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Open consultation: Strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England

mokeyhawken

As raised at the branch meeting last Thursday, there is a ‘live’ Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government consultation entitled “Strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England” which closes at 11:59pm on 26 February 2025.



From the landing page (in the paragraph titled How to Respond) there is a further link to the online consultation at the government “Citizen Space” online consultation platform - this is the only means by which to respond.

The consultation is intended to seek views on standards and conduct in Unitary (Cornwall Council), town and parish councils amongst others.

This is an open consultation seeking the views of individual members of the public; prospective and current elected members; all relevant local authorities; and those bodies that represent the interests of local authority members at all levels.

You can respond as a private individual and it might be beneficial for Reform SEC to have formed a ‘corporate’ stance which could be presented to the next branch meeting (scheduled for 13 Feb 25) for endorsement at that meeting prior to despatch in time to meet the deadline 11:59pm on 26 February 2025.


Why is this important?

Some may be aware that a Local Authority (Cornwall council) has the powers of a prosecuting authority.


Where have we seen this before?

The Post Office Horizon scandal!

The Post Office was / is also a prosecuting authority.

That scenario cost people their livelihoods (and sometimes their lives), it ruined families and bankrupted decent hard working postmasters and mistresses.

Hansard volume 748 from 19 Mar 24 records the statement of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade declaring government intention to provide funding of up to £150 million, plus any contingency that may be required, to support the Post Office fully participating in the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry and to support the delivery of redress to postmasters.

That’s taxpayer money to reverse inappropriate unilateral prosecuting authority over-reach.


Do you trust Cornwall Council?

Starting from question 18 the consultation seeks input on the question - “…Do you think local authorities should be given the power to suspend elected members for serious code of conduct breaches..?” It goes on to seek input on the question of banning members from authority premises and disqualification from holding office.


Do you trust Cornwall council?

I speak with extensive personal experience of the ‘weaponisation’ of the complaints procedure and I am an active founding member of an ever growing national group of current and former councillors (and members of the public) that have been subjected to malicious misuse of the complaints system and other malignant attempts to suppress critical scrutiny of inadequate and non-compliant town and parish council business.


I don't trust Cornwall council!

It is by no means a geographically isolated, nor a rare circumstance to find appallingly managed town and parish councils and there is an alarming commonality of approach which is brought to bear on anyone that challenges the status quo.

It’s a bit like Rupert Lowe MP challenging the accepted norms and asking the uncomfortable questions in parliament. Doesn’t make him ‘popular’ with the old guard.

Town and parish councils raised the parish tax burden on their constituents by £52 million in 2023/24 to a whopping £706 million!


This needs MORE scrutiny and MORE critical analysis.

Weaponising the standards process to remove dissenting voices is the start of the slippery slope into oppression, censorship and domination.

Hopefully this subject will be entered onto the agenda for 13 Feb 25 and anyone with an interest is invited to look over and consider submitting a response via the consultation

Kevin Johnson


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