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NERC policy on vested interests for members of NERC boards and committees*

Introduction

NERC uses the expertise, knowledge and advice of the international academic and research community, government agencies, industry and elsewhere. Their involvement is an essential contribution to the Council's decision-making processes, many of which lead to the allocation of public funds.

Why is a vested interests policy needed?

NERC needs to set out clearly how it expects its committee and board members to act in considering the allocation of funds and in the wider decision-making and advisory contexts.

The aim of this policy is to protect both the organisation and the individuals involved from any appearance of impropriety.

How does NERC define 'vested interest'?

Vested interest is defined as the committee or board member being associated or involved in any way with:

  • an institution, department or individual that has submitted a funding proposal or would otherwise benefit from a decision;
  • and/or has been involved in the development, or implementation of proposals seeking Council funds or in the evaluation of research investments.

How does NERC apply its vested interest policy?

  1. The chair of a meeting will be briefed on vested interests using the Register of Declarations of Interest, and will draw attention to these before the meeting starts.
  2. NERC will remove all papers relating to a vested interest from the respective member's meeting papers.
  3. At the start of each meeting the chair should remind the committee/board that they should declare if any item on the agenda is likely to give rise to an actual or potential conflict of interest.
  4. The chair should consider if the interest is such as to require the member to leave the room when that matter comes up for discussion, or to remain in the room, but without expressing any opinion on the issue.
  5. If there is doubt as to whether the member should be asked to leave, the chair may discuss this with the rest of the committee. The member may be asked to leave the room while the committee decides.
  6. If the absence of a member who has declared an interest will compromise the committee's expertise, they may be invited to speak on 'matters of fact'.
  7. If the committee member concerned is the chair, then another member should chair that item.
  8. If in doubt, the chair and committee should assume that the actual or potential conflict of interest may call into question the objectivity and impartiality of the committee's consideration of that issue.
  9. All vested interests declared, and actions taken, should be recorded in the minutes of the meeting, ensuring a proper audit trail.

NERC's Register of Declarations of Interest

  1. On taking up their appointments, all Committee members must declare any private, professional or commercial interests that could conflict with NERC's interests. These interests may be direct or indirect, monetary or non-monetary, which the public might reasonably think could influence the Committee members' judgment.
  2. NERC will record the declarations of interest centrally and update them every year.
  3. Members should, provide updated information as changes occur.
  4. NERC will put the register on its website so the public can inspect it, and the website detail will be published in the NERC Council's annual report.

* For the purposes of this statement, Boards and Committees is the generic term used for any group convened by, or acting on behalf of, Council or the Chief Executive.

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