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The Standards Commission for Scotland Welcome to the website of the Standards Commission for Scotland. We are an independent public body, responsible for encouraging high standards of behaviour by councillors and those appointed to boards of devolved public bodies.The role of the Standards Commission is to: Encourage high ethical standards in public life; including the promotion and enforcement of the Codes of Conduct and to issue guidance to councils an...
Councillors' Code of Conduct
Background The Scottish Parliament approved one Code of Conduct which is applied to every Scottish councillor. The Councillors’ Code of Conduct applies to all 1226 councillors elected to the 32 Local Authority areas within Scotland. The Scottish Parliament demonstrated its commitment to the promotion of high standards in public life by passing the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 as one of its earliest statutes. The Act introduced an ethica...
Advice Notes
The Standards Commission has issued Advice Notes for stakeholders, covering different aspects of the Codes of Conduct and the ethical standards framework. The following Advice Notes relate to the 2021 Councillors' and Model Codes of Conduct, which became effective on 7 December 2021. Should you require any Advice Notes relating to previous versions of the Codes of Conduct, please contact us via email: enquiries@standa...
Ethical Standards Legislation
The Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 (the 2000 Act) provides a framework to encourage, and where necessary, enforce, high ethical standards in public life. The 2000 Act established the Standards Commission for Scotland and the post of Chief Investigating Officer. The 2000 Act was amended by the Scottish Parliamentary Commissions and Commissioners etc. Act 2010 and the Chief Investigating Officer's functions are now undertaken by the Ethical Standards Commis...
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 hop...
Local Authorities
The Councillors, or elected members, from each of Scotland's 32 Local Authorities must comply with the Councillors' Code of Conduct. Each Councillor is required to register their interests in accordance with the provisions in the Councillors' Code of Conduct. They are also required to update their register of int...
What We Do
The Standards Commission The Standards Commission was established by the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. Scotland Act 2000 (2000 Act). It is an independent public body, responsible for encouraging high standards in public life in Scotland. The 2000 Act provides a framework under which Ministers issue Codes of Conduct for councillors and members of devolved public bodies. The role of the Standards Commission is to: Promote the Codes of Conduct covering the be...
Information for the public
Role of the Standards Commission The role of the Standards Commission is to encourage high ethical standards in public life. We do that by promoting the Codes of Conduct for councillors and board members of devolved public bodies (such as Health Boards). We provide guidance and training, and answer queries, on the provisions of the Codes and how these should be interpreted. We also adjudicate (make the final decision) on alleged breaches of the Codes. More infor...
About Us
Our Purpose All councils and those devolved public bodies listed under Schedule 3 to the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 (the 2000 Act) are obliged to have a Code of Conduct for their elected and appointed members. The Codes of Conduct have a key role in setting out, openly and clearly, the standards of conduct that must be adhered to by those in public office. The Standards Commission’s vision is to achieve the highest possible ethi...
Model Code of Conduct
Background The Scottish Parliament demonstrated its commitment to the promotion of high standards in public life by passing the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 as one of its earliest statutes. The Act introduced an ethical framework which required Scottish Ministers to issue a Code of Conduct for Councillors and a Model Code of Conduct for members of the devolved public bodies listed in schedule 3 of the Act. The Model Code for Members of Devolv...
