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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED to confirm as a true record the minutes of the meeting held on 09 March 2026.
AGREED that the Committee: (i) had reviewed the current £21 threshold-to remain at £21; (ii) that the decision be included in the Chair’s Annual Report; (iii) would review the threshold on an annual basis; and (iv) include this item within the Committee’s Forward Work Programme.
AGREED: (i) to recommend to Democratics Services that the wish of the Committee was that current hybrid arrangements be retained; and (ii) should this request be presented to the Committee again, the Council be requested to consider providing adequate IT support and equipment to Independent Members and Town / Community Councillors to enable them to fulfil their roles effectively where meetings were held remotely only.
AGREED (i)that the contents of the report be noted; and (ii) that an information sheet, including guidance points, be developed to support Town and Community Councils Members on the Code of Conduct, in addition to the post-May 2027 elections training
AGREED to approve the amended Ethics and Standards Committee report template, as set out in Appendix 2.
AGREED to note the content of the Policies and Procedures table, subject to the following: (i) that clarification be provided to confirm that the timelines for reviewing the Policies and Procedures aligned with the timescales of the Forward Work Programme and Action Plan; (ii) that it be noted that any policies and procedures developed in the future would be added to the list accordingly; and (iii) that the Annual Letter from the Ombudsman be added to both the list and the Forward Work Programme.
AGREED to approve the self-evaluation, subject to the inclusion of the Committee’s opinion within Sections 1 and 6.
AGREED to: • note the assessment of Political Group Leaders’ compliance with their statutory duties; • note the agreed arrangements for future working, including meeting frequency, compliance thresholds and mechanisms; • approve the revised Compliance Assessment template; and • note the position for inclusion in the Chair’s Annual Report for 2025/26.
AGREED that the Vision Statement be amended as follows to include the words “and businesses :- “Our Vision is that the people and businesses of Ceredigion will have trust and confidence that all those elected to office in Local Government in our county will work to the highest ethical and moral standards in serving their community”
AGREED to recommend to Council that the revised Terms of Reference (Appendix 2) be approved.
AGREED to note the Forward Work Programme subject to the following :- • that the report of the Terms of Reference be added; • that a report on the Review of Gifts and Hospitality be presented to the March 2027 meeting; • to note that the Chair’s Annual Report had been removed from the current agenda as further work was required, and would instead be presented at the September meeting; • that guidance on the presentation of dispensation applications by Councillors at the Committee, including in their absence, was being drafted to consolidate existing arrangements into a single set of guidance.
Councillor Caryl Roberts together with Mrs Gail Storr apologised for their inability to attend the meeting.
None.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to confirm as a true record the minutes of the meeting held on 09 March 2026.
It was RESOLVED to confirm as a true record the minutes of the meeting held on 09 March 2026.
None.
The Committee agreed to note the Action Log as presented, subject to the following: (i) Action 4 – that the report on the Local Resolution Process had not been completed, as new guidelines had not been received; (ii) Action 9 – completed-that a letter had been sent to and received from the Ombudsman; however, revised guidance had not, to date, been received; (iii) Actions 12 and 15 – completed-that the application for dispensation and the list of policies/procedures were included on the agenda for consideration.
Decision as recorded
AGREED that the Committee: (i) had reviewed the current £21 threshold-to remain at £21; (ii) that the decision be included in the Chair’s Annual Report; (iii) would review the threshold on an annual basis; and (iv) include this item within the Committee’s Forward Work Programme.
Consideration was given to the Report upon the Review of Gifts and Hospitality regarding the current financial threshold for the declaration of gifts and hospitality, which was set at £21 under the Members’ Code of Conduct. It was noted previous considerations of this matter in January and November 2023 and the decision to retain the £21 threshold, while recognising the importance of consistency with officer arrangements. It was further noted that Welsh Government guidance recommended regular review of such thresholds and inclusion within the Committee’s Annual Report. The Committee considered the need to undertake an annual review of the threshold and include the outcome within the Chair’s Annual Report. It was AGREED that the Committee: (i) had reviewed the current £21 threshold-to remain at £21; (ii) that the decision be included in the Chair’s Annual Report; (iii) would review the threshold on an annual basis; and (iv) include this item within the Committee’s Forward Work Programme.
Decision as recorded
AGREED: (i) to recommend to Democratics Services that the wish of the Committee was that current hybrid arrangements be retained; and (ii) should this request be presented to the Committee again, the Council be requested to consider providing adequate IT support and equipment to Independent Members and Town / Community Councillors to enable them to fulfil their roles effectively where meetings were held remotely only.
The Committee received a report outlining previous considerations by the Democratic Services Committee regarding a pilot for remote-only meetings and the associated advantages and disadvantages. The Committee noted Welsh Government guidance supporting flexibility in meeting arrangements and considered the potential benefits of remote meetings, including reduced travel, improved accessibility, and efficiency, alongside drawbacks such as reduced engagement and loss of informal interaction. It was further noted that similar considerations applied to the Ethics and Standards Committee, including challenges in maintaining quorum and the nature of its membership and functions. Attendance data and practical considerations were reviewed in determining the most appropriate meeting format going forward. It was AGREED: (i) to recommend to Democratics Services that the wish of the Committee was that current hybrid arrangements be retained; and (ii) should this request be presented to the Committee again, the Council be requested to consider providing adequate IT support and equipment to Independent Members and Town / Community Councillors to enable them to fulfil their roles effectively where meetings were held remotely only.
The Committee NOTED the report.
The Committee NOTED the contents of the report.
Decision as recorded
AGREED (i)that the contents of the report be noted; and (ii) that an information sheet, including guidance points, be developed to support Town and Community Councils Members on the Code of Conduct, in addition to the post-May 2027 elections training
The Committee received an update report from the Monitoring Officer on trends and statistics relating to Code of Conduct matters for Quarter 4 of 2025/26.The Committee noted a decrease in Code of Conduct issues at County Council level, although ongoing concerns remained regarding lack of sensitivity, respect and effective communication by some Members. Statistical information relating to referrals, complaints, and advice issued was also noted. In relation to Town and Community Councils, the Committee noted continued issues regarding behaviour, governance and failure to declare interests, along with the need for further Code of Conduct training, and that many Councillors would not be standing for election in May 2027. It was AGREED (i)that the contents of the report be noted; and (ii) that an information sheet, including guidance points, be developed to support Town and Community Councils Members on the Code of Conduct, in addition to the post-May 2027 elections training
Decision as recorded
AGREED to approve the amended Ethics and Standards Committee report template, as set out in Appendix 2.
Consideration was given to the report upon reviewing the current Ethics and Standards Committee (ESC) report template and identifying inconsistencies in structure, content and headings. It was noted that a comparison exercise had been undertaken with other Council committee templates and those of other Welsh local authorities, highlighting the absence of a consistent baseline template and the omission of key governance headings. The Committee considered proposed amendments to the template, including the addition of standard headings to improve clarity, consistency and alignment with corporate reporting requirements. It was AGREED to approve the amended Ethics and Standards Committee report template, as set out in Appendix 2.
Decision as recorded
AGREED to note the content of the Policies and Procedures table, subject to the following: (i) that clarification be provided to confirm that the timelines for reviewing the Policies and Procedures aligned with the timescales of the Forward Work Programme and Action Plan; (ii) that it be noted that any policies and procedures developed in the future would be added to the list accordingly; and (iii) that the Annual Letter from the Ombudsman be added to both the list and the Forward Work Programme.
The Committee received a report following previous requests from the Chair to improve oversight of policies and procedures within the Forward Work Programme and Action Log. The Committee noted that a table had been developed identifying relevant policies and procedures, their review frequency, and next review dates to ensure they remained up to date and aligned with good governance practice. It was AGREED to note the content of the Policies and Procedures table, subject to the following: (i) that clarification be provided to confirm that the timelines for reviewing the Policies and Procedures aligned with the timescales of the Forward Work Programme and Action Plan; (ii) that it be noted that any policies and procedures developed in the future would be added to the list accordingly; and (iii) that the Annual Letter from the Ombudsman be added to both the list and the Forward Work Programme.
Decision as recorded
AGREED to approve the self-evaluation, subject to the inclusion of the Committee’s opinion within Sections 1 and 6.
The Committee received a report on the annual self-evaluation of the Ethics and Standards Committee for 2025/2026.It was noted that the revised self-evaluation questionnaire and Terms of Reference table had been approved in March 2026, and that a workshop had been held on 30 April 2026 to complete the assessment. The Committee noted that the self-assessment had now been completed, with responses provided anonymously and set out in Appendices 1 and 2. It was AGREED to approve the self-evaluation, subject to the inclusion of the Committee’s opinion within Sections 1 and 6.
Decision as recorded
AGREED to: • note the assessment of Political Group Leaders’ compliance with their statutory duties; • note the agreed arrangements for future working, including meeting frequency, compliance thresholds and mechanisms; • approve the revised Compliance Assessment template; and • note the position for inclusion in the Chair’s Annual Report for 2025/26.
The Committee received a report on the Political Group Leaders’ (PGL) compliance with their statutory duties under the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 for the 2025/26 period. The Committee were informed of the progress against actions from 2024/25, with a small number of actions remaining outstanding, including support for the Local Resolution Protocol and the inclusion of “Managing Difficult Conversations” within training. It was noted that Group Leaders were compliant with their duty to promote and maintain high standards of conduct and generally compliant in cooperating with the Committee, although two Group Leaders had not submitted their compliance templates. The Committee identified ongoing training needs, including managing difficult conversations and additional IT training for Members. The Committee also considered arrangements for future working, including the format and frequency of meetings, compliance thresholds, and reporting mechanisms. It was agreed to continue the current workshop-based approach, with annual meetings scheduled following the AGM, and additional arrangements in place for the 2027/28 municipal year. The Committee further noted general findings from the process, including low levels of complaints, positive engagement with the Monitoring Officer, and the Noted progress against actions from 2024/25; It was AGREED to: • note the assessment of Political Group Leaders’ compliance with their statutory duties; • note the agreed arrangements for future working, including meeting frequency, compliance thresholds and mechanisms; • approve the revised Compliance Assessment template; and • note the position for inclusion in the Chair’s Annual Report for 2025/26.
Decision as recorded
AGREED that the Vision Statement be amended as follows to include the words “and businesses :- “Our Vision is that the people and businesses of Ceredigion will have trust and confidence that all those elected to office in Local Government in our county will work to the highest ethical and moral standards in serving their community”
The Committee received a report reviewing the Ethics and Standards Committee Vision Statement, which had last been considered in June 2023. The Committee noted feedback from Members, including suggestions to strengthen the statement by reflecting confidence in the Council’s ethical framework and governance arrangements, and by clarifying how the vision would be achieved in practice. It was also noted that the existing statement was clear, focused on public trust, and emphasised high ethical and moral standards. It was AGREED that the Vision Statement be amended as follows to include the words “and businesses :- “Our Vision is that the people and businesses of Ceredigion will have trust and confidence that all those elected to office in Local Government in our county will work to the highest ethical and moral standards in serving their community”
Decision as recorded
AGREED to recommend to Council that the revised Terms of Reference (Appendix 2) be approved.
The Committee received a report reviewing the Ethics and Standards Committee Terms of Reference (ToR) in line with legislative requirements, Welsh Government guidance, and preparation for the May 2027 local government elections. The Committee noted that the current ToR complied with statutory requirements but required updating to reflect recent changes, guidance and the Committee’s evolving role. A comparison exercise with other Welsh local authorities and relevant frameworks had also been undertaken. The Committee considered proposed amendments, including the removal of obsolete functions, the inclusion of responsibilities relating to the review of gifts and hospitality thresholds, and the addition of functions reflecting current workload and governance activities. It was noted by the Monitoring Officr that at number 17 “Additional” would change to “Ancillary. “There was a need to ensure that additional functions were added to the Forward Work Plan and Self evaluation It was AGREED to recommend to Council that the revised Terms of Reference (Appendix 2) be approved.
Decision as recorded
AGREED to note the Forward Work Programme subject to the following :- • that the report of the Terms of Reference be added; • that a report on the Review of Gifts and Hospitality be presented to the March 2027 meeting; • to note that the Chair’s Annual Report had been removed from the current agenda as further work was required, and would instead be presented at the September meeting; • that guidance on the presentation of dispensation applications by Councillors at the Committee, including in their absence, was being drafted to consolidate existing arrangements into a single set of guidance.
It was AGREED to note the Forward Work Programme subject to the following :- • that the report of the Terms of Reference be added; • that a report on the Review of Gifts and Hospitality be presented to the March 2027 meeting; • to note that the Chair’s Annual Report had been removed from the current agenda as further work was required, and would instead be presented at the September meeting; • that guidance on the presentation of dispensation applications by Councillors at the Committee, including in their absence, was being drafted to consolidate existing arrangements into a single set of guidance.
None.
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