The local standards framework is working.

The local standards framework is working. There is solid evidence that it is both having a positive influence on behaviour and generating confidence that bad behaviour will be dealt with.

Within local government our arrangements to regulate the behaviour of local elected politicians attract considerable support - although in the current political climate the public are less convinced.

These are the headlines from our recently completed review of the local standards framework – based on some wide-ranging consultation with all involved and the lessons of 20 months of experience in working with the local system.

We have found that there are problems – glitches in the system – which raise questions about the consistency of the framework; its timeliness, cost and fairness. However, generally, the new system has secured a considerable level of consent across local government.

But we believe these difficulties can be fixed, and we have set out a number of recommendations to our sponsor department Communities and Local Government to consider.

These continue to stress the importance of independent local decision making within the national system.

To give you a flavour, we’re calling for: more streamlined local assessment - saving on time, money and process; an enhanced role for independent chairs and vice chairs; and a commitment to greater transparency for members who are the subject of complaints, among a number of other changes.

You can read the details in our full review document, available online.

As a strategic regulator our role is not just to oversee the operation of the local framework, but to advise government on changes which might better help the framework deliver its objective – ensuring high standards of conduct among members of English local authorities – and we believe this review makes an important contribution.

Bob Chilton

Chair

Standards for England