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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
AGREED (i)that a workshop would be held to discuss an appropriate template for the report prior to starting the draft report for 25/26 in early April 2026; and (ii)reports from other Local Authorities would also be sought for reference A workshop was held on the 12 September 2025 to discuss the review of the report. It was agreed that a revised annual report would be presented at the January meeting for consideration. Following discussion, it was AGREED to approve the revised template for the annual report subject to discussing the design and formatting of reports used by other services to consider for this report. It was stated that the new template was clear and easy to read.
AGREED to note the content.
AGREED to note the update provided.
AGREED to note the content of the report as presented.
AGREED that the Council approve the amendments to the code of conduct for members.
AGREED to approve the revised Person Specification criteria as presented (Appendix 3) subject to amending: (i) the Independent Member of Ethics and Standards Committee Person Specification from Essential to Desirable for the following criteria: - • Experience in Committee working and public accountability • Experience of a role in the public sector • Live and/or work in Ceredigion (ii) changing para f) "spouse or civil partner" to "close personal associate"
AGREED that: • a training session would be arranged once the new Independent Members had been appointed as they may wish to be part of this training. A workshop of the facilitators of this training would then subsequently be arranged. • Feedback from Town and Community Councils that had attended the previous training would also be considered as part of the new training proposed.
AGREED to note the content of the Forward Work Programme as presented.
Due to the meeting not being in quorate at 10:00am, the meeting commenced at 10:05am to inform the Members that were present of this position. Once the meeting was in quorate, the meeting recommenced at 10:15am.
Miss Caryl Davies and Mrs Llinos James together with Councillor Delyth James apologised for their inability to attend the meeting.
The Chair noted that Miss Caryl Davies was unable to attend the meeting due to personal circumstances and expressed best wishes to her and her family.
None.
Confirmation of the minutes had been deferred, as the Members who had been present at the previous meeting were not in attendance to confirm them.
Matters Arising were also not discussed due to the Members who had been present at the previous meeting not being in attendance.
It was agreed to note the Action Log as presented.
Decision as recorded
AGREED (i)that a workshop would be held to discuss an appropriate template for the report prior to starting the draft report for 25/26 in early April 2026; and (ii)reports from other Local Authorities would also be sought for reference A workshop was held on the 12 September 2025 to discuss the review of the report. It was agreed that a revised annual report would be presented at the January meeting for consideration. Following discussion, it was AGREED to approve the revised template for the annual report subject to discussing the design and formatting of reports used by other services to consider for this report. It was stated that the new template was clear and easy to read.
It was reported as Members where aware consideration was given to the Ethics and Standards Chair Annual Report 2024/25 at the 21 May 2025 meeting. Several Members raised concern on the size of the report. However, it was stated that the work of the Committee was now located in one document and was also in line with the requirements of the Local Government & Elections (Wales) Act 2021 Act. It was suggested that an easy read report could be also created, if Members agreed to continue with the current template. Following discussion at that meeting, it was AGREED (i)that a workshop would be held to discuss an appropriate template for the report prior to starting the draft report for 25/26 in early April 2026; and (ii)reports from other Local Authorities would also be sought for reference A workshop was held on the 12 September 2025 to discuss the review of the report. It was agreed that a revised annual report would be presented at the January meeting for consideration. Following discussion, it was AGREED to approve the revised template for the annual report subject to discussing the design and formatting of reports used by other services to consider for this report. It was stated that the new template was clear and easy to read.
Decision as recorded
AGREED to note the content.
It was AGREED to note the content.
Decision as recorded
AGREED to note the update provided.
It was AGREED to note the update provided.
Decision as recorded
AGREED to note the content of the report as presented.
It was AGREED to note the content of the report as presented.
Decision as recorded
AGREED that the Council approve the amendments to the code of conduct for members.
It was reported by the Monitoring Officer that the Local Government (Standards Committee and Member Conduct) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2025 had come into effect on 5/1/26.These regulations would amend The Conduct of Members (Principles) (Wales) Order 2001(SI 2001/2276):The Conduct of Members (Principles) (Wales) Order 2001. The effect of the changes were set out below: 1)The 2025 Regulations amend The Conduct of Members (Principles) (Wales) Order 2001( SI 2001/2276):The Conduct of Members (Principles) (Wales) Order 2001 Schedule Principles para 7: Para 2: Interpretation At the appropriate place in alphabetical order, insert— ““protected characteristics” (“nodweddion gwarchodedig”) has the meaning given by section 4 of the Equality Act 2010." From: "Equality and Respect 7. Members must carry out their duties and responsibilities with due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity for all people, regardless of their gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, age or religion, and show respect and consideration for others." to: "Equality and Respect 7. Members must carry out their duties and responsibilities with due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity for all people, regardless of their protected characteristics or socio-economic circumstances, and show respect and consideration for others." 2)Amendments to the Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) (Wales) Order 2008SI 2008/788: The Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) (Wales) Order 2008 4. In the Schedule to the Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) (Wales) Order 2008(1)— (a) in paragraph 1(1), at the appropriate place in alphabetical order insert— ““protected characteristics” (“nodweddion gwarchodedig”) has the meaning given by section 4 of the Equality Act 2010;”. (b) in paragraph 4(a), for “gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, age or religion” substitute “protected characteristics or socio-economic circumstances”. The Council’s current Code of Conduct for Members (adopted in 2008) with proposed amendments marked for ease of reference and drafted in accordance with the 2025 Regulations was considered. The Council's Democratics Services Committee considered these changes at its meeting on 15/1/26 and recommended that Council approve the changes. The Council's Constitution Working Group considered these changes at its meeting on 6/1/26 and recommended that Council approve the changes. It was suggested that the Monitoring Officer write to the Ombudsman enquiring whether the Guidance for Councillors would be updated to include socio-economic circumstances" as the meaning in paragraph 4 was not defined or clear. It was AGREED that the Council approve the amendments to the code of conduct for members.
Decision as recorded
AGREED to approve the revised Person Specification criteria as presented (Appendix 3) subject to amending: (i) the Independent Member of Ethics and Standards Committee Person Specification from Essential to Desirable for the following criteria: - • Experience in Committee working and public accountability • Experience of a role in the public sector • Live and/or work in Ceredigion (ii) changing para f) "spouse or civil partner" to "close personal associate"
The Committee received a report outlining the changes introduced by the Local Government (Standards Committee and Member Conduct) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2025, which came into effect on 5 January 2026. Members were reminded that Council had approved the existing Person Specification and eligibility criteria for independent members on 23 October 2025. It was noted that the current Person Specification contained inconsistent eligibility periods (12 months and 3 years), and that the 2025 Regulations had revised the statutory “cooling off” periods for former members and officers of relevant authorities. The Committee considered the proposed amendments to the Person Specification, which removed the existing criteria relating to former members and officers and replaced them with provisions reflecting the new regulatory framework. The proposed changes introduced: • a five year restriction for individuals who had previously held a senior, cabinet or executive post in a relevant authority. • a two year restriction for individuals who had been ordinary members of a relevant authority. • a two year restriction for former officers who had held a politically restricted post or the post of registration officer. Consideration should be given to adding Joint Committee to the list of organisations. Following discussion, it was AGREED to approve the revised Person Specification criteria as presented (Appendix 3) subject to amending: (i) the Independent Member of Ethics and Standards Committee Person Specification from Essential to Desirable for the following criteria: - • Experience in Committee working and public accountability • Experience of a role in the public sector • Live and/or work in Ceredigion (ii) changing para f) "spouse or civil partner" to "close personal associate"
Decision as recorded
AGREED that: • a training session would be arranged once the new Independent Members had been appointed as they may wish to be part of this training. A workshop of the facilitators of this training would then subsequently be arranged. • Feedback from Town and Community Councils that had attended the previous training would also be considered as part of the new training proposed.
The Committee received a report outlining the background to the Council’s commitment to supporting Town and Community Councils through the provision of regular Code of Conduct training for Members. It was noted that the most recent session, delivered remotely, took place on 11 February 2025. The Committee noted its responsibilities under its Terms of Reference (Part 2, Article 9 of the Constitution), which included promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct, assisting Members to observe the Code of Conduct, monitoring its operation, and advising, training or arranging training on matters relating to the Code of Conduct. Members acknowledged that the Committee also had responsibility for monitoring the effectiveness of the training programme and identifying areas where further development might be required. It was reported that some members of the Committee were already involved in delivering training alongside the Monitoring Officer and Standards Officer. The importance of ensuring that training remained accurate, authoritative and aligned with current legislation and Ombudsman guidance was emphasised. It was noted that it was important that the Councils were aware that this training was in additional resource to the training provided by One Voice Wales, which all Councillors were required to attend. It was AGREED that: • a training session would be arranged once the new Independent Members had been appointed as they may wish to be part of this training. A workshop of the facilitators of this training would then subsequently be arranged. • Feedback from Town and Community Councils that had attended the previous training would also be considered as part of the new training proposed.
Decision as recorded
AGREED to note the content of the Forward Work Programme as presented.
It was AGREED to note the content of the Forward Work Programme as presented.
None.
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