Wales has signed off changes to how councils run their standards committees and member conduct, with the new rules taking effect on 5 January 2026. The Local Government (Standards Committees and Member Conduct) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2025 were made by Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government Jayne Bryant.

“All of us in public life must demonstrate the highest standards of behaviour and respect,” reads Welsh Government guidance that paved the way for these reforms. The sentiment is now backed by tighter rules on who can sit in judgment when complaints arise.

The headline change is a cooling‑off period for former councillors before they can become independent members of a standards committee. Ex‑members who previously held a senior, cabinet or executive post must wait five years; other former members face a two‑year wait.

Corporate Joint Committees are brought into line. A former senior figure from a constituent authority must wait five years before joining a CJC standards committee, while other former members face a two‑year pause before serving.

Former officers aren’t exempt. Anyone who held a politically restricted post, or served as a registration officer, must wait two years before joining the same authority’s standards committee; equivalent rules apply for CJCs. The definitions follow the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the Representation of the People Act 1983.

The Member Conduct Principles and the Model Code are updated so that equality and respect explicitly reference protected characteristics and socio‑economic circumstances. “Protected characteristics” tracks section 4 of the Equality Act 2010; adding socio‑economic circumstances signals a wider duty of respect in local government settings.

For councils, the immediate jobs are practical: refresh recruitment plans for independent members, update induction and equalities training, and check committee terms of reference against the amended Code. Co‑opted and lay members’ fees remain set nationally; current rates range roughly from £26.25 to £33.50 per hour depending on role.

Residents should see a more independent and confident standards system. An independent review last year found the Ombudsman’s code‑of‑conduct decision‑making to be “appropriate, fair and free from political bias”, a point the office said should give the public “trust and confidence”.

From Wrexham and Flintshire across to Gwynedd-and in cross‑border work with Cheshire and Merseyside-these rules tighten who can judge misconduct and what respect looks like in council chambers. In England, debate on tougher sanctions is live too, with proposals circulating to allow suspensions for serious breaches.

The instrument was made on 19 November 2025, laid before the Senedd on 21 November and comes into force on 5 January 2026. Councils now have a clear window to align their procedures and training before the new year.