Public bodies' and councillors' codes out for review

Revised standards of conduct for those holding positions of public office are the subject of two new consultations from the Scottish Government.

Ministers are proposing to update the Model Code of Conduct for members of devolved public bodies, last reviewed in 2014, and the Code of Conduct for Councillors, of which the last substantial review was in 2009. Both codes are issued under the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc (Scotland) Act 2000.

The present review seeks to take account of developments such as the role of social media. Ministers also want to strengthen the codes to reinforce the importance of behaving in a respectful manner and to make it clear that bullying and harassment is completely unacceptable and should not be tolerated. Redrafted provisions covering accepting gifts, and access and lobbying, are another feature.

Plain English will be adopted wherever possible, and the new codes will be written in the first person to encourage those affected to "take ownership" of what is set out.

Click here to access the consultation on the code for members of devolved public bodies, and here to access the consultation on the code for councillors. Both close on 8 February 2021.