A reflection on councillor standards today.
In 1995, the Committee on Standards in Public Life, chaired by Lord Nolan, introduced the Seven Principles of Public Life – selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
These principles are more than just guidelines; they are the ethical foundation on which modern local government is built, setting out the explicit commitment of our public servants to the public interest.
Thirty years on, the Nolan Principles remain central to public life, but the context in which councillors operate has evolved. Social media, loss of trust and rising public expectations have reshaped the landscape.
In this environment, we must do more than describe good conduct – we must also actively support councillors to embody these principles in their public service. Without good standards, the public can lose faith in their local institutions and those elected to represent them.
At the LGA, we recognise the importance of this covenant between the public and their elected representatives. The LGA Model Councillor Code of Conduct was developed in 2020 and is designed to support councillors in aspiring to the highest standards in public office, thereby safeguarding trust in local government.
“We must actively support councillors to embody these principles in their public service”
Five years on, almost two-thirds of councils use the model code, moving the sector towards a common standard and understanding of conduct in public office.
Alongside clarity on the standards councillors should expect to uphold, a well-rounded standards system is essential to maintaining high levels of behaviour and conduct. It must do more than respond to misconduct: it must foster a culture in which ethical behaviour is expected, supported and celebrated.
Public trust is fragile and must be continually earned. That trust depends on embedding the Nolan Principles into everyday practices and culture.
We recognise that the current standards framework for councillors may not always be robust enough to meet the expectations of today’s public. Limited sanctions, inconsistency in codes and ways of enforcing them, and a perceived or real lack of independence may weaken public confidence in councils.
To address this, the LGA has proposed a set of reforms grounded in the values of clarity, consistency, fairness, transparency and independence.
To reduce inconsistency, we support the Government’s proposal to introduce a national code of conduct, setting a consistent standard for councillors, complemented by a complaints-handling process that upholds fairness, proportionality and independence.
Standardisation of the approach to complaints handling, and appropriate sanctioning by an independent body, with early intervention as a strong pillar, could support fair and consistent decision-making.
Equally important is prevention. The LGA continues to champion training, guidance and support for councillors, recognising that ethical leadership must be nurtured and developed.
Councillors need the tools and confidence to navigate complex situations with integrity and to model the behaviours expected of them.
As we mark three decades of the Nolan Principles, let us recommit to a standards system that honours these principles, fostering public trust in our elected members and the public bodies we lead.
- For more information, see the LGA’s model code of conduct for councillors.