Written question asked by Robert Neill (Conservative) on Tuesday, 16 March 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 March 2010. It was answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Labour) on Tuesday, 23 March 2010 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Councillors: Codes of Practice

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance the Standards Board for England has issued to local authorities on the employment of external investigators to conduct investigations into alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct for councillors.

Answer: General guidance on the delegation of investigations is included in the 'Local investigations guidance' issued by the Standards Board for England, and specific guidance on outsourcing investigations to another organisation or individual is included in their guidance 'How to conduct an investigation guide'. Both sets of guidance are available on the Standards Board's website at:"http://www.standardsforengland.gov.uk/Media/Local%20investigations%20and%20other%20action.pdf"and"http://www.standardsforengland.gov.uk/media/How%20to%20conduct%20and%20investigation.pdf"

Secondary information