Councillors

Becoming a councillor

Read about becoming a councillor at the Be a councillor website.

Code of conduct for councillors and co-opted members

All councillors and co-opted members are required to comply with the code of conduct

Guidance issued by Standards for England on the code of conduct

General declaration of interest by councillors and co-opted members

All councillors and co-opted members are required to make a declaration to be recorded in the register of interests in accordance with the guidance on completing the declaration of interests form

Declaration of registered interests form (PDF)

Declaration of registered interests form (Word)

Declarations of interest made by councillors and co-opted members at meetings of the Council and its committees

Councillors and co-opted members must also disclose personal and prejudicial interests in relation to any business discussed at a meeting at which they are present and which is not declared in the general register.

Declarations of gifts and hospitality received by councillors and co-opted members

Councillors and co-opted members are required to declare offers of gifts and hospitality which are made to them in their capacity as a councillor or co-opted member in accordance with the Guidance from Standards for England

The co-opted members required to declare interests and offers of gifts and hospitality are:

Independent members of the Standards Committee
Voting co-opted members of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission and the Children and Young People overview and scrutiny panel

Payments to Councillors - allowances and expenses

Comparative information about Members' Allowance levels in other councils; Local Government Association Survey 2008 (LGA website)

All councillors receive a basic allowance. In addition, some councillors receive a special responsibility allowance in recognition of additional duties, such as being a Cabinet member.

The Council has a number of co-opted and independent members who serve on some of its committees and panels, these also receive payments.

All councils are required to publish details of payments to councillors and co-opted members annually.

Full details of the Council's members' allowances scheme, are set out in part 6 the Council's constitution

Expenses payments to Councillors

Councillors are entitled to expenses where they are incurred connection with their role as a councillor. These include travel expenses for travel outside the borough in respect of "approved duties", including for attending learning and development. These expenses should be claimed by filling in a petty cash form (attached below or available from the political group offices).

Members with dependents can claim an allowance where it was necessary to pay for care to allow them to undertake council duties, such as attending official meetings. This allowance should be claimed by filling in the Dependent Care Allowance claim form (below or from political group offices).