Agenda item

To submit the report of the Monitoring Officer.

To approve the criteria for monitoring and reporting compliance with the duty on Political Group Leaders in relation to conduct standards of Group Members (Appendix 1 of the report that was presented to the committee), together with the report form template (Appendix 2).

Submitted – the report of the Monitoring Officer inviting the committee to approve the criteria for monitoring and reporting compliance with the duty on Political Group Leaders in relation to conduct standards of Group Members.

The Monitoring Officer noted:-

·         That the recommendation to the committee was based on suggestions that were developed by the Welsh Monitoring Officers as possible indicators for quantifying and measuring the duty.

·         That the recommendation would allow the committee to receive a meaningful report at the end of the year regarding how the duty had worked, and also allowed him, as Monitoring Officer, to report to the committee in a context where everyone understood what the expectations were, etc.

·         The recognition that the duty was not one that attributed itself to data or statistics easily, and it was more to do with culture and evaluating views.

·         That the criteria included 8 matters that could be put forward as a starting point to report against them in terms of how the Leaders have worked together in a practical way and to promote the duty.

·         That it was recommended not to include the following options in the criteria for the reasons noted:-

Ø  The Leaders of the Groups to ensure, where there was a policy decision by the Council, that members of the Group adhered to them. - it was believed that this matter entered challenging grounds in terms of members' right of expression and members' right to disagree.

Ø  The Group Leaders to ensure that incorrect information was not handed out in the public realm to avoid harming the Council's reputation. – it was considered that this was open to interpretation and matters such as bringing a Council into disrepute under the Code would be more relevant.

Ø  The Group Leaders to ensure that DBS checks took place appropriately- it was believed that this matter, attributed itself to specific circumstances in some councils, rather than in Gwynedd.

·      To arrange useful and constructive discussions with the Group Leaders individually during January regarding matters arising and to agree on a direction, etc.

·      That the collaboration appeared to be a constructive process, that would hopefully contribute towards maintaining behaviour standards in the Council, and perhaps a medium to discuss matters before they developed.

·      That the Code of Conduct course was the same challenge for members and there had been less interest than expected in the course to be held on 21 February.  It was intended to run the campaign again during April and it would also be an opportunity to have a discussion with the Leaders and to encourage attendance on the courses.

RESOLVED to approve the criteria for monitoring and reporting compliance with the duty on Political Groups' Leaders in relation with Group Members' behaviour standards (Appendix 1 of the report that was presented to the Committee), together with the reporting form template (Appendix 2).

In response to a question, it was confirmed that the Leaders of the Political Groups would receive a copy of the reporting form following this meeting.