Should councillor recuse himself if neighbour makes planning application that is discussed at PC meeting

Question

Would the advice change if the neighbour was also a parish councillor ?

Answer 1

It would not be a disclosable pecuniary interest as the planning only affects your interest rather than directly relates to.

 However, where a matter affects the financial interest or well-being:
a. to a greater extent than it affects the financial interests of the majority of in- habitants of the ward affected by the decision and;
b. a reasonable member of the public knowing all the facts would believe that it would affect your view of the wider public interest
then you may speak on the matter only if members of the public are also allowed to speak at the meeting. Otherwise you must not take part in any discussion or vote on the matter and must not remain in the room unless you have been granted a dispensation.

Comments

Subject to the Council's Code of Conduct, it may not be necessary for a Councillor to withdraw for a non-pecuniary interest. My District Council's Code doesn't specify that they may not take part in the discussion and vote. It merely states that the interest must be declared before the item is discussed.

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Yes check your own councils Code of Conduct, they may handle non pecuniary interests in a slightly different way. For my council it is as above.