Stakeholder Tracker 2009 – ‘A qualitative assessment of advice and guidance’

Every two years Standards for England (SfE) conducts a ‘stakeholder tracker’ in two parts: a quantitative survey, and a qualitative investigation. This research assesses the levels of satisfaction of members and officers in local government with the performance of SfE and their attitudes to the ethical environment. As some of you may recall, the survey was completed last summer. We are now happy to report that the qualitative section of the research, which provides a more in-depth analysis of some of the issues that emerged from the quantitative research, has been completed and is available on our website. We would like to thank those of you who participated in the research. It is only through your continued support that we are able to track our progress, and identify areas for improvement.

BMG research carried out this research by holding a number of focus groups with monitoring officers, standards committee members and parish councillors. 

Some of the findings:

• The research found that monitoring officers and standards committee members are very positive about the local standards framework. They feel it has ‘bedded in’ well, and welcome the chance to take ownership of the process of investigating complaints.
• SfE’s monitoring officer helpline received positive feedback, and some stakeholders suggested that the service callers receive has improved over the past 12 months.
• Monitoring officers welcome the development of peer and local/regional networks – however, there is some suggestion that a number of authorities may already have some form of networking in place. They would like SfE to provide content for delivery at networking events.
• The research identified several topics on which stakeholders think SfE could provide further guidance such as more information on other standards committee practices, sanctions and proportionality, mediation, guidance specifically for parish councillors, and more advice on the overlap with Freedom of Information and Data Protection legislation.

A copy of the full report can be downloaded here.                             

For further information, please contact:

Tom Bandenburg (Research Assistant) on 0161 817 5427

or email tom.bandenburg@standardsforengland.gov.uk

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