The Standards Dispensation Sub-Committee of Wiltshire Council is scheduled to convene on Thursday 5 February 2026. The primary focus of the meeting will be to consider a request for a dispensation from Councillor Brian Dalton, which relates to a disclosable pecuniary interest.

Consideration of a Dispensation Request

The committee is scheduled to consider a request for a dispensation from Councillor Brian Dalton. This request pertains to a disclosable pecuniary interest that Councillor Dalton has as a result of renting a council-owned garage, which falls under the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

Under the council's Code of Conduct, individuals with a disclosable pecuniary interest are generally required to leave the room when matters relating to that interest are being discussed. However, Section 33 of the Localism Act 2011 allows councils to grant dispensations, enabling a member to participate in discussions and vote even when they have such an interest. This is to prevent situations where the transaction of business could be impeded by too many members being prohibited from participating, or where the representation of political groups would be significantly altered.

Councillor Dalton has requested a dispensation to remain in the room during discussions and votes concerning the HRA, specifically at Full Council and the Housing Board meetings. He has stated that he does not wish to vote on these matters. The report pack indicates that Councillor Dalton was previously granted a similar dispensation in 2023, which expired at the end of the council term in May 2025. The report outlines that the Sub-Committee may grant a dispensation if it considers it appropriate, taking into account factors such as whether the prohibition of members would impede business, upset political group representation, or if granting the dispensation is in the interests of local residents. The request from Councillor Dalton, submitted on 21 October 2025, is detailed in Appendix A of the report pack.

The Sub-Committee has several options, including declining the request, granting it to allow the member to remain in the room, or granting it to allow them to remain in the room and participate in debate. Any granted dispensation must specify the period for which it has effect, which cannot exceed four years. The report highlights that failing to determine such requests could have adverse legal, financial, and reputational implications for the council.