Registration of interests
Introduction
4.1 The following paragraphs set out the kinds of interests, financial and otherwise which you have to register. These are called “Registerable Interests”. You must at all times ensure that these interests are registered, when you are appointed and whenever your circumstances change in such a way as to require change or an addition to your entry in the body’s Register.
4.2 This Code sets out the categories of interests which you must register. Annex B contains key definitions to help you decide what is required when registering your interests under any particular category. These categories are listed below with explanatory notes designed to help you decide what is required when registering your interests under any particular category.
Category One: Remuneration
Category Two: Related Undertakings
Category Three: Contracts
Category Four: Houses, Land and Buildings
Category Five: Shares and Securities
Category Six: Non-financial Interests
Category One: Remuneration
4.3 You have a Registerable Interest where you receive remuneration by virtue of being:
employed;
self-employed;
the holder of an office;
a director of an undertaking;
a partner in a firm; or
undertaking a trade, profession or vocation or any other work.
4.4 In relation to 4.3 above, the amount of remuneration does not require to be registered and remuneration received as a Member does not have to be registered.
4.5 If a position is not remunerated it does not need to be registered under this category. However, unremunerated directorships may need to be registered under the category two, “Related Undertakings”.
4.6 If you receive any allowances in relation to membership of any organisation, the fact that you receive such an allowance must be registered.
4.7 When registering employment, you must give the name of the employer, the nature of its business, and the nature of the post held in the organisation.
4.8 When registering self-employment, you must provide the name and give details of the nature of the business. When registering an interest in a partnership, you must give the name of the partnership and the nature of its business.
4.9 Where you undertake a trade, profession or vocation, or any other work, the detail to be given is the nature of the work and its regularity. For example, if you write for a newspaper, you must give the name of the publication, the frequency of articles for which you are paid.
4.10 When registering a directorship, it is necessary to provide the registered name of the undertaking in which the directorship is held and the nature of its business.
4.11 Registration of a pension is not required as this falls outside the scope of the category.
Category Two: Related Undertakings
4.12 You must register any directorships held which are themselves not remunerated but where the company (or other undertaking) in question is a subsidiary of, or a parent of, a company (or other undertaking) in which you hold a remunerated directorship.
4.13 You must register the name of the subsidiary or parent company or other undertaking and the nature of its business, and its relationship to the company or other undertaking in which you are a director and from which you receive remuneration.
4.14 The situations to which the above paragraphs apply are as follows:
you are a director of a board of an undertaking and receive remuneration - declared under Category one - and
you are a director of a parent or subsidiary undertaking but do not receive remuneration in that capacity.
Category Three: Contracts
4.15 You have a registerable interest where you (or a firm in which you are a partner, or an undertaking in which you are a director or in which you have shares of a value as described in paragraph 5.8 below) have made a contract with the public body of which you are a member:
(i) under which goods or services are to be provided, or works are to be executed; and
(ii) which has not been fully discharged.
4.16 You must register a description of the contract, including its duration, but excluding the consideration.
Category Four: Houses, Land and Buildings
4.17 You have a registerable interest where you own or have any other right or interest in houses, land and buildings, which may be significant to, of relevance to, or bear upon, the work and operation of the body to which you are appointed.
4.18 The test to be applied when considering appropriateness of registration is to ask whether a member of the public acting reasonably might consider any interests in houses, land and buildings could potentially affect your responsibilities to the organisation to which you are appointed and to the public, or could influence your actions, speeches or decision-making. If in doubt, you may consult with the Standards Commission.
Category Five: Shares and Securities
4.19 You have a registerable interest where you have an interest in shares which constitute a holding in a company or organisation which may be significant to, of relevance to, or bear upon, the work and operation of the body to which you are appointed. You are not required to register the value of such interests.
4.20 The test to be applied when considering appropriateness of registration is to ask whether a member of the public acting reasonably might consider any interests in shares and securities could potentially affect your responsibilities to the organisation to which you are appointed and to the public, or could influence your actions, speeches or decision-making.
If in doubt, you may consult with the Standards Commission.
Category Six: Non-financial Interests
4.21 You may also have a registerable interest if you have non-financial interests which may be significant to, of relevance to, or bear upon, the work and operation of the body to which you are appointed. It is important that relevant interests such as membership or holding office in other public bodies, clubs, societies and organisations such as trades unions and voluntary organisations, are registered and described.
4.22 The test to be applied when considering appropriateness of registration is to ask whether a member of the public acting reasonably might consider any non-financial interest could potentially affect your responsibilities to the organisation to which you are appointed and to the public, or could influence your actions, speeches or decision-making. If in doubt, you may consult with the Standards Commission.