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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 Democratic Services Committee held on 8 September 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED: a) That the minutes of the Democratic Services Committee (24 November 2024) be shared with the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (DBCC)as the Council’s response to the consultation. b) That the consultation response also makes it clear that remuneration for Members should not exceed average earnings during the current or previous year. Note: Interests were declared on behalf of all Members in attendance for the above as the report concerned Member remuneration. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, they were able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillors: Chris Brockley, David Carr, Samantha Cotton, Goronwy Edwards, Gwennol Ellis, Sian Grady, Mandy Hawkins, Chris Hughes, Gail Jones, Trystan Lewis, Paul Luckock, Anne McCaffrey, Angie O’Grady, Stephen Price, Mike Priestley, Austin Roberts, Dilwyn Roberts, Elizabeth Roberts, Harry Saville, Susan Shotter and Geoff Stewart.
It was proposed and seconded that Councillor Chris Hughes be appointed as Vice-Chair of the Democratic Services Committee for 2025/2026. RESOLVED: That Councillor Chris Hughes be appointed as Vice-Chair of the Democratic Services Committee for 2025/2026.
An apology for absence was received from Councillor Chris Cater.
A personal interest was declared on behalf of all Members in attendance for agenda item 6a Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru: Draft Annual Report 2026/2027, as the report concerned Member remuneration. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, they were able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillors: Chris Brockley, David Carr, Samantha Cotton, Goronwy Edwards, Gwennol Ellis, Sian Grady, Mandy Hawkins, Chris Hughes, Gail Jones, Trystan Lewis, Paul Luckock, Anne McCaffrey, Angie O’Grady, Stephen Price, Mike Priestley, Austin Roberts, Dilwyn Roberts, Elizabeth Roberts, Harry Saville, Susan Shotter and Geoff Stewart.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Democratic Services Committee held on 8 September 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The minutes of the meeting of the Democratic Services Committee held on 8 September 2025 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Democratic Services Committee held on 8 September 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: a) That the minutes of the Democratic Services Committee (24 November 2024) be shared with the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (DBCC)as the Council’s response to the consultation. b) That the consultation response also makes it clear that remuneration for Members should not exceed average earnings during the current or previous year. Note: Interests were declared on behalf of all Members in attendance for the above as the report concerned Member remuneration. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, they were able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillors: Chris Brockley, David Carr, Samantha Cotton, Goronwy Edwards, Gwennol Ellis, Sian Grady, Mandy Hawkins, Chris Hughes, Gail Jones, Trystan Lewis, Paul Luckock, Anne McCaffrey, Angie O’Grady, Stephen Price, Mike Priestley, Austin Roberts, Dilwyn Roberts, Elizabeth Roberts, Harry Saville, Susan Shotter and Geoff Stewart.
The Head of Law and Governance presented the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (DBCC): Draft Annual Report 2026/2027, which set the proposed range and level of payments for the financial year 2026/2027. Whilst the formal consultation deadline on the proposed determinations closed on 18 November 2025, the DBCC had agreed to accept responses from Conwy County Borough Council (CCBC) due to the timetabling of the Democratic Services Committee. The report also noted that the Welsh Government’s remit letter for 2025/2026 outlined several key objectives for the DBCC regarding remuneration. The following was discussed: • It was suggested that public consultation on proposals should take place once during every Council term. • One member expressed that they were content with the proposals. • Whilst there was general agreement that Members’ remuneration should be increased, the proposed 6.4% figure was deemed excessive, as it exceeded the rate of local government staff pay increases. • Reference was made to the average increase in pay in Wales being 3.9% during 2024/2025 and 4.3% during the previous year. • It was important to attract a diverse membership, however, a lower pay increase should be considered. • It was suggested that consideration be given to potentially making committee chair positions unpaid. • Members had no control over the level of remuneration, which was set by the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru. RESOLVED: a) That the minutes of the Democratic Services Committee (24 November 2024) be shared with the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (DBCC)as the Council’s response to the consultation. b) That the consultation response also makes it clear that remuneration for Members should not exceed average earnings during the current or previous year. Note: Interests were declared on behalf of all Members in attendance for the above as the report concerned Member remuneration. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, they were able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillors: Chris Brockley, David Carr, Samantha Cotton, Goronwy Edwards, Gwennol Ellis, Sian Grady, Mandy Hawkins, Chris Hughes, Gail Jones, Trystan Lewis, Paul Luckock, Anne McCaffrey, Angie O’Grady, Stephen Price, Mike Priestley, Austin Roberts, Dilwyn Roberts, Elizabeth Roberts, Harry Saville, Susan Shotter and Geoff Stewart.
The Head of Audit and Procurement presented the Governance and Audit Committee’s revised Terms of Reference. The revised Terms of Reference for the Governance and Audit Committee incorporated changes to align with the Code of Practice for the Governance of Internal Audit. RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL: That the revised Terms of Reference of the Governance and Audit Committee be approved by Council.
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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