FRENSHAM and Tilford parish councils appear to be out on a limb in their opposition to a new Code of Conduct which requires councillors to reveal their business and private interests.

Four Frensham members have resigned over the new government-imposed code and Tilford has narrowly voted against it in principle, though they still have to decide whether to accept it as individual councillors.

The new code, part of the Local Government Act 2000, has been introduced to stamp out corruption.

But Frensham and Tilford councillors believe the move is excessive for parish councils only controlling small budgets and an insult to members' reputation for probity.

But a Herald poll has revealed that most parish councils have accepted the code, which requires councillors to re-sign their acceptance of office and declare interests and gifts received over the value of £25.

Farnham Town Council, which is technically a large parish council, has accepted the code, which replaces its own informal one which was not enshrined in legislation.

Councillors expressed some concern about the code's instruction to report any member who is believed to be breaching the code, believing it could lead to politically motivated complaints.

But they eventually agreed the system would provide a necessary check on its activities.

Thursley Parish Council chairman Nicola Nash told The Herald this week that the code is "No big deal".

Mrs Nash agrees it is "a little unnecessary" but feels other parish councils who consider it intrusive have overreacted by resigning in protest.

"Thursley Parish Council has nothing to hide and we are prepared to jump through the necessary hoops. I think people have overreacted to the code.

"They are obviously more traditional and are taking this as a personal slur on their characters. We see it as just another government regulation and requirement."

With a couple of exceptions Mrs Nash said the new code is "hardly relevant" as the majority of Thursley's councillors are housewives and she disputed claims from Tilford that the code will be time consuming.

Her sentiments are echoed by the chairman of Elstead Parish Council Denis Holmes, who said that the code has "gone through smoothly" at the last meeting and was "mystified" by the reactions of councillors at Frensham and Tilford.

"It is a very small entry on the register asking where you live, if you own any land or if you're an officer of any club in the village. We have a very wide range of members at Elstead Parish Council and see no problem with reporting to the Waverley Ethical Standards Officer."

Seale and Sands Parish Council has signed up to the code but chairman Bill Nelson has previously told The Herald it would "create more pressure on recruiting councillors in the future" who might be put off by its complexity.

Neighbouring Tongham Parish Council has also signed up.

Clerk Carol Meckiffe said: "I do wonder what the problem is. We're not a large council and we don't have a bunch of landowners in our midst.

"Some people feel it's an intrusion but we don't. People do get a bit uptight."

And as for increased paperwork: "It's another wad but it's not an horrific amount."

The Herald understands that Dockenfield is discussing the matter with Waverley and is yet to reach a decision.