Declarations of Interest
Members to indicate whether they will be declaring any interests under the Code of Conduct.
Members making a declaration of interest at a meeting of a Committee or Council are required to disclose the existence and nature of that interest. This requirement is not discharged by merely declaring a personal interest without further explanation.
In relation to prejudicial interests and setting the Council’s annual budget, Members are advised that they have the benefit of an exemption regarding prejudicial interest under paragraph 10(2)(c)(vi) of the Members’ Code of Conduct. This provides that a Member does not have a prejudicial interest in any business of the authority where that business relates to the functions of and I quote “setting the Council Tax or a precept under the Local Government Finance Act 1992”.
Guidance from the Standards Board is that the exemption covers Members for most Council budget-setting meetings which do not actually involve a decision to consider whether to hand over money, usually in the form of grants, for organisations that form one or more of the Member’s personal interests and for which specific budgetary provision has been made, or is being made.
Therefore, in relation to Members who are on outside bodies, Members are advised that just setting aside money in an annual budget for an organisation is a function that relates to setting Council Tax and so qualifies for the exemption.
No Member has a prejudicial interest in motions, which call on Members to adopt the budget with details, which are set out in an officer report. These general motions are clearly part of the Council Tax-setting process.
Minutes:
The Chairman sought declarations of interest from Members. Attention was drawn to the additional advice, which had been provided by Standards for England in relation to prejudicial interests and setting the Council’s annual budget.
Councillor Arnold declared a personal interest in item 8(1) Motions on Notice Submitted Pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 11 (Part 4) of the Council Constitution as he works in the forestry industry.
Declarations of Interest
Members to indicate whether they will be declaring any interests under the Code of Conduct.
Members making a declaration of interest at a meeting of a Committee or Council are required to disclose the existence and nature of that interest. This requirement is not discharged by merely declaring a personal interest without further explanation.
In relation to prejudicial interests and setting the Council’s annual budget, Members are advised that they have the benefit of an exemption regarding prejudicial interest under paragraph 10(2)(c)(vi) of the Members’ Code of Conduct. This provides that a Member does not have a prejudicial interest in any business of the authority where that business relates to the functions of and I quote “setting the Council Tax or a precept under the Local Government Finance Act 1992”.
Guidance from the Standards Board is that the exemption covers Members for most Council budget-setting meetings which do not actually involve a decision to consider whether to hand over money, usually in the form of grants, for organisations that form one or more of the Member’s personal interests and for which specific budgetary provision has been made, or is being made.
Therefore, in relation to Members who are on outside bodies, Members are advised that just setting aside money in an annual budget for an organisation is a function that relates to setting Council Tax and so qualifies for the exemption.
No Member has a prejudicial interest in motions, which call on Members to adopt the budget with details, which are set out in an officer report. These general motions are clearly part of the Council Tax-setting process.
Minutes:
The Chairman sought declarations of interest from Members. Attention was drawn to the additional advice, which had been provided in relation to prejudicial interests and setting the Council’s annual budget.
There were no declarations of interest received.