Agenda item - SELF-ASSESSMENT AND WORK PROGRAMME

To submit the report of the Monitoring Officer.

(a) To adopt the following as the Standards Committee’s self-evaluation of its performance in 2022/23.

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 have attended the 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	2.	The Monitoring Officer and his team provide advice and guidance at meetings, and on a one-to-one basis for members.	Organise further courses to be held on the Code of Conduct during the coming year.
3. Advise the Council with regard to adopting or amending the Code of Conduct	1.	No occasion had arisen to revise 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	Continue to monitor and consider 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.
5. Advise, train or arrange for members to receive training on matters relating to the Code of Conduct	3.	Induction training was arranged for all members of Cyngor Gwynedd following the elections.	Set a specific requirement to proceed with the training in the work programme for next year.
6. Granting dispensations to members	1.	No applications had 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 hearing was held during the year regarding a Member of a Town and Community Council
8. Authorise the Monitoring Officer to pay allowances to persons assisting with an investigation	No action required.
9. Monitor the compliance of Leaders of Political Groups on the Council and their duties under Section 52A(1) of the Local Government Act 2000. Advise, train or arrange for the Council's Political Group Leaders to receive training on matters relating to those duties.	3.	A briefing session was conducted with Political Group Leaders regarding the new duty. The Protocol to implement the duty was agreed.	Proceed to develop the system, together with the system to report back to committee.
10. Exercise the above functions in relation to community councils	2.	The Monitoring Officer and his team provide advice and guidance to councillors, clerks and members. A substantial engagement project was undertaken by the Chair and the Town and Community Member that led to a report with specific recommendations and a work plan.	Need to restore the programme on a virtual basis next year.

(b) To approve the following work programme for 2023/24:-

26 June 2023

Annual Report

Allegations against Members

The Ombudsman’s Casebook

Welsh Government Consultation on the Response to the Penn Report

6 November 2023

Register of Gifts and Hospitality

Declaration of Interests Register

The Ombudsman’s Annual Report

Allegations against Members

Review of the Protocol for Political Group Leaders

Review Internal Solution Arrangements

To accept the Report from the Wales Standards Forum

Report on Arrangements to deal with communication following hearings

19 February 2024

Adjudication Panel's Annual Report

Allegations against Members

Self-assessment and Work Programme

The Committee’s Annual Report

Submitted – the report of the Monitoring Officer inviting the committee to:-

· undertake a self-assessment of the work and outcomes of the committee during 2022/23, and:-

· consider a draft work programme for 2023/24.

RESOLVED

(a) To adopt the following as the Standards Committee’s self-evaluation of its performance in 2022/23.

FUNCTION	ASSESSMENT (1/2/3/4)	EVIDENCE	FURTHER STEPS
1. Promote and maintain high standards of conduct by members	1.	The Chair and Vice-chair have 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	2.	The Monitoring Officer and his team provide advice and guidance at meetings, and on a one-to-one basis for members.	Organise further courses to be held on the Code of Conduct during the coming year.
3. Advise the Council on the adoption or revision of the Code of Conduct	1.	No occasion had arisen to revise the Code.
4. Monitor the operation 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	Continue to monitor and consider 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.
5. Advise, train, or arrange for members to receive training on matters relating to the Code of Conduct	3.	Induction training was arranged for all members of Cyngor Gwynedd following the elections.	Set a specific requirement to proceed with the training in the work programme for next year.
6. Granting dispensations to members	1.	No applications had 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 hearing was held during the year regarding a Member of a Town and Community Council
8. Authorise the Monitoring Officer to pay allowances to persons assisting with an investigation	No action required.
9. Monitor the compliance of Leaders of Political Groups on the Council and their duties under Section 52A(1) of the Local Government Act 2000. Advise, train or arrange for the Council's Political Group Leaders to receive training on matters relating to those duties.	3.	A briefing session was conducted with Political Group Leaders regarding the new duty. The Protocol to implement the duty was agreed.	Proceed to develop the system, together with the system to report back to committee.
10. Exercise the above functions in relation to community councils	2.	The Monitoring Officer and his team provide advice and guidance to councillors, clerks and members. A substantial engagement project was undertaken by the Chair and the Town and Community Member that led to a report with specific recommendations and a work plan.	Need to restore the programme on a virtual basis next year.