Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, whether the decision to suspend councillors will be taken by (a) the full council or (b) the local authority's standards committee; and what right of appeal will there be.

On 18 December the Government launched a consultation to seek views from local authorities, sector bodies, and the public on a range of proposals to strengthen the local government standards regime and ensure there is a stronger, more consistent, and more accountable framework for addressing member misconduct.

The results of this consultation will help to inform any policy and legislative change, including in relation to the possible introduction of the sanction of suspension and related safeguards, and the appropriate arrangements for an appeals process.