Issue - meetings

An annual review and update of the Council’s Declaration of Interests, Gifts & Hospitality (for officers) Policy took place in February 2025 and the revised policy was approved by Audit & Governance Committee (27 February 2025).

Some minor changes were made to the policy as part of the annual evolution including adding directorship as a business role example that requires declaring if there is a business relationship with the Council and clarifying employees should not accept gifts from an organisation the Council is receiving services from. In addition, guidance has been improved on accepting incidental promotional items and the definition of hospitality has been clarified. Finally, guidance has been added on the Council receiving and giving prizes.

Internal Audit are able to provide reasonable assurance, through the completion of an annual exercise, that officers have generally made appropriate declarations of interests, gifts and hospitality with the exception of three officers who failed to declare other employment. Appropriate disciplinary action was taken. Further improvements to controls are planned to prevent recurrence.