially issued to the ESC on 12 November 2020, before being renewed on 8 November 2023 and 1 February 2023. It is due to expire on 31 January 2025. The Direction requires th...
