NALC to respond to the government's consultation on standards

We will respond to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's consultation on strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities (including parish and town councils) in England.

To help inform our response, we opened a survey to collect views and insights from parish and town councils and county associations. The survey will run until 2 February 2025.

This consultation seeks views on introducing measures to strengthen the standards and conduct regime in England and ensure consistency of approach amongst councils investigating serious breaches of their member codes of conduct, including introducing the power of suspension.

The consultation covers topics such as introducing a mandatory minimum code of conduct, standards committees, the power of suspension, a new category of disqualification, and a national body to deal with appeals. It also seeks views on empowering victims affected by councillor misconduct to come forward and what additional support would be appropriate to consider.