Decision details

The Chief Executive has granted dispensations, to those Leeds City listed at Schedule 1, for a period of four years in the following terms:-

A dispensation from both the restrictions in section 31(4) to take part and vote in relation to the consideration of a matter in relation to which they have a disclosable pecuniary interest arising through:-

• Any office held within Leeds City Council for which they receive a taxable income; and

• Any office held outside Leeds City Council (to which they have been appointed by Leeds City Council) for which they receive a taxable income.

A dispensation from the restrictions in section 31(4)(a) only to take part in the discussion of a matter in which they have a disclosable pecuniary interest to allow them to make representations at a meeting where members of the public have the same entitlement.

Section 33 of the Act provides that the authority (in the case of Leeds this function is delegated by Full Council to the Chief Executive) may, on written request, grant a dispensation relieving the Member from either or both of the restrictions imposed by Section 31.

The dispensation, which must be granted for a specific period not exceeding four years, may be granted on any of the following grounds:-

1. Without the dispensation the number of persons prohibited from participating in any particular business would so great as to impede the transaction of the business;

2. Without the dispensation the representation of different political groups would be so upset as to alter the likely outcome of any vote;
3. The dispensation is in the interests of persons living in the authority’s area;

4. Without the dispensation each Member of the executive would be prohibited from participating in business to be transacted by the executive; or

5. It is otherwise appropriate to grant a dispensation.