Council mulls ‘gifts’ policy to avoid corruption and bribery

Welshpool Town Council is considering a new Gifts and Hospitality Policy in a bid to avoid any potential future problems of corruption or bribery.

Councillors tonight will be asked to consider the new policy, which will expect them to declare any gifts valued at over £10 in future.

The policy has been drafted by Town Clerk, Richard Williams who introduces the new move by stating: “The purpose of this policy is to establish controls to ensure compliance with all applicable anti-bribery and corruption regulations including the Bribery Act 2010 and to ensure the council’s business is conducted in a socially responsible and legal manner.”

The proposal states that ‘the expressions ‘gifts’ and ‘hospitality’ have wide meanings and no conclusive or exhaustive definition is possible’.

It goes on to highlight examples including ‘the free gift of any goods or services’, ‘the opportunity to acquire any goods or services at a discount or at terms not available to the general public', and ‘the offer of food, drink, accommodation or entertainment or the opportunity to attend any cultural or sporting event’.

The guidelines also include free use of a car or common gifts such as pens, diaries, calendars and other business stationery as well as articles of clothing, books, and even flowers.

It adds: “When making purchases, for the council or privately, one should be cautious if additional services, privileges or advantages are offered which might be related to one’s position in the Council.”

It goes on to list ‘appropriate gifts and hospitality’.

“Councillors, employees and volunteers should treat with extreme caution the offer of any gift or hospitality by organisations or persons who do, or might, provide work, goods or services to the Council, or who might be applying to the Council for some kind of decision, e.g. planning permission,” the policy states.

“To ensure transparency, the council maintains a Register of Hospitality and Gifts. Councillors and Officers are prompted to update the Register as and when gifts/hospitality is received above the value of £10.”

The policy outlines that it does not apply to ‘gifts and hospitality one may receive from family and friends (as birthday or other festival presents) that are not related to one’s position in the Council’.

The Finance and Governance Committee will debate the issue tonight and recommend whether to adopt to full council.