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Contact: Carol Johnson 01597 826206
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Apologies To receive apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from County Councillor W Powell, who had a long standing diary commitment prior to his appointment to the Committee.
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To authorise the Chair to sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on 8 February 2023 as a correct record. Minutes: The Chair was authorised to sign the minutes of the meeting held on 8 February 2023 as a correct record.
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Declarations of interest To receive any declarations of interest from Members relating to items to be considered on the agenda. Minutes: No declarations were received.
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Report of the Head of Legal and Monitoring Officer PDF 116 KB To receive the report of the Head of Legal and Monitoring Officer. Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee received the report of the Head of Legal and Monitoring Officer (copy filed with signed minutes).
A. General Standards Issues for County Councillors and Co-opted Members
There was no update.
B. Members attendance
The Committee noted that six members had attendance under 60% for the period 9 May 2022 to 17 May 2023 inclusive. Of these three had absences due to personal reasons. The Chair had written to the other three and as a result the Committee noted that the attendance details for one had been amended, which had resulted in their attendance rising to above 60%, one had absences for personal reasons and one had not responded to the letter and was now on holiday. The Committee noted that the Monitoring Officer would contact this member on their return.
In response to a question the Monitoring Officer advised that a reminder could be sent to members regarding seeking absences for personal reasons or seeking leave of absence.
C. Referral of Councillors to the Public Services Ombudsman
C1. County Council Referrals
The Committee noted the current position regarding referrals to the Ombudsman:
02/CC/2020 Ombudsman referred to Standards Committee
04/CC/2021 Referred to Adjudication Panel for Wales [APW] - APW hearing regarding former Councillor Karen Laurie-Parry will be held on 6 July 2023.
03/CC/2022 Ombudsman investigating 04/CC/2022 Ombudsman not investigating 05/CC/2022 Ombudsman investigating.
D. Dispensations
D1. Applications- CountyCouncillors There were no applications for dispensation from County Councillors.
E. Appointment to the Standards Community Sub-Committee
Following nominations and an election for the vacancy of a Town and Community Councillor to represent Brecknockshire the Committee was advised of the successful candidate.
As previously advised, the Committee noted the vacancy on the Sub-Committee due to the resignation of Nigel Dodman as a councillor. The Committee noted the timescale for the nominations and election if required, as detailed in the report.
F. Ombudsman Wales – Our Findings
The Committee noted the Ombudsman Wales – our findings.
G. National Forum for Standards Committee
The Committee noted the minutes of the first meeting of the Forum. The next meeting was scheduled for 30 June 2023.
H. Consultation on the Penn Review response (Local Authorities Ethical Standards Framework and Code of Conduct)
The Monitoring Officer advised that the Monitoring Officers Group in Wales had already submitted comments. The Monitoring Officer asked that the Committee forward comments to him or the Democratic Services Officer to enable a response to be submitted by the consultation deadline.
I. Meeting dates
The next meeting date was noted: 25 October 2023 ... view the full minutes text for item 4. |
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Annual meetings with Group Leaders regarding their new duties PDF 62 KB To consider the summary of the meetings. The final document will be included in the Committee’s Annual report. Minutes: The Committee considered the Summary of the main points from the meetings with Group Leaders regarding their new duties.
The Committee noted the action points which would be incorporated into its Work Programme for the next year and those actions which would be forwarded to others in the Council. The summary would be added to the Committee’s Annual report.
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To consider and agree the Annual report. Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee considered the draft Annual report and noted that the Summary of the meeting with Group Leaders would be added to the report as Appendix 3 and it would be noted that Group Leaders welcomed the opportunity to meet with the Standards Committee. Reference to councillors referred to the Committee and the Adjudication Panel Wales by the Ombudsman would be checked to ensure they are reported correctly.
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To consider the report. Minutes: The Committee considered the report in respect of it’s Annual review of Register of Interest of members, Co-opted members and Church and Parent Governor representatives and Officers.
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Annual review of the use of General Dispensations To receive a verbal report. Minutes: The Committee was advised that during the year 9 May 2022 - 17 May 2023 inclusive, the General dispensation - School Governors [councillors who are school governors appointed otherwise than by the Council] – was used by one councillor at a County Council meeting. |