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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED – T H A T the minutes of the meeting held on 20th November, 2025 be approved as a correct record.
RESOLVED – T H A T the dispensations as set out in the schedule below be granted up to the date of the next Local Government Elections: Member Requesting Paragraph(s) of the Decision Dispensation Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001 Under Which Dispensation is Granted and as applied for W.A. Hennessy (d) and (f) To Speak, Vote and remain in meetings of the Vale of Glamorgan and Barry Town Council when matters relating to the Vale of Glamorgan Age 50+ Forum are discussed. B.E. Brooks (d) and (f) To Speak, Vote and remain in meetings of the Vale of Glamorgan and Barry Town Council when matters relating to the Vale of Glamorgan Placemaking Plans are discussed. Reason for decision Having regard to the applications submitted and discussions held at the meeting.
RESOLVED – (1) T H A T the reports and the feedback received in respect of observation visits undertaken by Independent Members of the Standards Committee be noted. (2) T H A T where matters following observation visits were highlighted by Independent Members as issues requiring further attention or further visits and / or requests were made by the Monitoring Officer / Head of Legal and Democratic Services for visits to be undertaken, those be arranged as and when required. (3) T H A T a proposal for observations to be held within the 2026 – 27 Municipal Year be presented to Committee at its next meeting scheduled for 26th March, 2026. Reasons for decisions (1) Having regard to the observations undertaken and the role of the Standards Committee. (2) To maintain a watching brief having regard to the role of the Standards Committee and the Monitoring Officer. (3) To complete the two year observation cycle, as previously agreed by the Committee, having regard to the outcomes of the 2025 Boundary Commission for January 29 Minutes and DN (AR) Wales Community Review.
RESOLVED – T H A T the report be deferred to the March 2026 Standards Committee meeting. Reason for decision To ensure that the outstanding procedural matter identified during the governance review was addressed appropriately and transparently, pending a consultation response being received from the relevant parties involved.
RESOLVED – (1) T H A T the contents of the report be noted. (2) T H A T the verbal update provided by the Monitoring Officer at the meeting be noted. Reasons for decisions (1) To apprise Committee. (2) Having regard to the information provided.
RESOLVED – T H A T the recent Adjudication Panel for Wales decisions, as appended to the report, be noted. Reason for decision To ensure the Committee was aware of and reflected on relevant tribunal decisions in the context of its duty to promote high standards of conduct.
RESOLVED – (1) T H A T the further progress being undertaken by the Local Government Association, Welsh Local Government Association and other UK associations on the programme of work be noted. (2) T H A T the Vale of Glamorgan Council Leader’s invitation to a further meeting to discuss the programme amongst Independent Members of the Committee be accepted. Reason for decisions (1) Having regard to the contents of the report for the Committee’s information. (2) To provide both the Independent Members and Town and Community Council Representative of the Standards Committee with the opportunity to discuss the programme in more detail.
RESOLVED – T H A T the content of the report be noted, with an update on the correspondence with the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales and matters arising under the Part II report on the agenda be considered. Reason for decision Having regard to the contents of the report subject to matters arising under the Part II report later on the agenda.
RESOLVED – T H A T under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 4 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Act, the relevant paragraphs of the Schedule being referred to in brackets after the minute heading.
RESOLVED – T H A T the confidential update on correspondence with the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales ('the Ombudsman'), as provided verbally by the Monitoring Officer, be noted. Reason for decision Having regard to the contents of the Part II report and discussions held at the meeting. January 29 Minutes and DN (AR)
This was received from G. Olphert (Independent Member).
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – T H A T the minutes of the meeting held on 20th November, 2025 be approved as a correct record.
RESOLVED – T H A T the minutes of the meeting held on 20th November, 2025 be approved as a correct record.
No declarations of interest were received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – T H A T the dispensations as set out in the schedule below be granted up to the date of the next Local Government Elections: Member Requesting Paragraph(s) of the Decision Dispensation Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001 Under Which Dispensation is Granted and as applied for W.A. Hennessy (d) and (f) To Speak, Vote and remain in meetings of the Vale of Glamorgan and Barry Town Council when matters relating to the Vale of Glamorgan Age 50+ Forum are discussed. B.E. Brooks (d) and (f) To Speak, Vote and remain in meetings of the Vale of Glamorgan and Barry Town Council when matters relating to the Vale of Glamorgan Placemaking Plans are discussed. Reason for decision Having regard to the applications submitted and discussions held at the meeting.
The purpose of the report was to consider applications for dispensation received from Councillors W.A. Hennessy and B.E. Brooks of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report. January 29 Minutes and DN (AR) The Monitoring Officer apprised the Committee on the applications presented and confirmed their agreement of the paragraph(s) under which dispensation may be granted, as applied for, in line with the Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001. Following careful consideration of the applications and having regard to the Monitoring Officer‘s advice above it was RESOLVED – T H A T the dispensations as set out in the schedule below be granted up to the date of the next Local Government Elections: Member Requesting Paragraph(s) of the Decision Dispensation Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001 Under Which Dispensation is Granted and as applied for W.A. Hennessy (d) and (f) To Speak, Vote and remain in meetings of the Vale of Glamorgan and Barry Town Council when matters relating to the Vale of Glamorgan Age 50+ Forum are discussed. B.E. Brooks (d) and (f) To Speak, Vote and remain in meetings of the Vale of Glamorgan and Barry Town Council when matters relating to the Vale of Glamorgan Placemaking Plans are discussed. Reason for decision Having regard to the applications submitted and discussions held at the meeting.
Part of an issue followed across 4 meetings
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – (1) T H A T the reports and the feedback received in respect of observation visits undertaken by Independent Members of the Standards Committee be noted. (2) T H A T where matters following observation visits were highlighted by Independent Members as issues requiring further attention or further visits and / or requests were made by the Monitoring Officer / Head of Legal and Democratic Services for visits to be undertaken, those be arranged as and when required. (3) T H A T a proposal for observations to be held within the 2026 – 27 Municipal Year be presented to Committee at its next meeting scheduled for 26th March, 2026. Reasons for decisions (1) Having regard to the observations undertaken and the role of the Standards Committee. (2) To maintain a watching brief having regard to the role of the Standards Committee and the Monitoring Officer. (3) To complete the two year observation cycle, as previously agreed by the Committee, having regard to the outcomes of the 2025 Boundary Commission for January 29 Minutes and DN (AR) Wales Community Review.
As part of the Committee’s Forward Work Programme, and in line with its statutory responsibilities, Independent Members of the Standards Committee undertook observations of Vale of Glamorgan Council (VoGC) and Town and Community Council (TCC) meetings. This initiative supported the Committee’s aim of promoting January 29 Minutes and DN (AR) and maintaining high standards of conduct by observing how meetings were conducted in practice and offering constructive, impartial feedback. The Chair advised that, since the 20th November Committee meeting, four further observations had taken place as follows: Member Council Meeting Date Olphert Vale of Glamorgan Full 1st December 2025 Council Watkins Sully and Lavernock 8th December 2025 Community Council Alexander Llancarfan Community 18th December 2025 Council Watkins Vale of Glamorgan 15th January 2026 Planning Committee with Appendix 1 of the report setting out progress to date in relation to arranging future observations. The Appendix also set out that Officers were working to bring a proposal for observations to be held within the 2026 – 27 Municipal Year to the next Standards Committee meeting on the 26th March 2026. The relevant Independent Members went on to advise of their findings/comments in turn, in relation to the five TCC observations that had been undertaken to date. The Principal Democratic and Scrutiny Services provided verbal feedback on behalf of Mr. Olphert who had provided their apologies for the meeting. Feedback in the main was very positive. After which, the Committee discussed the following points: Speaking time allocated to members of Public Speaking times at meetings of the public during Planning Committee the Vale of Glamorgan Planning meetings being too restrictive for Committee were set as per the Public planning matters. Speaking Policy included within the Council’s Constitution. The meeting was conducted in accordance with the policy as agreed by Elected Members. Councillor Franks added that the speaking time limits in place encouraged focused representations from all sides and suggested that there was more concern around the limited meaningful public input earlier in the planning process prior to formal meetings. Recorded vote results being displayed The vote display timing was too briefly on screen. standardised on the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s hybrid meeting platform but controllable, by Democratic Officers, to January 29 Minutes and DN (AR) align with the pace of the meeting at hand. However, all voting results were available on demand via the livestream recording of the meeting on the Council’s YouTube channel for future reference as required. Delays caused during the meeting as a Comments received in relation to Vale result of attendee user error in engaging of Glamorgan Council meetings would with remote controls/technology be fed back to the Democratic Services correctly. Team for consideration. In conclusion, the Monitoring Officer reassured the Committee that good practice following observation visits was shared and discussed at the six-monthly meetings with Clerks, which also afforded the opportunity to raise any generic issues of concern and to offer advice and guidance. Feedback was also provided to Chairs of TCCs on a 1-2-1 basis by the Monitoring Officer following observations where necessary. As such, since the last Committee meeting, the Monitoring Officer had liaised with the Clerks of the following Councils: Llantwit Major, Penarth, St. Nicholas with Bonvilston, St. Athan and Dinas Powys; to discuss sharing of good practice and advice in respect of matters relating to good governance. Arrangements had also been made to liaise with the Clerks of the following Councils: Wenvoe, Cowbridge and Penllyn. RESOLVED – (1) T H A T the reports and the feedback received in respect of observation visits undertaken by Independent Members of the Standards Committee be noted. (2) T H A T where matters following observation visits were highlighted by Independent Members as issues requiring further attention or further visits and / or requests were made by the Monitoring Officer / Head of Legal and Democratic Services for visits to be undertaken, those be arranged as and when required. (3) T H A T a proposal for observations to be held within the 2026 – 27 Municipal Year be presented to Committee at its next meeting scheduled for 26th March, 2026. Reasons for decisions (1) Having regard to the observations undertaken and the role of the Standards Committee. (2) To maintain a watching brief having regard to the role of the Standards Committee and the Monitoring Officer. (3) To complete the two year observation cycle, as previously agreed by the Committee, having regard to the outcomes of the 2025 Boundary Commission for January 29 Minutes and DN (AR) Wales Community Review.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – T H A T the report be deferred to the March 2026 Standards Committee meeting. Reason for decision To ensure that the outstanding procedural matter identified during the governance review was addressed appropriately and transparently, pending a consultation response being received from the relevant parties involved.
The Monitoring Officer presented the report, the purpose of which was to provide an interim update on the report originally considered by the Committee at its 20th November, 2025 meeting. The report was presented to the Committee on 20th November 2025 to seek the Committee’s approval to ratify and confirm the dispensations granted at two meetings considered to be inquorate, in respect of two Members. The Committee subsequently resolved that the dispensations granted at the 29th July and 21st November 2024 Committee meetings be confirmed to ensure that the relevant decisions were properly ratified and had full legal effect. In relation to one other previous item considered by the Committee during 2024, the Monitoring Officer advised at the 20th November 2025 Committee meeting that they were in consultation with the parties involved to address the procedural matter identified during the governance review to determine the most appropriate and proportionate resolution, and that a further report would be presented to the Committee in early 2026 once those discussions had concluded. As such, the interim update report was presented to the Committee to advise that the Monitoring Officer had not yet received a formal response from the parties involved and was therefore required to recommend that the report be deferred to the March 2026 Standards Committee meeting. RESOLVED – T H A T the report be deferred to the March 2026 Standards Committee meeting. Reason for decision To ensure that the outstanding procedural matter identified during the governance review was addressed appropriately and transparently, pending a consultation response being received from the relevant parties involved.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – (1) T H A T the contents of the report be noted. (2) T H A T the verbal update provided by the Monitoring Officer at the meeting be noted. Reasons for decisions (1) To apprise Committee. (2) Having regard to the information provided.
The report provided an update in respect of matters addressed at the last All Wales Monitoring Officer Group Meeting held on 5th December, 2025. The Monitoring Officer apprised the Committee on the matters discussed at the meeting, as detailed in Section 2 of the covering report. January 29 Minutes and DN (AR) After which, the Chair noted that many of the same matters were also raised at the recent National Standards Committee Chairs Forum that they had recently attended, including the rise in vexatious Member-on-Member complaints. Councillor Franks welcomed the focus on discouraging vexatious complaints but felt the Ombudsman could do more to educate the public. In response to a subsequent question raised by Councillor Summers as to whether complaint levels had risen locally, the Monitoring Officer confirmed that there had been a series of Member-on-Member complaints in the past year, but none progressed to investigation, as they did not meet the Ombudsman’s tests. A more detailed update would be provided under Part II of the agenda. The Monitoring Officer added that, overall, local TCCs in the Vale were managing issues well, though newer clerks may require additional support. In relation to Welsh Government work on the TCC sector, national workshops had been held on governance and complaint-handling and Welsh Government and One Voice Wales were considering requiring mandatory training for TCC Members as part of the declaration of acceptance of office. This aimed to ensure better understanding of governance and the Code of Conduct. RESOLVED – (1) T H A T the contents of the report be noted. (2) T H A T the verbal update provided by the Monitoring Officer at the meeting be noted. Reasons for decisions (1) To apprise Committee. (2) Having regard to the information provided.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – T H A T the recent Adjudication Panel for Wales decisions, as appended to the report, be noted. Reason for decision To ensure the Committee was aware of and reflected on relevant tribunal decisions in the context of its duty to promote high standards of conduct.
The Monitoring Officer advised that the Adjudication Panel for Wales (APW) was an independent body that adjudicated on alleged breaches of the Members’ Code of Conduct, following referral by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales. As part of the Standards Committee’s role in promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct and supporting Members to observe the Code, this report provided an opportunity to review and reflect on recent APW decisions. A copy of the following decision notices were appended to the report: • APW Tribunal Decision – APW/001/2025-026/CT Former Councillor Iwan Huws Gwynedd County Council; January 29 Minutes and DN (AR) • APW Tribunal Decision - APW/004/2024-25/CT Former Councillor Andrew Edwards - Pembrokeshire County Council. The Committee was invited to consider whether there were any relevant lessons or themes arising from the decisions that should be shared with Elected and Co-opted Members or incorporated into training. RESOLVED – T H A T the recent Adjudication Panel for Wales decisions, as appended to the report, be noted. Reason for decision To ensure the Committee was aware of and reflected on relevant tribunal decisions in the context of its duty to promote high standards of conduct.
Part of an issue followed across 4 meetings
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – (1) T H A T the further progress being undertaken by the Local Government Association, Welsh Local Government Association and other UK associations on the programme of work be noted. (2) T H A T the Vale of Glamorgan Council Leader’s invitation to a further meeting to discuss the programme amongst Independent Members of the Committee be accepted. Reason for decisions (1) Having regard to the contents of the report for the Committee’s information. (2) To provide both the Independent Members and Town and Community Council Representative of the Standards Committee with the opportunity to discuss the programme in more detail.
The report updated Members of the Standards Committee on recent work associated with the Civility in Public Life Programme (“the Programme”) being led by the Local Government Association (LGA) in conjunction with the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA), Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA), and the Confederation of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA). The Programme continued to address abuse, intimidation, and declining standards of discourse in public life, while promoting Councillor safety, transparency, and accountability. The Monitoring Officer advised that the report built on the update provided in September 2025 and reflected UK-wide and Welsh developments reported during 2024/25, including the launch of the Defending Democracy Policing Protocol, the Debate Not Hate campaign evaluation, and a refreshed focus on online safety and democratic literacy. With the Committee’s permission, Councillor Burnett was invited to address in their capacity as presiding member of the WLGA and therefore actively involved in the Programme, who provided a firsthand update as follows: • There was a growing level of abuse and intimidation directed at Elected Members across the UK, increasingly described in national discussions as an “abuse and intimidation” crisis rather than simply a “civility” issue. They described personal examples illustrating the real-world risks faced by Councillors, including online targeting. • Recent Wales-wide discussions involving Leaders, PCCs, and senior Police representatives had highlighted: the scale and severity of abusive behaviour toward elected representatives, the growing impact of politically-driven abuse, misinformation, disinformation, and “malinformation,” and concerns about manipulated or misleading social media clips being used to fuel online hostility. January 29 Minutes and DN (AR) • Police were considering expanding their planned focus on Senedd candidates to include local government candidates and Councillors. • Leaders across Wales expressed the need for better mechanisms to challenge false statements, and encouragement of robust but respectful debate based on accurate information. In conclusion, Councillor Burnett offered to arrange a separate session for Independent Members of the Committee, with WLGA officers also present, to explore the issues and data in more depth. Following Councillor Burnett’s representations, Councillor Charles shared her recent experiences of online hostility and expressed strong support for the Programme. Councillor Franks raised the importance of ensuring that the Programme did not unintentionally suppress legitimate scrutiny or robust challenge, especially from opposition Members and emphasised that disagreement must not be mistaken for misconduct. To which, the Chair agreed that challenge should always be polite and focused on issues, not personal attacks and Councillor Burnett stressed the distinction between legitimate challenge and behaviour grounded in factually incorrect information as well as the need for mechanisms requiring Members who make assertions to be prepared to provide evidence to support them. RESOLVED – (1) T H A T the further progress being undertaken by the Local Government Association, Welsh Local Government Association and other UK associations on the programme of work be noted. (2) T H A T the Vale of Glamorgan Council Leader’s invitation to a further meeting to discuss the programme amongst Independent Members of the Committee be accepted. Reason for decisions (1) Having regard to the contents of the report for the Committee’s information. (2) To provide both the Independent Members and Town and Community Council Representative of the Standards Committee with the opportunity to discuss the programme in more detail.
Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – T H A T the content of the report be noted, with an update on the correspondence with the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales and matters arising under the Part II report on the agenda be considered. Reason for decision Having regard to the contents of the report subject to matters arising under the Part II report later on the agenda.
The Monitoring Officer advised that the report before the Committee was a standard item on the Committee’s Forward Work Programme and set out the communications that they had received from the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW). A Part II version of the report had also been provided to the Committee and therefore, the Monitoring Officer would provide an update to the Standards Committee at the January 29 Minutes and DN (AR) meeting under Part II of the agenda in relation to recent correspondence and matters arising. RESOLVED – T H A T the content of the report be noted, with an update on the correspondence with the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales and matters arising under the Part II report on the agenda be considered. Reason for decision Having regard to the contents of the report subject to matters arising under the Part II report later on the agenda.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – T H A T under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 4 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Act, the relevant paragraphs of the Schedule being referred to in brackets after the minute heading.
RESOLVED – T H A T under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 4 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Act, the relevant paragraphs of the Schedule being referred to in brackets after the minute heading.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – T H A T the confidential update on correspondence with the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales ('the Ombudsman'), as provided verbally by the Monitoring Officer, be noted. Reason for decision Having regard to the contents of the Part II report and discussions held at the meeting. January 29 Minutes and DN (AR)
As outlined at Part I of the agenda, it had been agreed by the Standards Committee that a standing item appear on the Committee’s agenda in order that the Monitoring Officer would be able to apprise Standards Committee Members of correspondence received from the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (the Ombudsman) on any matters arising, the items being confidential in nature in line with the Ombudsman’s procedure. The Monitoring Officer therefore provided the Committee with a verbal update in respect of recent confidential correspondence with the Ombudsman. RESOLVED – T H A T the confidential update on correspondence with the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales ('the Ombudsman'), as provided verbally by the Monitoring Officer, be noted. Reason for decision Having regard to the contents of the Part II report and discussions held at the meeting. January 29 Minutes and DN (AR)
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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