Issue - meetings

A member with a personal interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered must disclose to that meeting the existence and nature of that interest at the commencement of that consideration, or when the interest becomes apparent.

A member with a personal interest in a matter also has a prejudicial interest in that matter if the interest is one which a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts would reasonably regard as so significant that it is likely to prejudice the member’s judgement of the public interest and if this interest affects their financial position or the financial position of a person or body as described in paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct and/or if it relates to the determining of any approval, consent, licence, permission or registration in relation to them or any person or body described in paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct.

Cllr Hare raised a concern that, while the local authority’s planning function was non-political, the application and the s106 changes had been presented by officers at a meeting to which Liberal Democrat Members, including those sitting on the Planning Sub Committee, had not been invited. This meant that Liberal Democrat Members had only a very short time to consider the paperwork for such a significant application; it was felt that this was not good practice and it was hoped that this did not set a precedent, as all Members should receive the necessary support from officers to enable them to carry out their duties.

Allan Ledden, Legal, advised that all Members must come to their determination with an open mind, and that where reports on this issue had been considered elsewhere, this was always on the understanding that discretion ultimately lay with the Planning Sub Committee. Officers confirmed that all Members had been briefed; Cllr Schmitz stated that for such a large report Members would have welcomed longer to consider the paperwork.

Cllr Demirci declared a personal interest as a supporter and former employee of the club (in the capacity of match day steward). His employment with the club had ended in April 2011 and he was not a season ticket holder. Cllr Demirci declared that he was able to come to this determination with an open mind.