This consultation started on 19th November 2009 and ends on 18th February 2010.

1. The Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 introduced a new ethical framework to Scotland, key elements of which are statutory Codes of Conduct and the Standards Commission for Scotland. As one of the earliest statutes passed by the Scottish Parliament, the Ethical Standards Act underlines the strong commitment to the promotion of high standards in public life by the Scottish Government and the Parliament itself. Ethical standards and probity are at the heart of decision making in Scotland.

2. The Act required the Scottish Ministers to issue a Code of Conduct for Councillors and a Model Code of Conduct for members of devolved public bodies as listed in schedule 3 to the Act (which can be found at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/local-government/ethical-standards/public-bodies#top). The Codes of Conduct play a vital role in setting out, openly and clearly, the standards of conduct that must be applied and, in doing so, reinforce and strengthen confidence in councillors and those appointed to public bodies.

3. The Standards Commission for Scotland (the Commission) - in co-operation with the Chief Investigating Officer - is responsible for the enforcement of the Codes of Conduct. All allegations of misconduct, properly made, are investigated and, where necessary, appropriate sanctions are applied. The Commission also has responsibility for issuing guidance to assist councillors and members in observing the Codes.

4. The Councillors' Code of Conduct (the Code) was approved by the Scottish Parliament in December 2001 and brought into effect on 1 May 2003. The Code has since been supplemented by statutory guidance and both the Code and guidance were re-issued together by the Standards Commission for Scotland in April 2007.

http://www.tellthemwhatyouthink.org/consultation/con-2674-councillors-code-conduct