Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Local Government Transparency

Monday 22 January 2024 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Steps are always being taken to improve transparency in local government.
  • The local government accountability framework mandates the publication of certain information such as spending details.
  • Council leaders should be aware of existing disqualification criteria for councillors with certain criminal backgrounds.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Simon Jupp
Standards & Ethics Local Government
Context

No specific incident or statistic provided. The question is general about promoting transparency in local governance.

Question

What steps he is taking to promote transparency in local government. Steps are always being taken to improve transparency.

Answer from Simon Hoare

Steps are always being taken to improve transparency. The local government accountability framework and transparency code sets standards for transparency; it mandates the publication of certain information, such as spend. The Office for Local Government will promote transparency further by providing authoritative local government performance data on the local authority data explorer.

Partly answered

How: Steps Are Always Being Taken To Improve Transparency.

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Q2 Simon Jupp
Standards & Ethics
Context

Concerns about the lack of transparency in local council roles, particularly regarding previous criminal convictions that should be disclosed.

Question

Being a cabinet member in a local council should require the highest level of transparency. However, I fear that is not always the case when relevant previous criminal and custodial convictions remain hidden. What advice would my hon. Friend give council leaders about how to ensure cabinet members are fully transparent about their previous convictions where relevant to their role as a cabinet member?

Answer from Simon Hoare

My hon. Friend raises an important question. At the time of appointment, all council leaders should be aware of existing disqualification criteria barring councillors who have been given a custodial sentence of three months or more, or who are registered sex offenders. If the council leader is not aware, those people who are due to be appointed should make their group leader aware of those circumstances. They have a legal obligation to declare as election candidates—this is an important issue. The Nolan principles are there for a reason: to maintain transparency and standards. If my hon. Friend wishes to write to me with the details of the case he has mentioned, I would be happy to receive his submission.

Partly answered

How: My Hon. Friend Raises An Important Question.

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