The article by Retired Hack exposed for the first time that, under the watch of the now-removed Conservative administration, changes were made, away from the public view, to the Councillors’ Register of Interests so that Freemasonry membership no longer had to be declared.
It’s a story that neither the County Press or Isle of Wight Radio chose to cover – they must have their own reasons for this, as they seem less shy with our other stories.
Change
The now-Independent-controlled Isle of Wight council has tabled a constitutional update to be discussed and voted on at the next Full Council meeting, on 19th June 2013 – the first meeting where any real council business can be done.
The document is available below for you to be able to read to get the full details. We’ve also picked out the relevant points for you:-
19. … To be clear this will include membership of bodies such as the Freemasons, trade unions and social clubs. This will then be a matter of public record and open to public inspection via the council’s web site.
21. If council agree the new register then this will be made available on the council’s web site and all members will be required to complete the new register on line within 28 days.
25. The proposed changes to the Register of Interests increases the openness and transparency of member’s involvement with other organisation and fits well with the Framework for Change document prepared by the Island Independents group.
What councillors would have to declare
If voted through, the form that all Isle of Wight councillors would have to fill in would include the following fields:-
I am a member of or hold a position of general control or management in the following:
a. Public authorities or bodies exercising functions of a public nature:
b. company, industrial and provident society, charity, or body directed to charitable purposes (this will include Freemasonry);
c. body whose principal purposes include the influence of public opinion or policy;
d. trade union or professional association.
Paper detailing proposed Constitutional change
