Committee on Standards in Public Life: review on the role of leadership in embedding the Principles of Public Life in public sector organisations

[ResisterRex]

This is from a couple of weeks ago but might be of interest.

Letter to the PM:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachmentdata/file/1058857/2022-02-222LeadinginnPracticerevieww-letterrtoNo.100_.pdf

" we would also explore how organisations can best support public servants in upholding the Principles of Public Life as they go about their work on the public’s behalf.
Our next review will therefore consider how a public service ethos is upheld in organisations and examine the role of leadership at all levels in embedding the Seven Principles of Public Life in public sector organisations. The Committee will take evidence from leaders across the public sector. We will also look at good practice in the private and third sectors to see if this can usefully be applied in the public sector, and by companies and charities providing services paid for by the taxpayer."

Terms of reference:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachmentdata/file/1058872/LeadingginPracticeeTermsoffReferencefinal.docx

This review intends to:

1. Examine the role of leadership at all levels of an organisation in understanding, developing and sustaining a commitment to the Principles of Public Life;

1. Identify examples of how the Principles of Public Life are upheld in public sector organisations and how obstacles have been overcome on the path to implementing good practice;

1. Identify the characteristics of organisations that facilitate public office holders acting in line with the Principles of Public Life;

1. Consider whether there are mechanisms and practices used for embedding principles in the private and third sectors that can usefully be applied in the public sector, and by companies and charities providing services paid for by the taxpayer.

More here:

www.gov.uk/government/organisations/the-committee-on-standards-in-public-life

They seem to be calling for best practice examples only.

They need to ask for breaches - we could refer the DfE, the MoJ, the NHS and countless other institutions taking the Stonewall bribes and awards while removing safeguarding from women and children.

Hmm not sure if this is a good thing or not I guess it depends on who is involved. Will have to read up on the panel

Sex Matters were calling for them to hold an inquiry:

sex-matters.org/take-action/take-action-archive/sign-our-letter/
"The Committee on Standards in Public Life, uniquely and unquestionably, has a remit and responsibility to take this up. We urge you to speak up and to call for leaders of institutions to refocus on building cultures that enable selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership, not identity politics. We call the Committee to open an inquiry into the political erasure of sex in the UK."

Is this another way of coming at it? I agree about other types of examples - they'd be deluged. But if they do it this way round and get hardly anything, does that say something in itself or mean they have to change tack?

I'm unsure what to think about it.

Given how freely Stonewall hand out hospitality and awards I'd think it would be straightforward to identify breaches of the Nolan principles - these are effectively bribes.
However when institutions pay Stonewall for their schemes and then have to prove how they're removed safeguarding, force women to share changing rooms / showers etc with born males in order to get champion status I'm not sure that that's bribery or breaching integrity? The institution have willingly entered into a contract and although they're openly disadvantaging certain protected groups - women, disabled, religious groups, often children, does paying for it make a difference?
It's obviously institutional stupidity and very dangerous for all but the sacred caste (as is currently being exposed). Needs some thinking about.