5.4 Code of Conduct for Councillors

The Code of Conduct for Councillors (Scottish Government, 2021) outlines the conduct expected of councillors. You will need to comply with the ethical standards outlined in the Code should you be elected.

Areas covered by the Code include the following:

• General conduct: Councillors must behave respectfully towards everyone, including fellow councillors and employees of their local authority, when they are acting in the capacity of a councillor. The Code makes it clear that bullying and harassment are not acceptable.
• Gifts and hospitality: Councillors are permitted to accept gifts or hospitality only in very limited circumstances. This is to stop people or organisations from giving them gifts or offering hospitality to try to influence the decisions they make.
• Confidentiality: Councillors are often told things in confidence or given information that is not to be made public at that time. They must keep such information confidential, even if they think it should be made public.
• Registration of interests: Councillors must declare and register relevant financial and non-financial interests to ensure openness and transparency, and to prevent conflicts of interest.
• Declaration of interests: Councillors may have connections to matters being discussed by their council through their relationships with other people and organisations. Any conflicts of interest should be declared publicly. Councillors must not take part in discussing or deciding on a matter where an interest they have could be seen to influence them.
• Lobbying: Councillors might be lobbied by people with a particular interest; there are rules about how councillors should deal with anyone who attempts this.
• Quasi-judicial and regulatory decision-making: An outline of what councillors can and cannot do when making decisions on quasi-judicial and regulatory matters, such as planning and licensing applications.

If elected, you will receive advice and training on how to comply with the Code of Conduct for Councillors. It will be important that you quickly become familiar with your obligations.

Civility in public life

COSLA has spoken out on the rising abuse, intimidation and misinformation that councillors face, often amplified on social media, that are undermining local democracy. Robust debate is vital, but when discourse becomes threatening or toxic, it damages democracy and deters capable people from serving their communities (COSLA, 2025).

The Jo Cox Foundation urges candidates to commit to a civility pledge, which means:

• using a civil tone
• acting with integrity and compassion
• treating others respectfully.

This helps create a healthier political environment where diverse voices feel safe to participate.

If you choose to stand for election, we would encourage you to take the pledge. Details about the civility pledge can be found on The Jo Cox Foundation’s website (n.d.).