Councillors' Registers of Interests - London Law

Parks and Public Spaces England 3 Minutes Read · published February 02, 2026 Flag of England

In London, England most elected councillors must publish a register of interests so the public can check for potential conflicts. Registers of interests are usually maintained by each borough council and by the Greater London Authority for Assembly members; this guide explains where to find registers, how to request records, who enforces the rules and what to do if you suspect a breach.

How to find a councillor's register

Start at your local borough website and search for "register of interests" or "declarations of interest"; the Greater London Authority also publishes registers for the Mayor and Assembly members and explains where to look for borough registers on its site GLA registers and guidance[1].

  • Search your borough site for "register of interests" or "councillor declarations".
  • Check the council’s governance or transparency pages for downloadable registers.
  • If not online, use the council’s Freedom of Information request form to request a copy.
  • Contact the council’s Monitoring Officer or Standards Team for direct assistance.
Registers are public documents and are normally published online by each council.

Penalties & Enforcement

Legal duties about registers and declarations of interest are set out in national legislation and local codes of conduct; the controlling national instrument is the Localism Act 2011 and associated regulations and guidance Localism Act 2011[2].

  • Fines and financial penalties: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation - first, repeat or continuing offences: not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions commonly applied by councils include censure, suspension from council duties, orders to register or disclose, and possible referral for criminal proceedings; precise sanctions are set out in local codes or as provided by law and may vary by council.
  • Enforcer - the local council acts through its Monitoring Officer and Standards Committee; complaints are made via the council’s official complaints or standards page.
  • Appeal and review routes: internal review by the council and, where available, complaints to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman; time limits for appeals or reviews are typically set by the council or the relevant procedure and are not specified on the cited page.
  • Defences and discretion: councils may consider reasonable excuse, late registration steps taken, or grant dispensations under local rules; check the council’s code of conduct for details.
If you suspect an undeclared interest, contact your council's Monitoring Officer with specific evidence.

Applications & Forms

Most councils publish registers online so no form is required to view them; if a register is not available you may submit a Freedom of Information request using the council’s FOI form or use the council’s published contact route. Specific form names, reference numbers, fees and deadlines are determined by each council and are not consolidated on the cited pages.

Action steps

  • Search your borough site for "register of interests" and download the latest PDF or page.
  • If the register is not online, submit an FOI request via the council’s official FOI form.
  • Report suspected undeclared interests to the Monitoring Officer with dates and evidence.
  • If dissatisfied with the council’s handling, consider contacting the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
Most breaches are handled by the council’s standards process rather than immediate prosecution.

FAQ

How do I find a councillor's register of interests?
Check the relevant London borough website for a "register of interests" page or the Greater London Authority for Assembly members; if unavailable, request the register via the council’s FOI process.
Can I get a copy for free?
Registers published online are free; if you need to make a formal request the council’s FOI guidance will state whether any fee applies.
Who enforces the rules on declarations?
Your local council enforces rules through its Monitoring Officer and Standards Committee, with the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman available for certain complaints.

How-To

  1. Identify the councillor and the borough they represent.
  2. Visit the borough council website and search for "register of interests" or "declarations of interest".
  3. Download the register or save the web page for your records.
  4. If the register is missing or out of date, contact the Monitoring Officer or submit an FOI request.
  5. To report a suspected breach, provide the Monitoring Officer with dates, documents and a clear summary of the allegation.

Key Takeaways

  • Registers of interests are public and usually published online by each London borough.
  • The Monitoring Officer and the council’s standards arrangements handle complaints locally.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] GLA - registers of interests and guidance
  2. [2] Localism Act 2011 - legislation and provisions

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