FREEMASONS have welcomed a decision not to force councillors to declare membership to groups such as their own.

Cheshire East Council officers had recommended that the existing rules on declarations of interest were maintained ahead of this month's audit and governance committee meeting.

But Cllr Nick Mannion, Labour member for Macclesfield West and Ivy, instead proposed that councillors should declare all outside organisations that either they or their partner are members of – in order to boost the public’s confidence in the local authority.

Cllr Nick Mannion

He said: “I think it is quite right and appropriate, and we need to go that extra mile. We need to start rebuilding the confidence of the residents of Cheshire East in our openness and transparency.

“Yes, while there might not be a legal obligation, I think it would send a very positive signal to say we have nothing to hide, that we are open and transparent and that we go that extra mile.

“That is the basis of my recommendation. It is not anti-Freemason, it is not anti-Round Table, it is not anti-Society of Accountants or Auditors. It is pro-transparency.”

Cllr Sam Corcoran, leader of CEC’s Labour group, agreed with Cllr Mannion and quoted Michael Jones, former CEC leader, who in July 2014 raised concerns about planning decisions that had previously ‘come forward with strange decisions around them’ and said that he was ‘not part of any secret group, masons or whatever’.

Cllr Michael Jones Cllr Michael Jones

Michael Jones, former CEC leader

Cllr Corcoran added: “When the leader of the council says that in a public meeting, I think that does give rise to reasonable suspicion in the public mind that people should be declaring whether they should be members of the Freemasons.”

The member for Sandbach Heath and East added that the Freemasons should not be singled out, and so membership to all outside bodies should be declared.

However, Cllr Gill Merry, Conservative member for Sandbach Elworth, reminded the committee that councillors already have to declare any interests they have which could cause conflict when a subject is being debated or voted on.

“Others knowing that person may well believe and know that they are members of an organisation which could have a direct impact on the matter being discussed,” she said.

“That has always been my position. I really couldn’t care less whether I declare what I am a member of or not, however it might mean that I have to keep coming into [CEC headquarters] Westfields to alter my declaration as I join something and leave something else.

Cllr Gill Merry

“I really cannot see that it helps in any way to declare these organisations.”

Cllr Merry added that her husband is a member of the Freemasonry, and that a lack of understanding of what Freemasons do ‘may very well be why’ councillors were considering making the declarations mandatory.

Following the decision not to introduce mandatory declarations at CEC, Stephen Blank, head of Cheshire Freemasonry, said: “Cheshire Freemasons are delighted that the proposed requirement for mandatory declarations has been thrown out, however I am saddened that the former council leader has been quoted making reference to masons once again.

“For too long we have been unjustly singled out. We are an organisation whose whole tenet is about helping individuals become better people, with values of honesty, integrity and service to others.

“Membership of Freemasonry is not only positive for them as individuals, but also for society at large. Sadly, too many Freemasons have to exercise caution in response to prejudice and discrimination they fear they will face.

“We want the day when every Freemason can proudly declare themselves a member of our great and historical organisation without fear of retribution, suspicion or damage. We’re open and happy to talk about anything and to answer any questions people may have.”