Declarations of Interest – guidance for Members

 

(1)     Members must consider their interests, and act according to the following:

 

Type of Interest

You must

Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

Disclose the interest, not participate in the discussion or vote, and leave the meeting unless you have a dispensation.

Other Registrable Interests (Directly Related)

OR

Non-Registrable Interests (Directly Related)

Disclose the interest; speak on the item only if the public are also allowed to speak, but otherwise not participate in the discussion or vote, and leave the meeting unless you have a dispensation.

Other Registrable Interests (Affects)

OR

Non-Registrable Interests (Affects)

Disclose the interest; remain in the meeting, participate and vote unless the matter affects the financial interest or well-being:

(a) to a greater extent than it affects the financial interest or well-being of a majority of inhabitants of the affected ward; and

(b) a reasonable member of the public knowing all the facts would believe that it would affect your view of the wider public interest.

In which case, speak on the item only if the public are also allowed to speak, but otherwise do not participate in the discussion or vote, and leave the meeting unless you have a dispensation.

 

(2)     Disclosable pecuniary interests relate to the Member concerned or their spouse/partner.

 

(3)     Members in arrears of Council Tax by more than two months must not vote in decisions on, or which might affect, budget calculations, and must disclose at the meeting that this restriction applies to them. A failure to comply with these requirements is a criminal offence under section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.