Agenda item

FUNCTION

ASSESSMENT

(1/2/3/4)

Evidence

Further steps

Promote and maintain high conduct standards by members

1

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.

Continue to attend and support

Assist members to adhere to the Code of Conduct

1

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.

Consider Training feedback and a new training programme

Standards Committee members to attend training sessions on the Code.

Advise the Council regarding adopting or amending the Code of Conduct

1

No occurrence has arisen to amend the Code.

Monitoring the function of the Code of Conduct

1

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.

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. 

Advise, train or arrange to train members on matters relating to the Code of Conduct

1

A series of induction courses were held for members as well as detailed courses based on a template by the Welsh Local Government Association.

New Training Programme and include this as an item on the 2018/19 work programme

Grant dispensations for members

1

Applications for dispensations were dealt with and actions were taken on an objective and proper basis.

Deal with reports from case tribunals and any reports from the Monitoring Officer on matters referred by the Ombudsman

1

No need for hearings has arisen during the year

Authorise the Monitoring Officer to pay allowances to persons who assist with an investigation

1

No occurrence to pay such an allowance has arisen

Exercise the above functions in relation to community councils

3

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

New Training Programme.

It is recognised that more promotion work is required as community and town councils continue to generate complaints to the Ombudsman, although the threshold for complaint investigations has increased. The message needs to be disseminated in an attempt to change culture so that it is possible for more complaints to be resolved locally.

Put the pilot in operation and timetable what is going to be done, when and how.

Also, as part of the training, examine whether or not it is possible for community and town council clerks to offer training to one another on an informal basis.