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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 11 January 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED: a) That the final determinations within the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales’ (IRPW) Annual Report 2024/2025 be noted. RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL: b) That senior salaries are paid to the following post holders: - Chairs of Overview and Scrutiny Committees (4) - Chair of Planning Committee (1) - Chair of General/Statutory Licensing Committee (1) - Chair of the Democratic Services Committee (1) c) That a civic salary is paid to the Chair of the Council. d) That a civic salary is not paid to the Vice-Chair of Council. e) That the structure of payments to co-opted members be changed in line with the increased flexibility outlined in the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) report and that the Head of Democratic Services, as the relevant officer, be given the flexibility to decide when it is appropriate to apply a day or half day rate or to use an hourly rate where it is sensible to aggregate a number of short meetings. Note: Councillors Penny Andow, Chris Cater, Goronwy Edwards, Austin Roberts, Harry Saville and Geoff Steward, all declared a personal interest in the above item as they are in receipt of a Senior Salary. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, they were all able to speak and vote on the matter. As this was the last meeting before the Council AGM, the Chair took the opportunity to extend his thanks to the Head of Democratic Services and Democratic Services Officers for their hard work on matters including the adoption of the updated National Model Constitution, review of the Council’s Planning Committee Protocol and consideration of the adoption of the Single Transferable Vote electoral system during the municipal year.
An apology for absence was received from Councillor Mandy Hawkins.
The following Councillors declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 6a – Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales: Annual Report 2024/2025 as they are in receipt of a senior salary. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, they were all able to speak and vote on the matter. • Councillor Penny Andow, as Cabinet Member for Integrated Adult and Community Services. • Councillor Chris Cater, as Cabinet Member for Democracy and Governance. • Councillor Goronwy Edwards, as Cabinet Member for Environment, Roads and Facilities – Infrastructure. • Councillor Austin Roberts, as Chair of the Planning Committee • Councillor Harry Saville, as Chair of the Democratic Services Committee. • Councillor Geoff Stewart, as Cabinet Member for Environment, Roads and Facilities – Neighbourhood and the Environment.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Democratic Services Committee held on 11 January 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The minutes of the meeting of the Democratic Services Committee held on 11 January 2024 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Democratic Services Committee held on 11 January 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The Strategic Director – Finance and Resources presented a report on the roles and responsibilities of the Governance and Audit Committee and Scrutiny Committees following the introduction of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s (CIPFA) Position Statement, which had resulted in the Governance and Audit Committee undertaking additional responsibilities. The report sought to clarify the differentiation of the roles of the Governance and Audit Committee and Scrutiny Committees to ensure the Committees’ effectiveness and continuing beneficial impact on the Authority’s business. The following was discussed: • Whilst it was proposed that risk management and corporate complaints only be reported to the Governance and Audit Committee, the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee (FROSC) would remain informed of such matters as the minutes of the Governance and Audit Committee (GAC) were presented to FROSC for information. • A self-assessment of the Council’s scrutiny function was currently taking place, but legislative changes had to be considered prior to the May 2024 Council meeting, so the amended terms of reference could be agreed at the same time as re-appointing the Council’s committees. • Examples were cited around the management of risk in some particular cases and whether the new reporting arrangements would impact if they were introduced. In response, the Strategic Director reported that the examples given may have been identified as a service risk, but they were not on the Corporate Risk Register. • It was suggested that the effectiveness of risk management be discussed as part of the self-assessment of scrutiny. • The Cabinet Member for Democracy and Governance highlighted the following: - Service risks were discussed as part of Service Performance Reviews and Members had the opportunity to participate in those reviews. - The financial peer review had highlighted the need to streamline processes. - The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 set out the requirement for risk management and corporate complaints to be presented to the Governance and Audit Committee. - External regulatory reports would be considered by relevant scrutiny committees with actions monitored by the Governance and Audit Committee. - Thorough pre-scrutiny was in place. • Members were reassured that duplication of reports would be reduced with these changes. RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL: a) That risk management be reported only to the Governance and Audit Committee prior to Cabinet. b) That external regulatory reports be scrutinised by the relevant scrutiny committee and management actions be monitored by the Governance and Audit Committee to seek assurance that active arrangements are in place on risk-related issues. c) That corporate complaints be reported only to the Governance and Audit Committee prior to Cabinet.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: a) That the final determinations within the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales’ (IRPW) Annual Report 2024/2025 be noted. RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL: b) That senior salaries are paid to the following post holders: - Chairs of Overview and Scrutiny Committees (4) - Chair of Planning Committee (1) - Chair of General/Statutory Licensing Committee (1) - Chair of the Democratic Services Committee (1) c) That a civic salary is paid to the Chair of the Council. d) That a civic salary is not paid to the Vice-Chair of Council. e) That the structure of payments to co-opted members be changed in line with the increased flexibility outlined in the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) report and that the Head of Democratic Services, as the relevant officer, be given the flexibility to decide when it is appropriate to apply a day or half day rate or to use an hourly rate where it is sensible to aggregate a number of short meetings. Note: Councillors Penny Andow, Chris Cater, Goronwy Edwards, Austin Roberts, Harry Saville and Geoff Steward, all declared a personal interest in the above item as they are in receipt of a Senior Salary. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, they were all able to speak and vote on the matter. As this was the last meeting before the Council AGM, the Chair took the opportunity to extend his thanks to the Head of Democratic Services and Democratic Services Officers for their hard work on matters including the adoption of the updated National Model Constitution, review of the Council’s Planning Committee Protocol and consideration of the adoption of the Single Transferable Vote electoral system during the municipal year.
The Head of Democratic Services presented the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) Annual Report for 2024/2025, which set out the type and levels of payments that Local Authorities must or may make available to their Members and Co-opted Members. It was also reported that the IRPW had introduced the ability to adopt some local flexibility in terms of payments made to Co-opted Members, which would include an hourly rate. The following was discussed: • It was suggested that it was appropriate to pay co-opted Members an hourly rate, particularly for meetings lasting an hour or less. The Head of Democratic Services advised that the current co-opted members supported this approach. It was also suggested that current arrangements remain in respect of paying a civic salary to the Chair of the Council but not to the Vice-Chair of the Council. • In respect of payment to the chair of any joint overview and scrutiny committee linked to the Corporate Joint Committee, it was not yet known if remuneration would be provided from contributions already made from Local Authorities. This would need to form part of further discussions if a Joint Scrutiny Committee was put forward as the preferred model. • It was confirmed that payments to chairs of joint overview and scrutiny committees applied to regional and sub-regional committees only and not to internal joint scrutiny committees. • It was also confirmed that the Leader, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Members were not entitled to remuneration for sitting on some outside bodies. RESOLVED: a) That the final determinations within the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales’ (IRPW) Annual Report 2024/2025 be noted. RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL: b) That senior salaries are paid to the following post holders: - Chairs of Overview and Scrutiny Committees (4) - Chair of Planning Committee (1) - Chair of General/Statutory Licensing Committee (1) - Chair of the Democratic Services Committee (1) c) That a civic salary is paid to the Chair of the Council. d) That a civic salary is not paid to the Vice-Chair of Council. e) That the structure of payments to co-opted members be changed in line with the increased flexibility outlined in the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) report and that the Head of Democratic Services, as the relevant officer, be given the flexibility to decide when it is appropriate to apply a day or half day rate or to use an hourly rate where it is sensible to aggregate a number of short meetings. Note: Councillors Penny Andow, Chris Cater, Goronwy Edwards, Austin Roberts, Harry Saville and Geoff Steward, all declared a personal interest in the above item as they are in receipt of a Senior Salary. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, they were all able to speak and vote on the matter. As this was the last meeting before the Council AGM, the Chair took the opportunity to extend his thanks to the Head of Democratic Services and Democratic Services Officers for their hard work on matters including the adoption of the updated National Model Constitution, review of the Council’s Planning Committee Protocol and consideration of the adoption of the Single Transferable Vote electoral system during the municipal year.
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.