1-20 of 29 results for subject:Councillors
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To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she plans to take to increase protection of town and parish council clerks against bullying by elected councillors.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she plans to take to increase protection of town and parish council clerks against bullying by elected councillors.
In December the Government launched a consultation seeking views on proposed measures to strengthen the local government standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England. The response to the consultation will be issued in due course. After its release, we will continue to work actively with local government on developing the detailed policies for implementation.
We are committed to empowering local authorities of all types and tiers, including town and parish councils, to deal with member misconduct where it arises.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2025 to Question 31879 on Councillors: Data Protection, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to amend the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to include the reforms to the Localism...
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2025 to Question 31879 on Councillors: Data Protection, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to amend the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to include the reforms to the Localism...
Our continued aim is to remove the requirement for councillors’ home addresses to be published. We intend to legislate when parliamentary time allows.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what statutory powers are available to local standards committees to investigate and sanction councillors for breaches of the Nolan Principles.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what statutory powers are available to local standards committees to investigate and sanction councillors for breaches of the Nolan Principles.
The government’s December 2024 consultation set out the government’s views on the adequacy of the current local government standards regime. The consultation also set out what sanctions are currently available and that government considers that, in key aspects, the current system is ineffectual, inconsistently applied, and lacking in adequate powers to effectively sanction members found in serious breach of their codes of conduct.
This consultation sought views on proposed measures to strengthen the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England, including the introduction of the sanction of suspension, to empower local authorities of all types and tiers to deal appropriately member misconduct where it arises. The government response will be issued in due course. The government does not collect data on local authority complaints.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will consider introducing enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks as a condition of being a councillor.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will consider introducing enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks as a condition of being a councillor.
Disclosure and Barring Service checks (‘DBS checks’) for local government members are currently optional; it is for individual local authorities to adopt eligible DBS checks as they feel necessary.
I am considering the benefits and disbenefits to potential changes in local government member DBS check policy.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what restrictions are in place that prevent people from becoming a local councillor due to (a) criminal convictions and (b) any other reason.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what restrictions are in place that prevent people from becoming a local councillor due to (a) criminal convictions and (b) any other reason.
Candidates must declare anything that might disqualify them from standing for or holding local office, not doing so is a criminal offence.
Certain criminal convictions will disqualify an individual from local government, such as criminal convictions that result in a custodial sentence of three months or more, suspended or not, and convictions for sexual offences. I refer the honourable Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 41451 and UIN 42252 respectively.
Further disqualifications exist that can apply to convictions for illegal or corrupt electoral practice, intimidatory offences motivated by hostility towards a candidate, campaigner or holder of elective office, and non-disclosure of pecuniary interests.
Other disqualifications exist that apply in circumstances not relating to criminal convictions. The Electoral Commission publishes guidance for candidates on the relevant qualifications and disqualifications for local government online.
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 government standards committees for the actions of town and parish councillors.
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 government standards committees for the actions of town and parish councillors.
In December the Government launched a consultation seeking views on a range of measures to strengthen the standards and conduct framework that applies to all types and tiers of local authorities in England. The proposals consulted upon included a requirement for all principal authorities to convene formal standards committees to make decisions on code of conduct breaches, and the introduction of suspension of members for serious misconduct. We are now in the process of analysing the responses to the consultation to ensure we are taking full account of sector views on all of the measures proposed, and the Government Response will be issued in due course.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to change disqualification rules for (a) councillors, (b) mayors and (c) other elected representatives, in relation to those found guilty of sexual offences.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to change disqualification rules for (a) councillors, (b) mayors and (c) other elected representatives, in relation to those found guilty of sexual offences.
On changes to local government disqualification criteria, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 41451.
The government has been clear that standards in local government need to be improved and that could include a standards regime which has the power to suspend, sanction and disqualify for the most serious breaches.
Councillors and mayors already face disqualification if found guilty of sexual offences. Individuals made subject to the notification requirements or who receive a relevant order for sexual offences are disqualified for as long as they remain subject to them.
Someone cannot be a Police and Crime Commissioner if they have ever been convicted of an imprisonable offence.
We have no plans to extend the House of Commons disqualification criteria beyond those set out in the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 and the Representation of the People Act 1981. There are also mechanisms in place under the Recall of MPs Act 2015 for the electorate to decide whether to remove MPs convicted of other offences.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to re-introduce pensions for councillors.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to re-introduce pensions for councillors.
MHCLG keeps access to the Local Government Pension Scheme under regular review.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 21 March 2025 to Question 33755 on Members: Prison Sentences, whether her Department plans to change the disqualification rules for councillors in local government.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 21 March 2025 to Question 33755 on Members: Prison Sentences, whether her Department plans to change the disqualification rules for councillors in local government.
Local government members already face disqualification if they receive a custodial sentence. When a person is convicted of any offence and receives a custodial sentence, whether suspended or not, of three months or more, they are disqualified from either standing for or holding office as a local authority member for a period of five years.
We consulted on necessary reforms to the local government standards regime, including proposals to reform disqualification criteria. The consultation closed on 26 February 2025, and we will respond in due course.
Motion that this House has considered the effectiveness of the Nolan Principles in local government. Agreed to on question.
Motion that this House has considered the effectiveness of the Nolan Principles in local government. Agreed to on question.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of (a) unitary structures and (b) fewer councillors on the workload of councillors.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of (a) unitary structures and (b) fewer councillors on the workload of councillors.
Unitary councils can lead to better outcomes for residents, save significant money which can be reinvested in public services, and improve accountability with fewer politicians, but more empowered who are more able to focus on delivering for residents. My department will continue to work closely with councils, and with the Local Government Association (LGA), the District Councils Network, the County Councils Network and other local government partners to plan how best to support councils through this process.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 31 January 2025 to Question 26040 on Councillors and Mayors: Workplace Pensions, whether the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution has had discussions with representatives of local government on this issue since...
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 31 January 2025 to Question 26040 on Councillors and Mayors: Workplace Pensions, whether the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution has had discussions with representatives of local government on this issue since...
As the Responsible Authority for the Local Government Pension Scheme, MHCLG keeps access to the scheme under regular review. As part of this regular review, the Minister for Local Government has been approached by representatives of local government about this issue.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2025 to Question 23872 on Councillors: Data protection, for what reason her Department’s plans to deliver the policy on councillor’s home addresses is best achieved by a full Act of Parliament.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2025 to Question 23872 on Councillors: Data protection, for what reason her Department’s plans to deliver the policy on councillor’s home addresses is best achieved by a full Act of Parliament.
Primary legislation is needed to amend the Localism Act 2011 which contains provisions that require councillors to disclose their home address and authorities to disclose them on the public register of interests.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's consultation entitled Strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England published on 18 December 2024, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of her proposals on standards...
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's consultation entitled Strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England published on 18 December 2024, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of her proposals on standards...
I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 30628 on 19 February 2025, which noted that the results of the ongoing consultation on a range of proposals to strengthen the local government standards regime will help to inform any policy or legislative change.
The Government will take into account the full range of views and considerations raised by consultation respondents, including local authorities, council members and officers, sector representative bodies, and members of the public, when developing and finalising its proposals for local government standards reform.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 15 January 2025 to Question 22386 on Local Government: Code of Practice, if she will make it her policy to ensure any mandatory, minimum code includes the free speech protection for councillors introduced...
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 15 January 2025 to Question 22386 on Local Government: Code of Practice, if she will make it her policy to ensure any mandatory, minimum code includes the free speech protection for councillors introduced...
I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 22386 on 15 January 2025, which noted that the results of the ongoing consultation on a range of proposals to strengthen the local government standards regime, including views on the possible introduction of a mandatory minimum code of conduct for local authorities in England, will help to inform any policy or legislative change.
The Government would likely set out any mandatory code in regulations to allow flexibility to review and amend in future. This would also provide the opportunity for further consultation on the detail.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure that there is sufficient local representation in the new unitary authorities.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure that there is sufficient local representation in the new unitary authorities.
I wrote to all councils in two-tier areas and to neighbouring small unitaries on 5th February to formally invite unitary proposals, with interim plans to be provided on or before 21 March 2025. The interim plans should include a view as to the councillors’ numbers that will ensure both effective democratic representation for all parts of the area and also effective governance and decision-making arrangements which will balance the unique needs of your cities, towns, rural and coastal areas, in line with the Local Government Boundary Commission for England guidance. These letters are published at Local government reorganisation: invitation to local authorities in two-tier areas - GOV.UK
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what ratio of Councillors to electors she expects new unitary authorities to be created with.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what ratio of Councillors to electors she expects new unitary authorities to be created with.
As set out in the White Paper, we want to see stronger community arrangements when reorganisation happens in the way councils engage at a neighbourhood or area level. My department is liaising closely with the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) so that they are involved at the appropriate time to ensure fair electoral arrangements across the area of any new unitary local authorities.
The LGBCE’s approach during electoral reviews is that there are no set ratios of the number of electors each councillor should represent. The ratio flows from the number of councillors an authority should have. An authority has a unique set of characteristics which determines this and the LGBCE’s approach is outlined in its electoral review guidance. There are no set limits on the number of councillors although the guidance indicates that a compelling case would be needed for a council size of more than 100 members or less than 30.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 17 January 2025 to Question 22645 on Workplace Pensions: Councillors and Mayors, whether she has had discussions with local authorities on reinstating pensions for (a) mayors and (b) councils since 5 July 2024.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 17 January 2025 to Question 22645 on Workplace Pensions: Councillors and Mayors, whether she has had discussions with local authorities on reinstating pensions for (a) mayors and (b) councils since 5 July 2024.
Since 5 July 2024, the Secretary of State has not held discussions with any local authorities regarding re-instating access to the Local Government Pension Scheme for mayors or councillors in England, though it is recognised that the subject has been raised by the sector over many years since the scheme was closed to those office holders in 2014.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2024 to Question 16542 on Councillors: Data Protection, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of using a Legislative Reform Order to remove the requirement for councillors home...
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2024 to Question 16542 on Councillors: Data Protection, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of using a Legislative Reform Order to remove the requirement for councillors home...
I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 16542 on 5 December 2024. We consider removal of the requirement for councillors’ home addresses to be published is best achieved by primary legislation and intend to legislate at the first available opportunity.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing an alternative title for county councillors who remain in office after 1 May 2025 due to their authority’s participation in the devolution priority programme.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing an alternative title for county councillors who remain in office after 1 May 2025 due to their authority’s participation in the devolution priority programme.
There are no plans to provide an alternative title for county councillors whose authority participates in the devolution priority programme.