Agenda item

The Monitoring Officer presented the report which had arisen from a recent complaint highlighting that the Council did not have a separate policy on gifts and hospitality.

During discussion the following points were raised:

·  The complaint arose in relation to a dinner provided to Councillors by the University of Bath.  It was noted it was difficult to assess at the time how much a dinner was worth and if it was over £50 (the amount over which Councillors currently had to declare gifts or hospitality).

·  Parish Councils had their own Code of Conduct so the amount when a gift was declared could vary.  Some used the Bath and North East Somerset Council code.

·  When thinking about a declaration Councillors should ask the question why have I been given this and for what reason?

·  The policy from Test Valley Borough Council was not the most up-to-date and it was suggested that Camden had a more up-to-date policy.

·  Another suggestion was ALCA (Avon Local Council Association).

·  If the amount was lower, say £25, then most things would need to be declared which would be more transparent.  This figure could be reviewed along with the policy.

·  Items should only be declared in the capacity of, or in the course of, being a Councillor.

·  The Chair of Council and Mayor had different roles and policies for declaration.

·  Any changes would result in more work for Councillors, so was it really necessary.

·  If the Councillor was a member of an outside body or statutory body they would not need to declare hospitality provided by that body as part of their membership.

·  If invitations to dinners and events were made through one council office, this would create unnecessary work.

·  Once a Councillor ceased to be a Councillor, the declarations should be removed.

·  On re-election the Councillors would declare again.

·  Whether the gifts and hospitality policy should apply to Councillors after the election in May 2019 or as soon as possible.

·  It was important that Standards Committee take this issue seriously.

·  There could and had been exceptions to the ‘6 month rule’ for not considering complaints.

It was agreed that the Monitoring Officer draft a short Gifts and Hospitality policy for Councillors with a reduced value for such items of £25.  This was put to a vote (4 in favour, 1 against).

On a motion from Councillor Sally Davis, seconded by Councillor Sarah Bevan, it was

RESOLVED that the policy drafted by the Monitoring Officer on Gifts and Hospitality, with a value of over £25, be submitted to Council in March 2019 (4 in favour, 1 against).