8. Dispensations
1. The Monitoring Officer may, on a written request made to him (as appointed Proper Officer for the receipt of applications for dispensation) by a Member with an Interest, grant a dispensation relieving the Member from the restrictions on
participating in discussions and in voting (referred to in paragraph 5 above).
2. A dispensation may be granted only if, after having had regard to all relevant circumstances, the Monitoring Officer considers that
(a) without the dispensation the number of persons prohibited from participating in any particular business would be so great a proportion of the body transacting the business as to impede the transaction of the business; or
(b) without the dispensation, the representation of different political groups on the body transacting any particular business would be so upset as to alter the likely outcome of any vote relating to the business; or
(c) granting the dispensation is in the interests of persons living in the Authority's area; or
(d) it is otherwise appropriate to grant a dispensation.
3. A dispensation must specify the period for which it has effect, and the period specified may not exceed four years.
Adopted by the Authority on 17 October 2012 (having previously been adopted in principle on 14 June 2012 in order to come into effect on 1 July 2012) and amended on 19 December 2013.