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Can a Councillor ask a question as a member of the public?

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A councillor has a pecuniary interest in a matter on the Full Council agenda. Councillors always leave the room when an item they have a pecuniary interest in is discussed.

A councillor has said he will sit with the members of the public during the public time so that he can ask a question and try to persuade the council to vote in a certain way.  Is this permitted?  Or is a councillor a councillor until his term of office expires or he leaves the council?
by (260 points)

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The short answer is "no". A pecuniary interest must be declared and when the matter is discussed in Council (e.g. a planning application) he/she should take no part in the debate and  in most cases leave the room.
by (2.6k points)

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