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
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.
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...
