Title

WHITEHALL

Ethical standards in local government to be reviewed

A review into how local government is supporting ethical standards is to be conducted by the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

A review into how local government is supporting ethical standards is to be conducted by the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

The committee has called for evidence on how effective councils' standards arrangements are in light of changes over the past 10 years.

Committee member, Dr Jane Martin, said: ‘The committee considers it is timely to undertake a health check of local government so the public can have confidence that the standards arrangements supporting local democracy are working effectively.

Ms Martin, who will lead the review, added: ‘We are interested in how local authorities have designed their complaints handling, scrutiny and sanctions regimes in order to maintain excellent ethical standards, and how members, local government officials and the public experience them.

‘The committee would like to hear from councils and individuals who can help us understand how ethical standards issues are dealt with by local authorities.'

The committee is due to publish its findings and recommendations later this year.

WHITEHALL

The new fire and rehire regime: what you need to know

By Anna Scott | 12 September 2025

Rebecca McGuirk and Anna Scott look at details of the Employment Rights Bill and say if there are plans to vary terms and conditions over the next few months...

WHITEHALL

IFS: SEND review needs to offer long-term solution

By Joe Lepper | 12 September 2025

The forthcoming Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) review needs to offer a long-term solution to the ‘spiralling’ costs faced by councils, the...

WHITEHALL

Future Forum Midlands: Norse chief outlines merger challenges

By Ann McGauran | 11 September 2025

The chief executive of the Norse Group has set out his insights on the challenges of merging services as local government reorganisation gains pace.

WHITEHALL

Riding out the perfect storm

By Niall Bolger | 11 September 2025

Niall Bolger says communities are in crisis and leaders must respond with compassion, presence and values-led action to rebuild trust, counter hate and prote...

Popular articles by Laura Sharman