Poor and inappropriate behaviour in local government is widespread and worsening, with 92% of council chief executives and senior officers saying they have experienced it in the past three years, according to a new survey by Solace.

The findings, from Solace's 2026 Leading in a Political Environment Survey, reveal that problems most commonly occur between councillors and officers (71%) and between councillors and their fellow members (63%).

More than half of respondents say standards among councillors are deteriorating, while 70% report worsening behaviour from members of the public.

The impact on staff is severe. Eight in 10 respondents say they feel some level of personal risk in carrying out their role, 45% have considered leaving or have already done so, and 23% say they have become less effective as a result.

Solace is calling on the Government to urgently introduce a legally binding standards regime with meaningful sanctions – a measure backed by 69% of survey respondents.

The organisation expressed frustration that relevant legislative measures were absent from the most recent King's Speech.

Solace President Robin Tuddenham warned that without meaningful consequences, poor behaviour risks becoming normalised, undermining trust, accountability and the effective functioning of local democracy.

‘The Government must now move at pace to deliver a strengthened, legally binding standards regime with real sanctions. The sector cannot afford further delay – restoring trust, accountability and professionalism is essential to the effective functioning of local democracy,’ he said.

Solace Chair, and Chair of Solace’s Commission on Professional Standards and Ethics, Kath O’Dwyer added: ‘Senior officers are telling us loud and clear that standards are deteriorating, behaviour is worsening, and current mechanisms are not strong enough to address it.

‘This is affecting people’s safety, wellbeing and ability to do their jobs. Local government should be a place where respectful, professional relationships enable the delivery of the best outcomes for communities. These findings show that too often this is not the reality for the many who work in the sector.’

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