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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 be approved as a correct record.
RESOLVED: At this point, the Chair proposed that the press and public be excluded for the remainder of the item by virtue of exempt information under paragraph(s) 18C of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended). DISPENSATION – DECISION RESOLVED: The Committee decided that Councillor Wakelam should be allowed to:- · write and speak to Officers (with another person present taking minutes of any and each meeting). · to speak to and answer questions at committee. · It was explained that once the Council had decided which half of the land to use it would then proceed to planning application. This dispensation would allow Councillor Wakelam to speak and answer questions as local member at the Planning Committee. · Councillor Wakelam would not be allowed to remain in the room during the debate or to vote. · The dispensation would last for 12 months and could be renewed by Councillor Wakelam. · A letter would be sent to Councillor Wakelam and the Clerk of Penyffordd Community Council. The Legal Services Manager presented the Report (agenda item 5) for the committee to consider bulk dispensation in relation to the Support for WASPI Women and Fair Compensation which followed a Notice of Motion to County Council on the 20 September 2025. Background information was provided with specific sections of the report highlighted to committee. LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION) ACT 1985 - TO CONSIDER THE EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC RESOLVED: At this point, the Chair proposed that the press and public be excluded for the remainder of the item by virtue of exempt information under paragraph(s) 18C of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended). DISPENSATION - DECISION RESOLVED: That the Committee decided to grant a blanket dispensation to all Councillors to participate fully (to speak and write to Officers, speak and vote at committee or Council meetings). The dispensation was granted for a period of 12 months under 1.03 (e) of the report “the interest is common to the member and a significant proportion of the general public”. Members would still need to declare an interest stating that they were acting in accordance with the dispensation granted by the Standards Committee.
RESOLVED: That the Committee approves the procedure at Appendix 1 as a Standards Committee procedure.
RESOLVED: That the Committee promoted the principle of adoption of a local resolution protocol amongst local councils.
RESOLVED: That subject to the above amendment, the Forward Work Programme be noted.
Councillor Antony Wren declared a personal interest in the dispensation item at Agenda item 5 as he was part of the same political group as Councillor Roy Wakelam. The Chief Officer (Governance) provided some guidance to the committee around the implications of the WASPI report in relation to the Code of Conduct. The following Councillors declared a personal interest in the WASPI bulk dispensation report: Councillors Ian Hodge, Richard Lloyd and Antony Wren.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes be approved as a correct record.
The Minutes (Agenda item no 3) of the meeting held on 1 September 2025 were submitted. RESOLVED: That the minutes be approved as a correct record.
The Chair advised that there were no urgent matters to consider.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: At this point, the Chair proposed that the press and public be excluded for the remainder of the item by virtue of exempt information under paragraph(s) 18C of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended). DISPENSATION – DECISION RESOLVED: The Committee decided that Councillor Wakelam should be allowed to:- · write and speak to Officers (with another person present taking minutes of any and each meeting). · to speak to and answer questions at committee. · It was explained that once the Council had decided which half of the land to use it would then proceed to planning application. This dispensation would allow Councillor Wakelam to speak and answer questions as local member at the Planning Committee. · Councillor Wakelam would not be allowed to remain in the room during the debate or to vote. · The dispensation would last for 12 months and could be renewed by Councillor Wakelam. · A letter would be sent to Councillor Wakelam and the Clerk of Penyffordd Community Council. The Legal Services Manager presented the Report (agenda item 5) for the committee to consider bulk dispensation in relation to the Support for WASPI Women and Fair Compensation which followed a Notice of Motion to County Council on the 20 September 2025. Background information was provided with specific sections of the report highlighted to committee. LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION) ACT 1985 - TO CONSIDER THE EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC RESOLVED: At this point, the Chair proposed that the press and public be excluded for the remainder of the item by virtue of exempt information under paragraph(s) 18C of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended). DISPENSATION - DECISION RESOLVED: That the Committee decided to grant a blanket dispensation to all Councillors to participate fully (to speak and write to Officers, speak and vote at committee or Council meetings). The dispensation was granted for a period of 12 months under 1.03 (e) of the report “the interest is common to the member and a significant proportion of the general public”. Members would still need to declare an interest stating that they were acting in accordance with the dispensation granted by the Standards Committee.
The Chair outlined the dispensation process for the committee to consider the two dispensation items. She proposed hearing the request from Councillor Wakelam first and then the multiple dispensation in relation to the Support for WASPI Women and Fair Compensation. The Chief Officer (Governance)/ Monitoring Officer presented a Dispensation request from Councillor Roy Wakelam which was attached to the agenda. Councillor Wakelam outlined the reasons for this request and answered questions from committee members. LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION) ACT 1985 - TO CONSIDER THE EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC RESOLVED: At this point, the Chair proposed that the press and public be excluded for the remainder of the item by virtue of exempt information under paragraph(s) 18C of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended). DISPENSATION – DECISION RESOLVED: The Committee decided that Councillor Wakelam should be allowed to:- · write and speak to Officers (with another person present taking minutes of any and each meeting). · to speak to and answer questions at committee. · It was explained that once the Council had decided which half of the land to use it would then proceed to planning application. This dispensation would allow Councillor Wakelam to speak and answer questions as local member at the Planning Committee. · Councillor Wakelam would not be allowed to remain in the room during the debate or to vote. · The dispensation would last for 12 months and could be renewed by Councillor Wakelam. · A letter would be sent to Councillor Wakelam and the Clerk of Penyffordd Community Council. The Legal Services Manager presented the Report (agenda item 5) for the committee to consider bulk dispensation in relation to the Support for WASPI Women and Fair Compensation which followed a Notice of Motion to County Council on the 20 September 2025. Background information was provided with specific sections of the report highlighted to committee. LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION) ACT 1985 - TO CONSIDER THE EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC RESOLVED: At this point, the Chair proposed that the press and public be excluded for the remainder of the item by virtue of exempt information under paragraph(s) 18C of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended). DISPENSATION - DECISION RESOLVED: That the Committee decided to grant a blanket dispensation to all Councillors to participate fully (to speak and write to Officers, speak and vote at committee or Council meetings). The dispensation was granted for a period of 12 months under 1.03 (e) of the report “the interest is common to the member and a significant proportion of the general public”. Members would still need to declare an interest stating that they were acting in accordance with the dispensation granted by the Standards Committee.
The Chief Officer (Governance) provided a response to the question received on the process of a change of name of a Community Council. In response to a question from the Clerk of Hawarden and Broughton & Bretton Community Councils, the Chief Officer confirmed that following the responses to the Penn Review, Welsh Government had decided not to alter the current ethical framework. Complaints were referred to the Ombudsman who then investigated before deciding whether or not to refer the item back to the Standards Committee. The Chair reiterated that Clerks had the opportunity feed any questions or queries at any time to the Monitoring Officer who was there to provide that support.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Committee approves the procedure at Appendix 1 as a Standards Committee procedure.
Introducing the report (Agenda item 6), the Chair provided some background to the formation of the All Wales Standards Forum for Chairs of Standards Committees. Following a discussion at a meeting around dispensation procedures it was highlighted that the Council’s procedure was not an approved procedure, which was why it was being presented for approval. RESOLVED: That the Committee approves the procedure at Appendix 1 as a Standards Committee procedure.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Committee promoted the principle of adoption of a local resolution protocol amongst local councils.
Introducing the report (Agenda item 7) the Chief Officer (Governance) provided an overview of the revised national model produced by One Voice Wales (OVW) which was available through the Ombudsman’s website. Specific sections of the report were highlighted to committee. The Chief Officer (Governance) agreed to circulate information on the workshops being held to Town and Community Councils once it had been received. The Chief Officer (Governance) also agreed to re-circulate the Local Resolution Protocol from One Voice Wales together with the Standards Protocol for consideration by Clerks. Town and Community Councils were also encouraged to share their own protocol with Clerks of other councils. RESOLVED: That the Committee promoted the principle of adoption of a local resolution protocol amongst local councils.
The Chief Officer (Governance) provided an update on the sessions held with the WLGA on Member and Officer relations which focused on how this working relationship could be improved. The proposal that an action plan should be developed went to the last Ethical Liaison Meeting when it agreed that a cross party working group should be established to discuss the findings and develop an action plan. This action plan would then return to the Ethical Liaison Meeting for consideration. Following a request that the feedback and action plan be shared with town and community councils, it was agreed that this request would be put to the Working Group.
The Chair sought suggestions from the committee for any items to take to this meeting. No items were identified at this time.
The Chair sought suggestions from the committee for any items to take to this meeting. The Chief Officer (Governance) suggested that consideration be given to the review of the Model Local Resolution Protocol by One Voice Wales. There may be some outcomes from the workshops to take to the January meeting.
The Chief Officer (Governance) introduced the report (Agenda item 11) which provided an overview of the Annual Reports of the Adjudication Panel for Wales for 2024/25. The Chief Officer had written to the Registrar of the Adjudication Panel highlighting some mistakes within the report. A outline of the cases and timeframes which were referred to the Adjudication Panel for Wales was provided. Specific sections of the report were highlighted to committee. It was agreed to seek clarification on the figures on page 17 section 5 around Expenditure. It was also agreed to contact Powys County Council for a copy of their updated Social Media Protocol.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That subject to the above amendment, the Forward Work Programme be noted.
The Chair introduced the current Forward Work Programme (Agenda item 13) for consideration and the following change was agreed: It was agreed to include the Social Media Protocol and Policy for review at the January meeting. RESOLVED: That subject to the above amendment, the Forward Work Programme be noted.
None.
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