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Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Answer

Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what procedures he has put in place to prevent corruption in local government. [191252] Mr. Raynsford: The public expects high standards of conduct by members and officers of local authorities. To help ensure them, the Government established a new ethical framework for local government under the Local Government Act 2000 and subsequent Regulations. Every local authority was required to adopt, by May 2002, a local code setting out the standards of conduct expected of its members. Such codes must include all the provisions of the Model Code issued by the Government. An independent body, the Standards Board for England, was established to investigate allegations that members have breached the code, and local authorities' standards committees were given a role in promoting high standards of conduct locally. Regulations have recently been put in place to provide for local investigation and determination of less serious allegations of misconduct. In addition, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister recently begun consultation on a proposed code setting out the standards of conduct expected of local government employees. If issued, it would become part of employees' terms and conditions of employment. To help maintain financial propriety, local authorities are subject to external audit by auditors appointed by the Audit Commission, whose role is to ensure that public money is spent economically, efficiently and effectively.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

425 c456W; 191252

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Codes of practice Councillors Local government Misconduct Standards

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk