About the Standards Board:
The Standards Board for England is responsible for promoting high ethical standards and investigating allegations that Councillor's behaviour may have breached the Code of Conduct.
Standards Board for England Guidance:
The Standards Board for England has produced a guidance document for Councillors called "The Code of Conduct - Guide for Members 2007". It is a quick guide to the provisions of the national Code of Conduct, which applies to Councillors and Co-opted Members.
This Council adopted the national Code of Conduct on 5th June 2007. All Councillors have signed up to it.
In addition the Standards Board for England has produced a range of Code of Conduct fact sheets which offer clear explanations about complicated parts of the revised Code of Conduct and are a useful addition to existing guidance.
The topics are:
Bullying
Disclosing confidential information
Gifts and hospitality
Lobby group and declarations of interest
Personal and prejudicial interests
The ethical framework for local government
Complaints about Councillors:
Anyone who believes that a Councillor has breached the Code of Conduct can complain to the Standards Board for England. The Board will decide whether to investigate the complaint and may refer it to the Council's Monitoring Officer for local investigation or appoint one of its own investigators called Ethical Standards Officers. They will investigate the complaint and decide whether it necessary for a hearing to be held to consider the complaint.
Anyone who wishes to make a complaint about a Councillor should write to:
The Standards Board for England,
1st Floor,
Cottons Centre,
Cottons Lane,
London,
SE1 2QG
Telephone: 020 7378 5026
Website: www.standardsboard.co.uk
There is currently a consultation by Central Government to make changes to this process. Any future changes will be published on this page.
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