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.
Standards Commission's Policies & Procedures
This section contains information about some of the Standards Commission's policies and procedures. Please note, however, the Rules that govern how the Standards Commission conducts Hearings about alleged breaches of the Codes of Conduct are contained in the Hearing Process Guide and Rules, which can be found on the Hearing Rules page of the website.
The Equality Act 2010 obliges public bodies to assess and review policies, procedures and practices to ensure there is no unlawful discrimination or disadvantage as a result of their impact against any individual. It is a way of ensuring and showing due regard has been paid to the general duties under the 2010 Act. Equalities impact assessments can also be used to promote or improve equality of opportunity. The Standards Commission undertake equalities impact assessments when any policies, procedures and practices are introduced or amended.
Standing Orders
The Standards Commission's Standing Orders outline the arrangements that cover the conduct of business and how the organisation will discharge its functions.
Code of Conduct for Members of the Standards Commission
Members of the Standards Commission are subject to their own Code of Conduct, which sets out the standards of conduct that must be observed in all situations where they act as a Member of the Standards Commission. A copy of the Code of Conduct for Members of the Standards Commission is available to download as a pdf.
Use of Personal Information
Personal information provided to the Standards Commission will be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Policy, and the Data Protection Privacy Statement.
Equality Impact Assessment Policy
The Standards Commission is aware of, and complies with, its duties under the Equality Act 2010. In its decisions and operations, the Standards Commission has regard to the need to:
- Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and any other conduct prohibited by the Act;
- Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it; and
- Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it.
The Standards Commission uses Equality Impact Assessments (EQIA) as a tool to help it to anticipate the needs of diverse groups when making decisions about policies, procedures and service delivery. It enables the Standards Commission to ensure its decisions accords with its values. A policy outlining when and how the Standards Commission will conduct EQIAs can be found in our Equality Impact Assessment Policy, which is available to download as a pdf.
Records Management Plan
The Records Management Plan outlines how the Standards Commission's manages the records generated and retained by the organisation.
The National Records of Scotland's Assessment Team evaluates progress public bodies make against their record management plans. The Assessment Team concluded, following its most recent assessment, that the Standards Commission continues to take its statutory obligations seriously and is working hard to maintain all elements of their Records Management Plan in full compliance with the Public Records (Scotland) Act 2011. The Assessment Team's most recent report is published in the table below.
Fraud Prevention & Whistleblowing Policy
The Standards Commission's Fraud Prevention & Whistleblowing Policy provides information to Members and staff, which includes former Members or employees, about reporting any genuine concerns they may have about wrongdoing and malpractice which they believe has occurred or is likely to occur.
Scheme of Delegation
The Standards Commission's Scheme of Delegation outlines the delegated decision making powers, including decisions made under statutory powers along with the ones on governance and staffing matters and in respect of the organisation's rules, policies and procedures.
Risk Management Policy
The Risk Management Policy outlines the Standards Commission's approach to and the management of risks.
Procurement and Finance Policy and Procedures
The Standards Commission's Procurement and Finance Policy and Procedures details the financial decision making powers in respect of procurement and contract management together with outlining the authorisation procedures in relation to all financial transactions.
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Standing Orders2023 |
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Code of Conduct for Standards Commission Members8th February 2022 |
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Data Protection Policy8th November 2022 |
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Data Protection Privacy Statement8th November 2022 |
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Procurement and Finance Policy and Procedures2023 |
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Risk Management Policy2025 |
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National Records of Scotland - Progress Update Report2025 |
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