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 that a letter be sent to the Ombudsman seeking clarification about the support provided to town and community councillors and the length of time to complete the complaints process. The Chair agreed to draft a letter in consultation with the Deputy Monitoring Officer and circulate to the Sub-Committee for comment.
Resolved that independent members will observe two further meetings of the town/community council and that councils which had not responded about purchasing the Code of Conduct training video be contacted again.
Apologies for absence were received from Mr J Goolden (Independent Member) and Councillor K Coldrick (Town Community Council Representative).
The Chair was authorised to sign the minutes of the meeting held on 18 June 2025 as a correct record.
There were no declarations of interest.
The Committee received the report of the Head of Legal and Monitoring Officer (copy filed with signed minutes). A Referral of Town and Community Councillors to Ombudsman Wales The current position regarding matters with the Ombudsman is detailed below: The abbreviations used in the headings are as follows: MO – Monitoring Officer OW – Ombudsman Wales Stds – Standards Community Sub-Committee APW - Adjudication Panel for Wales Ref Date OW advised initial assessment Date OW advised investigating or not investigating Date OW’s decision Date considered by Stds Date considered by APW 03/22 and 06/22 --- 26/09/22 investigating and 31/05/23 investigating 19/02/25 referred to Stds Preliminary meetings 19/03/25 and 16/09/25. Hearing 17/09/25 Councillor Phil Pritchard, Welshpool Town Council, found in breach and censured 05/23 --- 29/11/23 investigating 06/23 --- 19/03/24 investigating 04/24 --- 14/08/24 investigating 13/24 --- 16/12/24 investigating 14/24 --- 16/12/24 investigating 01/25 10/06/25 02/25 --- 26/06/25 not investigating --- --- --- 03/35 23/09/25 04/25 23/09/25 05/25 29/09/25 B. Dispensations - Applications by Town and Community Councillors No applications for dispensation had been received from Town or Community Councillors. C. Ombudsman’s Casebook The Sub-Committee noted that details of cases are available in Ombudsman Wales - Our Findings D. Adjudication Panel for Wales [APW] Details of cases considered by the APW are available on its website Decisions | The Adjudication Panel for Wales (gov.wales) E. Independent Member vacancy on the Standards Committee On behalf of the Committee the Deputy Monitoring Officer thanked Stephan Hays for his service and dedication to the Standards Committee. She advised that the appointments process was agreed at the Council meeting on 9 October. The Committee agreed that the following would participate in the shortlisting/ appointments panel: Town/Community Councillor – Councillor Steve Deeks-D’Silva G. Meeting Dates The following Committee dates were noted: 4 February – 2pm 17 June – 2pm 14 October – 10am
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
Resolved that a letter be sent to the Ombudsman seeking clarification about the support provided to town and community councillors and the length of time to complete the complaints process. The Chair agreed to draft a letter in consultation with the Deputy Monitoring Officer and circulate to the Sub-Committee for comment.
The Committee received and noted the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales Annual report and accounts 2024-2025. The increase of 43% in the number of complaints received in comparison to the previous year was noted. Comment was made that the Ombudsman appeared not to have enough staff to deal with such an increase in complaints and it was noted a complaint recently considered by the Sub-Committee had taken three years to be concluded. Concerns were also raised about the impact of such delays on the councillor who was the subject of a complaint. The Chair advised that the Ombudsman attended the recent National Forum for Standards Committees and advised she was well aware of the difficulties and time delays but had advised that more staff had been recruited to the Service and the backlog in complaints was being addressed. He also advised that the Committee had written to the Ombudsman on this issue. In response to comments the Deputy Monitoring Officer advised that the legislation in Wales states that the Ombudsman investigates complaints and where a breach is found, the Standards Committee considers the findings and considers whether any sanctions are required. In England, it was noted that Monitoring Officers investigate complaints. Comment was made that investigations by the Ombudsman takes a long time, updates are rarely received and support is not available to town and community councillors who are the subject of a complaint. It was noted that the Ombudsman states on it’s website that they conclude investigations mainly within 12 months. The Deputy Monitoring Officer referred to the letter from the Ombudsman which had been considered at the Standards Committee. Th Chair agreed that this should be shared with the Sub-Committee but noted that the experience of a Sub-Committee member was different to the assurances given by the Ombudsman. It was noted that the Ombudsman stated that they signpost to organisations who can offer mental health support. Comment was made that One Voice Wales does not provide support to councillors who are subject to a complaint. Comment was made that there was a duty of care to a town/community councillor. It was also noted that the Annual report also states that 42% of people asked were happy with the service, so leaving a large proportion unhappy. The Deputy Monitoring Officer advised that a councillor who is the subject of a complaint can complain directly to the Ombudsman regarding their case. The Sub-Committee, if it were to raise issues with the Ombudsman, would need to address issues in general terms. In response to a question the Deputy Monitoring Officer advised that investigations can be lengthened, due to the availability of witnesses for interview, communicating with and interviews with the councillor who is subject of the complaint, the availability of all parties for hearing meetings and so the time length of time is not always under the Ombudsman’s control. It was moved and duly seconded that a letter be sent to the Ombudsman seeking clarification about the support provided to town and community councillors and the length of time to complete the complaints process. Resolved that a letter be sent to the Ombudsman seeking clarification about the support provided to town and community councillors and the length of time to complete the complaints process. The Chair agreed to draft a letter in consultation with the Deputy Monitoring Officer and circulate to the Sub-Committee for comment.
Resolved to exclude the public for the following items 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 Rule.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
Resolved that independent members will observe two further meetings of the town/community council and that councils which had not responded about purchasing the Code of Conduct training video be contacted again.
The Sub-Committee considered the report. The Sub-Committee noted the two observation reports and noted the issues raised regarding discussions regarding the Civility and Respect Pledge. It was considered that further meetings should be observed. In respect of the provision of the Code of Conduct training video for town and community councils the Sub-Committee asked that those town and community councils which had not responded to the two emails should be contacted again, as many meet infrequently. It was moved and duly seconded to observe two further meetings of the town/community council and that councils which had not responded about purchasing the Code of Conduct training video be contacted again. Resolved that independent members will observe two further meetings of the town/community council and that councils which had not responded about purchasing the Code of Conduct training video be contacted again.
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.