Thread by @Andrewwood17

Register of Gifts & Hospitality report is always interesting but especially this latest one
One part of Tower Hamlets Council, TH Homes provides free £100 tickets for Cllrs?
And a developers agent also providing for free £100 tickets to Councillors
democracy.towerhamlets.gov.uk/documents/s197…
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The Speakers Charity Ball has become one of the main ways for developers to 'meet' Councillors but except for Cllr declarations, pics & occasional reports little in the public domain
It is an annual party (I have only been to 1 year's ago) to raise £ for speakers charity
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As you can see tickets to Cllrs for free attendance is common including from developers & housing associations including TH Homes (why should one part of the Council subsidise another?)
Like Robert Jenrick sitting at a table with a developer, this is similar
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I know from personal experience that gifts are common in business meetings in China
But lots of meetings = lots of bottles of alcohol
But it is hard to say no to such gifts as do not wish to offend
I do not think this is inappropriate but need to consider how to respond
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If I was the Mayor I would try & find ways to say no (I am a teetotaller so easier)
And if accepted, make a matching £ donation to a charity (in my case Mudchute Farm), see below, so I do not benefit financially or give gift away (i.e. bottle of wine)
cllrandrewwood.com/expenses.html
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I would also make the Speakers Ball more transparent in terms of who attended & financial contributions
But there are certain people I may not wish to meet except in a formal meeting with officers attending so I am not sure I would always attend Speakers Ball myself but would
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make a charitable contribution instead
Councillors also have a scrutiny role of housing associations & also sit on their boards so again need to be careful about relationships as need to be 'critical friends'
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