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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 14 October 2024 be signed and approved as a correct record.
RESOLVED: That the Standards Committee Forward Work Programme be approved.
RESOLVED: That the Adjudication Panel for Wales Annual Report 2023/2024 be noted.
RESOLVED: That the Monitoring Officer be requested to provide a response on behalf of the Standards Committee to the three questions contained in the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales’ Consultation, as set out at paragraph 3.10 of the report.
RESOLVED: That Members consider the cases reported by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW) on a regular basis to assist in their duties promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct.
RESOLVED: That the update on the Welsh Government Local Government and Housing Committee inquiry into the role, governance and accountability of the community and town council sector be noted.
RESOLVED: That the update on Independent Member attendance at Llysfaen Community Council on 14 October 2024 be noted.
RESOLVED: That the Councillors’ Register of Interests be approved by the Standards Committee. Note: Councillor Chris Cater declared a personal interest in the above item as a change to his Register of Interests was being considered. Whilst the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Cater chose to leave the meeting whilst the item was discussed and voted upon.
RESOLVED: That the register of Gifts and Hospitality be approved by the Standards Committee.
None.
In the interest of transparency, Gill Murgatroyd (Independent Member) stated that she was a Member of Flintshire County Council’s Standards Committee. Councillor Chris Cater declared a personal interest in Agenda item 9 (Members’ Register of Interests) as a change to his Register of Interests was being considered. Whilst the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Cater chose to leave the meeting whilst the item was discussed and voted upon.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 14 October 2024 be signed and approved as a correct record.
The minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 14 October 2024 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 14 October 2024 be signed and approved as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Standards Committee Forward Work Programme be approved.
The Forward Work Programme (FWP) for the Standards Committee was presented. RESOLVED: That the Standards Committee Forward Work Programme be approved.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Adjudication Panel for Wales Annual Report 2023/2024 be noted.
The Monitoring Officer presented the Adjudication Panel for Wales Annual Report 2023/2024. The report set out the number of cases dealt with and their outcomes. Members concluded that having had regard to the Adjudication Panel for Wales’ Annual Report for 2023/2024, no specific action was needed arising from the report. RESOLVED: That the Adjudication Panel for Wales Annual Report 2023/2024 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Monitoring Officer be requested to provide a response on behalf of the Standards Committee to the three questions contained in the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales’ Consultation, as set out at paragraph 3.10 of the report.
The Monitoring Officer presented a report, which sought a response from the Committee to the Consultation by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW) on its practice of not informing an accused Member of a complaint against them until after it had been assessed. The Committee were requested to provide a response to three questions which were set out within the report. The following was discussed: • Whilst some Members indicated that they would wish to be informed of a complaint against them, others would prefer not to be informed until the complaint had been assessed. • Informing Members of a complaint was considered transparent. • The practice of informing Members of a complaint had been changed due to resource implications and unnecessary stress for the accused. - The Consultation was being carried out as an independent investigation had suggested reverting to the original practice of informing Members of complaints against them. • It was felt that matters relating to resource implications were not a matter for the Standards Committee to consider and that transparency and natural justice was paramount. • It was suggested that, if a Member was not informed of a complaint then an unintentional conflict of interest could arise. • It was also suggested that the accused Member should be given the opportunity to provide their views on the complaint. - If not informed in a timely manner, a Member’s ability to gather relevant information to defend their position could be impacted upon. • It was confirmed that 311 complaints had been assessed by the PSOW in 2023/2024 and that 48 had been investigated. • Views of those who had been subject of a complaint and the effect it had on them should be considered as part of the consultation. • It was a possibility that, if informed at an early stage, a Member could seek to interfere with the process. The majority of the Standards Committee supported the recommendation that an accused Member be informed of a complaint against them. - The Monitoring Officer would provide a summary of the views expressed by the Committee. RESOLVED: That the Monitoring Officer be requested to provide a response on behalf of the Standards Committee to the three questions contained in the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales’ Consultation, as set out at paragraph 3.10 of the report.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That Members consider the cases reported by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW) on a regular basis to assist in their duties promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct.
The Deputy Monitoring Officer presented a report on the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW) "Our Findings" report. The report detailed nine cases. Seven of the cases involved alleged breaches of the Code by Town and Community Councillors and two of the matters related to County Councillors. It was confirmed that two cases had been referred to a Standards Committee and to the Adjudication Panel for Wales and the outcomes would be reported at a later date. RESOLVED: That Members consider the cases reported by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW) on a regular basis to assist in their duties promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the update on the Welsh Government Local Government and Housing Committee inquiry into the role, governance and accountability of the community and town council sector be noted.
The Chair presented a report on the Welsh Government Local Government and Housing Committee inquiry into the role, governance and accountability of the community and town council sector. The National Standards Forum were invited to submit evidence to the inquiry and oral evidence was submitted to the Welsh Government Local Government and Housing Committee on the 14 November 2024. The Chair of the Standards Committee was also the Chair of the National Standards Forum and had produced a written update on the matter, which was attached as an appendix to the report. The following was discussed: · The changing responsibilities and expectations of Town and Community Councils, such as managing toilets and playgrounds and the need to train Clerks accordingly. · As Town and Community Council roles were voluntary, the increasing level of work was not sustainable and may impede on the attraction of a more diverse membership. · Disagreements within Town and Community Councils and referrals to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW) had increased. · It was suggested that feedback from Independent Member attendance at Town and Community Council Meetings be collated. · It was suggested that a restructure of Town and Community Councils was required, including the merging of Councils that were in close proximity in order to free up resources. · Members were reminded that the remit of the Standards Committee was Member conduct. RESOLVED: That the update on the Welsh Government Local Government and Housing Committee inquiry into the role, governance and accountability of the community and town council sector be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the update on Independent Member attendance at Llysfaen Community Council on 14 October 2024 be noted.
Brenda Bignold (Independent Member) had attended a meeting of Llysfaen Community Council on 14 October 2024. The following update was provided: • The website was incomplete and information was out of date, however, reassurance was provided that a new website was being created. • There was 100% attendance at the meeting and it was evident that Members cared about their community. • There was no reference on the agenda to public attendance at meetings. • Whilst the meeting was a hybrid meeting, the meeting date and joining details had not been made available to members of the public. • There was confusion at the meeting in respect of personal and prejudicial interests. The following was discussed: • The Community Council had welcomed the visit and saw it as an opportunity for improvement. • Concern was expressed in respect of accessibility of meetings to members of the public. RESOLVED: That the update on Independent Member attendance at Llysfaen Community Council on 14 October 2024 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Councillors’ Register of Interests be approved by the Standards Committee. Note: Councillor Chris Cater declared a personal interest in the above item as a change to his Register of Interests was being considered. Whilst the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Cater chose to leave the meeting whilst the item was discussed and voted upon.
The Councillors’ Register of Interests was presented for the inspection of the Standards Committee. RESOLVED: That the Councillors’ Register of Interests be approved by the Standards Committee. Note: Councillor Chris Cater declared a personal interest in the above item as a change to his Register of Interests was being considered. Whilst the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Cater chose to leave the meeting whilst the item was discussed and voted upon.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the register of Gifts and Hospitality be approved by the Standards Committee.
The Councillors’ Register of Gifts and Hospitality was presented for the inspection of the Standards Committee. RESOLVED: That the register of Gifts and Hospitality be approved by the Standards Committee.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
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