About Us
The Standards Commission is an independent body whose purpose is to encourage high ethical standards in public life through the promotion and enforcement of Codes of Conduct for councillors and those appointed to the boards of devolved public bodies.
News and Blog
Ethical Standards Commissioner - Job Opportunities
21st December 2022
Ethical Standards Commissioner - Job Opportunities The Ethical Standards Commissioner is currently recruiting. You can find out about the roles available on their website, or by clicking the links below: Hearings & Investigations Officer
Standards Update December 2022
20th December 2022
Our latest Standards Update is now available.
Effective Relationships
23rd November 2022
The success of public bodies, including local authorities, in delivering effective services relies in no small part on them having effective relationships with the Government, their key stakeholders and the public. Of equal importance to public bodies’ effectiveness is the existence of strong relationships between board members and employees or, in the case of local government, between councillors and officers. Mutual respect, communication and, above all trust, between these rol...
Recruitment of two new Commission Members
15th November 2022
The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body is seeking to appoint, with the agreement of the Scottish Parliament, two part-time Members of the Standards Commission. More information and the application pack can be found here. The closing date for receipt of applic...
Freedom of Expression
14th November 2022
Freedom of Expression You may have heard the terms ‘freedom of expression’ or ‘freedom of speech’ before, often used in the context of politics and public life. But what does freedom of expression mean, why is it important, and does it have limits? What does freedom of expression mean? The right to freedom of expression is not a new concept – it is understood that a democratic principle of ‘free speech’ m...
The Ethical Standards Commissioner’s Public Consultation on its draft Investigations Manual
10th November 2022
The Ethical Standards Commissioner (ESC) is currently seeking the public's views on its draft Investigations Manual, which consolidates all of the procedures and policies for the different types of complaints that are within its remit. This includes complaints about the conduct of Councillors and Members of devolved bodies. The Standards Commission welcomes the introduction of the manual and the opportunity to provide comments on it.
Standards Update September 2022
29th September 2022
Our latest Standards Update is now available.
Progress of Investigations Direction
27th September 2022
Following a consultation with the Acting Ethical Standards Commissioner (ESC), the Standards Commission has renewed its Direction on the Progress of Investigations issued to the ESC under sections 10 and 11 of the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000. The Direction requires the ESC to provide the Standards Commission with reports on the progress of investigations into complaints about councillors and members of devolved public bodies every three months. The re...
Why duty is still relevant
22nd September 2022
The recent passing of Her Majesty the Queen led many to note that she led a life of public service, dedication and duty. The late Queen continued to perform her official duties until the very end of her life, even accepting the resignation of the former Prime Minister and appointing a new one in her last week. In 1995, the Committee on Standards in Public Life (the Nolan Committee) identified seven principles of conduct underpinning public life; being: · ...
Annual Report 2021/22
22nd September 2022
The Standards Commission's Annual Report for 2021/22 has been laid before the Scottish Parliament. A copy can be found here. The Annual Report contains information about performance against strategic aims; case statistics; summaries of decisions made at Hearings; and governance and financial information
