Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what restrictions are placed on the activities of Government-appointed commissioners who provide services to firms operating within the local authority area for which they are responsible; and if he will make a statement.

Commissioners are appointed under the Secretary of State’s powers provided in the Local Government Act 1999 (“the 1999 Act”). Their terms of appointment require individuals to declare any personal or business interests which may, or may be perceived to, influence their judgements in performing their functions. These interests include (without limitation), personal direct and indirect pecuniary interests, and, any such interests of their close family members and/or of people living in the same household or as their close family members. As a public appointee, they must act appropriately and in accordance with the required standards. They are required to uphold the standards of conduct set out in by the Seven Principles of Public Life.