Annandale North councillor calls for review of Scotland’s Standards Commission procedures
Carolyne Wilson's motion questions fairness and transparency after court case highlights issues
A councillor has raised serious concerns about how elected members are being treated by Scotland’s standards watchdog.
This comes after a landmark court case raised questions over the fairness of the Standards Commission, which oversees the running of councils and can impose sanctions on elected members.
Annandale North Councillor Carolyne Wilson, leader of the Labour Group, has tabled a motion for this Thursday’s full council meeting, calling for an independent review of the Standards Commission for Scotland and the way it handles complaints against councillors.
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The motion follows a judicial review brought by Glasgow councillor Fiona Higgins, heard at the Court of Session, where her lawyers claimed she was being prevented from using key evidence in her upcoming hearing.
Councillor Wilson’s motion states: “The findings of the Court of Session raise serious questions about the operation and procedures of the Standards Commission for Scotland.”
It goes on to argue that a review is essential to keep public trust intact, stating: “A review of the current framework is necessary to ensure it commands the confidence of elected members, councils and the wider public.”
The motion also stresses the importance of transparency in how councillors are held to account, stating: “Public confidence in standards and ethical oversight is dependent upon fairness, transparency and accountability.”
If approved, the motion would see the council write to the First Minister, the Minister for Local Government, and the Convener of the Standards Commission, seeking “assurances on what lessons have been learned from the judicial review and what changes are being implemented to prevent similar failings in future.”
It also calls on umbrella body COSLA (the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities) to launch its own review on the effectiveness, transparency and accountability of the Standards Commission.
The motion comes a week after Mid and Upper Nithsdale Councillor Andrew Wood was suspended for a month, following a Standards Commission hearing into comments he made about council chief executive Dawn Roberts in a newspaper column.
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He was accused of bullying and harassment, but was cleared of these allegations by the panel. Instead, he was found to have been “disrespectful” toward the chief executive and hit with the 30-day sanction.
The chief executive has also accused Annandale South Councillor Ian Carruthers of bullying, and another investigation is currently ongoing into this matter.
Speaking after his hearing, Councillor Wood admitted the process has left him seriously considering his future as a councillor.
He said: “The power of councillors has now been eroded to such a degree that they have no real say in matters of the council.
“As a councillor, you are on your own and have no real chance of winning in these cases, unless you are a trained lawyer or can afford to have a legal expert representing you.”
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Councillor Wilson’s motion will be considered by elected members at next Thursday’s full council meeting.
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