Local Government
Member conduct
Local authorities’ duty to promote and maintain high standards of member conduct is the essence of Localism. In reality the financial squeeze on local government means that the costs of maintaining standards must be kept to an absolute minimum. And as the member sanction regime has gone, resolving most allegations without full investigation must be the correct approach.
However, the stakes remain very high indeed for officers and members caught up in conduct allegations. An unfounded allegation can end a career. Allegations carrying significant risks for the authority and its people must therefore be recognised quickly and handled with expertise.
Local authorities’ duty to promote and maintain high standards of member conduct is the essence of Localism. In reality the financial squeeze on local government means that the costs of maintaining standards must be kept to an absolute minimum. And as the member sanction regime has gone, resolving most allegations without full investigation must be the correct approach.
However, the stakes remain very high indeed for officers and members caught up in conduct allegations. An unfounded allegation can end a career. Allegations carrying significant risks for the authority and its people must therefore be recognised quickly and handled with expertise.
How we can help ?
Having worked within the local government standards regime for over twenty years, Alex and Jon are well placed to assist Local Authority Monitoring Officers in managing their responsibilities as set out in the Localism Act 2012. We therefore offer:
We agree the right format for your case with you and deliver it, from an oral or written briefing to a full investigation report with referenced evidence bundle.
Having worked within the local government standards regime for over twenty years, Alex and Jon are well placed to assist Local Authority Monitoring Officers in managing their responsibilities as set out in the Localism Act 2012. We therefore offer:
- support to officers in ensuring that the necessary governance arrangements are put in place
- training to councillors and officers in understanding the requirements of the Code of Conduct
- help to officers and independent persons in assessing allegations that a councillor has failed to comply with the Code of Conduct
- assistance in the application of any informal resolutions that may be considered appropriate
- independent reviews and, if necessary, full investigations to the required case stage up to and including standards hearings.
We agree the right format for your case with you and deliver it, from an oral or written briefing to a full investigation report with referenced evidence bundle.
Grievance and disciplinary investigations
We have years of experience of referring conduct cases to tribunal. We apply the same principles of objectivity, rigour and responsiveness to the parties to our disciplinary and grievance casework.
We have years of experience of referring conduct cases to tribunal. We apply the same principles of objectivity, rigour and responsiveness to the parties to our disciplinary and grievance casework.
