To receive the report of the Solicitor to the Council.
Minutes:
The Committee received the report of the Solicitor to the Council (copy filed with signed minutes).
A. General Standards Issues for County Councillors and Co-opted
Members
A1. Code of Conduct Training
It was noted that there was nothing to report on this issue.
A2. Mandatory Training
The Committee noted the report.
RESOLVED: |
Reason for decision |
That the Committee notes that the three Members have completed their Mandatory Treasury management training for 2017-18. |
To monitor attendance at Mandatory Development sessions. |
B. Referral of Councillors to the Public Services Ombudsman
B1. County Council Referrals
The current position regarding matters with the Ombudsman is as follows:
02/CC/2017 Ombudsman investigating
01/CC/2018 Referred to APW
02/CC/2018 Concluded no breach
05/CC/2018 Concluded no further action
08/CC/2018 Ombudsman deciding whether or not to investigate
09/CC/2018 Ombudsman deciding whether or not to investigate
10/CC/2018 Ombudsman investigating
11/CC/2018 Ombudsman investigating
12/CC/2018 Ombudsman investigating
1/CC/2019 Ombudsman not investigating
C. Dispensations
C1. Applications- CountyCouncillors
No applications for dispensation have been received from County Councillors.
D. LatePayment ofExpenses
A claimfor paymentof expenseswas submittedby County Councillor Bryn Davies for mileageexpenses (submittedon November, 2018for September 2017to November2018).
The Committeeapproved thisapplication (whichwas thefirst one for mileage madeby thisMember) andthanked theMember for theexplanation hehad provided.
RESOLVEDTHAT |
REASONFOR DECISION |
the payment of the late claim submitted by County Councillor Bryn Davies for mileage be paid for the period September 2017 – November 2018. |
Toreimburse expensesincurred by County Councillor Bryn Davies. |
E. Ombudsman’s Casebook
The Ombudsman had published the July – September 2018 Code of Conduct Casebooks which can be accessed at. (Copy filed with signed minutes).
F. Arrangements to fill one vacancy arising from the completion of a term of office of an Independent [Lay] Member on the Standards Committee.
The Committee noted the appointments process.
RESOLVED THAT |
Reason for decision |
Depending on their availability the Appointments Panel would consist of: Independent Members - Claire Jackson and Chris Mullholland [Jacqueline Evans reserve] County Council representative – County Councillor Kathryn Silk or Kath Roberts-Jones. |
To enable the Appointment process to continue. |
G. Correspondence
There was no correspondence.
However, with the Chair’s agreement the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales’ [PSOW] Draft Corporate Plan 2019/20 – 2021/22 was considered by the Committee. It was noted that the consultation closed on 5 March, 2019.
The Committee considered the above with the Standards Sub-Committee members. The comments were as follows:
Strategic Aim 1
KPI 3 and KPI 4 – in response to comments that the timescales for completing investigations should be shorter the Deputy Monitoring Officer advised that the timescales were reasonable. However, investigations should be completed and closed as soon as possible, as delays cause unacceptable stress to the parties involved.
To raise awareness of the PSOW service and eliminate any know barriers to access from vulnerable groups [page 08]
The 1st action point needs to be clarified as it is not clear what this means. Is it a programme of activity once a year or an annual programme of activity? The Committee considered that this should be an annual programme of activity.
The 5th action point needs clarifying.
Strategic Aim 3 [page 12]
To adopt international best practice, to serve Wales in the best way we can
It is noted that the PSOW will strengthen its presence in North Wales but the Committee wonder what it intends to do in respect of Mid Wales.
A general comment was made that the Plan needs to be in plain English and Welsh, to ensure it is accessible to the public, as a whole.
H Meeting dates
The Committee noted the meeting dates:
Wednesday 5 June, 2019
Wednesday 2 October, 2019.
As the Chair’s term of office was coming to an end in May 2019, this was her last scheduled meeting. She thanked Members and officers for their support. She commented that she had enjoyed the Committees work and had learnt a lot.
The Vice Chair thanked the Chair for her work and presented her with a card and flowers on behalf of the Committees.
Supporting documents: