Agenda and minutes

To receive any declaration of interest by any Member or Officer regarding any items on the Agenda.

 No declaration of interest made by a Member or Officer.

To submit, for confirmation, the public minutes of the meeting held on 11 September, 2014.

(ENCLOSURE ‘A’)

 The minutes of the meeting held on 11 September, 2014 were confirmed as correct.

To consider adoption of the following :-

“Under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, to exclude the press and public from the meeting during discussion on the following item on the grounds that it may involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A of the said Act and in the attached Public Interest Test.”

(ENCLOSURE ‘B’)

 The Legal Advisor stated that it is a presumption that Hearings are taken in public unless there is an overriding reason to hold them in private. The private issue in respect of this Hearing is the land transaction and the evidence by Mr. Geal. The Chair asked Councillor Rogers who confirmed that he had no objection to the hearing proceeding in public, subject to Mr. Geal’s view in respect of his own evidence. Accordingly the Committee resolved not to exclude the press and public, but to reserve a decision in respect of Mr. Geal’s evidence until he was present and then to seek his view in respect of his own evidence.

It was agreed that the Hearing to be taken in public.

The Standards Committee to receive and consider a report from the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW) in relation to alleged breaches of the Members’ Code of Conduct by a County Councillor.

(ENCLOSURE ‘C’)

Submitted – a report by the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW) investigating a complaint raised by the Chief Executive in relation to alleged breaches of the Members’ Code of Conduct in respect of his involvement in the disposal by the County Council of an area of land at Dwyran and a chronology of events and Issues List prepared by Mr. Keith-Lucas and previously provided to all parties.

The Chair outlined the procedure for the Hearing and all present agreed to the procedure as set out in the Agenda.

Councillor Rogers made submissions as to why the allegations should be dismissed without a hearing, including the Investigating Officer’s involvement in a previous matter, the absence of additional officer evidence and Councillor Rogers’ concern at the propriety of other Council actions. The PSOW’s representative explained that she had no involvement in another matter other than that she had been aware that a colleague had had a telephone conversation with Councillor Rogers. Mr. Keith-Lucas advised that none of the matters submitted invalidated the hearing and that the Committee should determine the allegations purely on the facts which could only be evidenced by a hearing. The Committee resolved to proceed with the hearing.

The Chair invited Ms. Ginwalla (representing the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales) formally presented her report outlining the key issues of the complaint received by the previous Public Service Ombudsman for Wales and the alleged breach of the Code of Conduct in his failure to record his personal and prejudicial interest in matters relating to the sale of land at 6 Glandwr, Dwyran. Having considered the complaint the former Ombudsman decided that there was sufficient evidence to start an investigation. Evidence was gathered from Officers of the Council together with email, letters, correspondence in respect of this matter. A statement was also obtained by Mr. Geal. The Ombudsman was satisfied that there was a close relationship with Councillor Rogers and Mr. Geal between March 2012 and August 2013. The relationship was enhanced with a marriage between the children of both parties in 2013.

Members of the Standards Committee and Councillor Rogers were given an opportunity to question Ms. Ginwalla and a question and answer session entailed.

2 Officers from the Estates Management Section gave evidence as witnesses to the Committee and Members of the Standards Committee and Councillor Peter Rogers were given an opportunity to question the Officers.

Following a recess for lunch, Councillor P. Rogers stated that Mr. Geal would give evidence as a witness to the Standards Committee. The Chair asked Mr. Geal if he was happy to give evidence in public. Mr. Geal said he was happy do so. Accordingly, the Committee resolved to continue in open session.

Members of the Standards Committee and Councillor Rogers were given an opportunity to question Mr. Geal.

The Chair invited Councillor Rogers to address the Standards Committee. Members of the Standards Committee and the representative from the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales were given an opportunity  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.