§ Mr. MealeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress he has made in drawing up principles governing the ethical conduct of local authority members; and if he will make a statement. [133803]
§ Ms Beverley HughesMy right hon. Friend, the Minister for Local Government and the Regions will publish a consultation paper today setting out nine principles which we propose should govern the conduct of elected and co-opted members of local government. This will be based on the work of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, chaired by Lord Nolan. The consultation period runs until 31 October.
949WWe will also write today to the Local Government Association asking them to help draw up a new model code of conduct for councillors. The new Code will need to provide members with a clear set of rules in order that they can know what standards of conduct are expected of them.
We will ask the LGA to take account of the views of bodies representing parish and town councils, police authorities and the Greater London Authority among others. They will be asked to submit their proposals by the end of October.