Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Mr J Goolden (Independent Member) and County Councillor I McIntosh.  The Committee noted that Councillor L Rijnenberg would arrive late, as she was on other Council business.

To authorise the Chair to sign the minutes of the previous meetings of the Committee held on the following dates as a correct record.

The Chair was authorised to sign the minutes of the meeting held on 21 June 2023 as a correct record.  Subject to the following amendments the Chair was authorised to sign the minutes of the meetings held on 27 January 2023 and 26 June 2023 as correct records: I McIntosh and L Rijnenberg should be deleted from the list of Independent Members, as they are correctly shown in the list of County Councillors.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members relating to items to be considered on the agenda.

No declarations were received.

To receive the report of the Head of Legal and Monitoring Officer.

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

            No update was required.

B.        Members attendance

The Committee noted that the Chair and Vice Chair had considered and were satisfied with the response from the one member, who previously had not provided a response regarding their attendance level for the period May 2022 – May 2023.  The Committee noted that the member’s attendance since May 2023 had been 100%.

County Councillor L Rijnenberg joined the meeting.

C.        Referral of Councillors to the Ombudsman Wales

C1.      County Councillor Referrals

The Committee thanked officers for providing the information regarding referrals to the Ombudsman Wales in a different format.  The current position regarding matters with the Ombudsman is detailed below. It was noted that the date when the Ombudsman Wales had made its decision in respect of 02/CC/20 should read 17/02/22.  The Deputy Monitoring Officer advised that in respect of 04/CC/21 the report should state that the APW had imposed an 18 month disqualification to former County Councillor Karen Laurie-Parry. The table below contains these corrections.

The abbreviations used in the headings are as follows:

MO – Monitoring Officer

OW – Ombudsman Wales

Stds – Standards Community Sub-Committee

APW - Adjudication Panel for Wales

D.        Dispensations

D1.    Applications- CountyCouncillors

No applications for dispensation have been received from County Councillors.

E.        Appointments to the Standards Community Sub-Committee

The Committee noted the one nomination for the vacancy for the Radnorshire area.

F.    Ombudsman Wales – Our Findings

The Committee noted the Ombudsman Wales - Our Findings.   The  Committee noted that at a recent meeting of all Welsh Monitoring Officers, the Ombudsman’s office was asked to consider re-instating the “ Casebook”,  which was considered to be more helpful.

G.   Adjudication Panel for Wales

The Committee noted the two cases highlighted.  The Deputy Monitoring Officer highlighted that in respect of the Councillor from Ceredgion Ombudsman Wales had requested the APW  to temporarily suspend a Member during its investigation stage of safeguarding allegations.  In respect of the former  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To consider the observation reports.

The Committee received the reports on Independent Members observations of the Council meetings on 20 July and 5 October 2023.  The Vice Chair advised that this was a useful experience.  She advised that she had observed the meeting online but considered that being in the meeting room may give you a better feel of the meeting and issues discussed.

In response to a comment the Committee agreed that the observation reports would be formally shared with the Chair of Council and other committees.

To consider a report on the biennial review of Section 21 – Protocol on Member/Officer Relations and Section 25 Local Resolution Process.

The Committee considered the report on the rules and protocols on the accountability of members, namely Section 21 - Protocol on member/officer relations and Section 25 - Local Resolution Process, of the Constitution.  The Committee noted that no complaints had been dealt with under the Local Resolution Process during the period May 2022 – September 2023 inclusive.

To note the updated work programme.

The Committee noted the revised Work programme.  The Chair had suggested that Observing County Council meetings by Standards Committee members and the Guidance / briefing notes for Group Leaders on emerging topics should become standard items on all agendas, as they were shown in the Work programme for each meeting.