Agenda item
- Meeting of Standards Committee, Monday, 17th June, 2024 10.30 am (Item 5.)
- View the background to item 5.
To submit
the report of the Monitoring Officer.
Decision:
(a) To adopt the following as the Standards Committee's self-evaluation of
its performance in 2023/24.
|
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 the
annual report to the Full Council. |
Continue
to attend and support. |
|
2. 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. |
|
|
3. Advise the Council with regard to adopting
or amending the Code of Conduct |
1. |
No
occasion had arisen to revise the Code. However,
the Internal Resolution Procedure was reviewed to support the duty of Leaders
of Political Groups under 52A(1) of the Local Government Act 2000. |
|
|
4. 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 and consider alternative methods of receiving information. 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. |
Full Code
of Conduct training was arranged for members with the first session taking
place during February and the second in April. |
Need to
look at providing further training as many members did not attend. |
|
6. Granting dispensations to members |
1. |
Two applications
for dispensation were discussed and allocated by the Committee in February
2024. |
|
|
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 Cyngor Gwynedd. In addition, the procedure for hearings was reviewed to strengthen the
communication. |
|
|
8. Authorise the Monitoring Officer to pay
allowances to persons assisting with an investigation |
No action
required. |
None to
report |
|
|
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. |
2. |
A joint session was held with Political Group Leaders and the Standards
Committee Leaders to consider the duty. Criteria and a reporting on duty procedure were adopted. The Monitoring Officer has met with the Group Leaders individually to
discuss the Code of Conduct matters. |
The
arrangements will be undertaken in accordance with the statutory guidelines. |
|
10. Exercise the relevant above functions in relation
to community councils |
3. |
The
Monitoring Officer and his team provide advice and guidance to councillors,
clerks and members. However, it was acknowledged that providing for an activity such as
training has been challenging and this area needed attention and to come to a
conclusion regarding the way forward. |
Need to
consider resuming the programme virtually when resources allow. |
(b) Agree to move the Review Internal Resolution Procedure item from the
meeting in November 2024 to the meeting in February 2025 to add an item on
Training and Supporting Community Councils to the meeting in November. Following this amendment, to approve the
following work programme for 2024/25:-
Annual Report
Allegations against members
Self-assessment and Work Programme
4 November 2024
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
To accept the report from the Wales
Standards Forum
Training
and Supporting Community Councils
17 February 2025
Adjudication Panel's Annual Report
Allegations against members
Self-assessment and Work Programme
Review
Internal Solution Arrangements
Minutes:
Submitted – the report of the Monitoring Officer inviting the committee to:-
· undertake a self-assessment of the work and outputs of
the committee during 2023/24; and:-
·
consider
the draft work programme for 2024/25.
The following points were highlighted:-
·
It was believed that
more work was needed on matters relating to the Code of Conduct noting that the
further training in question had not been arranged yet and the work had
slipped. It was noted that two detailed, half-day courses had been held at the
beginning of the year for the Code of Conduct. Dissatisfaction was expressed
that approximately a third of the Members had not attended this mandatory
course which meant that around 20 Members needed to complete it. Further
sessions would be held but it was acknowledged that work was to be done to
increase the numbers that had completed this training.
·
It was acknowledged
there had been significant progress in the work of monitoring the compliance of
the Group Leaders but it was highlighted that there
was a need to move from the induction period to the performance period. It was
reiterated that a great deal of work had been done last year to establish the
duty but there was now a need to move to a more operational system as the
initial arrangements were in place.
·
It was noted in
relation to the work on Community Councils, that a pilot and course had been
run however, the training programme had not been created due to the workload.
The desire to complete the work was expressed but it was noted that it was
currently in competition with other resources and priorities.
When conducting the
self-assessment, the following points were noted:-
·
It was asked what could
be done to ensure that all Members completed the training. It was suggested
there was room to promote it further through the Group Leaders although it was
acknowledged that Group Leaders could not force the Members to complete the
training. Further suggestions were offered such as offering a course that was
slightly different or that took less time.
· It was expressed that further work was to be done with
the Group Leaders but it appeared that the Leaders
were working well with the Monitoring Officer and the work done so far had been
good. It was noted there was a structure in place and there had been good
progress in the work over the last year.
·
In terms of the
Community Councils, it was acknowledged that more work was needed but the
comments about scarce resources were accepted. It was noted that although the
training programme had not been created, that the Legal Service provided advice
and support to the Community Councils throughout the year.
While discussing the Work Programme for 2024/25 it was noted there was a
need to hold a meeting with the Political Group Leaders during the year. The
Committee was reminded that last year's meeting had been held after one of the
Standard Committee's meetings. The possibility of holding this meeting as part
of the formal meeting was considered. It was noted that there was an item on
the Political Group Leaders protocol on the work programme for the November
meeting and the meeting could be relevant. It was decided to aim towards the
November meeting, either during the formal meeting or after it. It was
suggested that it could be mentioned to the Leaders soon to ensure their
availability.
It was asked whether it would be beneficial to look at a way of
improving Community Council functions and it was suggested that a report on the
matter be included on the work programme for November as an additional item to
try to find a way forward. It was noted that a small number of the 64
Town/Community Councils in Gwynedd had highlighted the need for further
guidance. The suggestion of taking a step back and assessing the situation was
appreciated. It was confirmed that training was one aspect and that dealing and
advising was another. Further suggestions were received such as grouping the
Community Councils into Gwynedd Ni areas which were 8 areas and hold the
training on-line through Zoom, it was believed that this would facilitate
arrangements. The suggestion was appreciated and any
further suggestions were welcomed.
It was suggested that an item could be moved to the February meeting as
there were a number of items already on the work
programme for November in addition to the additional item of Training and
Supporting Community Council and the possible invitation for Political Group
Leaders. It was agreed to move the item on Reviewing Internal Resolution Arrangements
to February. It was noted that many of the other items on the November agenda
were items for information.
DECISION
(a) To adopt the following as the Standards Committee's self-evaluation of
its performance in 2023/24.
|
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 the annual report to the Full Council. |
Continue to attend and support. |
|
2. 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. |
|
|
3. Advise the Council with regard to adopting or amending the Code of Conduct |
1. |
No occasion had arisen to revise the Code. However, the Internal Resolution Procedure was reviewed to support the duty of Leaders of Political Groups under 52A(1) of the Local Government Act 2000. |
|
|
4. 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 and consider alternative methods of receiving information. 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. |
Full Code of Conduct training was arranged for members with the first session taking place during February and the second in April. |
Need to look at providing further training as many members did not attend. |
|
6. Granting dispensations to members |
1. |
Two applications for dispensation were discussed and allocated by the Committee in February 2024. |
|
|
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 Cyngor Gwynedd. In addition, the procedure for hearings was reviewed to strengthen the communication. |
|
|
8. Authorise the Monitoring Officer to pay allowances to persons assisting with an investigation |
No action required. |
None to report |
|
|
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. |
2. |
A joint session was held with Political Group Leaders and the Standards Committee Leaders to consider the duty. Criteria and a reporting on duty procedure were adopted. The Monitoring Officer has met with the Group Leaders individually to discuss the Code of Conduct matters. |
The arrangements will be undertaken in accordance with the statutory guidelines. |
|
10. Exercise the relevant above functions in relation to community councils |
3. |
The Monitoring Officer and his team provide advice and guidance to councillors, clerks and members. However, it was acknowledged that providing for an activity such as training has been challenging and this area needed attention and to come to a conclusion regarding the way forward. |
Need to consider resuming the programme virtually when resources allow. |
(b) Agree to move the Review Internal Resolution Procedure item from the
meeting in November 2024 to the meeting in February 2025 to add an item on
Training and Supporting Community Councils to the meeting in November. Following this amendment, to approve the
following work programme for 2024/25:-
Annual Report
Allegations against members
Self-assessment and Work Programme
4 November 2024
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
To accept the report from the Wales
Standards Forum
Training
and Supporting Community Councils
17 February 2025
Adjudication Panel's Annual Report
Allegations against members
Self-assessment and Work Programme
Review
Internal Solution Arrangements
Supporting documents:
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