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
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...
Upcoming Joint Webinars with Improvement Service
12th December 2024
The Standards Commission is holding the following two joint webinars, with the Improvement Service, for councillors: Identifying and Managing Conflicts of Interest, 16 January 2025; and Quasi-Judicial and Regulatory Decision-Making, 30 January 2025. Elected members can sign up for the webinars on the Improvement Service website, see links below:
Scrutiny by Councillors
5th December 2024
Councillors’ Scrutiny Role Local authorities in Scotland are tasked with delivering essential services to communities, including housing, education and waste management. Given the importance of these services and the expenditure of public funds involved in their delivery, it is vital that councils are subject to robust scrutiny in order to ensure that they are accountable, transparent and effective. Councillors, as elected representatives, are responsible...
New Information for Witnesses page
3rd December 2024
The Standards Commission has produced a new page on its website for witnesses. The page contains information outlining what you can expect at a Hearing if you have been asked to appear as a witness for either the Ethical Standards Commissioner or a Respondent, or if you have been cited to appear by the Standards Commission. The new page contains a link to a video and Guidance...
Recruitment of new Commission Member
13th November 2024
The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) is seeking to appoint, with the agreement of the Scottish Parliament, a new Member of the Standards Commission. More information and the application pack can be found here. The closing date for receip...
Joint Statement from the Independent Scottish Parliamentary Officeholders
31st October 2024
The following statement from the Scottish Independent Parliamentary Officeholders is made in response to the report of the Scottish Parliament’s Finance and Public Administration Committee on Scotland’s Commissioner Landscape. The seven Parliamentary Officeholders are the Standards Commission for Scotland, Scottish...
Outcome of Appeal against Standards Commission Decision
23rd October 2024
A Sheriff Principal has issued her judgment in respect of a recent appeal lodged against a decision of the Standards Commission to suspend a Stirling Councillor for one month. The Sheriff Principal upheld the Standards Commission’s decision and refused the appeal. A copy of her judgment can be found here...
Advice Notes on Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (the right to freedom of expression)
16th October 2024
The Standards Commission has made some minor amendments to its Advice Notes on Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (the right to freedom of expression). The amendments make it clear that while the Courts have held that councillors and members of public bodies can be entitled to enhanced (greater) protection to their right to freedom of expression when they are commenting on political issues or matters of public interest and concern, only a degree of the offensive, s...
Identifying and Managing Conflicts of Interest
14th October 2024
Politicians and other individuals in public life, including councillors and board members of public bodies, are expected to identify and declare any personal interests they may have that could conflict with their public role. This is to ensure members of the public have confidence that those who are responsible for making decisions on matters of public concern and how public money is spent are doing so in the public interest, and not that of themselves or their friends, family or associates.
Standards Update September 2024
30th September 2024
Our latest Standards Update is now available.
