Standards in Public Life Local Authorities 2022-01-24
2022-01-24
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question addresses the issue of ensuring high ethical standards in local government, citing a specific case involving multiple sanctions for a councillor in Wyre Forest District Council.
What steps he is taking to ensure standards in public life are upheld at local authority level. I am sure that you of all people, Mr Speaker, would agree that standards of politicians at every level are not always observed. On Wyre Forest District Council, a local councillor has been sanctioned for the fourth time for standards breaches. Can the Minister confirm if and when the Government will legislate to implement their recommendations and that any legislation will equip councils with more robust sanctions?
The Minister thanked my hon. Friend for raising this important issue and confirmed that she is actively considering the recommendations set out in the report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, with a commitment to respond shortly.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm specific legislative timeline or robust sanctions
Actively Considering
Responding Shortly
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question refers to a case of a Conservative councillor in Angus who was found behind an anonymous anti-SNP Twitter account, engaging in misogynistic commentary.
Does the Minister think that it is acceptable for Scottish Conservative councillors to behave as described by the hon. Member for Wyre Forest (Mark Garnier) when he raised concerns about a senior Conservative councillor being unmasked as the author of an anonymous anti-SNP Twitter account with misogynistic commentary?
The Minister stated that she does not know the details of the case specifically but suggested looking at the recommendations in the report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life for relevant guidance.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address whether the behaviour was acceptable, instead referred to committee report
Do Not Know Details
Looking At Report
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The question concerns the behaviour of a senior Conservative councillor in Angus who was found behind an anonymous anti-SNP Twitter account.
Does the Minister think that it is acceptable for Scottish Conservative councillors to behave as described by the hon. Member for Wyre Forest (Mark Garnier) when he raised concerns about a senior Conservative councillor being unmasked as the author of an anonymous anti-SNP Twitter account with misogynistic commentary?
The Minister suggested looking at the recommendations in the report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life for relevant guidance and did not directly address whether the behaviour was acceptable.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address whether the behaviour was acceptable, instead referred to committee report
Looking At Report
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The question criticises the levelling up rhetoric versus reality of local government funding in northern areas.
Despite the language and rhetoric of levelling up, how can we have local authority funding in the north of £413 per person over 10 years and spending of just £32 per person and it be classed as levelling up? The Secretary of State is getting a reputation for himself in the Wirral for closing down, laying off, and hollowing out with libraries, leisure centres and public sector workers facing the chop. At what stage does he intend to get a grip and level up local government finances?
The hon. Gentleman will know that the provisional local government settlement was published, showing a significant increase in core spending power.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address issues of funding disparity and service cuts, instead referenced settlement publication
Referenced Settlement
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The question concerns the collapse of an energy company in which Warrington Borough Council invested £50 million.
Last week, the energy company in which Warrington Borough Council bought a 50% stake collapsed. My constituents are rightly concerned that £50 million of public money was invested in a loss-making company. Will the Minister meet me to look at what steps we can take to protect local services and what lessons we can learn from governance in local authorities.
The Minister responded with a simple 'Yes.' without elaborating on specifics or timelines.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide details on steps for protecting local services or learning from governance issues
Simple Yes
Response accuracy