To receive the report of the Head of Legal and Monitoring Officer.
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.
RESOLVEDTHAT |
REASONFOR DECISION |
1. That Councillor Karen Coldrick elected by the Town and Community Councils in Brecknockshire, be appointed to the Standards Community Sub-Committe.
2. That the term of office of the Town and Community Councillor be for the maximum term permitted by the existing regulations or by any amending regulations (currently a maximum of five years) or until they cease to be a Councillor or resign whichever shall first occur. |
To constitute the Standards Community Sub-Committee. |
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 at 2pm.
Supporting documents: