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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 report and discussion be noted.
Resolved: That the report and discussion be noted.
Resolved: That members of the Standards Committee note the observation feedback received, as set out in Appendix A of the report. That members continue to observe meetings of the Council, Committees and Community Councils providing any applicable feedback to the Standards Committee.
Resolved: That the contents of the report be noted and the issuing of a survey be approved.
Resolved: That the report be noted.
Resolved: That the report be noted. That the report be commended to Council.
Resolved: That the report be noted.
Resolved: That the report be noted.
Resolved: That the Forward Work Programme be noted.
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. Introductions were given by all attendees.
Declarations of interest were received from the following, Officer Mike Shaw – agenda item 9 Consultation from Public Services Ombudsman for Wales into Code of Conduct Compliants – as his wife works at the PSOW.
Resolved: That the minutes of the previous meeting held on the 13th January 2025 be approved as a true and accurate record.
Decision as recorded
Resolved: That the report and discussion be noted.
The Monitoring Officer gave the committee an extended overview to the circulated report. Mr Griffiths stated an exercise of promoting and developing an understanding of the work of the Standards Committee had been carried out internally with NPT Group Leaders. Saliant points raised by the Chairs and Vice Chairs of Neath Port Talbot Town and Community Councils on conduct matters included members behaviours and attitude towards the code of conduct. It was noted the importance of the code of conduct. Officers explained the further importance of complying with the code of conduct when signing documentation on taking office. If identified that members are in breach of the code of conduct, Community Councillors were reminded that a referral can be carried out with the ombudsman. In addition, the requirement to promote the values associated with rules of the code of conduct was highlighted. Social media platforms were discussed with Councillors reminded that again the code of conduct must be adhered too with rules applied as appropriate i.e. during and following meetings specifically in terms of posting information on social media. Community Councillors stated how training had been useful and informative during specific Town and Community Council Meetings and made a recommendation to those in attendance to take part in any training opportunities provided by the Monitoring Officer. Town/Community Council Chairs went on to express how difficult situations dealing with conduct matters and the negative impact on Town and Community Council clerks with stress levels raised and the difficulties addressing. It was also expressed how difficult it was in getting members to undertake training. The Monitoring Officer explained that a summary document on the obligations of becoming a councillor was being established along with the clerk’s forum. The co-option process was discussed briefly with it highlighted that sometimes members can be difficult to manage. The Chair of the Standards Committee stated this presented its own challenges especially in terms of online meetings and the lack of member personality and social interaction. Standards to meetings including setting housekeeping rules were mentioned. Standard Committee members asked how inappropriate behaviours were recorded. Town Council Chairs confirmed that all information was recorded within the minutes of the meeting. Anything over and above would warrant a formal process. The Monitoring Officer suggested that the local resolution process be adopted in situations of inappropriate behaviour. This process would be circulated by the monitoring officer. Town/Community Council Chairs asked if there was a summary document to the code of conduct. The Monitoring Officer explained there were several documents that would be circulated following the meeting. The Chair thanked all for their attendance to the meeting. Resolved: That the report and discussion be noted.
Principle Solicitor (Deputy Monitoring Officer) Mr. Mike Shaw gave the committee an extended overview of the report. Saliant points discussed included the code of conduct, declarations of interest (personal and prejudicial) and dispensation. Resolved: That the report be noted
Decision as recorded
Resolved: That the report and discussion be noted.
The Monitoring Officer gave the committee and overview to the circulated report. Members were told that the purpose of the report was to make sure group leaders take and promote the steps needed to maintain high standards of conduct with members within political groups and how the Standards Committee can review standards of conduct. Members queried the summary figure of the independent group, which were confirmed as 100% by the Monitoring Officer with 1 referral to the PSOW. The Monitoring Officer stated Group Leaders would be invited to a further meeting of the Standards Committee soon. Members went on to ask a further question around timeframes and holding members to account, the Monitoring Officer suggested this question could be addressed when the group leaders attended the future meeting. Resolved: That the report and discussion be noted.
Decision as recorded
Resolved: That members of the Standards Committee note the observation feedback received, as set out in Appendix A of the report. That members continue to observe meetings of the Council, Committees and Community Councils providing any applicable feedback to the Standards Committee.
The Monitoring Officer gave the committee an overview to the circulated report. Mr. Griffiths explained a typo error was noted within paragraph 5 of the report. It was noted that there were no concerns when it should read that there were concerns relating to the specific Town Council noted within the report. The Monitoring Officer went on to say that several points had been highlighted in addressing concerns picked up by the Standards Committee of Town and Community Councils. A copy of the feedback is to be shared with the specific Town Council mentioned in the report. Training on what the Standards Committee do and represent was suggested by the Chair. Resolved: That members of the Standards Committee note the observation feedback received, as set out in Appendix A of the report. That members continue to observe meetings of the Council, Committees and Community Councils providing any applicable feedback to the Standards Committee.
Decision as recorded
Resolved: That the contents of the report be noted and the issuing of a survey be approved.
The Monitoring Officer provided an overview of the circulated report. The Monitoring Officer went on to inform the committee that a copy of the members survey was readily available to the Standards Committee and was included within today’s agenda pack. An outcome report is expected to be brought back to the committee in the coming weeks. Standards committee members suggested to exclude ‘not anyone’s business’ from question 19 which the monitoring officer confirmed would be addressed and removed from the survey. Another suggestion was referred to question 40 of the survey and it was noted that a ranking numerical guide would be incorporated. The Monitoring Officer advised that the survey would be live around the end of April so any questions or comments received from members would be appreciated prior to this. Resolved: That the contents of the report be noted and the issuing of a survey be approved.
Decision as recorded
Resolved: That the report be noted.
The Monitoring Officer provided an update on the circulated report. Resolved: That the report be noted.
Decision as recorded
Resolved: That the report be noted. That the report be commended to Council.
The Monitoring Officer gave an overview to the circulated report. The Monitoring Officer informed the committee that following the meeting the report would be commended to Council. The Chair went on to request a word copy of the report to add information/points she felt appropriate. Resolved: That the report be noted. That the report be commended to Council.
Decision as recorded
Resolved: That the report be noted.
The Monitoring Officer provided the committee with an overview of the circulated report. Principles were outlined by the monitoring officer. Ethical responsibilities were also discussed, and a further report will be presented to the Standards Committee soon. Resolved: That the report be noted.
Decision as recorded
Resolved: That the report be noted.
The Monitoring Officer gave a brief overview to the circulated report. The Monitoring Officer went on to highlight several behavioural issues that had happened across the UK. Resolved: That the report be noted.
Decision as recorded
Resolved: That the Forward Work Programme be noted.
The Monitoring Officer told members of the committee that a forward work programme for the forthcoming year 25/26 would be populated following the Councils Annual General Meeting in May 2025. Resolved: That the Forward Work Programme be noted.
There were no urgent items.
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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