"The unpaid rent on the Jubilee Hall amounted to £2,093; being the annual rent for 2008/09 and two-thirds of the 2009/10. During this period she had received correspondence from the Treasurer of the Jubilee Hall Committee, but had heard nothing since the last two letters sent out. Under the Financial Regulations, the next letter to be sent would inform them of the legal action that would be taken to receive the outstanding money."
Taking a look at the Eaton Socon Institute on the Charity Commission website they have roughly £12k in reserves (2008/09 Accounts). So they have the money but aren't paying rent.
Now the Town Council appoints 2 Councillors to the Jubilee Hall Management Committee. These are: Cllrs Thorpe and Collins. I find in the minutes the following:
"Upon the raising of a question concerning the Eaton Socon Jubilee Hall, Cllrs Thorpe and Mrs Collins both declared a personal and predjudicial interest as members of the Jubilee Hall Management committee and left the room whilst the Finance Officer updated members on the non payment of rent by the Jubilee Hall Committee."
Whilst this is a Personal interest, as these are both appointees of the Town Council where is the prejudicial interest? There is none. If they were members of the JHMC in their own capacity then that is prejudicial. As Town Council appointed representatives (see page 8) they should be looking after the Town Councils' interests and is therefore not prejudicial.
What is the point of appointing Town Councillors to these Management Committees if when things go wrong they duck for cover under it being "prejudicial"? This is wrong and is not what the Standards Board allows.
Standards Board Prejudicial Interests
An example of Personal and Prejudicial Interest
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