Local Government to have more power to enforce high standards of conduct

Local Government Minister John Healey today announced that councils will have more powers to hold their members to account for their conduct.

The new, more locally-based, conduct regime gives local standards committees the responsibility for initially assessing all allegations of misconduct by councillors and, in all but the most serious cases, for any subsequent investigations, decisions and sanctions.

The maximum sanctions committees can impose on a member who has breached the code of conduct of local authority members will also increase, from a three-month partial or total suspension from office, to six months.

Under the new regime, the Standards Board will have the role of a strategic light-touch regulator, providing advice, support and guidance to assist local standards committees in undertaking their new roles. The Board will also monitor authorities' performance in carrying out their new functions in order to maintain consistently high standards across England.

Mr Healey said: "We are committed to devolving decision-making as much as possible to the local level, and local councils are best placed to deal with all but the most serious conduct issues. This new tough but proportionate regime means the public will be able to have full confidence in their local representatives.

"These regulations, prepared after wide consultation with local government and stakeholders, also deliver our commitment to introduce a devolved regime for the investigation and determination of all but the most serious allegations of misconduct against local councillors.

"Local authority standards committees will receive support and guidance from the Standards Board, ensuring that local councils across the country are empowered to maintain and promote the high ethical standards expected of their members."

Date article online: 03/04/2008