We’ve had an e-mail from West Street insider who claims that Boston Borough Council Cabinet member Councillor Yvonne Gunter failed to declare an interest at two recent committee meetings.

The first concerned a review of a premises licence – for the Red Cow Hotel in Wide Bargate.
Although Councillor Gunter lives nearby, our correspondent said that she made no declaration of interest at that meeting.
The second claim concerned a planning committee meeting in May, and said that Councillor Gunter was believed to be the mentor/buddy of Councillor James Knowles.
Councillor Knowles, who lives in Granville Avenue in Wyberton, spoke against a planning application for a house some 25 metres up the road – which was granted subject to conditions.
Councillor Gunter told Boston Eye: “Under the current legislation introduced in July 2012 by the Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012, councillors are required to register their disclosable pecuniary interests with the Monitoring Officer. 
“These interests are required to be registered, and where a member has a connection with the matter under discussion, the member cannot participate in the debate at a meeting (but no longer - under the law – has to make a verbal declaration of interest and leave the room) and to employment, trade, profession, contracts, or any company with which we are associated, and wider financial interests we might have … for example trust funds, investments and assets including land and property. 
“Owning a property in the vicinity of a public house which is subject to a licensing hearing is not a disclosable pecuniary interest, and therefore I was able to take part in the meeting, in accordance with the regulations.
“Similarly, in respect of the planning application for Granville Avenue considered by the Planning Committee in May 2012, being a colleague of a councillor who spoke in opposition to the application was not reason for declaring a personal or prejudicial interest, which was the system in place at that time. 
“You should note that the application was granted with no member of the Planning Committee voting against it.”
This is not the first time that questions have arisen since the changes in the rules regarding disclosure by councillors – but it seems clear that more needs to be done to clarify precisely – but simply – what is covered, and what is not.
We are sure that the majority of our councillors are anxious to be “open and transparent” where the electorate is concerned – but it should also be easy to understand the rules and regulations.
 

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