Councillor conduct, interests, allowances

Code of conduct

We have a duty to ensure our elected members (councillors) and co-opted and independent members (lay people with expertise and experience appointed to sit on relevant committees) maintain high standards of conduct in office.

In line with the Localism Act 2011 we have adopted a code of conduct consistent with the seven 'Nolan' principles of standards in public life (selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability openness, honesty and leadership). It also follows the model recommended by the Government.

Members are expected to observe the code when carrying out their duties. The code also defines the requirements concerning the disclosure of interests and gifts and hospitality. View the Code of Conduct in the Council’s Constitution.

We will investigate any allegation that a member has failed to comply with the code and decide what action, if any, should be taken. If you feel that a member has breached the code and wish to make a formal complaint you can make a complaint about a councillor.

We also have an Audit, Governance and Standards Committee which is responsible for the promotion and maintenance of high standards of conduct amongst our members and employees. For further details of the committee's functions and membership, and papers from past and forthcoming meetings visit the committee details.

Declarations of interest

Members of the Council are required to declare their personal and pecuniary interests, and any interests that might be seen as prejudicing their decision-making. As well as the elected councillors, this definition of members of the Council includes people who have been co-opted onto a committee of the Council.

Interests need to be declared in relation to:

• any employment, office, trade, profession or vocation carried on for profit or gain
• sponsorships received
• contracts between them and the council, or contracts with companies they are involved in
• land in the area of the city council they own or control or have an interest in
• licences to occupy land in the city
• corporate tenancies where the council is the landlord
• securities, significant shareholdings worth more than £25,000
• bodies to which they are appointed or nominated by the council
• interests in charities, societies and other bodies
• gifts and hospitality received in excess of £100 in value

Declaring interests in meetings

In addition to registering interests, councillors are required to declare them at Council and committee meetings that they attend as members, where they relate to an item of business for that meeting.

Where the interest declared is a personal one it is noted and the councillor can take part in the meeting. Where the interest declared is a pecuniary or prejudicial one they must leave the meeting while that item of business is dealt with, so there can be no suggestion they were able to influence any decisions made in the meeting.

Any interests declared at the meeting are recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

All declarations of interest, gifts and hospitality can also be found on the individual councillors pages.

Councillor allowances

Members of the Council are not paid but do receive an allowance for their work as councillors.

For details of the allowances paid to members of Kingston Council for the past municipal year and the allowances scheme for the current year, visit Members allowances.