A TOUGH new code of conduct is to be introduced for local councillors in an effort to wipe out sleaze in town halls.

The Government's decision comes after claims of corruption in Glasgow, Paisley and Doncaster, and also after the 'homes for votes' scandal in Westminster.

It was welcomed by Oxfordshire County Council's chief executive John Harwood.

He said: "Any falling from perfection is unacceptable. I don't have any problem with an official code of conduct."

Corruption was unusual in local government in Britain, he added, although there had been some highly publicised examples.

Dr Hilary Armstrong, the local government minister, said an independent Standards Board would in future investigate all but the most trivial allegations of malpractice and wrong-doing.

She said the great majority of councillors and council officers were honest but some examples of poor behaviour and corruption had weakened confidence in local government. "This is damaging to the fabric of local democracy," she added.

Sir Jeremy Beecham, chairman of the Local Government Association, said 20,000 councillors and two million council staff delivered public services to the highest standard daily.

He added: "I welcome these moves to give powers to councils to adopt local codes and for robust and independent investigation of complaints.

Misconduct is rare, but no misconduct should be tolerated."

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