Councillors' declaration of interests

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.