Agenda and minutes

          To receive any apologies for absence.

Mr David Wareing.

          To receive any declaration of personal interest.

No declarations of interest were received from any members present.

To note any items that are a matter of urgency in the view of the Chairman for consideration.

None.

The Chairman shall propose that the minutes of the previous meeting of this committee held on 10th July 2017 be signed as a true record.

The Chair signed the minutes of the previous meeting of this committee held on 10 July, 2017 as a true record subject to removing the words in brackets in the decision on Item 6 (a) To adopt the following as the committee's self-assessment of its work (additions to the document in italic and underlined).

To consider the report of the Monitoring Officer.

Submitted - the report of the Monitoring Officer. The committee was asked to make observations and approve the two named protocols for supporting the Code of Conduct for Members.

Reference was made to the Protocol on Member / Officer Relations and specifically to

-       point 21.7 Roles of Employees and it was suggested that there was a need to include additional wording to the role of a member in terms of the power to propose policies under 21.5. 

-       point 21.9.4 Familiarity. It was noted that there was a need to declare friendships between Members and Employees.  It was suggested

o    that the Police's protocol should be compared with the Gwynedd Council protocol.

o   to adapt the wording to include 'creates a situation of impropriety'.

It was explained that a further report would be submitted to the Standards Committee after consulting Members and officers in general about the contents and the implementation of the protocol.

Reference was made to the Protocol for Members on Gifts and Hospitality and specifically to point 5.2 'You should only accept offers of hospitality if there is a genuine need to impart information or represent the Council in the community.' The point was discussed in detail and it was explained that the aim of the point was to get Members to think before they accepted invitations. It was agreed that no specific needs had arisen to review the Policy.

RESOLVED to accept the observations as they arrived.

To consider the report of the Monitoring Officer.

The Monitoring Officer submitted the report and drew attention to the reduction in the number of complaints. 

Attention was drawn to the fact that Council members who were standing for re-election were subject to the Code of Conduct and that other candidates were not subject to the same rules. It was suggested that those applicants who stood elections without currently being a member should be subject to a Conduct protocol as current members had to conduct themselves in accordance with the protocol. It was noted that there were some constraints within election law, but they did not match the Code.

It was noted that there was extensive information on the Council website for new candidates.

          RESOLVED to note the report.

To consider the report of the Monitoring Officer.

Submitted, for information – the report of the Monitoring Officer on formal complaints made against members.

It was explained that the format of the report now only included details of the allegations that had been closed.

RESOLVED to note the report.

To submit the report of the Monitoring Officer.

Submitted - the report of the Monitoring Officer asking the committee to consider and determine three applications for general dispensation from the Bangor area members in association with a review of education provision in the Bangor area that was being undertaken by the Council.  Before considering the individual applications, the Monitoring Officer provided an outline of the school organisation process. He reminded the Committee that it had set guidelines for dealing with such applications and had approved dispensations in the past to enable members to participate in local discussions.

Aled Jones (Independent Member) declared an interest in the matter and left the meeting.

Details were given on the three applications individually, namely:

·         An application from Councillor Dafydd Meurig, asking for permission to speak only as his sister worked for Caban y Faenol Cyf Nursery, which was located on the land of Ysgol y Faenol, Bangor. He was the Local Member for Arllechwedd, and would represent the interests of the school in his ward, namely Ysgol Llandygai.  Any interest would arise should there be a discussion on a matter that would be likely to affect the Caban y Faenol Nursery specifically.   

·         An application from Councillor Elin Walker Jones, asking for the right to speak only as she was a member of the Ysgol y Garnedd and Ysgol Tryfan Governing Bodies (with responsibility for special educational needs) and was also the parent of two children at Ysgol Tryfan, and a former parent at Ysgol y Garnedd. It was explained that the only connection that led to prejudicial interests was the fact that she was a parent with children at Ysgol Tryfan.

·         An application from Councillor Menna Baines, asking for the right to speak only as she had children who were pupils at Ysgol Tryfan and who were former pupils of Ysgol y Garnedd.  She was also a member of the Ysgol y Faenol Governing Body. It was explained that the only connection that led to prejudicial interests was the fact that she was a parent with children at Ysgol Tryfan.

Each application was considered and voted on individually and the committee was in favour of approving the three applications for dispensation on the same terms that had been approved for similar applications in the past.

RESOLVED

1.    To approve dispensation for Councillor Dafydd Meurig to speak but not to vote at meetings under the auspices of the Council regarding the process of reorganising  education provision of the Bangor area, but that he may not speak, or be present or vote at a meeting of the Council, Cabinet or any of his committees, and that he is required to clearly state that he has been granted a dispensation at every meeting he participates in, explaining the exact nature of the restraints on him, and that this is noted in the minutes of such meetings.

2.    To approve dispensation for Councillor Elin Walker Jones to speak but not to vote at meetings under the auspices of the Council regarding the process of reorganising  education  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.