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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED – (i) That the training activity during April 2024–March 2025 at Section A of the report be noted. (ii) That the continued Member Development Strategy and draft Annual Plan 2025/26 at Appendix B to the report be agreed. (iii) That the increase in the level of e-Learning module completions since the new Council was implemented in May 2022 be noted.
RESOLVED – (i) That the changes in Members’ remuneration set out in the Annual Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales for 2025/26 be noted; and (ii) That the Chief Officer Governance & Customer, in consultation with the Chair of this Committee, request that in the next annual report, the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (DBCC) ensure that maternity allowances are equalised between Councillors and the mainstream society.
RESOLVED – (i) That the current position in respect of the webcasting of Council Meetings be noted; and (ii) That viewing figures be provided from when webcasting began to present day, as a comparison.
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Carrie Harper and Claire Lovett.
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 November 2024 were submitted. Reference was made to the first bullet point on page 5 which stated “Concern from some Members that the proposed increase was lower than that proposed for council staff”. This should state “that the proposed increase was higher than that proposed for council staff”. RESOLVED – That subject to the aforementioned amendment, the Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 November 2024 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 – (i) That the training activity during April 2024–March 2025 at Section A of the report be noted. (ii) That the continued Member Development Strategy and draft Annual Plan 2025/26 at Appendix B to the report be agreed. (iii) That the increase in the level of e-Learning module completions since the new Council was implemented in May 2022 be noted.
The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report (COGC/06/25) to update the Committee on the end of year Member Development activity and to present the draft Elected Member Development Strategy and Annual Plan 2025/26. The Workforce Development Business Partner presented the report and drew Members’ attention to the training activity during April 2024–March 2025, the level of mandatory e-Learning completions since the new Council was implemented in May 2022 and the draft Elected Member Development Strategy and Annual Plan 2025/2026 appended to the report. Members considered the report and asked questions of the officer. During debate reference was made to the following matters: · Officers advised that a number of joint drop-in training sessions had been arranged in conjunction with Committee Services, which covered e-learning and modern.gov. Feedback following the sessions had been positive, and Officers had seen a significant increase in the number of Members completing both mandatory and other learning modules as a result. It was the intention that there would be further drop-in sessions in order to support Members. · Reference was made to the proposed annual plan which included a list of training topics. Members were asked to contact Workforce Development if they wished to add or remove anything from the list. · Confirmation that the WLGA hosted a training session for Members on Scrutiny questioning skills, and it was noted that 12 Members attended. · Clarification was sought regarding the impact of ICT Champions. · Confirmation that the number of Member Development sessions would be reduced to four per month within the Annual Calendar of Meetings which was due to be considered by Council in May. RESOLVED – (i) That the training activity during April 2024–March 2025 at Section A of the report be noted. (ii) That the continued Member Development Strategy and draft Annual Plan 2025/26 at Appendix B to the report be agreed. (iii) That the increase in the level of e-Learning module completions since the new Council was implemented in May 2022 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – (i) That the changes in Members’ remuneration set out in the Annual Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales for 2025/26 be noted; and (ii) That the Chief Officer Governance & Customer, in consultation with the Chair of this Committee, request that in the next annual report, the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (DBCC) ensure that maternity allowances are equalised between Councillors and the mainstream society.
(Members’ declarations in respect of this item are set out under Minute 17 above) The Head of Democratic Services presented a report (COGC/24/25) asking Members to note the changes to the Members’ Remuneration Scheme for 2025/26 contained in the final Annual Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales. Members were informed that IRPW had now published its Annual Report for the financial year commencing April 2025 in which the key change was to increase the basic allowance for Elected Members of County and County Boroughs by 5.92%, taking the basic salary from £18,666 to £19,771. There was also an increase for senior and civic salaries as set out in the report. Members were informed that the Panel were mindful that whilst the total cost of remuneration for elected Members was relatively low in terms of overall budgets, they were aware of the continuing economic and fiscal constraints on Councils, and the link between elected Members remuneration and the average earnings of their constituents. They, remained of the view that a fair and reasonable remuneration package would continue to support elected Members and not act as a barrier to participation. During consideration of the report, a debate ensued and the following points were highlighted: · Amendment to paragraph 5.2 of the report which should read “The additional cost of the increases is £101,104 including on costs for 2025/26.” · Suggestion that the Chief Officer Governance & Customer, in consultation with the Chair of this Committee, request that in the next annual report, the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (DBCC) ensure that maternity allowances are equalised between Councillors and the mainstream society. RESOLVED – (i) That the changes in Members’ remuneration set out in the Annual Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales for 2025/26 be noted; and (ii) That the Chief Officer Governance & Customer, in consultation with the Chair of this Committee, request that in the next annual report, the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (DBCC) ensure that maternity allowances are equalised between Councillors and the mainstream society.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – (i) That the current position in respect of the webcasting of Council Meetings be noted; and (ii) That viewing figures be provided from when webcasting began to present day, as a comparison.
The Chief Officer Governance & Customer submitted a report (COGC/25/25) to monitor the webcasting of Council meetings during 2024/25. Members were informed that all of the Council’s public meetings are multi-location with the exception of this Committee and the Standards Committee who conduct the majority of their meetings remotely. A debate ensued and the following points were highlighted during the debate: · Viewing figures tended to be higher for Council, Planning and Executive Board Meetings. · Acknowledgement that it was sometimes difficult for Members attending a Meeting remotely to see how those present in the room had voted. · Request for viewing figures to be provided from when webcasting began to now, as a comparison. RESOLVED – (i) That the current position in respect of the webcasting of Council Meetings be noted; and (ii) That viewing figures be provided from when webcasting began to present day, as a comparison.
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.
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