UK Reform

A significant shake-up of local government conduct rules is on the horizon, with the government proposing new powers for councils to suspend councillors found guilty of serious misconduct. The sweeping reforms, announced by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, aim to restore public trust in local politics by introducing more robust sanctions and a consistent national framework. Under the proposed legislation, councils and mayoral authorities across England will be empowered to suspend councillors for up to six months for serious breaches of conduct. Furthermore, local authorities will gain the ability to reclaim taxpayer-funded allowances from individuals found to have violated mandatory codes of conduct. These changes are a direct response to growing concerns about the inconsistency in enforcing councillor conduct rules and the perceived lack of meaningful consequences for serious infractions. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities highli...