This hard
hitting allegation follows the adoption, by KCC, the 12 District and many of
the county’s 314 Town and Parish Councils, of the so-called “Kent Code of
Conduct for Members (2)”
The Code,
which replaces rules set by the now defunct Standards Board for England,
regulates the ethical behaviour of most of Kent’s 2,500(3) plus councillors.
Amongst other things it allows them to accept gifts and hospitality up to the
value of £100 without any need to make a declaration (4). This is a 400%
increase on the Standards Board for England previous declaration limit of £25
for gifts and hospitality.
Green Party Councillor,
Ian Driver, who voted against Thanet Council’s decision to adopt the controversial
gifts and hospitality rules said, “it’s morally wrong for County, District, Town or
Parish Councillors to accept any form of
payment or gift from constituents,
businesses, lobbyists, or any other
organisation. Permitting councillors to accept treats of up to £99.99 without any
declaration sends out all the wrong
messages. It’s like saying that Kent’s Councillors
are free to pimp out their services and influence for £99.99 a go without
anyone finding out. This ill-conceived Code is a charter for corruption which reinforces the already
widespread impression that most politicians have their snouts in the trough. It
brings local government into serious disrepute”.
Driver’s
views are supported by the world’s
leading anti-corruption organisation, Transparency International, which in a
recent report, “Corruption in UK Local
Government: The Mounting Risks”, said
that “Without
transparency about gifts and hospitality, there can be no serious scrutiny of
an important channel through which individuals or interest groups might seek to
corruptly influence members (5)”.
Said Driver “I
call on the County, District, Town and Parish Councils to review their Codes of
Conduct and introduce changes which prohibit councillors from receiving any
gifts or hospitality from constituents, lobbyists or any other organisations. I
encourage the people of Kent to lobby their Councillors to put an end to this
charter for corruption”
Notes
1.
The
Guardian 26th December
2.
Kent
Code of Conduct for Members
The Kent Code
of Conduct for Members has been adopted by Kent County Council and the 12
District Councils. There are 314 Town and Parish Councils in Kent. Many, but
not all of them, have adopted the Kent Code of Conduct of Members. Random
internet checks revealed the following 10 Town and Parish Councils to have
adopted the Kent Code of Conduct for Members Boughton Malherbe Parish Council,
Brenzett Parish Council, Dymchurch Parish Council, Hawkinge Town Council, Hythe
Town Council, New Romney Town Council, Mersham and Sevington Parish Council,
Merewith Parish Council and Stanhope Parish Council.
3.
KCC
has 84 councillors, each of the 12 district councils have on average 50
councillors and the 314 town and parish councils have on average 6 councillors.
This gives an estimated total of County, District, Town and Parish councillors
of 2,568.4. See paragraph 7 of the Kent Code of Conduct for Members.
5. See page 45 of “Corruption in UK Local Government: The Mounting Risks” Transparency International October 2013 page 45
http://www.transparency.org.uk/our-work/publications/747-corruption-in-uk-local-government--the-mounting-risks
And how does this comply with the Bribery Act ?
ReplyDeleteBribery & Corruption
The Serious Fraud Office is the lead agency in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for investigating and prosecuting cases of domestic and overseas corruption. We are responsible for enforcing the current law including the provisions of the Bribery Act (2010) in respect of overseas corruption. (Ministry of Justice, Bribery Act).
Here are some definitions on some corruption-related terms that you may have heard of:
bribery - giving or receiving something of value to influence a transaction
illegal gratuity - giving or receiving something of value after a transaction is completed, in acknowledgment of some influence over the transaction
extortion - demanding a sum of money (or goods) with a threat of harm (physical or business) if demands are not met
conflict of interest - where an employee has an economic or personal interest in a transaction
kickback - a portion of the value of the contract demanded as a bribe by an official for securing the contract
corporate espionage - theft of trade secrets, theft of intellectual property, or copyright piracy
commission/fee - used by a UK company or individual to obtain the services of an agent/agency for assistance in securing a commercial contract
Now I know why my ward councillors ignore me I haven't greased their palms with silver.
ReplyDeleteStargazer
The level of all kinds of payment to councillors should be decided by a new independent standards board made up of non-politicians, who can also look into hate campaigns and politically motavated attacks
ReplyDeleteDont forget that all this is going to change. Bayford said so.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.souththanetconservatives.org.uk/news/tdc-conservative-group-calls-upon-independent-standards-committee-members-reconsider-resignatio
Watching Dad's Army film the other night, Corporal Jones swayed Mannering and John Le M's decision with sausages. How old and rife is this bribing method!
ReplyDeleteTory leader Bayford has said lots of things and done nothing positive, so dont make me laugh, just look at the company he keeps
ReplyDelete