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SitemapA guide to our investigation process
(A downloadable pdf version of this guide is available.)
Being involved in an investigation may be a worrying experience. This guide is intended to provide information about the investigations process, and aims to answer the questions that those who become involved may wish to ask.
Investigating allegations of misconduct is one of the ways in which we at the Standards Board for England work to build confidence in local democracy. Over 100,000 people give their time as members. The majority do so with the very best motives and conduct themselves in a way that is beyond reproach. Public perception, however, tends to focus on the minority, who in some way abuse their positions or behave badly.
Anyone who considers that a member may have breached the Code of Conduct can make an allegation to the Standards Board for England. Each allegation we receive is assessed to see if it falls within our remit. If it does, it may be passed to an ethical standards officer who will decide whether to:
- oversee its investigation
- refer the matter to the local authority to be investigated locally
- direct the monitoring officer of the local authority to take action other than investigation to resolve the situation
All of our investigations are carried out in accordance with a defined set of values – a downloadable pdf version of which is available here.
The information is divided into the following sections:
Downloads (open in new window)
- A guide to our investigations process (92 kb)
- Investigations on behalf of ethical standards officers (68 kb)
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