Progress in push for transparency (Norwich Liberal Democrats Online)

Norwich Liberal Democrats Online <info@norwichlibdems.org.uk>

Progress in push for transparency

June 15, 2009 10:00 AM

Rosalind Wright Norwich Liberal Democrats continued their push for greater transparency and accountability at last week's City Council meeting.

After a question from Deputy Leader Cllr Rosalind Wright, it was agreed that, the members' register of interests will be published online, pending agreement of the four political group leaders. The party will also now renew their calls for there to be greater accessibility to members' expenses information.

"I'm pleased that the council looks prepared to take this small step", said Cllr Wright. "It's important for the public to see what outside interests Councillors have, if only to satisfy their minds that there are no conflicts of interests or suspicious activity. Politics has been given a bad name recently, following the MP expenses scandal: as Councillors we need to do everything we can to prove that our own dealings are open and transparent".

Notes:

1) Through the register of members interests Councillors are required to declare their financial and various other interests in a register maintained by the Council. Councillors must declare any gifts or hospitality over the value of £25 received when they are acting in an official capacity in addition, Councillors are required to declare any interest that they may have relating to any item of business on an agenda at the start of all meetings. At the moment, the register is only available by people going to City Hall. The Liberal Democrats want it on the website to improve access.

2) Details of allowances paid to Councillors will be published next week and the Liberal Democrats welcome this move. This information will include all paid allowances for being a Councillor and sitting on Committees plus what travel and subsistence allowance was claimed by individual Councillors. The Liberal Democrats will ask for this information to put on the council's website along with information on members' interests and presented in a clear and detailed way.