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New Commission Member
The Standards Commission is delighted to welcome a new member, Morag Ferguson. A solicitor for more than 30 years, Ms Ferguson has worked mostly in the public sector in both the NHS Central Legal Office and a number of local authorities. Latterly, she was Head of Corporate Support at East Lothian Council, with responsibility for Governance, People Services, HR and Corporate Communications. Over her career, Ms Ferguson has gained extensive experience of local government governanc...
Appeal to the Sheriff Principal
Following a Hearing on 17 January 2024, Councillor M. Tauqeer Malik, an elected member of Aberdeen City Council, was found by the Standards Commission on 23 January 2024 to have breached the Councillors’ Code of Conduct. Cllr Malik was quoted in Aberdeen Live on 14 October 2022 as stating the Convener of the Council’s Pension Committee, had “shown his prejudice” in refusing to sign Cllr Malik’s nomination to the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum. The Standards C...
Letters to Political Parties
The Standards Commission and the Ethical Standards Commissioner (ESC) have sent a joint letter to all political parties in Scotland, in advance of the General Election on 4 July 2024, inviting them to help to promote the Councillors’ Code and encourage awareness of its provisions and, in particular, the ones that require councillors to treat each other with courtesy and respect and to refrain at all times from engaging in conduct that would constitute bullying and/or harassment. ...
Members of the Standards Commission
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...
LA/G/4139
Consultation on Proposed Amendments to Ethical Standards Legislation
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...
'Setting the Standard' blog from the Committee on Standards in Public Life
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...
"When the Code Applies" card
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.
Role of a Council Monitoring Officer
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?
Why have a Register of Interests?
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...
