To consider the report of the Monitoring Officer (attached).
Minutes:
Submitted - the report of the
Monitoring Officer inviting the committee to:
·
hold a self-evaluation of the committee's work and
output during 2018-19; and
·
consider the draft work programme for 2019-20.
RESOLVED
(a) To adopt the following as the
committee’s self-evaluation of its performance in 2018-19:
FUNCTION |
ASSESSMENT (1/2/3/4) |
Evidence |
Further Action |
Promote and maintain a
high standard of conduct amongst 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 in-depth courses based on the WLGA
template. Review Gifts and
Hospitality and Officer-Member Contact Protocols. Offer amendments to the Member-Officer
Contact Protocol, which was adopted by the Council in July 2018. Submit the Annual Report
to the Full Council. Approve the guidelines
on declaring an interest and member contact when using the Council's services
in their private life. They had been
circulated to members. |
Continue to attend and
support |
Assist the members to
adhere to the Code of Conduct |
1 |
The Monitoring Officer
and his team provide advice and guidance at meetings, and on a one-to-one
basis for members. The Standards Committee has
adopted declaration guidelines, and on how to deal with private
circumstances. |
Hold a discussion for
Council members |
Advise the Council
regarding adopting or amending the Code of Conduct |
N/A |
No opportunities had
arisen to amend the Code. |
|
Monitor the
implementation of the Code of Conduct |
1 |
Receive regular reports
on allegations against members Receive the annual
reports of the Ombudsman and the Adjudication Panel for Wales. |
Continue to monitor the
consideration of 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
training for members on matters relating to the Code of Conduct |
3 |
Support an induction
programme for the new Council. |
New training for Council
members that are about to start. |
Grant dispensation to
members |
1 |
The dispensations
procedure was reviewed, and the submission process by the applicant was
adopted, and the quality of the information submitted was improved. |
|
Deal with reports of
case tribunals and any reports from the Monitoring Officer on matters
referred by the Ombudsman |
N/A |
The need for hearings
did not arise during the year |
|
Authorise the Monitoring
Officer to pay allowances to persons assisting with an investigation |
N/A |
No occasion to pay such
an allowance had arisen |
|
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. |
Arrange a new training
programme. Need to proceed with
implementing the pilot. |
(b) Approve the following work programme for
2019/20:
17 June, 2019
Annual Report
Allegations against members
The Ombudsman’s Casebook
4 November, 2019
Gifts and Hospitality Register
Declaration of Interests Register
The Ombudsman’s Annual Report
Allegations against members
27 January, 2020
Adjudication Panel's Annual Report
Allegations against members
A report on Ethics Standards in outsourcing and
collaboration arrangements.
Supporting documents: