Written question asked by Lord Greaves (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Andrews (Labour) on Monday, 6 February 2006.

Local Government: Islington

Question: What were the reasons for the length of time (three and a half years) taken by the recent Standards Board for England case against five Liberal Democrat councillors in Islington (case references APE 0211, 0212, 0213, 0214 and 0215) between the events which were the subject of the complaint and the decision of the Adjudication Panel for England.

Answer: The Standards Board for England is an independent body. Management of individual cases is entirely a matter for the board itself. I have asked the board’s chairman to write to you directly in response to your Question, setting out the circumstances in which the investigation and determination of these cases took place, and a copy of his letter will be placed in the Library. I regret the delays in these cases, but I understand that there were special circumstances. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has agreed with the board the performance targets of completing 40 per cent of investigations within four months and 90 per cent within six months. The board is currently meeting its four-month target and is completing 82 per cent of investigations within six months.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 3604; 678 c87-8WA
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Deposited Paper HDEP 2006/106
Tuesday, 14 February 2006
Deposited papers
House of Lords
Subjects: Complaints Councillors Conduct Administrative delays Islington Council Standards Board for England Adjudication Panel for England
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk