Local government minister, Bob Neill, has dismissed as ‘utter nonsense' claims that, under the new standards regime for the sector, councillors may not have to disclose pecuniary interests until they are re-elected.
Legal experts last week told The MJ it was possible a government drafting error in new rules that came into force on 1 July, requiring councillors to declare personal interests within the 28 days following their election, meant those members could, potentially, avoid scrutiny for four years.
