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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 30 November 2023 be signed and approved as a correct record.
RESOLVED: That the Standards Committee Forward Work Programme be approved, subject to the addition of the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW) findings, the PSOW’s and the Adjudication Panel for Wales’ Annual Report and the Annual Report for the Standards Committee for the year 2023/2024.
RESOLVED: a) That the dispensation be refused, as not enough information had been provided within the application form and that clarification was needed in respect of any personal interests that Councillor Wood may have in the matter. b) That Councillor Wood be advised to re-submit his request for dispensation to a future meeting of the Standards Committee and that he be encouraged to attend in order to answer any questions that may arise.
RESOLVED: a) That Councillor Chris Hughes be allowed to speak with officers and write to officers and/ or the Council regarding all issues related to climate, nature and biodiversity, including land use relating to land on which the Colwyn Bay Conservation and Environment Federation might have an interest for a period of 12 months. b) That Councilor Chris Hughes be allowed to speak and take part in debates and answer questions in Overview and Scrutiny Committees, Cabinet and Council relating to climate, nature and biodiversity, including land use relating to land on which the Colwyn Bay Conservation and Environment Federation might have an interest for a period of 12 months. c) That the dispensations above be granted under paragraphs 2 (d) and (f), respectively, of the Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001.
RESOLVED: a) That Councillor Wendy Williams (Llanddulas and Rhyd y Foel Community Council) be allowed to speak and take part in debates and answer questions in Council meetings and to remain in the room whilst such matters were debated relating to Llanddulas Youth Club for a period of 12 months. b) That the dispensation above be granted under paragraph 2 (d) and (f) of the Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001.
RESOLVED: That the Welsh Government's summary responses and written statement to the consultation on the recommendations of the Penn Review be noted.
RESOLVED: That Members consider the cases reported by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW) on a regular basis to assist in their duties promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct.
RESOLVED: That the update on Independent Member attendance at Towyn and Kinmel Bay Town Council on 4 December 2023 and Abergele Town Council on 18 January 2024 be noted.
RESOLVED: That the update on the Abuse in Politics Seminar held on 31 January 2024 be noted.
RESOLVED: That the update on the National Standards Forum held on 29 January 2024 be noted.
RESOLVED: a) That the Councillors’ Register of Interests be deferred to the next meeting. b) That the layout of the Councillors’ Register of Interests be reviewed.
An apology for absence was received from Gill Murgatroyd (Independent Member).
None.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 30 November 2023 be signed and approved as a correct record.
The minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 30 November 2023 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 30 November 2023 be signed and approved as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Standards Committee Forward Work Programme be approved, subject to the addition of the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW) findings, the PSOW’s and the Adjudication Panel for Wales’ Annual Report and the Annual Report for the Standards Committee for the year 2023/2024.
The Forward Work Programme for the Standards Committee (FWP) was presented. The Monitoring Officer advised that the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales’ (PSOW) annual report, the Adjudication Panel for Wales’ annual report and the Standards Committee annual report would be presented to the next meeting of the Standards Committee. It was suggested that that a report on the PSOW’s findings be included as a standing item on the FWP. RESOLVED: That the Standards Committee Forward Work Programme be approved, subject to the addition of the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW) findings, the PSOW’s and the Adjudication Panel for Wales’ Annual Report and the Annual Report for the Standards Committee for the year 2023/2024.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: a) That the dispensation be refused, as not enough information had been provided within the application form and that clarification was needed in respect of any personal interests that Councillor Wood may have in the matter. b) That Councillor Wood be advised to re-submit his request for dispensation to a future meeting of the Standards Committee and that he be encouraged to attend in order to answer any questions that may arise.
Councillor Andrew Wood had submitted an application for dispensation in respect of applications for a Town and Village Green in Abergele and relating to Public Rights of Way. The committee Members went into private session to seek legal advice and determine the application. RESOLVED: a) That the dispensation be refused, as not enough information had been provided within the application form and that clarification was needed in respect of any personal interests that Councillor Wood may have in the matter. b) That Councillor Wood be advised to re-submit his request for dispensation to a future meeting of the Standards Committee and that he be encouraged to attend in order to answer any questions that may arise.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: a) That Councillor Chris Hughes be allowed to speak with officers and write to officers and/ or the Council regarding all issues related to climate, nature and biodiversity, including land use relating to land on which the Colwyn Bay Conservation and Environment Federation might have an interest for a period of 12 months. b) That Councilor Chris Hughes be allowed to speak and take part in debates and answer questions in Overview and Scrutiny Committees, Cabinet and Council relating to climate, nature and biodiversity, including land use relating to land on which the Colwyn Bay Conservation and Environment Federation might have an interest for a period of 12 months. c) That the dispensations above be granted under paragraphs 2 (d) and (f), respectively, of the Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001.
Councillor Chris Hughes had submitted an application for dispensation as he was the Chair Colwyn Bay Conservation and Environment Federation and wished to be able to speak at meetings where the interests of the Federation related to Council owned land or land under the management of the Council. At this point the committee Members went into private session to determine the application. RESOLVED: a) That Councillor Chris Hughes be allowed to speak with officers and write to officers and/ or the Council regarding all issues related to climate, nature and biodiversity, including land use relating to land on which the Colwyn Bay Conservation and Environment Federation might have an interest for a period of 12 months. b) That Councilor Chris Hughes be allowed to speak and take part in debates and answer questions in Overview and Scrutiny Committees, Cabinet and Council relating to climate, nature and biodiversity, including land use relating to land on which the Colwyn Bay Conservation and Environment Federation might have an interest for a period of 12 months. c) That the dispensations above be granted under paragraphs 2 (d) and (f), respectively, of the Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: a) That Councillor Wendy Williams (Llanddulas and Rhyd y Foel Community Council) be allowed to speak and take part in debates and answer questions in Council meetings and to remain in the room whilst such matters were debated relating to Llanddulas Youth Club for a period of 12 months. b) That the dispensation above be granted under paragraph 2 (d) and (f) of the Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001.
Councillor Wendy Williams (Llanddulas and Rhyd y Foel Community Council) had submitted an application for dispensation for matters relating to Llanddulas Youth Club as she was part of the Management Committee for the Club. At this point the committee Members went into private session to determine the application. The Monitoring Officer advised that dispensation was not required in respect of voting at Council meetings for decisions to make grants to volunatary organisation for sums under £500, as this was already permitted as part of an exemption within the Members’ Code of Conduct. RESOLVED: a) That Councillor Wendy Williams (Llanddulas and Rhyd y Foel Community Council) be allowed to speak and take part in debates and answer questions in Council meetings and to remain in the room whilst such matters were debated relating to Llanddulas Youth Club for a period of 12 months. b) That the dispensation above be granted under paragraph 2 (d) and (f) of the Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Welsh Government's summary responses and written statement to the consultation on the recommendations of the Penn Review be noted.
The Monitoring Officer presented the Welsh Government's summary responses and written statement to the consultation on the recommendations of the Penn Review. RESOLVED: That the Welsh Government's summary responses and written statement to the consultation on the recommendations of the Penn Review be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That Members consider the cases reported by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW) on a regular basis to assist in their duties promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct.
The Deputy Monitoring Officer presented a report on the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW) "Our Findings". Six cases had been reported since the last meeting. Three cases involved Town and Community Councils and three related to County Councils. In some of the cases, the final decisions had not yet been published, as the cases had either been referred to relevant Standards Committees or the Adjudication Panel for Wales, following the Ombudsman’s investigations. RESOLVED: That Members consider the cases reported by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW) on a regular basis to assist in their duties promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the update on Independent Member attendance at Towyn and Kinmel Bay Town Council on 4 December 2023 and Abergele Town Council on 18 January 2024 be noted.
Brenda Bignold (Independent Member) had attended two Town and Community Council meetings. The following update was provided: Towyn and Kinmel Bay Town Council – 4 December 2023 • The Town Council’s website was well laid out and meeting information was accessible. • A hybrid meeting system was in place. • 5 appropriate declarations of interest were made. • The Clerk offered appropriate advice and the meeting was chaired effectively. Abergele Town Council – 18 January 2024 • The Town Council’s website was well laid out and meeting information was accessible. • No declarations of interest were made. • The Clerk offered appropriate advice and the meeting was chaired effectively. RESOLVED: That the update on Independent Member attendance at Towyn and Kinmel Bay Town Council on 4 December 2023 and Abergele Town Council on 18 January 2024 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the update on the Abuse in Politics Seminar held on 31 January 2024 be noted.
The Chair had attended an Abuse in Politics Seminar on 31 January 2024. The following points were highlighted: • The multi-agency seminar had been well attended by a variety of public sector organisations. • Abuse in politics was a growing concern. • A presentation had been provided by the Jo Cox Foundation, who had produced a call to action document in relation to improving the security of politicians. • The Standards Committee had a part to play in respect of reducing abuse in politics. RESOLVED: That the update on the Abuse in Politics Seminar held on 31 January 2024 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the update on the National Standards Forum held on 29 January 2024 be noted.
The Chair had attended a meeting of the National Standards Forum on 29 January 2024. Items discussed at the Forum included: • An update from the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW). • Corporate Joint Committees and joint Standards Committees. • Resourcing of Standards Committees and remuneration of Independent Members. • Training for Standards Committees. Members were advised to e-mail the Chair or the Monitoring Officer should they wish to suggest items for discussion at the next meeting of the National Standards Forum. RESOLVED: That the update on the National Standards Forum held on 29 January 2024 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: a) That the Councillors’ Register of Interests be deferred to the next meeting. b) That the layout of the Councillors’ Register of Interests be reviewed.
The Councillors’ Register of Interests was presented for the inspection of the Standards Committee. Concerns were raised in respect of the layout of the form as changes were not easily identifiable. RESOLVED: a) That the Councillors’ Register of Interests be deferred to the next meeting. b) That the layout of the Councillors’ Register of Interests be reviewed.
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.