Standards
The current standards regime is not fit for purpose
The recommendations within the Committee for Standards in Public Life report on local government standards must be taken seriously by the sector and Whitehall, says Graeme McDonald.
Legal officers press for standards reform
The rise in the number of independent councillors has strengthened the case for a tougher standards regime, monitoring officers have argued.
Giving the sector a voice on AI
Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life Lord Jonathan Evans says Artificial Intelligence can revolutionise local government – but it must do so in line with standards that the public expect.
Council takes strong action against resident harassment
A council chief executive has issued a strong warning to residents who attempt to harass staff and members.
Council makes 'significant progress' after standards issues
Sandwell MBC has made ‘significant progress’ following an independent review last year.
Call for power to ban councillors
Council standards boards should have the power to ban councillors for up to six months without allowances, the Committee on Standards in Public Life has recommended.
Don't dump the rule book under pressure, LGO warns councils
Councils have been warned not to let budget squeezes and disruption caused by change programmes to land them in trouble with the Ombudsman.
Wigan councillor bullied and abused staff members
A councillor at Wigan MBC has been ordered to apologise to two employees he was found to have abused.
Senior officers 'feel less secure'
Senior officers are less empowered to speak out when they need to because they feel less secure, the leader of a review of local government ethical standards has said.
Double standards?
When it comes to improving public services, what’s good for local government should be good for central government. Piali Das Gupta looks at why the latter can benefit from adopting the principles of the former
‘Toothless tiger’ standards beast needs to roar
both officers and councillors should be able to conduct their roles without fear of intimidation and that will require a standards regime with teeth, writes Heather Jameson.
Standards split between officers and councillors
Councillors and officers are divided over the future of the standards regime, with politicians backing the existing approach dismissed as a ‘toothless tiger’ by officials.
Chiefs attack 'light touch' approach to standards
England has been left with a ‘light touch approach to local government standards reliant on local codes, implementation and sanction,’ council chief executives have warned.
Former councillor loses High Court battle against Sandwell
The former deputy leader of Sandwell MBC has been order to pay almost £140,000 after a failed legal battle against the council ended in the High Court.
Raising the standard
Graeme McDonald questions whether more needs to be done to promote standards and good conduct in the local government sector.
Sandwell leader hits back at Tory party vice-chair
Sandwell MBC needs to be ‘seen to move on’ from a series of recent standards issues, Local Government Association (LGA) peers have said.
Former deputy leader breached code of conduct dozen times
Sandwell MBC’s standards sub-committee is considering what action to take against a former deputy leader of the council who repeatedly breached its code of conduct.
High standards will help mayors deliver
Dr Jane Martin looks at the role of the new metro mayors who promote the seven principles of public life within their combined authorities and take a lead in embedding them across local government as a whole
Are things getting too complex?
Over-complexity is making solutions more difficult to achieve, writes Dan Corry as he argues that keeping things simple just might be the key to solving many of today’s local authorities’ problems
Standards committee investigation after High Court ruling
A former deputy leader of Sandwell MBC who denies claims of serious misconduct in office will face a full investigation following a High Court ruling.