Councillors' interests and planning
Response to a report in 'The Telegraph' that councillors are offering themselves for hire to property developers.
Local Government Minister Brandon Lewis said:
āThis government has increased accountability and transparency over councillorsā interests, to accompany greater power and freedoms for local councils.
āCouncils should adopt a Code of Conduct that reflects the , with councillors declaring any private interest that relate to their public duties, and councillors must take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.
āIn addition, it is now a criminal offence to fail to declare or register disclosable pecuniary interests - which includes any employment or trade carried out for profit or gain. The register of councillorsā interests must be published online by the council.
āCouncillors should act in an open and transparent way, to avoid conflicts of interest on issues such as planning applications or benefiting financially from the issuing of council contracts.ā