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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, subject to the above amendment, the minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 28 March 2022 be signed and approved as a correct record.
RESOLVED- That, subject to the above, the Councillors’ Register of Interests be approved by the Standards Committee. Note: Councillors Frank Bradfield and David Carr declared an interest in the above item, as they are Elected Members and have submitted their register of interests. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillors Bradfield and Carr were able to speak and vote on the matter. Whilst not a member of the Committee, Councillor Chris Cater declared an interest in the above item, as he is an Elected Members and has submitted his register of interests. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Cater was able to stay in the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.
RESOLVED: That the Public and Press be excluded from the meeting under the provisions of Section 100A of the above Act during consideration of the following items as it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 12, 13 and 18a Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that in all the relevant circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
It was proposed and seconded that Clive Wolfendale be nominated as Chair of the Standards Committee. RESOLVED: That Clive Wolfendale be re-appointed as Chair of the Standards Committee.
It was proposed and seconded that Brenda Bignold be nominated as Vice-Chair of the Standards Committee. RESOLVED: That Brenda Bignold be appointed as Vice-Chair of the Standards Committee.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Louise Emery and Hazel Jones (Independent Member).
Councillors Frank Bradfield and David Carr declared an interest in Agenda Item 9 (Members’ Register of Interests), as they are Elected Members and have submitted registers of interests. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillors Bradfield and Carr were able to speak and vote on the matter. Whilst not a member of the Committee, Councillor Chris Cater declared an interest in Agenda Item 9 (Members’ Register of Interests), as he is an Elected Member and has submitted his register of interests. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Cater was able to stay in the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That, subject to the above amendment, the minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 28 March 2022 be signed and approved as a correct record.
The minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 28 March 2022 were submitted for approval. In respect of Minute Number 37 (Feedback from Independent Member Attendance at Meetings), it was clarified that another Authority’s Standards Committee, of which Gill Murgatroyd was an Independent Member, observed 5 meeting per annum collectively. RESOLVED- That, subject to the above amendment, the minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 28 March 2022 be signed and approved as a correct record.
The Monitoring Officer provided the following update: • Local Elections took place on 5 May, 2022 and no Code of Conduct issues were identified. • Elected Members had attended an intensive Induction Programme. • The Code of Conduct training sessions had been well attended and a further mop up session had been arranged. • Welsh and an English Code of Conduct training sessions had been arranged for Town and Community Councils on 4 and 5 July, 2022. • Discussions were ongoing in respect of a National Standards Forum. • Clarification was awaited from the Welsh Government (WG) in respect of matters being progressed following the Penn Review of the Ethical Standards Framework. • The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 had changed the remit of the Standards Committee. - The Monitoring Officer had submitted observations on behalf of the Standards Committee in April, 2022. - Guidance from WG was awaited. • The Monitoring Officer, along with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Standards Committee would meet with Conwy County Borough Council (CCBC) Political Group Leaders in respect of their new duties under the Act, which would include a report to the Standards Committee. The following was discussed: • Code of Conduct training was mandatory for Conwy County Councillors however, this was not the case for Town and Community Councils. - It was noted that some Committees, such as Planning as Licencing did not allow Members to participate unless they had completed mandatory training, however, this was not the case in respect of Code of Conduct training. - An update would be provided at the next meeting in respect of code of conduct training rates. • The role of Political Group Leaders was important and annual reporting to the Standards Committee, along with regular meetings with the Chair and Vice Chair, of the Committee was welcomed.
Independent Members had met with the Monitoring Officer to discuss a programme of meeting attendance for the next 12 months. It was proposed that Independent Members would observe 7 Town and Community Council Meetings over a 12 month period as follows: • Conwy Town Council – Anne Mellor and Gill Murgatroyd • Llanfairfechan Town Council - Brenda Bignold and Gill Murgatroyd. • Colwyn Town Council – Anne Mellor and Hazel Jones. • Abergele Town Council – Brenda Bignold and Anne Mellor. • Mochdre Community Council – Clive Wolfendale and Hazel Jones. • Llanfair Talhaiarn Community Council – Clive Wolfendale. • Caerhun Community Council – Clive Wolfendale. For the initial 12 Months, other than at Welsh Speaking Councils, Independent Members would attend meetings in pairs in order to gain experience and discuss the visit. A checklist would be completed during each visit. The following was discussed: • Feedback would be provided to the Clerk following the meeting, a follow-up meeting was only required if there were matters of concern. • Observations made by Independent Members after attending a Town and Community Council meeting would be reported to the Standards Committee. The Standards Committee minutes were presented to Council for information. Independent Members were required to contact Clerks in order to arrange attendance at meetings. • The Monitoring Officer would compile a checklist and circulate to Independent Members. • It was suggested that it should be made clear during meeting attendance that the Independent Members would not be able to offer ongoing support and that any advice or support required should be directed to Conwy County Borough Council. - Amendments would be made to the preamble read out by Independent Members at Town and Community Council Meetings.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That, subject to the above, the Councillors’ Register of Interests be approved by the Standards Committee. Note: Councillors Frank Bradfield and David Carr declared an interest in the above item, as they are Elected Members and have submitted their register of interests. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillors Bradfield and Carr were able to speak and vote on the matter. Whilst not a member of the Committee, Councillor Chris Cater declared an interest in the above item, as he is an Elected Members and has submitted his register of interests. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Cater was able to stay in the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.
The Councillors’ Register of Interests was presented for the inspection of the Standards Committee. It was noted that one Register of Interest form did not include the name of the Councillor, this would be updated for the next meeting. It was also noted that Councillor Cheryl Carlisle would provide and updated form prior to the next meeting. RESOLVED- That, subject to the above, the Councillors’ Register of Interests be approved by the Standards Committee. Note: Councillors Frank Bradfield and David Carr declared an interest in the above item, as they are Elected Members and have submitted their register of interests. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillors Bradfield and Carr were able to speak and vote on the matter. Whilst not a member of the Committee, Councillor Chris Cater declared an interest in the above item, as he is an Elected Members and has submitted his register of interests. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Cater was able to stay in the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Public and Press be excluded from the meeting under the provisions of Section 100A of the above Act during consideration of the following items as it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 12, 13 and 18a Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that in all the relevant circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
RESOLVED: That the Public and Press be excluded from the meeting under the provisions of Section 100A of the above Act during consideration of the following items as it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 12, 13 and 18a Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that in all the relevant circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
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.