To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the cost was of the investigation of the Standards Board for England relating to six councillors on the Isle of Wight in respect of (a) the tribunal hearing and (b) all other costs. (315800)

Following the transfer of the administration of the First-tier Tribunal (Local Government Standards in England) to the Tribunals Service last year, costs related to tribunal proceedings are a matter for the Ministry of Justice.

The cost to the Standards Board of the investigation into the six cases and presentation of four of the cases at tribunal, which led to all four councillors being found in breach of the councillors’ code of conduct and the tribunal imposing sanctions ranging from censure to a two year suspension, is estimated at £328,000.