Questions over CALA Homes interest

Last week’s meeting saw an opposition councillor question whether a Conservative member had a major interest in relation to the CALA Homes application.

Councillor John Baldwin (Lib Dem, Belmont) asked if Cllr Ross McWilliams’ (Con, Cox Green) private employment with consultancy company BECG should have been declared as a major interest. This is because the firm works with CALA Homes in communications.

The council's monitoring officer, Emma Duncan, confirmed that it is ‘up to the member themselves’ to decide whether they have a prejudicial or pecuniary interest.

Ms Duncan added: “Cllr McWilliams has looked and made that assessment himself, which is what we suggest members do.”

She also reminded councillors that if they do have an interest of this type and they participate in a meeting, this would be classed as a criminal offence.

When asked by Cllr Baldwin if Cllr McWilliams sought advice from Ms Duncan on the matter, she said she has been in contact with him over ‘other issues’, but ‘not that particular one’.

Cllr McWilliams – who did not declare an interest at the start of the meeting – told the meeting that he has previously requested advice on this with his employer, as well as the clients he works with, and was ‘happy’ to share his contract with Ms Duncan.

Speaking yesterday (Wednesday), Cllr McWilliams said he has already declared his employment with BECG.

He added that, while he perhaps should have mentioned this at the start of the meeting, he had consulted with the officer when his firm was appointed by CALA.

“I made a decision with an open mind and what I thought was in the best interests of residents,” Cllr McWilliams said.