Wrthi'n llwytho
Y penderfyniadau fel y mae cofnodion y cyngor yn eu cofnodi. Bydd crynodeb mewn iaith glir yn dilyn pan fydd wedi'i ysgrifennu.
RESOLVED: The Committee AGREED · to note the contents of the report: · For the Chair and Head of Democratic Services to include feedback from this meeting to align themes from the report. · to the delivery of an in-person workshop facilitated by representatives from Birmingham University and supported by colleagues from Democratic Services.
RESOLVED: The Committee AGREED to · Note the content of the Members Guide – Supporting Technology · Discuss the matter again at the meeting in January 2026 when the Chief Digital Officer is in attendance.
RESOLVED: The Committee AGREED to · Note the contents of this report and the updated Member Development programme shown at Appendix A. · Delegate authority to the Head of Democratic Services in consultation with the Chair of the Democratic Services Committee to update the Member Development Programme.
RESOLVED: The Committee AGREED to · note the information set out in the report.
RESOLVED: The Committee AGREED to · Note the information contained within the report and its appendices and delegate authority to the Head of Democratic Services in consultation with the Chair of the Democratic Services Committees to provide a response to the Welsh Government by 26 November 2025.
RESOLVED: The Committee AGREED to · Note the report and provide an updated report to the meeting in January 2026 for the Committee to review.
RESOLVED: The Committee AGREED to · Noted contents of Draft Annual Remuneration Report for 2026–27. · to delegate authority to the Head of Democratic Services, in consultation with the Chair of the Democratic Services Committee, to finalise the consultation response and submit it to the DBCC before the end of the consultation period on 18 November 2025.
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Elsmore.
The minutes of the meeting held on 29th April 2025 were approved by the Committee as a correct record and signed by the Chairperson.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: The Committee AGREED · to note the contents of the report: · For the Chair and Head of Democratic Services to include feedback from this meeting to align themes from the report. · to the delivery of an in-person workshop facilitated by representatives from Birmingham University and supported by colleagues from Democratic Services.
The Democratic Services Committee received a presentation on the report on 21st Century Councillor from Professor Catherine Mangan and Dave McKenna from Birmingham University, and the Head of Democratic Services explained how the report had come about and plans for it to inform the 2027 induction programme. Following the presentation, the Chair thanked the professor and opened the floor to questions from Members. Members expressed their gratitude for the presentations and how interested they were in the findings and characteristics identified in ‘10 Characteristics of the 21st Century Councillor now’, especially in relation to social media and reluctance to engage in this due to the pitfalls. It was felt this was all very comprehensive and helpful in feeding into induction training for Councillors. Members asked if the purpose of the report was to inform training for Councillors, particularly any new Councillors, after the election in 2027, and were advised that this was the case and asked if members felt anything else needed to be added or considered and Members suggested not using the word ‘austerity’ but rather something like ‘fiscal/financial restraints’ as more neutral term to explain the restrictions on what Council’s can deliver, and this was accepted by the authors of the report. Members suggested that some of the characteristics outlined in the feedback of the report, such as ‘Lightening Rod’ may not be possible for all Councillors and whether there was a need to differentiate between Cabinet Members and other Councillors, which the authors of the report accepted explaining this feedback came from a lot of different Councillors in many areas and they had pulled themes from this feedback, but accepted this could differ. It was noted that feedback from Cabinet colleagues would be needed to differentiate. They also explained looking at the role of the Scrutineer was a piece of work they are planning, which was of interest to the committee. Members expressed interest in the self-development element of the report and the ‘10 Characteristics of the 21st Century Councillor now’ and how soft skills are often developed and how it would be extremely useful to have a way to capture these too. Going forward, it would be useful for Officers to see the training needs new and existing Councillors have, for experienced Councillors to support newer Councillors and for new Councillors to express what they need to best do their job. This will be considered as part of a workshop. It was also suggested that the skills needed to be a Councillor be put in the public domain by January 2027, so people can see if it is realistic for them to stand, but also what training and support will be available to them. RESOLVED: The Committee AGREED · to note the contents of the report: · For the Chair and Head of Democratic Services to include feedback from this meeting to align themes from the report. · to the delivery of an in-person workshop facilitated by representatives from Birmingham University and supported by colleagues from Democratic Services.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: The Committee AGREED to · Note the content of the Members Guide – Supporting Technology · Discuss the matter again at the meeting in January 2026 when the Chief Digital Officer is in attendance.
The Democratic Services Committee received a summary of the draft Members ICT Protocol, where Officers explained that feedback had been received from Group Whips and items raised were in this report, and that the contents of Appendix A formed a base for all ICT related processes and protocols for members, including each Councillor’s role as a data controller, in their own right. It was accepted that the document needs to be made more ‘Member friendly,’ and include facts sheets, user guides etc., and this will be looked at when feedback has been received. The Chair then opened the floor for questions from Members. Members expressed that they were happy with the content from an ICT perspective but suggested a conversation with the ‘Comms’ team to make it more ‘Member Friendly’ from a presentation perspective, using screen shots, step by step guides, YouTube videos and different appendices/documents for different areas of ICT could be useful. Members raised the issue of accessing ICT services and meetings (especially Full Council) when out of UK, as well as accessing emails which was felt to be vital, even if this was on non- Council devices. It was explained that due to the need for increased need for cyber security, ICT are very strict with this. It was suggested that it would be better to advise ICT if taking the device out of the country so tariffs can be adjusted and insurance companies alerted. It was also suggested that it could be safer to join meetings from personal devices where possible. The cost of damaged and lost hardware was raised by the Head of Democratic Services and views if whether the Council or the individual should take responsibility for the costs were invited. Members felt that accidents are a part of life, and these costs should not be passed to individual members but raised the question about insurance claims and that how to report to make a claim needs to be made clear. It was also asked whether hardware could be bought in bulk to lessen costs. The Officer explained that often the damage means that it is not cost effective to make an insurance claim and the ICT equipment is purchased via the ICT department and is part of a procurement system and part pf a corporate contract. RESOLVED: The Committee AGREED to · Note the content of the Members Guide – Supporting Technology · Discuss the matter again at the meeting in January 2026 when the Chief Digital Officer is in attendance.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: The Committee AGREED to · Note the contents of this report and the updated Member Development programme shown at Appendix A. · Delegate authority to the Head of Democratic Services in consultation with the Chair of the Democratic Services Committee to update the Member Development Programme.
The Democratic Services Committee received a summary of the Member Development Programme, where Officers explained that the programme needed to be re scheduled due to the ongoing Senior Management Arrangements. There were still some items to be scheduled and delegated authority to make changes and updates was requested. Concern over low attendance at some training was also expressed. Members agreed with the recommendations in the report and suggested that in some cases, low attendance may be due to lack of need due to experience in other areas of work. RESOLVED: The Committee AGREED to · Note the contents of this report and the updated Member Development programme shown at Appendix A. · Delegate authority to the Head of Democratic Services in consultation with the Chair of the Democratic Services Committee to update the Member Development Programme.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: The Committee AGREED to · note the information set out in the report.
The Democratic Services Committee received an update on the activities structure and support of Democratic Services, together with recent staff changes. The plan to create a social media account on Facebook, X and Instagram was also discussed. RESOLVED: The Committee AGREED to · note the information set out in the report.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: The Committee AGREED to · Note the information contained within the report and its appendices and delegate authority to the Head of Democratic Services in consultation with the Chair of the Democratic Services Committees to provide a response to the Welsh Government by 26 November 2025.
The Democratic Services Committee received a summary of the report, where Officers explained the consultation, current situation and recommendations. It was explained that current Welsh Government legislation requires only Full Council meetings to be webcast, although we do this for Scrutiny Committee Meetings, Cabinet, Planning, Standards and Ethics and Governance and Audit meetings. The consultation is to increase the requirements to all local authorities and specify which additional meetings it relates to. Currently, webcast meetings are stored for 6 months, and it would be useful to extend this to 12 months and then download and store these recordings for an agreed period, in line with the retention period for minutes. Members agreed that webcasting meetings such as Licencing (Fully Committee) and Democratic Services would not be beneficial to the public and agreed that increasing the retention period to 12 months on the website would be a good idea. Members suggested looking at what other Local Authorities do in terms of storage and considering this when looking at cost savings, as well as looking at other storage options on the market. RESOLVED: The Committee AGREED to · Note the information contained within the report and its appendices and delegate authority to the Head of Democratic Services in consultation with the Chair of the Democratic Services Committees to provide a response to the Welsh Government by 26 November 2025.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: The Committee AGREED to · Note the report and provide an updated report to the meeting in January 2026 for the Committee to review.
The Democratic Services Committee received a summary of the Forward Work Programme and the contents of Appendix A, and members were asked if anything else was required. All members confirmed they were happy with this. RESOLVED: The Committee AGREED to · Note the report and provide an updated report to the meeting in January 2026 for the Committee to review.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: The Committee AGREED to · Noted contents of Draft Annual Remuneration Report for 2026–27. · to delegate authority to the Head of Democratic Services, in consultation with the Chair of the Democratic Services Committee, to finalise the consultation response and submit it to the DBCC before the end of the consultation period on 18 November 2025.
Consultation - Remuneration Annual Report 2026-27 Pursuant to the Local Government Act 1972, section 100BA, this report has been certified by the Chair as urgent due to the Draft Annual Remuneration Report 2026–27 from the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (DBCC) was received after the publication of the agenda for this committee. The next meeting of the committee is not until January 2026 and in order to provide a consultation response in a timely manner and to minimise the impact to council resources this report is to be considered at this meeting of the Democratic Services Committee. The Democratic Services Committee received a summary of the report which is the first Draft Annual Remuneration Report for 2026–27 from the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (DBCC). Officers explained that this report outlines the proposed determinations on the remuneration, expenses, and benefits for elected and co-opted members across Wales’ principal councils, community and town councils, fire and rescue authorities, and national park authorities, and some of the key contents. Members commented on the proposed consideration of resettlement payments for Members who lose their seat at an election. The Committee agreed that the impact of the loss of a seat was considered as brutal. The Chair asked for feedback before 18th November so a response can be provided on behalf of Democratic Services but that individuals are also able to provide separate feedback individually. Members agreed they were happy for the Council to provide feedback on behalf of the committee. RESOLVED: The Committee AGREED to · Noted contents of Draft Annual Remuneration Report for 2026–27. · to delegate authority to the Head of Democratic Services, in consultation with the Chair of the Democratic Services Committee, to finalise the consultation response and submit it to the DBCC before the end of the consultation period on 18 November 2025.
12th January 2026 at 4pm. Meeting ended at 6pm.
The Chairperson reminded Members of their responsibility under Part III of the Members’ Code of Conduct to declare any interest in general terms and to complete personal interest forms at the start of the meeting and then, prior to the commencement of the discussion of the item in question, specify whether it is a personal or prejudicial interest. If the interest is prejudicial, Members would be asked to leave the meeting and if the interest is personal, Members would be invited to stay, speak and vote. No declarations were received.
Rhaid i gynghorwyr ddweud pan fydd ganddyn nhw gysylltiad personol â rhywbeth sy'n cael ei drafod, fel swydd, eiddo neu aelod o'r teulu. Mae buddiant sy'n rhagfarnu yn ddigon cryf i'r cynghorydd adael yr ystafell fel arfer a pheidio â chymryd rhan.
Caiff datganiadau eu darllen o'r cofnodion unwaith y byddan nhw wedi'u cyhoeddi.
Yn rhestru cynghorwyr presennol y cyngor yn unig. Nid yw aelodau cyfetholedig, swyddogion a chyn-gynghorwyr yn cael eu dangos.