Guidance
The Standards Commission issues Guidance to help councillors and members of devolved public bodies interpret and adhere to the provisions in the Code of Conduct and to attain the highest possible standards of conduct.
Guidance on the Codes
Guidance issued by the Standards Commission for Scotland
The Standards Commission issues Guidance to assist councillors and members of devolved public bodies to interpret the provisions of the Councillors' and Model Codes of Conduct.
The Guidance is kept under regular review to ensure it remains fit for purpose, and contains illustrations and examples of factors that councillors and members should consider when interpreting the Code. The Standards Commission hopes this will help councillors and members relate the provisions of the Code to the scenarios they face and the situations they find themselves in.
The latest version was issued in 2021 to reflect changes made to the Councillors' and Model Code of Conduct and takes effect from 7 December 2021. A braille version of the Guidance is available on request.
Guidance on the Councillors' Code can be downloaded from the left hand side table below.
Guidance on the Model Code can be downloaded from the right hand side table below.
If you have any comments on the Guidance, or if you would like to request previous versions, please contact us at: enquiries@standardscommission.org.uk
Advice for members of the public
The Standards Commission has produced user-friendly Advice Notes for members of the public on both the Councillors' Code of Conduct and the Model Code for Members of Devolved Public Bodies. This advice covers:
- the different sections of the Codes and what they mean;
- what is and isn’t covered by the Codes and the complaints process;
- how to make a complaint about a breach of a Code; and
- the Hearings process.
Each Advice Note can be downloaded as a PDF from the foot of the table below.
| Guidance on the Councillors' Code | ||
|---|---|---|
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Combined Councillors' Code of Conduct and Guidance 2022Councillors' Code of Conduct with Guidance embedded May 2022 |
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Councillors' Code of Conduct - Guidance 2022Councillors' Code of Conduct Guidance May 2022 |
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Combined Councillors' Code and Guidance - Section 3: General ConductSection 3 of the Councillors' Code of Conduct with Guidance embedded |
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Combined Councillors' Code and Guidance - Section 4: Registration of InterestsSection 4 of the Councillors' Code of Conduct with Guidance embedded |
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Combined Councillors' Code and Guidance - Section 5: Declaration of InterestsSection 5 of the Councillors' Code of Conduct with Guidance embedded |
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Combined Councillors' Code and Guidance - Section 6: Lobbying and AccessSection 6 of the Councillors' Code of Conduct with Guidance embedded |
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Combined Councillors' Code and Guidance - Section 7: Taking Decisions on Quasi-Judicial or Regulatory ApplicationsSection 7 of the Councillors' Code of Conduct with Guidance embedded |
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Advice Note for Members of the Public on the Councillors' Code of Conduct13th October 2023 |
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| Guidance on the Model Code | ||
|---|---|---|
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Combined Model Code of Conduct and Guidance 2022Model Code of Conduct with Guidance embedded June 2022 |
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Model Code of Conduct - Guidance 2022Model Code of Conduct Guidance May 2022 |
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Combined Model Code and Guidance - Section 3: General ConductSection 3 of the Model Code of Conduct with Guidance embedded |
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Combined Model Code and Guidance - Section 4: Registration of InterestsSection 4 of the Model Code of Conduct with Guidance embedded |
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Combined Model Code and Guidance - Section 5: Declaration of InterestsSection 5 of the Model Code of Conduct with Guidance embedded |
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Combined Model Code and Guidance - Section 6: Lobbying and AccessSection 6 of the Model Code of Conduct with Guidance embedded |
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Advice Note for Members of the Public on the Model Code of Conduct2nd February 2023 |
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Tel: 0131 348 6666
