Agenda item - Declarations of Interest

(a)         Disclosable of pecuniary interests not registered on the register of interests;

(b)         Any other interests required to be registered under the local code;

(c)         Any other general interest as a result of which a decision on the matter might reasonably be regarded as affecting you or a partner more than a majority of other people or businesses in the ward/s affected by the decision.

In each case, you need to declare

(i)           the item on the agenda the interest relates to;

(ii)         the nature of the interest; and

(iii)       whether it is a disclosable pecuniary interest or some other interest.

If unsure, Members should seek advice from the committee lawyer or administrator preferably before the meeting.

88.1         The Mayor noted that new regulations under the Localism Act 2011 had removed the general dispensation that enabled Members to take part in the Budget setting process without being deemed as having a prejudicial interest.  The Monitoring Officer had written to al Members to clarify this point and to enable tem to apply for dispensation, which he was authorised to grant, in order that they could take part and vote on the budget matters.  It was for each individual Member to decide whether or not to apply for such dispensation and he confirmed that applications had been made and duly authorised.

88.2         The Mayor then asked if there were any other declarations of interest in matters appearing on the agenda.

88.3         Councillor A. Norman declared a personal and non-prejudicial interest in Item 90, General Fund Revenue Budget & Council Tax 2013/14 as she was a member of the Brighton & Hove Music Trust, which was affected by the budget proposals.

88.4         Councillor Janio declared a personal and non-prejudicial interest in Item 90, General Fund Revenue Budget & Council Tax 2013/14 as his wife held a Trader’s Permit, which was affected by the budget proposals.

88.5         Councillor Powell declared a personal and non-prejudicial interest in item 90, General Fund Revenue Budget & Council Tax 2013/14 as she worked for the Friends Centre; and was an active Unison Member all of which were affected by the budget proposals.

88.6         Councillor Jones declared a personal and non-prejudicial interest in item 90, General Fund Revenue Budget & Council Tax 2013/14 as he worked for the NHS and was an active Unison Member all of which were affected by the budget proposals.

88.7         The Mayor noted that there were no other declarations of interests in matters appearing on the agenda.

88.8         Councillor G. Theobald raised a Point of Order in regard to the number of declarations made at the previous Budget Council meeting concerning trade union membership and queried whether the failure to declare at the present meeting prevented Members from taking part and voting on the items before them.

88.9         The Monitoring Officer stated that the decision to declare a personal and/or prejudicial interest was for each Member to decide on and should any Member have a concern, they could seek advice from him or his officers, however in not making such a declaration, it would not invalidate the proceedings .  He also noted that under the new regulations if a Member had listed their interest in their Register of Interests then there was no need to make such a declaration at a subsequent committee or council meeting.