1.1 Connection
Stage 1 considers whether you have a connection to the matter being considered by the Council. A connection is any link between the matter and you, or someone or a body you are associated with, such as a family, social or professional relationship. It also includes any interest you have registered under Section 4 of the Code.
Paragraph 5.4 of the Code sets out matters that are not considered a connection for the purposes of the Code. This includes simply having prior knowledge or experience of a matter.
Matters not considered a connection also include being:
a.A Council Tax or rate payer, or a council house tenant
b.A councillor when matters relating to elected members’ remuneration, allowances, expenses, support services or pensions are being considered
c.A member of an outside body to which you have been appointed or nominated by the Council (for example, a regional transport partnership, an IJB, a city region deal, an arm’s‑length external organisation or a voluntary organisation)
You may take part in discussions and votes affecting an outside body to which you have been appointed or nominated by the Council without declaring your membership, unless:
- the matter is quasi‑judicial or regulatory and the body has a direct interest (for example, as an applicant or objector), or
- you have an additional personal interest.
A personal conflict could arise, for example, if your partner works for the outside body and the Council is considering funding that could affect their employment.
A subject that applies to a large proportion of the public would not generally be considered to give rise to a connection for the purposes of the Code. Examples include being a taxpayer, or being in receipt of a state pension or universal credit.
1 Declarations of interest
