To consider
the report of the Monitoring Officer
(attached).
Minutes:
Submitted - the report of the
Monitoring Officer asking the committee to hold an assessment of the
Committee's work and output during 2015-16 and to consider a draft work
programme for 2016-17.
Members were asked to consider the
functions listed in the first column of the self-assessment and to note which
assessment they believed was relevant to them using the following categories:-
Category 1 – Evidence that the committee is fully meeting the requirements.
Category 2 – Evidence that the committee meets the basic requirements, but can do
more to fully comply.
Category 3 – No evidence that the committee is meeting the requirements.
The committee was also
invited to add to the ‘Evidence’ and ‘Further Action’ columns and it was
explained that any suggestions for further action would be fed through to the
committee’s future work programmes.
RESOLVED
(a) To adopt the
following as the committee’s self-assessment of its work (additions to the document in italic and underlined):-
FUNCTION |
ASSESSMENT (1/2/3) |
Evidence |
Further Action |
Promote and maintain a
high standard of conduct amongst members |
1 |
The Chair and
Vice-chair had attended the North Wales Standards Forum to share experiences
with other standards committees. Some members had
attended committees, Full Council, Cabinet and Town and Community Council
meetings as observers. |
Continue to attend and
support Continue to support,
including the use of web casting |
Assist the members to
adhere to the Code of Conduct |
1 |
Arrange Training for
members of Town and Community Councils Arrange Training for
Council members |
Consider feedback on
Training and a new programme |
Advise the Council
regarding adopting or amending the Code of Conduct |
1 |
Arrangement had been
made to circulate amended guidance on the Code of Conduct from the Ombudsman
to all Council Members Observations had been
submitted on elements of the Local Government Bill (Wales) 2015 |
Review the latest
amendments to the Code |
Monitor the operation
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. Receive annual reports
in relation to the register of interests and declarations made. Receive annual reports
on the register of interests and hospitality. |
Continue to monitor
the consideration of alternative methods of receiving information. Consider the
amendments to the Code of Conduct and how to share the changes. |
Advise, train or
arrange training for members on matters relating to the Code of Conduct |
1 |
Members attended the
standards conference in Cardiff and reported back. Arrange Training for
members of Town and Community Councils Arrange Training for
Council members |
New Training Programme |
Grant dispensation to
members |
1 |
Two applications for
dispensations were handled, from members of Town and Community Councils. Conduct and overview
of the system to ensure consistency and propriety. |
|
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 2015-16 |
|
Authorise the
Monitoring Officer to pay allowances to persons assisting with an
investigation |
(Nothing to measure) |
No occasion to pay
such an allowance had arisen |
|
Exercise the above
functions in relation to community councils |
2 |
A training session for
community council clerks had been held in October 2013 The Committee’s annual
report had been sent to all community councils. The opinion of
community councils had been sought on training based on the Code and good
governance. Subsequent training had been held in four centres. |
Alternative Training
programme. It was, however, necessary
to produce a model local resolution procedure for use by community councils. |
(b) to include a
footnote to the self-assessment including some statistics on attendance at the
training and stating, bearing in mind that as members did not have to attend
the Standards Committee was of the view that it had achieved its requirements
successfully in assisting members to adhere to the Code of Conduct, and that
councillors should take the training mores seriously.
(c) To approve
the following work programme for 2016/17:-
27 June 2016
·
Annual Report
·
Allegations against members
·
Review the arrangements for members to attend committees and community
councils - lessons learnt. (Members were asked to consider, between now
and June, how to do this.)
3 October 2016
·
The Ombudsman’s Annual Report
·
Allegations against members
·
Local Resolution Procedure for Community Councils
·
Protocols review
23 January 2017
·
Gifts and hospitality register
·
Declaration of Interests Register
·
Adjudication Panel's Annual Report
·
Allegations against members
27 March 2017
·
Self-Assessment and Work Programme
·
Training
·
Preparation for the 2017 election - raise town and community clerks'
awareness of expectations upon them
regarding the provision of information to prospective councillors about the
requirements of the Code of Conduct.
Supporting documents: