Local Authorities: Standards

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath Excerpts

Tuesday 28th February 2012 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hanham]

My Lords, I said that I thought it was; if that is not correct, I will write to the noble Lord.

[Lord Hunt of Kings Heath]

My Lords, perhaps coming back to the issue, I am sure that the noble Baroness is right to say that the Standards Board did not fulfil the task in the way that it was thought that it would, but there are instances where action should be taken against councillors where they have behaved inappropriately. The noble Baroness mentioned monitoring. Can she give more substance on that? Will there be a review after a certain period of time so that we can see whether the new system is working? There need to be some safeguards for the public interest on this.

[Baroness Hanham]

My Lords, the impact assessment for the new arrangements on standards provides for a review within three to five years. That will take into account all the matters that the noble Lord has mentioned.