A member with a disclosable pecuniary interest or a prejudicial interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered:
(i) must disclose the interest at the start of the meeting or when the interest becomes apparent, and
(ii) may not participate in any discussion or vote on the matter and must withdraw from the meeting room.
A member who discloses at a meeting a disclosable pecuniary interest which is not registered in the Register of Members’ Interests or the subject of a pending notification must notify the Monitoring Officer of the interest within 28 days of the disclosure.
Disclosable pecuniary interests, personal interests and prejudicial interests are defined at Paragraphs 5-7 and Appendix A of the Members’ Code of Conduct.
Minutes:
Councillor Rahman-Khan declared a personal interest in Item 14 – Motion C as a family member working full time received tax credits.
The Chief Whip sought guidance from the Head of Legal Services and Monitoring officer in respect of deputation request from the Pinkham Way Alliance, and any issues for Members in respect of being members of the Council’s Planning Sub-Committee, or the North London Waste Authority (NLWA).
Mr Ryan advised the meeting that in noting the deputation from the Pinkham Way Alliance at Agenda item 9 and the more broad debate on Waste under the Haringey debate at Agenda item 11, in his capacity as Monitoring Officer he was giving advice to members on interests so that members may be clear on their ability to participate in the debate and not say anything to prejudice themselves from participation in future decisions in respect of waste disposal, in particular planning applications.
Mr Ryan advised that it was important to be aware that the Haringey debate was not a decision-making matter but rather an opportunity for a general exchange of views on issues of importance to the Council. In these circumstances a broad range of views may be exchanged and it was possible that there would be at least passing reference to planning applications in relation to waste disposal in the borough, a matter upon which decisions would be made by planning members in the future. Similar comments applied to the deputation.
Mr Ryan commented that in respect of the current members of the Planning Sub-Committee, or those trained to be substitutes, may be required at a future point to determine planning applications regarding waste disposal in the borough but that this would notprejudice them from participating in these items. Nevertheless those members needed to be careful not to express views which demonstrated a closed mind upon the subject as that may be regarded as amounting to predetermination of any question which would come forward for decision in the future. Other members who were not currently members of the Planning Sub-Committee, but may be in future years, might also wish to take account of this to safeguard their position should they be required to participate in future planning decisions relating to waste disposal in the borough.
Mr Ryan further advised that Members of the NLWA may wish to declare a personal interest in both items arising from their membership of that authority. Under the current code of conduct there was no requirement to declare personal interests, but members may do so if they wished
Mr Ryan concluded that he hoped that the advice would assist members to participate appropriately in the debate.
Councillor Dogus declared a personal interest in Item 9 – Deputation from the Pinkham Way Alliance, and Item 11 – Haringey Debate as resident close to the area of Pinkham Way.
Councillor Meehan declared a personal interest in Item 9 - Deputation from the Pinkham Way Alliance, and Item 11 – Haringey Debate, as a Member of NLWA.
Councillor Canver, in rising to declare a personal interest in Item 9 - Deputation from the Pinkham Way Alliance, and Item 11 – Haringey Debate, as a Member of NLWA, was advised by the Mayor that it was not necessary for her to make the declaration.
NOTED