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RESOLVED to exclude the public for the following item of business on the grounds that there would be disclosure to them of exempt information under category 8 of The Council’s Access to Information Rules.
Resolved that: Reason for decision the Ombudsman Wales Case Ref: 202201455 be referred to Ceredigion County Council’s Standards Committee for determination. To address any issues of public perception and to ensure natural justice and fair treatment for the member involved.
Apologies were received from Mr R Stafford-Tolley (Independent Member) and Councillors I McIntosh and L Rijnenberg.
The Chair was authorised to sign the minutes of the meeting held on 25 October 2023 as a correct record.
No declarations of interest were received in respect of Items 4 to 6.
The Committee received the report of the Head of Legal and Monitoring Officer (copy filed with signed minutes). A. General Standards Issues for County Councillors and Co-opted Members There were no updates. B. Referral of Councillors to the Public Services Ombudsman The Committee noted the information regarding referrals in the table below. The abbreviations used in the headings are as follows: MO – Monitoring Officer OW – Ombudsman Wales Stds – Standards Committee APW - Adjudication Panel for Wales Ref Date OW notified MO of complaint Date OW advised investigating or not investigating Date OW’s decision Date considered by Stds Date considered by APW 03/CC/22 17/04/23 investigating 05/CC/22 28/06/22 investigating 20/11/23 referred to Stds 07/02/24 consideration of preliminary issues C. Dispensations No applications for dispensation had been received from County Councillors. D. Ombudsman Wales – Our Findings The Committee noted the Ombudsman Wales - Our Findings The Committee noted that at a recent meeting of all Welsh Monitoring Officers, the Ombudsman’s office was asked to consider re-instating the “Casebook”, which was considered to be more helpful. The Ombudsman has declined to reinstate the “Casebook” but is committed to improve the searchability of its website. E. Adjudication Panel for Wales [APW] Details of cases considered by the APW are available via the following link: Decisions | The Adjudication Panel for Wales (gov.wales) F. National Forum for Standards Committees The Forum met on 29 January 2024. The Chair attended the meeting and his notes were available at Appendix 2 to the report. The Chair was thanked for attending these meetings. G. Whistleblowing The Committee considered the report detailing the Whistleblowing cases and outcomes since 2019/20. This report was required as part of the Committee’s Work Programme. The Committee noted that Human Resources [HR] is currently developing a toolkit to accompany the Whistleblowing Policy. It was noted that Section 115 of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 requires the Council’s Governance and Audit Committee to review and assess the authority’s ability to handle complaints effectively. The reporting of whistleblowing complaints will be made to the Governance and Audit Committee. In response to a question the Deputy Monitoring Officer advised that the Whistleblowing Policy was for employees of the Council. Councillor W Powell advised he is a member of the Governance and Audit Committee and is content with what had been discussed. The Deputy Monitoring Officer advised that in light of this new legislation, the Constitution relating to the role and function of the Standards Committee would need to be considered. H. Meeting Dates To note dates of meetings in 2024 as follows, all starting at 2pm: 10 April – annual meeting with Group Leaders – if possible, a new date would be arranged for this meeting, due the unavailability of the Chair on the scheduled date 12 June 30 October
The Committee considered the report on the annual review of acceptance of gifts and hospitality by Members. The Committee noted the details of gifts and hospitality recorded by members on the website between 19 May 2022 and 1 February 2024. The Committee had no concerns about the level of hospitality recorded by members and noted the hospitality offered by the Green Man Festival. It was considered that this current level was not of concern but if it was found that the majority of members were being offered hospitality by an organisation, such as a festival, the Committee may wish to look at this. It was suggested that an annual reminder should be sent to members and the Deputy Monitoring Officer advised that this would be done. Decision Reason for decision: To note the report. To ensure the Committee undertakes an annual review of the acceptance of gifts and hospitality by Members as part of its work programme.
The Committee noted the Work Programme. Comment was made whether the Committee could consider the number of committees on which a member sits, as someone who only participates in a few committees can achieve a higher attendance rate more easily than someone who sits on a number of committees or on committees which meet more frequently. In response the Deputy Monitoring Officer advised that the Committee’s role was to look at the attendance levels of members. If a member’s attendance level was below 60%, reasons for this would be considered including the number of committees on which the member sits.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED to exclude the public for the following item of business on the grounds that there would be disclosure to them of exempt information under category 8 of The Council’s Access to Information Rules.
RESOLVED to exclude the public for the following item of business on the grounds that there would be disclosure to them of exempt information under category 8 of The Council’s Access to Information Rules.
Mrs Moore and Councillor W Powell declared personal interests in relation to their membership of an organisation.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
Resolved that: Reason for decision the Ombudsman Wales Case Ref: 202201455 be referred to Ceredigion County Council’s Standards Committee for determination. To address any issues of public perception and to ensure natural justice and fair treatment for the member involved.
The Committee considered the Deputy Monitoring Officer’s report and the discussed the preliminary issues relating to a referral of a complaint from the Ombudsman Wales [Ref:202201455]. Resolved that: Reason for decision the Ombudsman Wales Case Ref: 202201455 be referred to Ceredigion County Council’s Standards Committee for determination. To address any issues of public perception and to ensure natural justice and fair treatment for the member involved.
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.