DCLG confirms plan to scrap Standards Board, ends pre-determination rule

The government last week vowed to press ahead with plans to scrap the Standards Board, describing the body as a “burden and a threat” to councillors.

Speaking at the first parliamentary questions for the new ministerial team at the Department for Communities and Local Government, Andrew Stunell said: “Around the country, there are councillors of every political persuasion deeply frustrated by the fact that the Standards Board remains a burden and a threat to them.

“It costs £7.8m, but it dealt with only 1,000 real complaints last year, which is £7,800 per complaint. The sooner we get rid of it, the better. That will be done on a statutory basis through the Decentralisation and Localism Bill.”

Earlier in the month, Stunell told MPs that the Bill would also end “predetermination”, where councillors are barred from taking part in decisions where they had campaigned or expressed a predisposed view.

The minister said (on 8 June): “It is absolutely the case that it is wrong for local representatives to be barred from taking part in decisions, even if they have a clear predisposed view. They may even have been elected on a particular issue, and it would of course then be deeply frustrating for them to receive apparently professional advice that disqualifies them from taking part.

“The government certainly understands the concern that the issue causes to councillors, and if necessary, we will legislate to ensure that councillors are not prevented from speaking up on issues on which they have campaigned.”