Decision
Analysis
outcome: The Committee approved the amendments in principle and referred it to the Council for adoption.
summary: The decision at stake is the approval of amendments to the Code of Conduct for Members regarding the disclosure of residential addresses by Councillors.
topline: The Accounts and Audit Committee has decided to approve amendments to the Code of Conduct for Members regarding the disclosure of residential addresses.
reason_contentious: This issue may be contentious as it involves the balance between transparency and the safety of Councillors.
affected_stakeholders: ["Councillors", "Council Members", "Government"]
contentiousness_score: 5
political_party_relevance: There are no mentions or implications of political parties in the decision.
URL: https://democracy.ribblevalley.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1506
Decision Maker: Accounts and Audit
Outcome:
Is Key Decision?: No
Is Callable In?: No
Purpose:
Content: The Chief Executive submitted a report providing committee with information on forthcoming changes to the provisions of declarations of interests. In response to concerns about the safety of Councillors, the Government had introduced section 65 of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026, which amended the provisions of the Localism Act 2011 to include an additional section 32A. This change provided that, where a Councillor had declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in relation to their usual residential address, the Council should not include that information in the public register. The Council’s Code of Conduct for Members included a section on sensitive interests which had been amended to make clear the new position and responsibilities with regard to residential addresses. Those amendments were provided in track changes for Member’s consideration. At the meeting, members of the Committee spoke in support of the changes and the additional safeguarding this would provide. ***RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE: Approved the amendments to the Code of Conduct for Members in principle as shown in the appendix to the report and referred it to the Council for adoption.
Date of Decision: June 24, 2026