Prior to 2000 a local government officer or councillor in the United Kingdom, who had unlawfully spent public funds, or caused loss to a local authority through misconduct could be surcharged to recover public money.
In the case of an illegal corporate decision by an elected body, all the councillors could be surcharged.
The Committee on Standards in Public Life recommended repealing surcharge because it was unfair for local government officers and councillors, and "bore no relation to people's ability to pay or their culpability".
Instead they would be subject to normal sanctions determined by the Standards Board and Adjudication Panel.
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