A TEIGNMOUTH councillor claims that the town's budget should be declared null and void after alleging that some members should have abstained from voting because of personal interests. Cllr Chris Whitlock questioned the legality of the budget, ratified at Tuesday's full council, because of some members' involvement with the Teignmouth Regeneration project, an initiative that could benefit from donations from this year's council precept. He said: 'Some of the members who voted are on the regeneration group committee. who are the trustees? 'Should some of those who voted have declared an interest and if that is the case then the precept should be declared null and void,' he told Tuesday's meeting. Cllr Susan Dawe said that a list of trustees should be drawn up, a move supported by the chairman, mayor Cllr Geoff Bladon. Cllrs Sylvia Russell, Mary Strudwick, David Weekes and David Cox voted for the precept at a meeting last month and are members of the regeneration project committee. Cllr Russell said: 'Myself and Cllr Studwick declined becoming trustees for this very reason,' she said. After the meeting, Cllr Weekes said he was not a trustee of the project at the time of the precept. Cllr Cox was a trustee at the time of the precept setting but maintained that he was able to vote. 'I understand that from advice I received at the time that I was able to take part and vote in the setting of the precept. 'Of course I would declare a prejudicial interest should a matter arise where there is a direct financial matter in relation to the project,' he said. Cllr Russell said: 'Declaring an interest may have affected us if we were trustees. Cllr Strudwick and myself declined to become trustees so that we could keep ourselves at arms length. 'The regeneration project and the town council are working together for the benefit of Teignmouth and hope that people see it in this light,' she said. Cllr Whitlock said: 'Any member of an organisation ought to declare an interest,' Cllr Dawe added her concern about how strictly procedure was adhered to.
