Chapter 6: Predetermination
Section 25 - Prior indications as to view of a matter not to amount to predetermination
121.Section 25 clarifies how the common law concept of "predetermination" applies to councillors in England and Wales. Predetermination occurs where someone has a closed mind, with the effect that they are unable to apply their judgment fully and properly to an issue requiring a decision. Decisions made by councillors later judged to have predetermined views have been quashed. The section makes it clear that if a councillor has given a view on an issue, this does not show that the councillor has a closed mind on that issue, so that that if a councillor has campaigned on an issue or made public statements about their approach to an item of council business, he or she will be able to participate in discussion of that issue in the council and to vote on it if it arises in an item of council business requiring a decision.
122.Section 25 applies to members of all councils in England and Wales to which there are direct elections - although it applies both to elected and to co-opted members of those councils, and also to members of National Parks Authorities and the Broads Authority.