Standards
Government must rethink its approach to poor governance and behaviour in councils
Solace supports all of the Committee on Standards in Public Life report's recommendations on standards in local government, but without Government action on sanctions this will never gain the traction required, says Graeme McDonald.
Anderson no longer faces Operation Sheridan investigation
Former mayor of Liverpool City Council, Joe Anderson, is no longer under investigation by Lancashire Constabulary – but still faces a Merseyside police inquiry.
The status quo on oversight of councillors' behaviour isn't acceptable
We are concerned by the threats, intimidation and toxic debate that has come to characterise much of our public discourse, yet the Government is shunning an important opportunity to challenge a manifestation of it, says Claire Kober.
The Government’s response on standards is a missed opportunity
The Government’s long-delayed response to the Committee on Standards in Public Life review of local government ethical standards falls short of what is required to improve governance, says Mark Greenburgh.
Scots watchdog castigates Islands over joint board
A Scots watchdog has issued a scathing report, criticising unlawful decision-making and governance issues in the hiring of senior staff at Orkney and Shetland Valuation Joint Board (VJB).
Ministers fail to act on calls to beef up standards
The Government has been accused of ‘willfully looking the other way’ on standards after failing to act on recommendations to beef up sanctions.
EXCLUSIVE: Caller called in for Northumberland review
Local government expert Max Caller has been called in to carry out a corporate governance review of Northumberland CC.
Standards: the search for common ground
John Tizard says collaboration within and between sectors will be crucial to ‘building back better’ – but the principles of governance and behaviour should be universal.
Ongoing tensions highlighted at Edinburgh
An independent review of whistleblowing and the wider culture at Edinburgh City Council has highlighted the impact of ongoing tensions between elected members.
Trust in democracy is under threat - and local government is not immune
Solace will continue to push the Government to respond to the Committee for Standards in Public Life reports, says Graeme McDonald.
Minister eyes council intervention
The Northern Ireland communities minister has said she will not hesitate to intervene in troubled Mid and East Antrim BC.
DLUHC's failure to respond on standards 'not good enough'
The Government’s failure to respond to a report on standards in local government is ‘just not good enough,’ a member of the Committee on Standards in Public Life has claimed.
Complaints’ outcomes are open for all of us to shape
This summer’s snapshot of complaints trends paints a ‘fascinating picture’, says local government and social care ombudsman Michael King.
What we will need from the leaders of the future?
There are increasing challenges in filling senior positions across the public sector including local government, says Graeme McDonald. We must make the environment safe for open communication about challenges, concerns and opportunities, he adds.
Doing the right thing
Dan Corry says the ‘slow crumbling of standards may not matter if people overall like the government of the day and feel it is delivering for them’ – but it feels like something quite important is in danger of breaking in the system.
Councils must lead the way in raising standards across social housing
The Social Housing White Paper should be welcomed as a chance to renew council housing’s purpose of providing people with the highest possible standard of living, say Jamie Carswell and Joanne Drew.
Pressure grows for tougher sanctions on councillors
Thousands have signed a petition for disqualifications and suspensions as the Government prepares a consultation on the issue.
Liverpool puts forward improvement plan
Liverpool City Council has drafted an improvement plan and letter in response to the Caller report, which called for an intervention in the city.
Getting the basics right on standards
Joanne Roney says it is ‘high time’ the Government responded to the recommendations in the 2019 Committee for Standards in Public Life’s report on ethical standards in local government.
The case for virtual meetings
Jackie Weaver – star of Handforth Parish Council’s viral meeting – argues the case for stepping out of the dark ages and allowing councils to hold their meetings online.