Hackney Register Of Members' Interests

Several people have brought to my attention that the Register of Members' Interests is no longer readily available to the electorate. Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties experienced by our 'Arms Length Operations, Technology, Organisational Focus Services Handling & IT' partner (ALOTOFSHIT), we are currently unable to host this information on the Council servers. Contrary to certain rumours currently doing the rounds, withdrawal of on-line access to the Register is in no way related to efforts by MPs to exempt themselves from The Freedom of Information Act through the introduction of a "squalid little Bill", but is genuinely due to technical incompetence.

In order to help out, I have made an arrangement with QuickSharing.com to host the Register until we get our systems fully functional again. Some of the register entries are a bit out of date, I'm afraid, despite the fact that under section 81(1) of the Local Government Act 2000, all members must register their financial interests in the register within 28 days of being elected and within 28 days of becoming aware of any change to their interests.

Regular readers will recall that my own entry was a bit out-of-date last year, but that after this oversight was pointed out to me I quickly got things sorted out again. I wish I could say the same of all my colleagues, some of whose entries are still out-of-date despite my having had some degree of responsibility in my previous role as Chief Whip for ensuring that Labour Councillors updated their information regularly, in accordance with the law. However, I refuse to take full responsibility for this situation, as Clause 11 of the terms of reference of The Standards Committee states: "To monitor the Register of Members' Interests." So clearly it's their fault.

Still, I'm sure that once the more tardy Councillors realise their mistakes, everyone will rush to comply just as I did.

The Register can be found at the bottom of this website. No anal jokes (base material, bum information, etc.), thanks. To check a member's entry, click on their name, allow the entry to download and then click on "Download File". Please be aware that, as with other Hackney services, response times can be erratic. In this case the service is being provided free of charge to the Council Tax payer, so your patience during busy times and periods of system maintenance would be appreciated. Happy reading.