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
Amended Advice Notes
27th May 2020
We’ve amended the following three Advice Notes for Councillors on: · Distinguishing between Strategic and Operational Matters · The Application of Article 10 of the ECHR · Bullying and Harassment The amendments aim to strengthen the provisions concerning respect, bullying and harassment and how these are interpreted.
Standards Update March 2020
31st March 2020
Our latest Standards Update can be found here.
Standards Commission - remote working arrangements
18th March 2020
Following the latest government advice, Standards Commission staff are now working from home. We do not have access to our usual phone number but you can continue to contact us at: enquiries@standardscommission.org.uk. We will respond to all emails as quickly as possible.
Hearing in Stornoway on 18 March 2020 postponed
17th March 2020
The Standards Commission is unable to proceed with the Hearing scheduled to take place in Stornoway on 18 March 2020. A decision on whether to reschedule the Hearing will be taken and published in the next few days.
Postponement of Standards Officers' workshop on 23 March 2020
16th March 2020
We are disappointed to announce that we have decided to postpone our Standards Officers' workshop on 23 March 2020 because of the risks arising from Coronavirus (COVID-19). The safety and wellbeing of delegates is of paramount importance and we are keen to minimise the risk of infection. We hope to reschedule the event and will contact delegates with an alternative date as soon as one is identified. We are sorry for any inconvenience this decision may cause, but hope that delega...
Suspension Guidance
25th February 2020
The Standards Commission has produced guidance to provide clarity on the extent of the activities in which a councillor can engage while they are subject to a period of full suspension (either on the finding of a breach of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct at a Hearing or as an interim measure while an investigation about their conduct is ongoing). The guidance can be found
Standards Officers' Workshop
3rd February 2020
The Standards Commission is holding its annual workshop for Standards Officers of devolved public bodies in Edinburgh on 23 March 2020. If you are a Standards Officer and would like to attend, or send a colleague in your place, please contact us (if you haven’t already done so). The programme can be found here.
