Welsh Welsh may refer to: Related to Wales * Welsh, of or about Wales * Welsh language, spoken in Wales * Welsh people, an ethnic group native to Wales Places * Welsh, Arkansas, U.S. * Welsh, Louisiana, U.S. * Welsh, Ohio, U.S. * Welsh Basin, during t ...

local authority politics, the term prejudicial interest is used to describe a particular type of

conflict of interest A conflict of interest (COI) is a situation in which a person or organization is involved in multiple wikt:interest#Noun, interests, financial or otherwise, and serving one interest could involve working against another. Typically, this relates t ...

involving councillors. When a councillor has an interest in a topic under debate which may prejudice their ability to fairly and objectively consider the subject, he or she is said to have a prejudicial interest. An example would be a councillor discussing a planning application for a company in which he or she has an interest. The councillor has an interest in the plans being considered and is therefore considered to have a "prejudicial interest". Under a statutory Model Code of Conduct, it is the responsibility of Welsh councillors to declare certain interests prior to discussions, and if prejudicial interests are declared, they must leave the room until the matter in which they have an interest has been decided. The regulatory authority is the Standards Board for Wales and the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales carries out investigations. Anyone can make an allegation of an undeclared prejudicial interest, but this can only be investigated after the event. Until abolished in 2012, there was a similar system in England, where the

Standards Board for England The Standards Board for England was a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Communities and Local Government. Established under the Local Government Act 2000, it was responsible for promoting high ethical standards in local ...

was the body responsible for investigating allegations of breaches of the statutory Model Code of Conduct. This was abolished in England by the

Localism Act 2011 The Localism Act 2011 (c. 20) is an Act of Parliament that changes the powers of local government in England. The aim of the act is to facilitate the devolution of decision-making powers from central government control to individuals and commun ...

. With effect from 2012, this system was replaced by a new criminal offence of failing to declare Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.Members Interests, Bias and Predetermination relating to Planning Matters
Planning Advisory Service, local.gov.uk, accessed 8 July 2021 In Scotland, the

Standards Commission for Scotland Standard may refer to: Symbols * Colours, standards and guidons, kinds of military signs * Standard (emblem), a type of a large symbol or emblem used for identification Norms, conventions or requirements * Standard (metrology), an object t ...

carries out a similar function but also regulates members of devolved bodies.

Notes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Prejudicial Interest Local government