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
Standards Update September 2024
30th September 2024
Our latest Standards Update is now available.
Proposed Changes to Ethical Standards Legislation
26th September 2024
The Standards Commission and the Ethical Standards Commissioner have today written jointly to Shona Robison MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government and Ivan McKee MSP, Minister for Public Finance, outlining their proposed changes to the current ethical standards legislation. These changes have been proposed in order to enhance and improve the ethical standards framework. This is with a view to:1. promoting high ethical standards and improvements in conduct;
Why have a Register of Interests?
6th September 2024
Why have a Register of Interests? Politicians and other individuals in public life are expected to register and declare their interests. The purpose of a register of interests is to give these individuals a means by which they can publicly record any private interests which may conflict, or may be perceived to conflict, with their public duties. Equally importantly, the requirement to register and declare interests allows members of the public to have confidence...
The Standards Commission is no longer on 'X'
19th August 2024
The Standards Commission is no longer on ‘X’, but you can follow us on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/standards-commission-b81a52236/ or on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/StandardsCommission/
Role of a Council Monitoring Officer
1st August 2024
ROLE OF A COUNCIL MONITORING OFFICER What is a Monitoring Officer? All local authorities must appoint one of their officers (employees) as the ‘Monitoring Officer’, being the individual responsible for performing the duties outlined in Section 5 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. A Monitoring Officer is, therefore, a statutory appointment. What is the Monitoring Officer responsible for?
"When the Code Applies" card
22nd July 2024
The Standards Commission has produced a Card for members of the public, which explains when the Councillors' Code of Conduct does and does not apply. A copy of the Card can be found here.
'Setting the Standard' blog from the Committee on Standards in Public Life
9th July 2024
The Standards Commission welcomes the recent, timely blog from the Committee on Standards in Public Life, which reiterates the importance of the key principles of public life and adherence by politicians to their Codes of Conduct. The Committee notes that, “Lord Nolan’s principles - Honesty, Openness, Objectivity, Selflessness, Integrity, Accountability and Leadership - represent the standards that the public expects those in public life to operate by on their beh...
Consultation on Proposed Amendments to Ethical Standards Legislation
4th July 2024
The Ethical Standards in Public Life etc (Scotland) Act, which introduced the ethical standards framework and Codes of Conduct for councillors and members of devolved public bodies in Scotland, was one of the first laws passed by the Scottish Parliament. In advance of the 25th anniversary of its enactment, the Standards Commission and the Ethical Standards Commissioner (ESC) have conducted a joint review of its provisions and have identified some amendments that could be made to improve or st...
Members of the Standards Commission
4th July 2024
MEMBERS OF THE STANDARDS COMMISSION The Standards Commission is responsible for ensuring councillors and board members of devolved public bodies meet the high standards of behaviour that the public is entitled to expect. It takes a proactive approach by promoting high ethical standards and raising awareness of the key principles of public life. It does so by issuing Guidance, Advice Notes and Standards Updates, by facilitating training events, and by answering queries...
Standards Update June 2024
27th June 2024
Our latest Standards Update is now available.
