Given that there has been criticism, implied or specific, of the conduct of Richmond Council Elected Councillors and Officers on EastSheenMatters, it seems opportune to revisit the standards which apply to everyone holding public office.

Interestingly the Government launched a newly named Ethics and Integrity Commission in October 2025, which effectively restated the Nolan Principles (established in 1995) and more recently known as the Seven Principles of Public Life. Local discussion suggests they have been forgotten, perhaps in an international wave of false facts and misreporting! Presumably someone in government thought there needed to be a reminder.

1. The Seven Principles of Public Life

The Seven Principles of Public Life (also known as the Nolan Principles) apply to anyone who works as a public office-holder. This includes all those who are elected or appointed to public office, nationally and locally, and all people appointed to work in the Civil Service, local government, the police, courts and probation services, non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs), and in the health, education, social and care services. All public office-holders are both servants of the public and stewards of public resources. The principles also apply to all those in other sectors delivering public services.

1.1 Selflessness

Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.

1.2 Integrity

Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

1.3 Objectivity

Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

1.4 Accountability

Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

1.5 Openness

Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.

1.6 Honesty

Holders of public office should be truthful.

1.7 Leadership

Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour and treat others with respect. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

Various aspects of conduct of the local authority give rise to doubt whether the principles of objectivity and openness have been adhered to in relation to

i) the Stag Brewery development, in particular the failure to investigate the false letters posted in support of the planning applications; SEE

ii) the termination of the Pensford Field lease, where secret meetings were held; SEE

iii) the Livingstone Academy and the decision of the Council Leader, the Chair of the Education Committee and the local MP, all of whom signed a (still undisclosed) letter to the Department for Education which was contrary to the evidence. SEE

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And perhaps worst of all two senior Council Officers were put in an impossible position when asked in a public meeting about the letter and said they had no answer. On the face of it that appeared to breach at least six of the seven principles!

But you be the judge: all the evidence is there to consider. Just don’t expect a response from the Council, who do not appear to enjoy public debate.