ALL NINE members of a Maidstone area parish council face an uncertain future over their refusal to divulge details of their personal finances. Since May 5, all parish councillors must now sign a register of interests publicly declaring any sources of income, land and directorships which they hold in the parish.

But the representatives at Otham, near Maidstone, have refused to give the information, voting unanimously at a private meeting against adopting the new code of conduct.

Parish council chairman Tim Pitt said: "We're really just a bunch of community-minded volunteers and this is an unwarranted intrusion. Let's keep it in perspective - we're parish councillors."

He said: "We're talking about having the authority to sign the odd cheque to pay for street cleaning and so on. This isn't Westminster." He said that members also objected to the new rules being sprung on them halfway through the electoral term, rather than at election time when they could consider whether they still wished to stand.

The rebel councillors have vowed not to pass on their details before Monday, June 3, as required and face being reported to the Standards Board for England, an independent local government watchdog. Standards board spokeswoman Clare Stephenson said: "After an investigation, one of a range of punishments, including disqualification from public office for up to five years, may be applied. I cannot say how likely that is to happen."

AT MARDEN, three of the 11 parish councillors voted against complying with the code and two abstained. They also face being reported the National Standards Board.

for England and losing their positions.

Clive Powell, of the Kent Association of Parish Councils, said rebel councils were now entering "uncharted territory". He said: "What the penalties are for councillors who will not sign is not quite clear."