Councillors' declarations of interests

By law councillors have to declare certain interests they may have.

These declarations include any land or buildings they own in the District, any shares (over a certain limit) in companies and the name of any employer. Councillors have to declare these in a Register of Interests. This Register may be viewed by members of the public.

Councillors also have to declare interests at meetings, when any matter is under discussion that they have an interest in. These declarations are included in the minutes of the meeting. There are two types of interest, personal interests and personal and prejudicial interests. Once a Councillor has declared a personal interest, he/she is entitled to remain in the meeting and join in the debate and vote. However if a Councillor declares a personal and prejudicial interest he/she cannot take part in the debate or the vote and must leave the Chamber for that item. There is one limited exception; if a member of the public can address a meeting then so can the Councillor (by means of the 3 minute public speaking facility), but he/she must leave the Chamber once he/she has spoken.