Agenda and decisions

Standards Committee - Monday, 11th July, 2022 10.30 am

Venue: Virtual Meeting - Zoom

Contact: Eirian Roberts 01286 679018

Items

No.

Item

ELECTION OF CHAIR

*To elect a Chair for this committee.

Decision:

To elect Dr Einir Young as Chair of this Committee.

ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIR

*To elect a Vice-chair for this committee.

*N.B. – The relevant regulations state:-

“Only an independent member of the Standards Committee may be the Chair and Vice-Chair.”

Decision:

To elect Mr Hywel Eifion Jones as Vice-chair of this Committee.

APOLOGIES

To receive any apologies for absence.

DECLARATION OF PERSONAL INTEREST

To receive any declarations of personal interest.

URGENT ITEMS

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

MINUTES PDF 308 KB

The Chair shall propose that the minutes of the previous meeting of this committee held on 14th February, 2022 be signed as a true record.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE STANDARDS COMMITTEE 2021-22 PDF 182 KB

To submit the report of the Propriety and Elections Manager.

Additional documents:

Item 7 - Appendix , item 7. PDF 434 KB

Decision:

To approve the annual report to be submitted to the full Council on 6 October, subject to adding an introduction and foreword by the Chair and Monitoring Officer, reference to the Ombudsman’s response to the Committee’s decision on the complaint referred to it, and to make minor alterations to the members' biographies.

SELF ASSESSMENT AND WORK PROGRAMME PDF 245 KB

To submit the report of the Monitoring Officer.

Decision:

(a) To adopt the following as the committee’s self-evaluation of its performance in 2021/22.

FUNCTION	ASSESSMENT (1/2/3/4)	Evidence	Further action
1. Promote and maintain high standards of conduct by members	1.	The Chair and Vice-chair had attended the North Wales Standards Forum to share experiences with other standards committees. Submit an annual report to the Full Council The Committee had received a report on the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021	Continue to attend and support
2. Assist the members to adhere to the Code of Conduct	3.	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
3. Advise the Council with regard to adopting or amending the Code of Conduct	1.	No occasion has arisen to amend the Code.
4. Monitor the implementation of the Code of Conduct	3	Receive regular reports of allegations against members Receive the annual reports of the Ombudsman and the Adjudication Panel for Wales. The Committee resolved to commence the work on the new duty imposed on Political Group Leaders regarding the conduct of their members.	Continue to monitor and consider alternative methods of receiving information. Receive annual reports on the register of interests and hospitality. Following the Election, steps will be taken to work with Leaders to establish operational arrangements for the new provision.
5. Advise, train or arrange for members to receive training on matters relating to the Code of Conduct	3.	Induction training was arranged for new members of Gwynedd Council in preparation for the elections.	Need to look at providing new training.
6. Granting dispensations to members	1.	No applications have been considered under the new procedure.
7. Deal with reports of case tribunals and any reports from the Monitoring Officer on matters referred by the Ombudsman	1.	One case referred to the Committee by the Ombudsman was dealt with.
8. 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
9. 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.	This must be considered as a priority.

(b) Approve the following work programme for 2022/23:-

11 July 2022

Annual Report

Allegations against Members

Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021

21 November 2022

Register of Gifts and Hospitality

Declaration of Interests Register

The Ombudsman’s Annual Report

Allegations against Members

Adopting a Protocol for Political Group Leaders

13 February 2023

Adjudication Panel's Annual Report

Allegations against Members

Self-assessment and Work Programme

The Committee’s Annual Report

(c) To authorise the Chair and Community Committee Member, in consultation with the Monitoring Officer, to press on with the work with a sample of community and town council clerks to better understand their ... view the full decision text for item 8.

ALLEGATIONS AGAINST MEMBERS PDF 261 KB

To submit the report of the Propriety and Elections Manager.

Decision:

To note the information.