Bridport councillors' worries over new code of conduct (From Dorset Echo)

Bridport councillors' worries over new code of conduct

5:00pm Friday 29th June 2012 in News

COUNCILLORS are being asked to adopt a new code of conduct under the new Localism Act.

But Bridport politicians are concerned that this involves disclosing their partners or spouses’ interests too.

A full council meeting recently town clerk Bob Gillis pointed out that the new code included the requirement to declare partners’ interests as well as their own. Coun Dave Rickard pointed out that the government had moved away from couples having to declare their taxes together.

He said: “How can members actually fill that in without actually going against government policy?”

Coun Martin Ray said not everyone was married to their partner and would not necessarily know all their financial details.

Coun Philip Colfox said: “This is clearly a step backwards and we ought to register a protest.”

Coun Rickard said perhaps they should get clarification from the National Association of Local Councils.

With the exception of Coun Colfox members voted to adopt the new code of conduct.