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FUNCTION
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ASSESSMENT
(1/2/3/4)
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Evidence
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Further steps
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Promote and
maintain high conduct standards by members
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1
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The Chair and
Vice-chair have attended the North Wales Standards Forum to share experiences
with other standards committees.
A series of
induction courses were held for members along with detailed courses based on
a WLGA template.
Reviewed
Protocols for Gratuities and Hospitality and Member Officer Relations.
Submitted an
annual report to the Full Council
Number of
complaints received is low.
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Continue to
attend and support
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Assist
members to adhere to the Code of Conduct
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1
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Supported an
induction programme for the new Council.
Monitoring
Officer and his team providing advice and guidance in meetings and on a
one-to-one basis for members.
Council door
always open for members.
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Consider
Training feedback and a new training programme
Standards Committee
members to attend training sessions on the Code.
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Advise the
Council regarding adopting or amending the Code of Conduct
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1
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No occurrence
has arisen to amend the Code.
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Monitoring
the function of the Code of Conduct
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1
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Received
regular reports of allegations against members
Received
annual reports by the Ombudsman and
the Adjudication Panel for Wales
Annual
reports received about the interests register and declarations made
Annual reports
received about the interests and hospitality register.
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Continue to
monitor the consideration of alternative methods of receiving
information
Consider
amendments to the Code of Conduct and how to share the change.
Include the
interests of the Standards Committee’s independent members on the Council
website and also consider other methods of raising the Standards Committee’s
profile on the website.
Request the
Democratic Services Committee to consider methods of raising the Standards
Committee’s profile on the Members’ Portal.
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Advise, train
or arrange to train members on matters relating to the Code of Conduct
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1
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A series of
induction courses were held for members as well as detailed courses based on
a template by the Welsh Local Government Association.
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New Training
Programme and include this as an item on the 2018/19 work programme
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Grant
dispensations for members
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1
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Applications
for dispensations were dealt with and actions were taken on an objective and
proper basis.
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Deal with reports
from case tribunals and any reports from the Monitoring Officer on matters
referred by the Ombudsman
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1
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No need for
hearings has arisen during the year
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Authorise the
Monitoring Officer to pay allowances to persons who assist with an
investigation
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1
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No occurrence
to pay such an allowance has arisen
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Exercise the
above functions in relation to community councils
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3
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Monitoring
Officer and his team providing advice and guidance for councils, clerks and
members.
Adopted a
pilot for Code of Conduct training.
Promoted a
One Voice Wales local resolution procedure for Community Councils
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New Training
Programme.
It is
... view the full minutes text for item 6.
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7. |
PROTOCOL ON MEMBER OFFICER RELATIONS  PDF 177 KB
To consider
the report of the Monitoring Officer
(attached).
Minutes:
Submitted
– the report of the Monitoring Officer inviting the committee to:-
·
consider a series of
proposed amendments to the Member Officer Relations Protocol in light of the members’
wish to review the Protocol and consultation with the Democratic Services
Committee, heads of departments and the Council’s senior managers; and
·
recommend the adoption
of the Protocol to the Council.
Copies of Appendix 2 to the report (namely, item 6
from the minutes of the Democracy Services Committee meeting held on 12 April
2018) were circulated at the meeting as the document had been omitted from the
agenda in error.
The Protocol was praised based on the fact that it
provided clear guidance for members and officers on their relations with each
other.
Referring to section 21.6 (a) of the protocol, which
referred to the principle that there should be equal opportunities for all, it
was noted that the Equality Act 2010 listed nine protected characteristics
compared to six that had been listed here. The Monitoring Officer explained
that characteristics were in accordance with what was included in the Code of
Conduct, but that he would verify in case the Code required an amendment.
RESOLVED to recommend the
adoption of amendments to the Member and Officer Relations Protocol to the full
Council on 4 October, with the following addition:-
·
Section 21.9.3 – Bullying or harassment – note that it is
possible to refer to the Council’s internal Bullying Policy for further
information.
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8. |
MEMBERS CODE OF CONDUCT GUIDANCE PDF 42 KB
To consider
the report of the Monitoring Officer
(attached).
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Submitted – the report of the Monitoring Officer inviting the committee
to consider and approve the drafts of two guides to assist members with the
Code of Conduct, namely:-
·
Declaration of Interest
Guidance;
·
Guidance on Members’ Contact
with the Council as an Individual
It was noted that the Declaration of Interest Guidance would also be
useful for communitySubmitted – the report of the Monitoring Officer inviting
the committee to consider and approve the drafts of two guides to assist
members with the Code of Conduct, namely:-
·
Declaration of Interest
Guidance;
·
Guidance on Members’
Contact with the Council as an Individual
It was noted that the Declaration of Interest Guidance would also be
useful for community councils.
RESOLVED
(a) To approve the draft
version of the Declaration of Interest Guidance, subject to including contact
details for the Monitoring Officer, the Senior Solicitor (Deputy Monitoring
Officer) and the Senior Solicitor.
(b) To produce the Guidance in
the form of a small colourful and engaging leaflet for members and also in
poster form to be displayed in Council meeting rooms.
(c) To approve the draft
version of the Guidance on Members’ Contact with the Council as an individual.
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9. |
ALLEGATIONS AGAINST MEMBERS PDF 49 KB
To consider
the report of the Monitoring Officer
(attached)
Minutes:
Submitted
– the report of the Monitoring Officer submitting information about the
Ombudsman’s decisions on formal complaints against members.
Referring
to the analysis of the nature of the complaints so far this year, it was noted
that it would be beneficial to include cumulative figures in reports for the
committee over the rest of the year.
RESOLVED to note the
report.
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10. |
WALES STANDARDS CONFERENCE 2018 PDF 46 KB
To consider
the report of the Monitoring Officer
(attached)
Minutes:
Submitted – the report of the Monitoring Officer outlining arrangements
for the Wales Standards Conference that would be held in Aberystwyth on Friday,
14 September, 2018 and inviting the committee to agree on representatives to
attend.
RESOLVED to put forward the names of Councillors
Anne Lloyd Jones and Beth Lawton to attend the conference.
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11. |
NORTH WALES STANDARDS COMMITTEES FORUM PDF 33 KB
To submit,
for information, the minutes of a meeting of the North Wales Standards
Committees Forum held on 24th November, 2017 (attached).
Minutes:
Submitted, for information – minutes of the North Wales Standards
Committees Forum meeting that had been held on 24 November, 2017.
The Chair
noted that she had been pleased with the Forum meeting that had been held in
Caernarfon on 29 June. The minutes of that meeting would be submitted to this
committee in due course.
RESOLVED to note the report.
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