Written question asked by Andrew Snowden (Conservative) on Tuesday, 14 April 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 April 2026 (named day). It was answered by Alison McGovern (Labour) on Monday, 20 April 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Councillors: Conduct

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of sanctions available to local authorities under the Localism Act 2011 in ensuring compliance with councillors’ Codes of Conduct.

Answer: The current local authority standards and conduct regime is in certain key aspects ineffectual, inconsistently applied, and lacking in adequate powers to effectively sanction members found in serious breach of their codes of conduct. This is why, in November 2025, we announced our intention to legislate to introduce a clearer and consistently applied conduct system that will help local elected members to hold themselves and their colleagues to account. We will do this when Parliamentary time allows.

Secondary information