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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 23 June 2025 be signed and approved as a correct record.
RESOLVED: That the Standards Committee Forward Work Programme be approved.
RESOLVED: • That Councillor Harry Saville be permitted to speak with officers and write to officers and/ or the Council regarding licensing and home to school transport matters, except on any matters concerning any license or review related to Phoenix Transport Ltd. for a period of 12 months. • That Councilor Harry Saville be allowed to speak and take part in debates and answer questions in the General or Statutory Licensing Committee, Overview and Scrutiny Committees, Cabinet and Council relating to home to school transport or taxi provision, including policy discussions (but should leave the room before any vote is taken), except on any matters concerning any license or review related to Phoenix Transport Ltd. for a period of 12 months. • That the dispensation be granted under paragraphs 2 (d) and (f) (and paragraph 2 (g) in respect of Overview and Scrutiny Committees) of the Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations. Note: Councillor Harry Saville declared a personal interest in the above item, as it was his application, however, the Committee had invited Councillor Saville to explain the reasons for the application.
RESOLVED: That the update on Independent Member attendance at Mochdre Community Council on 6 October 2025 be noted.
RESOLVED: That the update on the National Standards Forum held on 23 June 2025 be noted.
RESOLVED: That, having had regard to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales Annual Report 2024/2025, the Committee concluded that no specific action was needed.
RESOLVED: That, having had regard to the Adjudication Panel for Wales Annual Report 2024/2025, the Committee concluded that no specific action was needed
RESOLVED: That the cases reported by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW) be noted.
RESOLVED: That the Councillors’ Register of Interests be approved by the Standards Committee. Councillor David Carr declared a personal interest in the above Agenda item as a change to his Register of Interests was being considered. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Carr remained in the meeting whilst the item was discussed and voted upon.
Apologies for absence were received from Brenda Bignold (Independent Member) and Councillor Louise Emery.
Councillor Harry Saville declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 6 (Application for Dispensation) as it was his application, however, the Committee had invited Councillor Saville to explain the reasons for the application Councillor David Carr declared a personal interest in Agenda item 12 (Members' Register of Interests) as a change to his Register of Interests was being considered. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Carr remained in 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 23 June 2025 be signed and approved as a correct record.
The minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 23 June 2025 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 23 June 2025 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 Councillor Harry Saville be permitted to speak with officers and write to officers and/ or the Council regarding licensing and home to school transport matters, except on any matters concerning any license or review related to Phoenix Transport Ltd. for a period of 12 months. • That Councilor Harry Saville be allowed to speak and take part in debates and answer questions in the General or Statutory Licensing Committee, Overview and Scrutiny Committees, Cabinet and Council relating to home to school transport or taxi provision, including policy discussions (but should leave the room before any vote is taken), except on any matters concerning any license or review related to Phoenix Transport Ltd. for a period of 12 months. • That the dispensation be granted under paragraphs 2 (d) and (f) (and paragraph 2 (g) in respect of Overview and Scrutiny Committees) of the Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations. Note: Councillor Harry Saville declared a personal interest in the above item, as it was his application, however, the Committee had invited Councillor Saville to explain the reasons for the application.
Councillor Harry Saville presented an application for the renewal of a dispensation for matters relating to taxi licensing and home to school transport due to a family member’s connection, employment and interests concerning Phoenix Transport Ltd., a private hire company and contracting partner with the Local Authority providing home to school transport. Councillor Saville confirmed that, whilst his application remained unchanged, he was content with the level of dispensation that had been granted previously. Members of the committee questioned Councillor Saville, and the following was discussed: • The dispensation allowed for Councillor Saville to remain in the meeting during discussions. • Councillor Saville confirmed that he had not requested to vote on matters relating to taxi licensing and home to school transport. • A concern was raised about Councillor Saville's presence during discussions involving rival taxi firms, however the meetings were public and available to view online. RESOLVED: • That Councillor Harry Saville be permitted to speak with officers and write to officers and/ or the Council regarding licensing and home to school transport matters, except on any matters concerning any license or review related to Phoenix Transport Ltd. for a period of 12 months. • That Councilor Harry Saville be allowed to speak and take part in debates and answer questions in the General or Statutory Licensing Committee, Overview and Scrutiny Committees, Cabinet and Council relating to home to school transport or taxi provision, including policy discussions (but should leave the room before any vote is taken), except on any matters concerning any license or review related to Phoenix Transport Ltd. for a period of 12 months. • That the dispensation be granted under paragraphs 2 (d) and (f) (and paragraph 2 (g) in respect of Overview and Scrutiny Committees) of the Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations. Note: Councillor Harry Saville declared a personal interest in the above item, as it was his application, however, the Committee had invited Councillor Saville to explain the reasons for the application.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the update on Independent Member attendance at Mochdre Community Council on 6 October 2025 be noted.
Gill Murgatroyd (Independent Member) had attended a meeting of Mochdre Community Council on 6 October 2025. The following update was provided: • The website was clearly laid out with the dates and times of meetings available as well as the Council’s Annual Report. • A new clerk had been appointed and would endeavour to update the website to include agendas, register of interest and the Council’s training plan. • An item regarding declarations of interest was included on the agenda and the Chair provided a relevant declaration. • The meeting was effectively chaired, with strong support from the clerk. RESOLVED: That the update on Independent Member attendance at Mochdre Community Council on 6 October 2025 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the update on the National Standards Forum held on 23 June 2025 be noted.
The Chair had attended a meeting of the National Standards Forum on 23 June 2025. After 3 years, Mr Wolfendale announced that he would be standing down as Chair of the National Standards Forum. Items discussed at the Forum included: • An update from the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW). • Legislation in respect of granting dispensations. • Cases referred to the Adjudication Panel for Wales (APW). • Independent member remuneration and the lack of uplift for a number of years. The Committee noted the value of independent members and recognised the need for fair remuneration. RESOLVED: That the update on the National Standards Forum held on 23 June 2025 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That, having had regard to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales Annual Report 2024/2025, the Committee concluded that no specific action was needed.
The Deputy Monitoring Officer presented the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW) Annual Report 2024/2025. The report set out the number of investigations arising from complaints made to the PSOW about Councillors alleged to have breached the Members’ Code of Conduct and detailed how they were improving standards of conduct across Wales. RESOLVED: That, having had regard to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales Annual Report 2024/2025, the Committee concluded that no specific action was needed.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That, having had regard to the Adjudication Panel for Wales Annual Report 2024/2025, the Committee concluded that no specific action was needed
The Deputy Monitoring Officer presented the Adjudication Panel for Wales Annual Report 2024/2025. The report set out the number of cases dealt with and their outcomes. RESOLVED: That, having had regard to the Adjudication Panel for Wales Annual Report 2024/2025, the Committee concluded that no specific action was needed
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the cases reported by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW) be noted.
The Deputy Monitoring Officer presented a report on the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW) "Our Findings" report. The report detailed eleven cases. Four of the cases involved alleged breaches of the Code by Town and Community Councillors and seven of the matters related to County Councillors. The Deputy Monitoring Officer highlighted some of the trends within the cases and the Ombudsman’s comments on the importance of advice from Monitoring Officers. It was agreed the messages from the reports should be highlighted by the Deputy Monitoring Officer to Group Leaders and directly to those non-aligned Councillors. RESOLVED: That the cases reported by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW) be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Councillors’ Register of Interests be approved by the Standards Committee. Councillor David Carr declared a personal interest in the above Agenda item as a change to his Register of Interests was being considered. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Carr remained in the meeting whilst the item was discussed and voted upon.
The Members’ 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. Councillor David Carr declared a personal interest in the above Agenda item as a change to his Register of Interests was being considered. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Carr remained in the meeting whilst the item was discussed and voted upon.
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.
Lists the council's current councillors only. Co-opted members, officers and former councillors aren't shown.