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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 training activity during April 2023–September 2023 and Mandatory e-Learning completions since new council was implemented in May 2022 be noted.
RESOLVED – (i) That the comments of Members be incorporated in the Council’s consultation response to the proposals set out in the draft Annual Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales. (ii) That the Chief Officer Governance & Customer be authorised to make a response on behalf of the Council to the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales.
RESOLVED – That Councillor William Baldwin be appointed Chair for this meeting.
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Bryan Apsley, Peter Howell, Tina Mannering, Rondo Roberts, Debbie Wallice, Anthony Wedlake and Derek Wright.
RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 6 July 2023 be signed as a correct record.
Members were reminded of their responsibility, under Paragraph 11 of the Members’ Code of Conduct, to declare any interests in relation to any of the business to be transacted at this meeting. The following declarations were made: Agenda Item 5 – Members' Remuneration - Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales All Members present declared a personal and prejudicial interest in respect of this matter (as a beneficiary) but claimed an exemption under Paragraph 12(2) (b) (iv) of the Members’ Code of Conduct taking part in the discussion and voting thereon.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – That the training activity during April 2023–September 2023 and Mandatory e-Learning completions since new council was implemented in May 2022 be noted.
The Chief Officer Governance & Customer submitted a report (CE/35/23) to update the Democratic Services Committee on the annual Member Development Plan as part of the Elected Member Development Strategy and Annual Plan (Appendix 1) and for the Committee to evaluate and monitor progress. Presenting the report the Workforce Development Lead drew Members’ attention to the statistical elements contained in Appendix 1 and reported a cause of concern in respect of the level of completion of mandatory e-Learning modules. The need to improve elected member take up of mandatory training and key governance e-Learning modules had been identified as a ‘significant governance issue’ reportable in the council’s Annual Governance Statement. Group Leaders had been contacted to nominate ICT Champions to support fellow group members in completion. Members considered the report and asked questions of the officer. During debate reference was made to the need to raise the priority of Member training and e-Learning. Whilst it was acknowledged that Councillors had many commitments on their time assurance was given that many of the e-Learning modules were very short and could be completed in less than half an hour. The Workforce Development Lead confirmed that his team would be happy to meet Members in order to provide assistance to improve confidence in accessing the system. It was also requested that there be greater flexibility in respect of the time of face to face Member Development sessions. RESOLVED – That the training activity during April 2023–September 2023 and Mandatory e-Learning completions since new council was implemented in May 2022 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – (i) That the comments of Members be incorporated in the Council’s consultation response to the proposals set out in the draft Annual Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales. (ii) That the Chief Officer Governance & Customer be authorised to make a response on behalf of the Council to the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales.
(Members declarations of interest in relation to this item are set out in Minute 11 above) The Chief Officer Governance & Customer submitted a report (COGC/112/23) to consider the changes to the Members’ Remuneration Scheme proposed within the draft Annual Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) in order to form a response to the consultation by no later than 8 December 2023. Presenting the report the Chief Officer informed the Committee that the IRPW had proposed to increase the basic Elected Member allowance by 6.06% along with similar increases to civic and senior salaries. The report set out the total cost involved if the increases came into effect. The Chief Officer reported that the Panel had taken into account the current situation in respect of public sector finances and the impact on Principal Authorities’ budgets. In addition, they had considered the average earnings of constituents. Underpinning the Panel’s decision was the view that a fair and reasonable package would continue to support Elected Members and not act as a barrier to participation. Members’ attention was drawn to the questions contained in Appendix 1 to the report to assist with the consultation and were invited to comment. During debate reference was made to the following matters: · The importance of ensuring that the salary for Councillors would not discourage people from standing to be elected. · The need to encourage diversity of representation. · Acknowledgement of the impact on constituents of the current cost of living crisis. · Recognition that should a Councillor not wish to keep the salary increase they would be free to donate to charity. · The Panel had struck the right balance between affordability and adequate remuneration for representatives. · Support for the proposal in respect of local flexibility for payments to co-opted members. · In respect of sustainable travel Members commented positively on the use of hybrid or remote only meetings by the authority. · Confirmation that Committee members were aware of the entitlements for Members. · Support for the proposal to publish consolidated subsistence sums. The Chief Officer suggested that the draft responses to the consultation questions could be circulated to committee members not present today for comment. RESOLVED – (i) That the comments of Members be incorporated in the Council’s consultation response to the proposals set out in the draft Annual Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales. (ii) That the Chief Officer Governance & Customer be authorised to make a response on behalf of the Council to the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales.
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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