Last updated 12:10, Tuesday, 30 September 2008

COUNCILLORS will have their interests available for all to see on the web.

By David Pickthall

It is already the law for a register of interests of council members to be available in hard copy in the main council office in Kendal.

And, where councillors agreed, their individual details could also be shown on the SLDC website. Twenty three of the 51 SLDC members already had their interests displayed on the internet.

But councillors have now voted to make it “desirable” for all members’ registered interests to be available online.

It was changed from “mandatory” because some members did not like the implication of the word.

The move has been made in the interests of openness. Under the Freedom of Information Act councils are encouraged to display as much information as possible on their website. But the move sparked a mixture of opinions among councillors.

Cllr Jeanette Jenkins, mayor of Ulverston, said: “I think it is good practice and we should not be ashamed of what we stand for as councillors.

“We stand in the public domain already. I got in touch with a distant relative of mine by looking on the internet – it’s such a useful point of information.”

Cllr Andy Shine believed it should have been made mandatory for members’ details to be uploaded.

He said: “I think it should be mandatory to be using what is effectively the common tool for information. What I suggest you (the members) do, is put your name into Google and see what happens and see how much of you is already out there in the public domain.

“Your name is already scattered about and people know about you.”

Cllr James Airey took issue with the word “mandatory” – a point backed by a number of members. He said: “I have no problem with details being published, but I’m surprised with the members of the Liberal party going along with this.

“The public don’t need to know everything. I think there’s a lot of mistrust for politicians, but I’m sure all 51 members with this council are good honest people and there is no need for it being mandatory. We are going beyond what is necessary.”

Cllr Colin Hodgson backed Cllr Airey. He said: “In this case I have no problem with putting on my details but having said that, it’s the mandatory bit that gets up my nose. It’s all right it being mandatory, but it’s enforcing it as well.

“If you put ‘desirable’ then fine, but ‘mandatory’, no.”

Barrow Borough Council currently only display online the interests declared by members at meetings.

Copeland Borough Council will soon scan copies of members’ interests onto their system but are seeking members’ permission before making them public on the internet.