People and departments
The Standards Board recruits professionals from a broad range of backgrounds, all of whom share the organisation's vision of building confidence in local democracy.
People
Departments
Communications Department
The Communications Department manages the public face of the Standards Board, and oversees the publication and distribution of materials designed to support those working within the ethical framework.
As well as providing a full press service and briefing the media, we also organise a wide range of events, including the prestigious Annual Assembly of Standards Committees.
We design and maintain the Standards Board's website, produce guidance, DVDs, bulletins and other publications, and co-ordinate the Standards Board's presence at exhibitions, conferences and other events.
Finance Department
The Finance Department plays a key role in the effectiveness of the Standards Board.
The team is responsible for the sound financial systems that ensure that the Standards Board is seen as an efficient and responsive organisation by its stakeholders. High standards of financial management are integral to the organisation, maintaining its probity in all respects.
Governance Department
The Governance Department works to improve the performance and operational activity of the Standards Board.
It combines processes and structures implemented by the Standards Board to inform, direct, manage and monitor the activities of the organisation in achieving its objectives. The department aims to do this through performance management, risk management, business planning, internal quality auditing, records management and diversity.
The department’s goals are to promote corporate fairness, transparency and accountability. What it does - and what others help it do - for the Standards Board helps to make us a more effective and stronger organisation.
Human Resources
This team is responsible for delivering a high quality human resources service to the organisation, through supporting and advising employees and enabling continued improvement in employee contribution and performance.
Our main activities include:
- Recruitment and selection
- Health, safety and welfare
- Pay and benefits
- Attendance and absence
- Training and development
- Performance management
- Employee relations
- Equality and diversity
We also provide a range of high quality office services to help with the smooth and effective running of the organisation.
Investigations Department
Standards committees of local authorities refer some complaints of misconduct by members of their authority to the Standards Board. The Investigations Department handles these allegations, operating under the Local Government Act 2000.
Our team aims to contribute to the improvement of standards of conduct within local authorities by conducting good quality and robust investigations, and by playing a key role in supporting public confidence in local democracy.
IT Department
The IT Department plays a vital role in the effectiveness and functionality of the Standards Board.
We are currently undergoing a significant project which reviews our core business systems. This project is made up of multiple mini-projects that are scheduled to be completed according to a phased rollout over the next three years. This coincides with the organisation’s more strategic role.
Further projects will also give the organisation a more flexible and secure system whilst dealing with this new role.
Legal Department
The Legal Department provides support for monitoring officers and is a central resource for all the constituent parts of the Standards Board. Its main purpose is to successfully manage the legal risks associated with the work of ethical standards officers and the Standards Board itself.
The team provides legal and procedural advice on a wide range of administrative law issues, in particular the interpretation of Part III of the Local Government Act 2000, the relevant regulations and the Code of Conduct. It also operates a legal helpline service for local authority monitoring officers.
Members of the legal team make presentations across the country to a variety of different audiences about ethical governance issues and will represent the Standards Board's ethical standards officers at hearings of standards committees and case tribunals of the Adjudication Panel for England.
Strategy and Guidance Department
The Strategy and Guidance Department is responsible for developing and implementing the Standards Board’s strategic plan and advising the Board and Chief Executive on national policy issues. We are also responsible for managing relationships with key national stakeholders, including central government and Parliament, on behalf of the Standards Board. We also work in partnership with other national bodies to promote the importance of effective local governance.
The department monitors the effectiveness of the standards framework and the performance of local authorities. We have responsibility for advising the Board on when it may need to use its statutory powers to address local authorities failing to meet their statutory duties.
We produce guidance for local authorities, and develop and coordinate tailored support for individual authorities. We also oversee a programme of research to monitor the impact and effectiveness of the Standards Board, the wider legislative framework and corporate governance.
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