At a recent meeting of the Southend Borough Council’s Standards Committee, a dispensation was granted to overturn the council’s own conflict of interest rule.
The rule, designed to prohibit Councillors voting on issues which they might potentially benefit from, was recently overturned to allow seven Conservative councillors to vote on the proposed tenancy licencing scheme.
The proposed licencing would see all landlords sign an agreement with the council to maintain a certain standard of living, as well as agreeing to regular inspections.
As the Echo reports, ‘as a consequence, the licensing scheme could now potentially be overturned.’
“Conflicts of interest should never be allowed in any area but specifically in areas where financial advantage can be gained. The society we live in now is corrupted often by those elected to serve. Public office should be regarded as an honour, not a business opportunity but I see absolutely nothing honourable about unfairly lining your pockets while those you represent are forced to struggle every day.”
Further Reading:
http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/15679197.Controversy_as_conflict_of_interest_rule_ditched/
http://democracy.southend.gov.uk/documents/s13906/Part%205a%20Members%20Code%20of%20Conduct.pdf