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You might think I'd want to write about things being paused or the development of a White Paper to rewire things.Yes, I'd like to, but I recognise those are issues the sector will spend time exploring in the weeks to come.Instead, I'd like to come back to a foundation of local government and the standards and behaviours within local government and towards local government and impacting the elected and employed alike.As a member of the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives' Commission on professional standards and ethics, I hear from organisations providing evidence for our work. The Commission's final report and recommendations are due to be published soon and will examine standards, conduct and culture in local government in England. This includes member conduct, officer conduct and, importantly, the conduct experienced by the sector from the public.Some of the stark results of the commission's evidence gathering surveys have already been published: 92% of senior officers reported poor standards or inappropriate behaviour in the previous three years and 70% believe public behaviour had deteriorated, with some 62% reporting bullying, harassment, abuse or intimidation and 45% of respondents having considered leaving their role as a result.North of the border, the members in my former authority voted for a no- confidence motion in the Ethical Standards Commissioner and Standards Commission for Scotland. So, it's not just the standards regime that is having problems.Sadly, it seems all too clear that all is not well in the world of local government and that declining standards and increasing levels of poor behaviour are damaging local democracy, public trust, workforce retention and are also becoming another barrier to seeking elected office. Why would you want to experience abuse regularly, because you choose to serve your community?Yes, legislative reform is important, but lasting improvement will depend on ethical leadership, better accountability, an effective, fair and fast regulatory regime which is resourced and where there is a renewed commitment to civility and professionalism.Hopefully, this would result in more respect for a hard-pressed sector and for the people in it. After all, rewiring behaviours will be as important as rewiring structures.Stephen Moir is chair of the Association of County Chief Executives (ACCE)

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Local government: Rewiring behaviours will be just as important as rewiring structures.

By Stephen Moir | 01 October 2026

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