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Calls for council to reinstate register of personal interests

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A PETITION is calling on East Lindsey District Council to reinstate the register of personal interests.

Following the Localism Act, councillors are no longer required to register or declare non-pecuniary interests at meetings.

An e-petition has been launched by Louth resident James Pocklington, who said: "Many councils in our region have continued to require their councillors to register and declare non-pecuniary interests.

"However East Lindsey District Council has taken the opportunity to abandon this requirement, without which there is no specific procedural guidance for all personal interests within council meetings.

"The councillors may decide to speak and vote on matters which formerly would have represented a declared conflict of interest. For example, as a trustee of a charity, or as a friend, relative or close associate.

"Furthermore there is no requirement for the councillor to declare membership of any body whose principal purpose includes the influence of public opinion or policy, such as a political party or trade union.

"It seems an odd choice to make and one that does not, in my view, help to maintain public confidence in the impartiality of councillors decisions."

The petition closes tomorrow and if there are more than 1,400 signatures, it will go to full council for debate.

A spokesman from ELDC said: "The new standards and conduct arrangements were agreed by council at its meeting of July 25. The council is satisfied that the new arrangements meet our statutory obligations."

View the petition

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