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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: The contents of the Annual Report be noted.
RESOLVED that: a) The information will not be shared with the Leaders until the Committee has agreed the content. b) The Annual Report to be finalised before the next meeting.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Lisa Mytton and Gareth Richards.
No Declarations of Interest were made.
The Minutes of the Meetings held on the 16th June and 31st July 2023 were accepted for information as a true record. Noted errors on Composition of Agendas for: 16th June 2023 Composition should read: Councillors: L Mytton, G Richards & D Sammon Independent Members: D Jones & M Veale 1st July 2023 Composition should read: Independent Members: D Jones and M Veale
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the: The contents of the Annual Report be noted.
C Kennedy, Monitoring Officer took Members through the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales Annual Report and Accounts 2022/23 and advised that one matter was currently being considered by the Ombudsman. There was no indication of timings, but likely to be some time before a decision was made. Clarity was sought over whether the Councillor in question would remain in office during the investigation. The Monitoring Officer confirmed that they would continue to be an Elected Member while the investigation was being undertaken. Additional clarity was sought and provided by the Monitoring Officer over procedures when letters were received from the Ombudsman. RESOLVED that the: The contents of the Annual Report be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that: a) The information will not be shared with the Leaders until the Committee has agreed the content. b) The Annual Report to be finalised before the next meeting.
The Chair and the Monitoring Officer provided Committee with a verbal update on The Annual Report 2022/23 with particular reference to: · the impact, expectations and role of the Leaders as ambassadors of the code of conduct. · The amount and content of low-level complaints being received, the significant escalation of complaints received, the drain on council resources, how they will be dealt with and how this information is shared. · Freedom of Information Requests RESOLVED that: a) The information will not be shared with the Leaders until the Committee has agreed the content. b) The Annual Report to be finalised before the next meeting.
The Chair advised that the Standards Committee Member vacancy had been advertised and interviews had been arranged.
To be arranged.
Discussion took place regarding lessons learned from the disciplinary hearing that had been held and the procedures and processes for future disciplinary hearings. The Committee also agreed that the Chair would meet with the Political Groups to re-enforce the standards role.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
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