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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 content of the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales’ Annual Report for Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council for 2024/2025 (as detailed at Appendix 1 to the circulated report), and the steps that officers will continue to embark on as part of general improvement work, be noted.
RESOLVED: That the draft template for Member Dispensations (as detailed at Appendix 1 to the circulated report), be approved.
RESOLVED: That the template letter, to be included in election packs for candidates interested standing for local government to address ethical obligations (as detailed at Appendix 1 to the circulated report), be approved.
RESOLVED: That the report be noted.
RESOLVED: That the discussion which took place between political group leaders and Members, focusing on the relationship with the Standards Committee and what steps are in place to assist them in discharging their duties, be noted.
RESOLVED: That pursuant to Section 100A(4) and (5) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded for the following item of business which involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 18c of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the above Act.
The Chair welcomed all to the meeting, and gave a special welcome to Cllr Tim Bowen, who was a new Member of the Standards Committee.
No declarations of interest were received.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the previous meeting held on the 9 September 2025 be approved as an accurate record.
The Forward Work Programme was noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the content of the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales’ Annual Report for Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council for 2024/2025 (as detailed at Appendix 1 to the circulated report), and the steps that officers will continue to embark on as part of general improvement work, be noted.
The Head of Legal and Democratic Services/ Monitoring Officer gave an overview of the circulated report. Members were pleased to note that only one case within the report involved Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council. RESOLVED: That the content of the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales’ Annual Report for Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council for 2024/2025 (as detailed at Appendix 1 to the circulated report), and the steps that officers will continue to embark on as part of general improvement work, be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the draft template for Member Dispensations (as detailed at Appendix 1 to the circulated report), be approved.
The reporting Officer suggested a change of wording to the circulated form – from Chairman/ Vice Chairman to Chair/ Vice Chair, which Members were in favour of, and the word etcetera would be added, for inclusivity. Clerks to Town/ Community Councils would also be sent the new form. RESOLVED: That the draft template for Member Dispensations (as detailed at Appendix 1 to the circulated report), be approved.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the template letter, to be included in election packs for candidates interested standing for local government to address ethical obligations (as detailed at Appendix 1 to the circulated report), be approved.
Members felt ‘commend’ and commendable’ were overused, so the reporting Officer would alter this in the final draft, as well as omitting the words ‘or even’ in the context of ‘training or even suspension’. Other wording changes/ suggestions were also discussed. RESOLVED: That the template letter, to be included in election packs for candidates interested standing for local government to address ethical obligations (as detailed at Appendix 1 to the circulated report), be approved.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the report be noted.
The Chair of the Standards Committee sits on the Welsh Standards Committee Forum, and going forward, any minutes from the Forum would be brought to the Standards Committee for information and oversight. RESOLVED: That the report be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the discussion which took place between political group leaders and Members, focusing on the relationship with the Standards Committee and what steps are in place to assist them in discharging their duties, be noted.
Following the presentation from the Group Leaders, discussion took place around whether there was anything more the Leader/ Group Leaders could do, or anything more the Standards Committee could do, to promote higher standards within the Council. It was suggested that once a year the Chair/vice Chair of Standards Committee could attend political group meetings. The effect of social media was discussed, as well as all Member seminars relating to the role of the Standards Committee. Standards Committee Members would like to have more specific examples of issues, in future annual reports from Group Leaders. Artificial Intelligence and ethics were discussed. RESOLVED: That the discussion which took place between political group leaders and Members, focusing on the relationship with the Standards Committee and what steps are in place to assist them in discharging their duties, be noted.
No urgent items were received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That pursuant to Section 100A(4) and (5) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded for the following item of business which involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 18c of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the above Act.
RESOLVED: That pursuant to Section 100A(4) and (5) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded for the following item of business which involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 18c of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the above Act.
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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