Trustees, committee members and employees have a legal obligation to act in the best interests of the Cornwall Federation of Women’s Institutes (CFWI) and in accordance with CFWI’s Governing Document, and to avoid situations where there may be a potential conflict of interest.
Conflicts of interest may arise where an individual’s personal or family interests and /or loyalties conflict of those of CFWI. Such conflicts may create problems by inhibiting free discussions, resulting in decisions that are not in the best interests of CFWI, risk the impression that CFWI has acted improperly and benefit the trustee personally.
The aim of this policy is to protect both CFWI, the trustees, committee members and employees from any appearance of impropriety.
Declaration of Interests
Trustees, committee members and employees are asked to declare their interests in connection with their role within CFWI.
To be effective, the declaration of interests needs to be updated at least annually and also when any changes occur.
Trustees, committee members and employees should err on the side of caution with what should be declared and when a declaration should be updated.
The information will be processed in accordance with data protection principles as set out in the Data Protection Act 1998. Data will be processed only to ensure that trustees act in the best interests of the CFWI. The information provided will not be used for any other purpose.
WHAT TO DO WHEN FACING A CONFLICT OF INTEREST
- The interest should be declared at the earliest opportunity and the individual should withdraw from a discussion by the other representatives of CFWI until a conflict of interest is determined. If it is determined that there is a conflict of interest, the individual should not take part in subsequent discussions and vote, unless invited to remain to help inform the debate.
- The Chair or Federation Secretary will declare an interest that is known to them but not declared.
- All decisions under a conflict of interest will be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.