I was indeed shocked to read that only fourteen Councillors had published their hospitality.  This Liberal Democrat administration always professes to be open, accountable and highly transparent.  Then why did only 5 of their Councillors declare?    Every Member, irrespective of the level and cost of the hospitality, should publish their details in order to be as honest as possible to their constituents. 

 

I am of the view that all the hospitality and gifts I received were well below the level needed to register with the Council, but I will continue to register everything so that all residents can see the hospitality and gifts which Councillors receive and were offered.  

 

My ward colleague, Adrian Robson, has now written to the Chairman of the Standards and Ethics Committee asking him to look at the published lists as we are sure that there should be more than 14 Councillors who need to declare.  It is a breach of the Councillors Code of Conduct if declarations are not made for hospitality reached over the limit .  We are  also  going to go a step  further  and ask the Council to put in place a policy where Councillors must declare everything they receive.    If Councillors want to be seen as open, they must publish everything in this way.

 

Our next ward surgery is on Saturday 24^th June, between 10am – 11.30am at the Nine Giants Public House, Heol Llanishen Fach, Rhiwbina. 

 

My contact details are Tel 029 20 62 7757 / 079 7001 3332 , Fax 029 2087 7005, E-Mail jcowan@cardiff or log on to the new updated website www.rhiwbinaward.com