Agenda item

To consider an application for dispensation by a County Councillor.

The Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer reported that Councillor Alun Robets has applied for the dispensation (Enclosure 1 to the report).  She stated that the application includes information about the nature of the interest, type of dispensation sought and grounds for seeking a dispensation.  She gave an overview of the relevant statutory grounds.

It was noted that the County Council has consulted on a proposal about whether or not to adopt a visitor levy pursuant to the Visitor Accommodation (Register and Levy) Act 2025. 

Councillor Alun Roberts has applied for the dispensation to participate fully in meetings or discussions on the levy, and to write to officers and members about the matter.  He wishes to remain in the room during any debate or voting on the issue and wishes to vote at such meetings.

The Chair invited Councillor Roberts to speak in support of his application.

Councillor Roberts reported that his partner is employed as a part-time receptionist two mornings a week in a local hotel. Councillor Roberts explained that he is the Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Tourism, Maritime and Property and wishes to be transparent about any decisions he participates in on the visitor levy by declaring an interest in meetings.

Members of the Panel were afforded an opportunity to question Councillor Roberts on his role as an elected member and Portfolio Holder, as well as various aspects of his partner’s work, and the potential impact of the levy.  

Councillor Roberts confirmed that his partner is an employee and not involved in any decision making at the hotel.  If adopted, the levy would be unlikely to have any impact on his partner.  The Visitor Economy and Coastal Areas Manager confirmed that any adoption of the levy would be applicable at the higher rate to residents at hotels.  

In response to a question on understanding Councillor Roberts’ role as a Portfolio Holder, Councillor Roberts responded that he will be presenting the report to Council, but the decision to accept or reject the levy will not be his personal decision and will be decided by full Council.

The Visitor Economy and Coastal Areas Manager reported that over 2,000 responses have been received to the visitor levy consultation, which has now ended.  A report on the findings from the consultation will be presented to the Executive and Council in September to make a decision. 

After hearing the background to the application for dispensation by the Applicant, the Panel retired to private session to determine whether or not to grant a dispensation, and if granting a dispensation, to consider (i) on what ground or grounds the dispensation is granted and (ii) whether there are any limitations/constraints to be imposed.

Retiring to public session, the Chair reported that the Panel considered and agreed that the Applicant has a prejudicial interest due to his role as a Portfolio Holder in this specific area.

RESOLVED to grant a dispensation to Councillor Roberts in respect of the interest referred to in the application and on the statutory grounds identified in Paragraphs (d) and (f) in the application. 

The dispensation permits the Councillor to: - 

•  write to officers and members about the issue;

•  speak to officers about the issue, provided a note is taken of any such discussions;

•  speak at meetings about the issue;

•  remain in the room during any debate on the issue and any voting;

•  vote at such meetings;

•  participate fully in any public meetings and meetings of any outside bodies etc.

Limitation:

The dispensation shall expire at the end of the current term for elected members of the County Council (on the fourth day after the next local government election).

Actions:

•  Councillor Roberts must declare a prejudicial interest when attending Council and all

    other relevant meetings.

•  The Monitoring Officer and Chair to agree on the wording of a Decision Notice.

•  The Chair to write to Councillor Roberts confirming that the Dispensation Panel has

    granted the dispensation.

•  To share a copy of the Decision Notice with Councillor Roberts and Democratic

    Services.