Local Government Commissioner for Standards - NI

The Commissioner examines allegations that councillors have breached the NI Local Government Code of Conduct.

[Local Government Commissioner for Standards - NI @LGCS_NI]

Councillor Colin Kennedy (Ards and North Down Borough Council) has been suspended for 3 months following an Adjudication Hearing held today.

https://t.co/zcvLvsvgfq

[Local Government Commissioner for Standards - NI @LGCS_NI]

Councillor Gary Hynds (Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council) has been given a one month suspension following an Adjudication Hearing held today.

https://t.co/7YQEXLg9Cc

[Local Government Commissioner for Standards - NI @LGCS_NI]

Alderman Linda Clarke (Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council) has been suspended from her position as councillor for 3 months following an Adjudication Hearing held this morning.

https://t.co/7nordtF12p

[Local Government Commissioner for Standards - NI @LGCS_NI]

Councillor suspended for 2 months following Adjudication Hearing.

https://t.co/yYVqgXBrlx

[Local Government Commissioner for Standards - NI @LGCS_NI]

For the Commissioner's full written decision on this case, see:
https://t.co/7uAvM3Wd1d

[BBC News NI @BBCNewsNI]

Poots review prompts planning committee rule changes
https://t.co/I8bjFaa6sO

[Local Government Commissioner for Standards - NI @LGCS_NI]

The Code of Conduct is 10 years old!

It came into effect on 28 May 2014, and established principles and rules for all councillors in Northern Ireland to follow.

Find out more at:
https://t.co/geJOMiT4Rz

[Local Government Commissioner for Standards - NI @LGCS_NI]

The Councillor's Code of Conduct is based on 12 principles which are intended to promote the highest possible standards of behaviour.

Read about the Code at: https://t.co/lEzpKxXcOa

[Local Government Commissioner for Standards - NI @LGCS_NI]

Former councillor William Walker (Newry, Mourne and Down District Council) has been disqualified from holding the office of councillor for 5 years following an Adjudication Hearing held today.

For further details see:
https://t.co/EnUxZOMgnp

[Local Government Commissioner for Standards - NI @LGCS_NI]

The Councillor's Code of Conduct is based on 12 principles which are intended to promote the highest possible standards of behaviour.

https://t.co/axWe6bW7nj

[Local Government Commissioner for Standards - NI @LGCS_NI]

The Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 introduced a mandatory Code of Conduct for Councillors.

It created mechanisms for the investigation and adjudication of complaints about alleged breaches.

Read the Code and the Commissioner's Guidance at: https://t.co/4xSARmcb5T

[Local Government Commissioner for Standards - NI @LGCS_NI]

We investigate alleged breaches of the Northern Ireland Local Government Code of Conduct for Councillors.

Through our work we aim to promote and encourage high ethical standards in local government.

https://t.co/axWe6bW7nj

#councillor
#localgovernment
#Standards

[Local Government Commissioner for Standards - NI @LGCS_NI]

Former councillor Patrick Brown has been censured after accepting he breached the Local Government Code of Conduct for Councillors while a member of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.

Read the Commissioner's full Decision Notice at:
https://t.co/SFF59WoG3h

[Local Government Commissioner for Standards - NI @LGCS_NI]

Former councillor Luke Poots (Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council) has been disqualified from holding the office of councillor for 4 years following an Adjudication Hearing held today.

https://t.co/7uAvM3Wd1d

[Local Government Commissioner for Standards - NI @LGCS_NI]

Councillor Padraig McShane (Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council) has been suspended for two months following an Adjudication Hearing held today (3 March).

Read more at: https://t.co/eT1pWF1gWM

[Local Government Commissioner for Standards - NI @LGCS_NI]

Former Councillor Jolene Bunting has been disqualified from holding the office of councillor for 3 years following an Adjudication Hearing held today.

https://t.co/xnag8Cd4tz

[Local Government Commissioner for Standards - NI @LGCS_NI]

Congratulations to Sean Martin, our new Deputy Commissioner for Local Government Standards!

The Deputy Commissioner plays a key role in investigating complaints about alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct for Councillors.

Sean also becomes the new Deputy Ombudsman for NIPSO.

[Local Government Commissioner for Standards - NI @LGCS_NI]

This is a really interesting initiative from @LGAcomms. The toolkit has some very useful resources that councillors and councils can get involved with, including social media assets, posters and template letters for councils and councillors
#standards #ethics #codeofconduct

[Local Government Association (LGA) @LGAcomms]

The intimidation & abuse of councillors and officers undermines democracy.

Today we’ve launched our new #DebateNotHate campaign toolkit aimed at engaging councils & cllrs with suggested actions & resources to push for change and raise awareness ⤵️
https://t.co/w7nHUzznq6

[Local Government Commissioner for Standards - NI @LGCS_NI]

At an Adjudication Hearing held yesterday (28 November) former Councillor Ruth Wilson (Mid and East Antrim Borough Council) acknowledged that a comment she made on Facebook was a breach of the Local Government Code of Conduct for Councillors.

Read more: https://t.co/J0CeXB2e0Q

[Local Government Commissioner for Standards - NI @LGCS_NI]

The Principles and the Rules are integral and complementary elements of the Code; you must observe both. Failure to comply with one or more of the Rules is very likely to result in you also failing to meet the standards of conduct required by one or more of the Principles.

[Local Government Commissioner for Standards - NI @LGCS_NI]

You are required to declare any pecuniary interest, direct or indirect, that you may have in any matter coming before any meeting of your council. Such interests will be recorded in the register kept by your council for this purpose.

https://t.co/Q62ybI6RAZ