Loading
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 16 February 2026 be approved and signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED: a) That the final determinations within the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (DBCC) Annual Report 2026/2027 be noted. RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL: b) That the status quo remains regarding the payment of senior and civic salaries. Note: The following Councillors declared a personal interest in the above Agenda Item as they are in receipt of a senior salary. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, they were able to speak and vote on the matter. • Councillor Gwennol Ellis – Chair of the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee. • Councillor Harry Saville – Chair of the Democratic Services Committee. Note: Councillor Nigel Smith declared a personal interest in the above Agenda Item as his son is the Chair of the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, he was able to speak and vote on the matter.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Penny Andow, Samantha Cotton and Austin Roberts.
The following Councillors declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 5a (Annual Remuneration Report 2026/2027 from the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru) as they are in receipt of a senior salary. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, they were able to speak and vote on the matter. • Councillor Gwennol Ellis – Chair of the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee. • Councillor Harry Saville – Chair of the Democratic Services Committee. Whilst not declared at this point in the meeting, Councillor Nigel Smith declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 5a (Annual Remuneration Report 2026/2027 from the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru), as his son is Chair of the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, he was able to speak but chose not to vote on the matter.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Democratic Services Committee held on 16 February 2026 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The minutes of the meeting of the Democratic Services Committee held on 16 February 2026 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Democratic Services Committee held on 16 February 2026 be approved and signed as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: a) That the final determinations within the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (DBCC) Annual Report 2026/2027 be noted. RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL: b) That the status quo remains regarding the payment of senior and civic salaries. Note: The following Councillors declared a personal interest in the above Agenda Item as they are in receipt of a senior salary. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, they were able to speak and vote on the matter. • Councillor Gwennol Ellis – Chair of the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee. • Councillor Harry Saville – Chair of the Democratic Services Committee. Note: Councillor Nigel Smith declared a personal interest in the above Agenda Item as his son is the Chair of the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, he was able to speak and vote on the matter.
The Head of Democratic Services presented the Annual Remuneration Report 2026/2027 from the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (DBCC), which set out the type and levels of payments that Local Authorities must or may make available to their Members and Co-opted Members. The following was discussed: • The Committee was advised that the draft report was usually considered around February, at which point any potential increases and associated budget implications were identified. • It was confirmed that costs had been budgeted for, and that the reduction in Cabinet Members from ten to nine had reduced the overall cost of Councillors’ salaries. • Details of the previous total payments made to Councillors, including the percentage of the total Council budget that this represented would be circulated to Members. RESOLVED: a) That the final determinations within the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (DBCC) Annual Report 2026/2027 be noted. RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL: b) That the status quo remains regarding the payment of senior and civic salaries. Note: The following Councillors declared a personal interest in the above Agenda Item as they are in receipt of a senior salary. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, they were able to speak and vote on the matter. • Councillor Gwennol Ellis – Chair of the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee. • Councillor Harry Saville – Chair of the Democratic Services Committee. Note: Councillor Nigel Smith declared a personal interest in the above Agenda Item as his son is the Chair of the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, he was able to speak and vote on the matter.
The Head of Democratic Services presented a report on the proposed establishment of a Member Induction Working Group. The Working Group would be responsible for reviewing and updating the Member Induction Programme, including any necessary amendments, in preparation for its implementation in May 2027. The following was discussed: • The importance of both the Induction Programme and ongoing learning was highlighted, and Members welcomed the opportunity to be part of a Working Group to help structure the induction process in 2027 based on previous experience and feedback. • Suggested topics for consideration by the Working Group included: - The use of the Welsh Language and the support available to Members, emphasising the importance of recognising the Council as a bilingual authority. - Understanding of the school funding formula. - Detailed data on key issues to help inform decision making, together with information on service user pathways, such as the housing waiting list process. - A full picture with all the hard facts (good and bad); although there was also a view that too much information at an early stage could be overwhelming. - A plan of Coed Pella showing where services were located, together with an overview of service structures, including an infographic and relevant contact details. - Expectations within the Council Chamber and maintaining respect during Council debates. - Improved information on the geography of the county borough, particularly rural areas, and the potential to reintroduce a coach tour of the area to familiarise new members with the area and the services provided by the Council. - Training on various IT systems. - Information on other regional or national bodies involved in decision-making or partnership working, including Corporate Joint Committees, Eryri National Park, North Wales Economic Ambition Board and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. • A Member who had been elected mid-term noted that the induction process had been thorough and thanked democratic services for the support provided. • Members considered that candidates should be made aware of the intensity of the induction programme, particularly those with work commitments. • The Head of Democratic Services confirmed that sessions were arranged for prospective candidates prior to the election and included information on the intensity of the Induction Programme. • In relation to the proposed Working Group, it was suggested that newer Members should be represented and, if possible, should reflect a geographical spread of Members. • In response to concerns raised regarding the lack of response from some departments, it was noted that agile working meant that officers were not generally based at a fixed desk, and that Microsoft Teams was a useful tool for identifying officer availability and arranging meetings. • It was proposed that the Member Induction Working Group should be politically representative, with one Member from each political group. RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL: That a politically representative Member Induction Working Group is set up by the Democratic Services Committee to agree an Induction Programme to commence in May 2027.
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.