Parish councillors disqualified

Parish councillors disqualified

Two Norfolk parish councillors have been disqualified for a year after refusing to sign a declaration of interest.

Barry Griggs and Connie Coombs from Mundford Parish Council appeared at a tribunal in Swaffham on Tuesday morning.

They argue the new code, which requires parish councillors to reveal what they own, is unnecessary.

The pair also claim it may stop people from applying for posts at the next local elections in May.

The rules, contained in the Local Government Act 2000, originally championed by the then environment minister Stephen Byers MP, outline a new Ethical Framework.

Every parish councillor must agree to abide by the government-backed Code of Conduct, and then disclose in a Register of Interests a range of personal information.

This includes such areas as employment, share ownership where it affects parish interests, certain personal gifts or hospitality and election expenses.