Agenda item - SELF ASSESSMENT AND WORK PROGRAMME

To submit the report of the Monitoring Officer (attached).

(a) To adopt the following as the committee’s self-assessment of its performance in 2019/20, noting that circumstances beyond the control of the Standards Committee had meant that several actions could not be implemented this time:-

FUNCTION	ASSESSMENT (1/2/3/4)	Evidence	Further action
Promote and maintain high standards of conduct by members	1	The Chair and Vice-chair have attended the North Wales Standards Forum to share experiences with other standards committees. Submit an annual report to the Full Council The Committee have received a report on the Ethical Framework arrangements in the context of collaboration	Continue to attend and support
Assist the members to adhere to the Code of Conduct	2	The Monitoring Officer and his team provide advice and guidance at meetings, and on a one-to-one basis for members.	Resume training stages when resources permit
Advise the Council with regard to adopting or amending the Code of Conduct	No action required	No occasion has arisen to amend the Code.
Monitor the implementation of the Code of Conduct	2	Receive regular reports of allegations against members Receive the annual reports of the Ombudsman and the Adjudication Panel for Wales.	Continue to monitor, consider and promote alternative methods of receiving information Receive regular reports from the Ombudsman's Code of Conduct Casebook. Receive annual reports on the register of interests and hospitality.
Advise, train or arrange for members to receive training on matters relating to the Code of Conduct	3		Need to look at providing new training.
Granting dispensations to members	1	Applications have been considered under the new procedure.
Deal with reports of case tribunals and any reports from the Monitoring Officer on matters referred by the Ombudsman	No action required	No hearings were required during the year
Authorise the Monitoring Officer to pay allowances to persons assisting with an investigation	No action required	There were no occasions where such an allowance was due
Exercise the above functions in relation to community councils	3	The Monitoring Officer and his team provide advice and guidance to councillors, clerks and members. Adopt a training pilot on the Code of Conduct. A session has been included to pilot the content of the course.	A pilot course was held with Tywyn Town Council, with positive feedback. Need to consider resuming the programme virtually when resources allow.

(b) To approve the following work programme for 2021/22:-

June, 2021

Annual Report

Allegations against Members

The Ombudsman’s Casebook

Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021

Training in general

November, 2021

Register of Gifts and Hospitality

Declaration of Interests Register

The Ombudsman’s Annual Report

Allegations against Members

Conflicts of Interests and partners outside Local Government

Preparation for the May 2022 Election in respect of the Code of Conduct

February, 2022

Adjudication Panel’s Annual Report

Allegations against Members

Submitted – the report of the Monitoring Officer inviting the committee to:-

· undertake a self-assessment of the work and outcomes of the Committee during 2019/20; and

· consider a draft work programme for 2021/22.

It was emphasised that although the self-assessment table in Appendix 1 was based on normal circumstances, the Covid situation had significantly impacted the ability to deliver the functions over the past year. Technically, a number of the functions fell within Category 4, but this did not fully reflect the situation, and it was important to note that it was the crisis that had led the Standards Committee to this situation rather than a lack of action on its part.

The Monitoring Officer was asked about his views on the Ombudsman's effectiveness in relation to the decisions on whether or not to investigate complaints. In response, it was explained that it was difficult to measure the effectiveness of the Ombudsman, although the committee could monitor how the system was working when it discussed the Ombudsman's annual reports and quarterly letters. In response to a further question about challenging the Ombudsman's decision, it was explained that this did not generally happen, unless it was in relation to a very specific matter, or when something had been misunderstood or misinterpreted, or required further information. It was suggested that the committee could discuss this further under item 6 on the agenda.

It was noted that it would be beneficial to provide guidance on the Code of Conduct for groups that were choosing candidates for the 2022 Election, to ensure that people putting their names forward were aware of the commitments involved with becoming a councillor. In response, it was suggested that it would be useful for the committee to receive a report in November on the preparation for the May 2022 Election in relation to raising awareness of the Code of Conduct's requirements amongst prospective candidates and existing members.

It was noted that it was timely to review the overall training arrangements, and it was suggested that a report should be submitted to the committee meeting in June. It was also noted that, when circumstances allowed, it was intended to re-establish the pilot course for community councils on the Code of Conduct virtually, and to report back.

RESOLVED

(a) To adopt the following as the committee’s self-assessment of its performance in 2019/20, noting that circumstances beyond the control of the Standards Committee had meant that several actions could not be implemented this time:-

FUNCTION	ASSESSMENT (1/2/3/4)	Evidence	Further action
Promote and maintain high standards of conduct by members	1	The Chair and Vice-chair have attended the North Wales Standards Forum to share experiences with other standards committees. Submit an annual report to the Full Council The Committee has received a report on the Ethical Framework arrangements in the context of collaboration	Continue to attend and support
Assist the members to adhere to the Code of Conduct	2	The Monitoring Officer and his team provide advice and guidance at meetings, and on a one-to-one basis for members.	Resume training stages when resources permit
Advise the Council with regard to adopting or amending the Code of Conduct	No action required	No occasion has arisen to amend the Code.
Monitor the implementation of the Code of Conduct	2	Receive regular reports of allegations against members Receive the annual reports of the Ombudsman and the Adjudication Panel for Wales.	Continue to monitor, consider and promote alternative methods of receiving information Receive regular reports from the Ombudsman's Code of Conduct Casebook. Receive annual reports on the register of interests and hospitality.
Advise, train or arrange for members to receive training on matters relating to the Code of Conduct	3		Need to look at providing new training.
Granting dispensations to members	1	Applications have been considered under the new procedure.
Deal with reports of case tribunals and any reports from the Monitoring Officer on matters referred by the Ombudsman	No action required	No hearings were required during the year
Authorise the Monitoring Officer to pay allowances to persons assisting with an investigation	No action required	There were no occasions where such an allowance was due
Exercise the above functions in relation to community councils	3	The Monitoring Officer and his team provide advice and guidance to councillors, clerks and members. Adopt a training pilot on the Code of Conduct. A session has been included to pilot the content of the course.	A pilot course was held with Tywyn Town Council, with positive feedback. Need to consider resuming the programme virtually when resources allow.

(b) Approve the following work programme for 2021/22:-

June, 2021

Annual Report

Allegations against Members

The Ombudsman’s Casebook

Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021

Training in general

November, 2021

Register of Gifts and Hospitality

Declaration of Interests Register

The Ombudsman’s Annual Report

Allegations against Members

Conflicts of Interests and partners outside Local Government

Preparation for the May 2022 Election in respect of the Code of Conduct

February, 2022

Adjudication Panel's Annual Report

Allegations against Members