Memorandum by the Royal Borough of Kensington
and Chelsea (STA 07)
The Standards Board have been very effective
in promoting the Code of Conduct. Initially they conducted roadshows
throughout England and in the last two years have held annual
conferences to bring together those affected by the Code of Conduct.
The Royal Borough's experience of the way the
Standards Board handles complaints is a positive one. However,
there has been negative publicity about inordinate delays in progressing
complaints. This problem has not been helped by the fact that
all complaints must go to the Standards Board initially rather
than to local Standards Committees. If local Standards Committees
are empowered to receive and vet complaints initially then refer
the more serious ones to the Standards Board this would ease the
current problem.
The Standards Board for England has had a good
relationship with the Royal Borough to date. In particular, the
quantity and quality of information disseminated to local Councils
is encouraging. Leaflets on declaring interests; training video
and various guidance notes have been issued.
With changes in legislation the Standards Board
for England is now able to refer complaints to Monitoring Officers
for hearing by local Standards Committees and this would further
strengthen the relationship between the two bodies.
Members of the public generally feel reluctant
to refer complaints to the Standards Board for England when advised
about the procedure. There seems to be a preference to report
to the local Standards Committee instead.
| 
