Issue - meetings

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

The Chairman reminded Cabinet members that they were meeting today as members of the Cabinet and that it would be inappropriate for them to raise any local ward issues in relation to the Local Plan; an opportunity to raise such issues would be available at the Council meeting on 26^th February.

Prior to Members declaring their interests, and specifically in relation to the item on the Local Plan, the Chairman read out a statement which stated that:

It was noted, for the record, that Members had those interests in property in the administrative area of the Council as recorded on the register of interests.

It was further noted for the record that Members may:-

a)    be a Member of a Town or Parish Council

b)    be a School Governor

c)    be a member of an external organisation or amenity group such as the National Trust or The Ramblers Association.

d)    have previously been involved in or expressed a view on the preparation of the Local Plan

e)    be a Director of a Council owned company or have been appointed by the Council to a role in an external organisation

f)     be involved in decisions about land in their role as a Member of the Council or in any of the “wider public life” roles that Members routinely undertake.

Notwithstanding that this may be the case in respect of any Members that were present, and save for any specific declarations which were invited, a standing declaration was given on behalf of those Members present that:-

1.    They do not have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in the local plan strategy; and, 

2.    they approach the debate and vote on the local plan strategy with an open mind.                                                                       

Members were invited, if they did in fact consider themselves to have a disclosable pecuniary interest and/or if they felt they were unable to approach the debate and vote on the local plan with an open mind, to declare that to the meeting.

No declarations were made.