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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 Councillor Brian Phillips be granted dispensation to speak and vote on matters relating to the Community Asset Transfer at meetings of Milford Haven Town Council; and that the dispensation be valid for the lifetime of the current Milford Haven Town Council.
RESOLVED That Councillor Neil Prior be granted dispensation to speak only at both County Council and Community Council level on matters relating to second homes, council tax and tourism levies; and that the dispensation be valid until for a period of 3 months (20.07.2023).
RESOLVED That Councillor Tessa Hodgson be granted dispensation to speak and vote on matters relating to the Freeport; and that the dispensation be valid until for the duration of this Council Term.
There were no declarations of interest received.
The following amendments were highlighted: Page 7 – amend the word person to personal Page 8 – amend typo on the words Chair and regeneration Page 8 – amend the word establish to established Page 11 – Ombudsman should be referred to as her and not him Moved by Ms Corinna Kershaw; Seconded by Mr Nick Watt The vote for the Motion, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 27 February 2023 be approved as a correct record, subject to the above amendments.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That Councillor Brian Phillips be granted dispensation to speak and vote on matters relating to the Community Asset Transfer at meetings of Milford Haven Town Council; and that the dispensation be valid for the lifetime of the current Milford Haven Town Council.
The Committee considered an application by Councillor Brian Phillips for dispensation to speak and vote on matters relating to the Community Asset Transfer (CAT). On invitation of the Chair, Councillor Phillips addressed the Committee in support of his application; and to explain the purpose of his application. He highlighted that he had ceased being a member of the Pembrokeshire Lido Park Project in November 2022; however, he was being asked not to attend any meetings in connection with the CAT by Milford Haven Town Council as it was perceived that he might have a personal and prejudicial interest. The Committee were then provided with an opportunity to ask questions of Councillor Phillips on his application. In response to Councillor Hugh Watchman, Councillor Phillips clarified that although he had a wider interest in the project and believed that it would be a great asset to the Town, he no longer had any connection or financial interest with the Lido Project. Mr Nick Watt asked Councillor Phillips for further detail on why Councillor Phillips had requested dispensation to vote. In response, Councillor Phillips stated that he had no connection with the Lido Project and was interested in being part of the discussions relating to the Community Asset Transfer to Milford Haven Town Council, and felt that as a Councillor he should have a right to vote on the matter. In response to the Chair, Councillor Phillips outlined his many years of experience as an Engineer in water treatment. Mrs Suzanne Lewis asked what the benefit would be to the Community if Councillor Phillips was granted dispensation to vote. Councillor Phillips advised that he felt he should be allowed to speak and vote on behalf of Milford Haven residents. In response to a query from Mr Paul Richardson, Councillor Phillips clarified that the connection between the Lido Project and the Community Asset Transfer was that they were both vying for full ownership of some of the same locations. Councillor Phillips also confirmed that the Lido was not part of the Community Asset Transfer; and that since another Town Councillor had left he was now the only Councillor being asked to leave meetings, where the Community Asset Transfer was being discussed. Councillor Phillips then withdrew from the Meeting and the Committee considered the application and verbal representations provided. The Monitoring Officer drew the Committee’s attention to the previous Meeting where Councillor Michael Allen of the same Town Council had sought dispensation from the Standards Committee. On that occasion he was the current Chair of the Pembrokeshire Lido Park Project and dispensation was granted for him to speak on the matter. Councillor David Edwards supported the application to speak and vote stating that Councillor Phillips no longer had any connection with the Lido Project. It was queried whether he needed to apply for dispensation as some Members highlighted that he did not appear to have a prejudicial interest. The Monitoring Officer advised that it was a matter for Councillor Phillips whether to apply for dispensation and referred to advice he had received from the Deputy Monitoring Officer, who believed this was the best course of action. Mr Nick Watt supported the application for dispensation to speak and vote. He also commented that he did not think that the Chair of Milford Haven Town Council should be excluding the Councillor and suggested advice should be given to the Clerk and the Town Council. The consensus of the Committee was to grant dispensation to speak and vote on matters relating to the Community Asset Transfer. Mr Paul Richardson stated that the rationale for the decision was that the Committee did not feel there was a personal and prejudicial interest. Moved by Councillor Hugh Watchan; Seconded by Councillor David Edwards The vote for the Motion, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That Councillor Brian Phillips be granted dispensation to speak and vote on matters relating to the Community Asset Transfer at meetings of Milford Haven Town Council; and that the dispensation be valid for the lifetime of the current Milford Haven Town Council.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That Councillor Neil Prior be granted dispensation to speak only at both County Council and Community Council level on matters relating to second homes, council tax and tourism levies; and that the dispensation be valid until for a period of 3 months (20.07.2023).
The Committee considered an application by Councillor Neil Prior for dispensation to speak only on matters relating to self-catering accommodation. On invitation of the Chair, Councillor Neil Prior addressed the Committee in support of his application; and to explain the purpose of his application. He outlined thathis partner owned and managed a self-catering property in Pembrokeshire and that he had no financial interest or controlling stake in the business. He advised that he did not live with his partner and that they were both financially independent of each other. Councillor Neil Prior referred to his previous application that had been refused by the Committee and provided further context to his application. He highlighted that in his area there was a high amount of second homes and holiday lets and felt that he needed to be able to represent his ward on these matters. The Committee were then provided with an opportunity to ask questions of Councillor Neil Prior on his application. Mr Nick Watt queried if his Father was still involved in the construction of the self-catering accommodation, with Councillor Neil Prior confirming that the main construction work was now completed. Mr Nick Watt also queried if part of his Father’s business was in second home. Councillor Neil Prior highlighted that his Father was now 78 and was winding down his business. Councillor David Edwards queried whether dispensation was also being sought at Community Council level. Councillor Neil Prior confirmed that was Chair of Llanrhian Community Council and would like dispensation at Community Council level; however, he felt the majority of input would be at County Council level. At this point Councillor Prior withdrew from the Meeting and the Committee considered his first application for dispensation to speak only on matters relating to self-catering accommodation. Mr Nick Watt and Councillor David Edwards both expressed their support for Councillor Neil Prior to be allowed dispensation to speak. Councillor David Edwards highlighted that his Father’s involvement in the accommodation was gone and reference made to his breadth of knowledge. Ms Sian Vaughan also expressed support for the application, stating that his representations had been fundamental and also helpful in providing criteria for a template going forward. The Monitoring Officer referred to a note that was sent to the Committee relating to upcoming tax rises affecting self-catering accommodation; holiday lets; and second home premiums that would be matters coming before Council and Cabinet in the future; and how this could impact a number of Councillors who might have an interest in these matters. Mrs Suzanne Lewis highlighted that having information from Councillor Neil Prior on the amount of second homes in his ward was informative and good information for how we deal with applications in the future. Moved by Mr Nick Watt; Seconded by Councillor David Edwards The vote for the Motion, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That Councillor Neil Prior be granted dispensation to speak only at both County Council and Community Council level on matters relating to second homes, council tax and tourism levies; and that the dispensation be valid until for a period of 3 months (20.07.2023).
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That Councillor Tessa Hodgson be granted dispensation to speak and vote on matters relating to the Freeport; and that the dispensation be valid until for the duration of this Council Term.
The Committee considered an application by Councillor Tessa Hodgson for dispensation to speak and vote on matters relating to Freeports. The Chair invited Councillor Hodgson to address the Committee in support of her application and to explain the purpose for her application. Councillor Hodgson addressed the Committee in support of her application and advised that her partner worked as a Marine Pilot for Milford Port Authority which is one of four bodies leading the development of the Freeport. In response to Councillor Hugh Watchman she clarified that her partner was not part of management and has no influence over the Freeport bid, as had a very specific Job role. Mr Nick Watt referred to the potential for increased shipping movements and queried if her partner would be paid per shipping movement or receive a salary. In response Councillor Tessa Hodgson clarified that he was paid a salary. At that point Councillor Hodgson withdrew from the meeting and the Committee considered her application and oral submission. In considering the application, the Committee supported that dispensation to speak and vote be granted and that the dispensation be valid for the duration of this Council Term. Moved by Mr Paul Richardson; Seconded by Councillor Hugh Watchman The vote for the Motion, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That Councillor Tessa Hodgson be granted dispensation to speak and vote on matters relating to the Freeport; and that the dispensation be valid until for the duration of this Council Term.
The Monitoring Officer presented the report, which was to provide Members with an overview of code of conduct complaints that were not upheld or investigated by the Ombudsman and concerns raised and resolved informally through local resolution for the period May 2022 – March 2023. The Committee considered the report and the key points were highlighted as follows: · Mr Paul Richardson commented that the report was very useful and highlighted that it should form part of the Annual Report. · Councillor Hugh Watchman queried part of the report, which referred to the ‘Emailing an Officer’. Further clarification was provided and that it referred to inappropriate language within the email, with it noted that the wording could be changed slightly to ensure clarity going forward. · On request the Monitoring Officer provided further detail on the process of complaints and concerns raised with the Monitoring Officer from Town and Community Councils and also the process with complaints to the Ombudsman. · Mr Nick Watt suggested looking at enhancing low level resolution, with the Monitoring Officer highlighting that she does advise Town and Community Councils on adopting the protocol produced by the Ombudsman, which some have adopted. She also outlined the Code of Conduct Training that has been provided and that the training has been offered to all Town and Community Councils to both in person and online formats. It was also noted that Councillor David Edwards had attended some of the training events and that she would be grateful of any assistance in the training offer to Town and Community Councils going forward. · The Chair suggested that Town and Community Councils be added to the forward work programme, with it also suggested that a section on that be included in the Annual report. The Committee noted the report.
The Monitoring Officer presented the Standards Committee Timetable 2023 for the consideration of the Committee. The Committee noted the report.
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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