Meeting of the Parliament

Meeting date: Thursday, February 28, 2019

Official Report 1019KB pdf

Standards Commission for Scotland (Appointment of Member)

The next item of business is consideration of motion S5M-16009, in the name of Andy Wightman, on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, on the appointment of a member of the Standards Commission for Scotland.

As a member of the corporate body appointment panel, I invite members of the Parliament to agree to the appointment of Ashleigh Dunn as a member of the Standards Commission for Scotland.

The corporate body supports six independent officeholders and one of our statutory duties relates to appointing, with the agreement of the Parliament, some of the officeholders. This particular appointment relates to the Standards Commission for Scotland.

The Standards Commission’s role is to encourage high ethical standards in public life by promoting and enforcing the codes of conduct for councillors and members of devolved public bodies. It issues guidance to councils and public bodies and adjudicates on alleged contraventions of the codes referred to it by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland. The commission has a convener and four members, all of whom are part-time.

Our nominee, Ashleigh Dunn, has a wealth of experience in public service, specialising in organisational and leadership development, and has over 20 years of experience in national health service management across the United Kingdom.

We believe that Ashleigh will bring to the post professionalism, fairness and a strong commitment to ensuring that high standards of conduct in public life are maintained. I am sure that the Parliament will want to wish her every success in her new role.

I move,

That the Parliament agrees, under section 8 of the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000, to appoint Ashleigh Dunn as a Member of the Standards Commission for Scotland.

Thank you. The question on the motion will be put at decision time.