THE leader of Dorset County has “stepped aside” from his duties after being charged over alleged failures to declare an interest in planning policy.

Spencer Flower will appear at Bournemouth Magistrates' Court on December 2 charged with three offences under section 31 and 34 of the Localism Act 2011 – all relate to his with East Dorset District Council and Dorset County Council.

The act requires members of a local authority to disclose certain financial interests on taking office and to refrain from participating in council business which will affect these interests.

It is alleged Mr Flower, 72, from Verwood, failed to declare an interest in Zebra Property Solutions LTD (ZPSL), a company for which he was a non-executive director while leader of the council.

It is also alleged he failed to disclose his interest in Synergy Housing Ltd (SHL), a company, in which he was also a non-executive director, before a meeting of Dorset County Council on February 25, 2013 at which its core strategy for the provision of social housing was discussed.

It is alleged Mr Flower participated and voted during this meeting.

John Locke, senior crown prosecutor, said: “I carefully reviewed all the evidence provided to me by Dorset Police and was satisfied there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and that it is in the public interest to prosecute Mr Flower for these three offences.”

Mr Flower led East Dorset District Council from 2008-13 (he remains on EDDC) and has been leader of Dorset County Council since May 2013.

This week Dorset County Council said cllr Flower would formally remain as leader but for the next few weeks his deputy Robert Gould, would take on leadership responsibilities.

Cllr Gould, who represents the Sherborne division, said: “I have taken on county council leadership responsibilities for a period of up to six weeks. This arrangement is similar to what would happen in the case of illness or absence, and is in line with our constitutional rules.

“It will allow us to continue the vital work of the county council, at an extremely important time, with the minimum of disruption.

“The county council requires the highest standards of probity and compliance from its members, and takes such matters extremely seriously. We hope this will be resolved as quickly as possible.”

Cllr Gould has taken up his new duties immediately, chairing yesterday's cabinet. Cllr Flower did not attend the meeting.

Cllr Flower remains a member of the county council and will continue representing Verwood and Three Legged Cross.