Issue - meetings

To consider an application for dispensation from seven Members of Rostherne Parish Council. 

The Committee was invited to determine an application submitted by seven Members of Rostherne Parish Council for a dispensation which, if granted, would enable them to take part in debates and vote upon matters relating to the Tatton Estate, of which they were all tenants.  

In accordance with the Code of Conduct and in the absence of any dispensation, Parish Councillors would be required to declare a personal and prejudicial/pecuniary interest in any application/issue before the Parish Council, which would render the Council inquorate, unable to perform its role as a statutory consultee to the planning applications and would prevent the Parish Council from representing the views of its residents.

It was reported that the Parish Council had last applied for a dispensation in 2009, which was granted by the Committee at its meeting on 21 September; remaining in force ‘until the next elections’ which had taken place in May 2011.  As no further request had been received or granted prior to the expiry date, no dispensation was currently in force.        

A copy of the Standards for England Dispensation guidance was attached to the report for information.  Members noted that the applicants had no right of appeal against the decision of the Committee and that, if members were minded to support the application, a reasonable time limit should be applied. 

RESOLVED: That

i) a dispensation be granted to the members of Rostherne Parish Council named in the report i.e.

Edward Ernest Wakefield    Thelma Horobin                     Julie Owen

Edward Blockley                   Dominic M Fenton                Akhim Eugene Fahey

Joseph Gate 

those Members to be permitted to speak and vote thereon on matters concerning the Tatton Estate; and i) the dispensation to remain in force until the next parish elections due to take place on 7 May 2015.