Councillors' declaration of interests

Overview

Councillors must register and declare any interests that could cause a conflict of interest or that could influence their actions as Elected Members of the Council. They must do this within 28 days of either:

  • their election or appointment to office
  • becoming aware of any new interest

Viewing councillors' declared interests

Councillors must provide information to be put onto a Register of Interests. This is a public document that demonstrates openness and a willingness to be held to account.

The information they provide is published on these web pages, see councillors' declared interests.

Gifts and hospitality

Councillors must also declare gifts and hospitality see declaring gifts and hospitality.

What needs to be declared

Councillors must register and declare any interests that could cause a conflict of interest or that could influence their actions as Elected Members of the Council.

Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

They must declare the following, known as 'Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI): 

  • business and financial interests
  • contracts
  • land and property they own
  • licences
  • tenancies
  • securities
  • sponsorship

Personal interests

They must also declare interests which they are not paid to do for example, volunteering or being part of a group.

Councillors must follow the Member's Code of Conduct (see the Council Constitution), and the Seven Principles of Public Life.

One of these is the principle of integrity:

'Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties'.

What must be declared

Interests that must be declared include (but are not limited to):

  • Business interests, such as employment, trade, profession, contracts, and companies they are associated with.
  • Financial interests, such as trust funds, investments and assets including property and land.
  • Membership of organisations, including those they have been appointed to by the Council, even if they are not paid. This is because this type of interest could cause a conflict of interest.
  • Membership of Trade Unions.
  • Membership of external committees or boards.

Spouses and civil partners

Councillors must also declare the interests of their spouses or civil partners.

This is so the public can have confidence that councillors are putting the public interest first, and that they are not benefiting financially for themselves or their partner.

Declaring an interest at Council meetings

Councillors must declare interests when attending Council meetings, even if their interest is on the Register of Interests.

Where a matter at a meeting directly relates to a Councillor's interest, the councillor must disclose the interest:

  • at the beginning of the meeting, before the matter is discussed, or
  • during the meeting, whenever it becomes apparent that they have an interest

The minutes of the meeting must record the nature of the interest, the reason the interest arose, and the action taken by the Councillor.

Declaring a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (DPI)

If a councillor has declared a DPI, then they:

  • can't take part in the discussion for that item
  • can't vote on that item, and
  • must leave the room whilst the item is being discussed.

In some cases, they may be given permission to stay in the meeting despite having a DPI from the Council's Standards Committee.

This is known as a 'dispensation'.  

If a councillor has a DPI but they fail to declare or register the DPI, it is a criminal offence be involved in the discussion and / or vote on the matter, without first being given a dispensation.

If a councillor has a dispensation, they must declare that at the meeting too.

Declaring personal interests

If a councillor declares a personal (or non-pecuniary) interest, they can be involved in the discussion and / or vote on the matter that relates to their personal interest.

Councillors may favour a particular position but must always consider any matter with an open mind.

Making decisions with an open mind

Councillors must consider matters with an open mind, based on the facts made available at the meeting where the decision is taken.

They must not consider matters with a closed mind, either through bias, or because they have already made up their mind about the matter (known as 'pre-determination').

To take part in a discussion and decision with a closed mind would put the Council at risk of maladministration and / or legal proceedings.

If a councillor feels that they are biased or predetermined, they should declare an interest and this should be recorded in the minutes, and they should not be involved in the discussion and vote.

View councillors' declared interests

Councillors must complete a form to declare their interests.

The information they provide is published on these web pages.