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RESOLVED that: 4.1 the report be received; 4.2 a further date for code of conduct training be arranged for county councillors.
RESOLVED that dispensation be granted under Regulations 2(2)(d) and 2(2)(f) of the Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensation) (Wales) Regulations 2001 for Councillor David Nicholas to speak and make written representations but NOT vote on council business in relation to any Planning Committee agenda item upon which Llandybie Community Council made any comment, representation or objection and the dispensation be valid until the end of the current electoral term.
RESOLVED that dispensation be granted under Regulation 2(2)(d) and (h) of the Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensation) (Wales) Regulations 2001 for Councillor Sharen Davies to speak and make written representations but NOT vote on council business in relation to or likely to affect Bryn and Trallwm Sports and Social club and the dispensation be valid until the end of the current electoral term.
RESOLVED that dispensation be granted under Regulation 2(2)(d) and (h) of the Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensation) (Wales) Regulations 2001 for Councillor Sharen Davies to speak and make written representations but NOT vote on council business in relation to or likely to affect Llwynhendy Pemberton Forum and the dispensation be valid until the end of the current electoral term.
RESOLVED that the arrangements for the code of conduct training session provided for Town and Community Councillors, as detailed within the report but subject to the exploration of the feasibility for an early evening commencement time, be approved.
RESOLVED that subject to the revisions outlined above, the questions detailed within the report be endorsed for the annual Town and Community Councils Code of Conduct data gathering exercise.
RESOLVED that the Forward Work Programme for 2025/26 be adopted.
RESOLVED that the report be received.
An apology for absence was received from Mr F. Phillips.
There were no declarations of personal interest.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 9th December 2024 be signed as a correct record.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED that: 4.1 the report be received; 4.2 a further date for code of conduct training be arranged for county councillors.
The Committee received a report which detailed the progress achieved in relation to the actions, requests or referrals which had emanated from previous meetings. In respect of the ongoing action (DPSC-221) pertaining to code of conduct training for County Councillors, the Committee was advised that the date originally scheduled had been cancelled due to the limited availability of members. Accordingly it was agreed that a further date would be arranged for all members in due course. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that: 4.1 the report be received; 4.2 a further date for code of conduct training be arranged for county councillors.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED that dispensation be granted under Regulations 2(2)(d) and 2(2)(f) of the Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensation) (Wales) Regulations 2001 for Councillor David Nicholas to speak and make written representations but NOT vote on council business in relation to any Planning Committee agenda item upon which Llandybie Community Council made any comment, representation or objection and the dispensation be valid until the end of the current electoral term.
The Committee considered an application submitted by County Councillor David Nicholas for the grant of a dispensation under the provisions of the Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations to speak, vote and make written representations in relation to any Planning Committee agenda item upon which Llandybie Community Council made any comment, representation or objection. It was reported that Councillor Nicholas is employed by the Community Council as its clerk and therefore would have a personal interest in such items of Council business. Accordingly, a member of the public, knowing of this connection might reasonably conclude that it would influence Cllr Nicholas’ judgement when considering such planning applications. It was reported that a dispensation was sought by Councillor Nicholas by virtue of: • Regulation 2(2)(d) – the nature of the member’s interest was such that the member’s participation in the business to which the interest relates would not damage public confidence in the conduct of the relevant authority’s business and; • Regulation 2(2)(f) – the participation of the member in the business to which the interest relates is justified by the member’s particular role or expertise. The Committee was advised that Councillor Nicholas’ position was comparable to councillors who are members of both a community council and the County Council, who would be able to speak and vote on such agenda items. The Committee was advised that if it was minded to grant Councillor Nicholas’ request it would also need to determine the duration of that dispensation. Following a discussion it was UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that dispensation be granted under Regulations 2(2)(d) and 2(2)(f) of the Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensation) (Wales) Regulations 2001 for Councillor David Nicholas to speak and make written representations but NOT vote on council business in relation to any Planning Committee agenda item upon which Llandybie Community Council made any comment, representation or objection and the dispensation be valid until the end of the current electoral term.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED that dispensation be granted under Regulation 2(2)(d) and (h) of the Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensation) (Wales) Regulations 2001 for Councillor Sharen Davies to speak and make written representations but NOT vote on council business in relation to or likely to affect Bryn and Trallwm Sports and Social club and the dispensation be valid until the end of the current electoral term.
The Committee considered an application submitted by County Councillor Sharen Davies for the grant of a dispensation under the provisions of the Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations to speak, vote and make written representations in respect of any Council business relating to or likely to affect Bryn and Trallwm Sports and Social club. It was reported that Councillor Davies would have a personal interest in such items of council business as she is a member of the club. Accordingly, a member of the public, knowing of this connection might reasonably conclude that it would influence Cllr Davies’ judgement when considering such business. It was reported that a dispensation was sought by Councillor Davies by virtue of: • Regulation 2(2)(d) – the nature of the member’s interest was such that the member’s participation in the business to which the interest relates would not damage public confidence in the conduct of the relevant authority’s business; · Regulation 2(2)(e) the interest was common to the member and a significant proportion of the general public; and · Regulation 2(2)(h) the business related to the finances or property of a voluntary organisation of whose management committee or board the councillor is a member of, and the councillor has no other interest in the business. The Legal Services Manager advised that the ground pertaining to Regulation 2(2)(e) was not applicable as it did not affect a significant proportion of the public. Furthermore, the Committee was reminded that the ground pertaining to Regulation 2(2)(h) would prevent the Committee from granting a dispensation to vote. The Committee was advised that if it was minded to grant Councillor Davies’ request it would also need to determine the duration of that dispensation. Following a discussion it was UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that dispensation be granted under Regulation 2(2)(d) and (h) of the Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensation) (Wales) Regulations 2001 for Councillor Sharen Davies to speak and make written representations but NOT vote on council business in relation to or likely to affect Bryn and Trallwm Sports and Social club and the dispensation be valid until the end of the current electoral term.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED that dispensation be granted under Regulation 2(2)(d) and (h) of the Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensation) (Wales) Regulations 2001 for Councillor Sharen Davies to speak and make written representations but NOT vote on council business in relation to or likely to affect Llwynhendy Pemberton Forum and the dispensation be valid until the end of the current electoral term.
The Committee considered an application submitted by County Councillor Sharen Davies for the grant of a dispensation under the provisions of the Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations to speak, vote and make written representations in respect of any Council business relating to or likely to affect Llwynhendy Pemberton Forum. It was reported that Councillor Davies would have a personal interest in such items of council business as she is a member of the Forum and serves as its secretary. Accordingly, a member of the public, knowing of this connection might reasonably conclude that it would influence Cllr Davies’ judgement when considering such business. It was reported that a dispensation was sought by Councillor Davies by virtue of: • Regulation 2(2)(d) – the nature of the member’s interest was such that the member’s participation in the business to which the interest relates would not damage public confidence in the conduct of the relevant authority’s business; · Regulation 2(2)(e) the interest was common to the member and a significant proportion of the general public; and · Regulation 2(2)(h) the business related to the finances or property of a voluntary organisation of whose management committee or board the councillor is a member of, and the councillor has no other interest in the business. The Legal Services Manager advised that the ground pertaining to Regulation 2(2)(e) was not applicable as it did not affect a significant proportion of the public. Furthermore, the Committee was reminded that the ground pertaining to Regulation 2(2)(h) would prevent the Committee from granting a dispensation to vote. The Committee was advised that if it was minded to grant Councillor Davies’ request it would also need to determine the duration of that dispensation. Following a discussion it was UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that dispensation be granted under Regulation 2(2)(d) and (h) of the Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensation) (Wales) Regulations 2001 for Councillor Sharen Davies to speak and make written representations but NOT vote on council business in relation to or likely to affect Llwynhendy Pemberton Forum and the dispensation be valid until the end of the current electoral term.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED that the arrangements for the code of conduct training session provided for Town and Community Councillors, as detailed within the report but subject to the exploration of the feasibility for an early evening commencement time, be approved.
In accordance with the Standards Committee terms of reference, consideration was given to a report regarding the provision and delivery of Code of Conduct training for Town and Community Councillors for 2025. It was reported that the approach adopted by the Committee for 2024 appeared to work well and therefore similar arrangements were proposed for 2025, as follows: · The session be held in June or July, with a date to be confirmed. · The session be held during working hours via Zoom · The session be recorded and the recording made available to councils for dissemination to their members along with copies of the training materials. · The session be based on the training materials utilised in 2024 but updated to reflect the most recent Adjudication Panel Decisions · The session be advertised to all County Councillors, including those who were not also members of a Town or Community Council. In considering the accessibility arrangements, the Committee expressed that consideration be given to holding an early evening session, to commence at 6.00pm in an endeavour to maximise attendance and participation levels. Accordingly, the Committee endorsed that the Legal Services Manager proceed with the timing of the training as he saw appropriate following consideration of resource and logistical issues. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the arrangements for the code of conduct training session provided for Town and Community Councillors, as detailed within the report but subject to the exploration of the feasibility for an early evening commencement time, be approved.
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RESOLVED that subject to the revisions outlined above, the questions detailed within the report be endorsed for the annual Town and Community Councils Code of Conduct data gathering exercise.
The Legal Services Manager presented a report wherein the Committee was reminded that Town and Community Councils were annually requested to provide data regarding code of conduct compliance by their members and the responses received were combined with data held by the Council to establish the level of code of conduct compliance in Town and Community Councils within the county. The Committee reviewed the proposed questionnaire appended to the report pertaining to Declarations of Interest, Code of Conduct Training and the Council Training Plan which had been updated to reflect the feedback received from the previous year’s exercise. It was proposed that the questionnaire would be issued electronically with a target date for returns of 1st June 2025, with a view to the findings being reported to the Committee at its September 2025 meeting in accordance with the Forward Work Plan. The Legal Services Manager, in response to a query, clarified that whilst the Committee did not hold any enforcement powers in terms of training plans, the questionnaire had been developed in accordance with the Committee’s remit of providing support and advice to Town and Community Councils in complying with the code of conduct. Reference was made to the typographical error within the numbering of questions 5-9 and it was reported that these would be updated accordingly. The Committee requested that two further questions be included to ascertain the percentage of councillors within each council who had been trained on the code of conduct during the previous 12 months; and furthermore, the number of councils who had signed the Civility and Respect Pledge as a means of demonstrating their commitment to addressing poor behaviour and fostering positive changes to support civil and respectful conduct. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that subject to the revisions outlined above, the questions detailed within the report be endorsed for the annual Town and Community Councils Code of Conduct data gathering exercise.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED that the Forward Work Programme for 2025/26 be adopted.
The Committee considered a draft Forward Work Programme [FWP] for 2025/26 which identified the key reports it should expect to receive at its scheduled quarterly meetings. The draft FWP proposed that two additional items be incorporated for 2025/26, as follows: • The statutory meeting between the full committee and the political group leaders of the Council take place annually in May. • An annual report regarding code of conduct complaints notified to the Monitoring Officer during the preceding year which had not resulted in any referral to the Adjudication Panel for Wales (APW) or the Standards Committee. Given that the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales had determined that no further action was required for these complaints, it was considered appropriate that the report be anonymised and indicate: (a) The part of the code to which each complaint related (b) The nature of the complaint (c) The Ombudsman’s decision in relation to that complaint (d) The reasons for the Ombudsman’s decision. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Forward Work Programme for 2025/26 be adopted.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED that the report be received.
The Committee considered a report which detailed the findings of the Adjudication Panel for Wales (APW) and the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW) in respect of published code of conduct complaints. The information provided the Committee with points of learning when implementing the code and providing training to councillors. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the report be received.
There were no items of urgent business.
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.