Petition Give Principal Authorities more powers to Discipline Councillors

We the undersigned, call on the government to reinstate the power to suspend Councillors who are found guilty of Breaching the Code of Conduct.

With the abolition of Standards for England, Local Government has become virtually unregulated as all Councillors know in the event of breaking the rules they can only be reprimanded or removed from committees.

As a Council Employee I am saddened that myself and colleagues are governed by strict disciplinary codes which if breached could see us dismissed, but Councillors have a free hand to behave as they please.

The system is inequitable and goes against Democracy, as local standards bodies are toothless tigers who at best can hand out a slap on the wrist.

I therefore call on the government to grant additional power to suspend Councillors found guilty of misconduct, to the Principal Authorities.