An SNP councillor in Aberdeen could face an investigation for failing to declare a company directorship.
A complaint about Jessica Mennie is believed to have been lodged with the ethical standards commissioner on Thursday.
She has been accused of breaching the code of conduct for councillors by failing to declare she is director of a firm called Mennico Ltd.
The Bridge of Don councillor, who is vice-convener of the city council’s education committee, is listed on Companies House as one of three directors of the business.
However, her register of interests at Aberdeen City Council states that she holds no directorships.
Asked about the missing information, Ms Mennie described it as an “oversight” and vowed to update her register of interests.
Ms Mennie established the company with her brothers in November 2021.
Under the code of conduct for councillors, elected members should register such interests within a month.
It is alleged Ms Mennie should have registered her directorship by December last year, and again after she was re-elected in May this year.
In a statement, she explained: “A few months ago I registered a company name with family members with a view to some future activity.
“It was an oversight on my part not to add it to my register of interests because it’s not operational and has zero turnover.
“I’ll be contacting the council’s monitoring officer to make sure the register is updated with these details.”
Investigation
The Ethical Standards Commissioner investigates complaints which claim councillors have breached their code of conduct.
The commissioner sends a report to the Standards Commission on the conclusion of the probe, then a decision is taken on whether there should be a hearing, further investigation, or no action taken.
Councillors can face censure, suspension or disqualification if they are found to have breached the code of conduct.
According to Companies House, the nature of Mennico Ltd’s business is listed as “other holiday and other collective accommodation”, as well as “other amusement and recreation activities not elsewhere classified”.
Ms Mennie was elected to the city council in October 2019, after a by-election in the Bridge of Don ward, before winning re-election in May.
Her register of interests states she is also an SNP marketing and events coordinator.
