Proposed by Councillor Phil Davies

Seconded by Councillor Anne McArdle

This Council believes that, in the interest of free and open government, and in order to avoid any accusations of a failure to be open and transparent in their dealings with the Council and the public, that any member of the Freemasons be obliged to declare their interest, and to this end:

(i)  Instructs the Chief Executive to make urgent arrangements so that all Council Members who are Freemasons declare the membership in the register of interest immediately.

(ii)  Instructs the Chief Executive to establish an employees’ register of interest in which all who are Freemasons declare their membership immediately.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2)

Proposed by Councillor Pat Williams

Seconded by Councillor Mark Johnston

After ‘and the public,’ delete all and replace with:

that any Members who are Freemasons are obliged to declare their interest (along with membership of e.g. sports clubs, political parties, trades unions and charitable organisations) as part of the current Member’s Code of Conduct (Part 2: Interests: 8(1)(a)(ii)(bb))

Council notes that Part 2, Section 2 of the NJC for Local Government Services National Agreement on Pay & Conditions of Service requires Employees to give notice in writing of any private interest which is likely to give them an opportunity, during the course of their employment with the Council, to confer an advantage at any time upon themselves or their relatives or may weaken public confidence in their impartiality.

Council recognises that these safeguards exist to protect the reputation of the Council, its Members and Employees and encourages the enforcement of these existing rules.

Council requests the Standards Committee to review the Code of Conduct for Members, and Employment and Appointments Committee to review the Code of Conduct for Officers to ensure that these Codes are fit for purpose and are being adhered to.

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 7(8) the Council did not debate this matter.

The amendment was put and carried (36:29) (One abstention).

The substantive motion was put and carried (36:29) (One abstention).

Resolved (36:29) (One abstention) –

This Council believes that, in the interest of free and open government, and in order to avoid any accusations of a failure to be open and transparent in their dealings with the Council and the public that any Members who are Freemasons are obliged to declare their interest (along with membership of e.g. sports clubs, political parties, trades unions and charitable organisations) as part of the current Member’s Code of Conduct (Part 2: Interests: 8(1)(a)(ii)(bb)).

Council notes that Part 2, Section 2 of the NJC for Local Government Services National Agreement on Pay & Conditions of Service requires Employees to give notice in writing of any private interest which is likely to give them an opportunity, during the course of their employment with the Council, to confer an advantage at any time upon themselves or their relatives or may weaken public confidence in their impartiality.

Council recognises that these safeguards exist to protect the reputation of the Council, its Members and Employees and encourages the enforcement of these existing rules.

Council requests the Standards Committee to review the Code of Conduct for Members, and Employment and Appointments Committee to review the Code of Conduct for Officers to ensure that these Codes are fit for purpose and are being adhered to.