Agenda item

To confirm the Minutes of the meetings held as follows :-

·           Minutes of the Standards Committee held on 16 September, 2015.

·           Minutes of the Dispensation Panel held on 24 September, 2015.

·           Minutes of the Standards Committee held on 19 February, 2016.

The minutes of the following meetings were confirmed as correct :-

·           Minutes of the Standards Committee held on 16 September, 2015.

ARISING THEREON

·         Item 3 – Review of the Planning Procedure Rules – Part 4.6 of the Constitution

The Monitoring Officer referred to the resolution by the Standards Committee that no action be taken pending draft National Planning Procedure Rules. These are out for consultation until May.

It was AGREED that the Monitoring Officer circulate the draft to the Committee Members who will contribute their views to the Monitoring Officer during the consultation period. (submitted on 15/3/2016)

•   Item 4 – Revised Guidance on the Code of Conduct for County Councillors and Community Councillors

The Monitoring Officer wrote to the Community Councils on the 23rd September, 2015 enclosing a copy of the Revised Guidance on the Code of Conduct and a link to the guidance on the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales’ website.

•   Item 5 – The Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 and the Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 (Commencement Number 2) Order 2015

The Monitoring Officer said that this matter will be discussed under item 4 – Review of the Three Registers of Members’ Interests.

•   Item 6 – Factsheets Published by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales – Investigations and Interviews – Members’ Code of Conduct

The Monitoring Officer said that the factsheets as noted above were forwarded to the Community Councils on 23rd September, 2015.

•   Item 7 - Draft Local Guidance on the Officers’ Code of Conduct

The Monitoring Officer said the Standards Committee supported the Draft Local Guidance on the Officers’ Code of Conduct and recommended that it be approved for consultation. Issues were raised during the consultation process with regard to management buy outs and significant amendments have been undertaken to the documentation. Further consultation therefore has been undertaken on the document and it is anticipated that the Draft Local Guidance will be published soon. (Published 14/3/2016)

•   Minutes of the Dispensation Panel held on 24 September, 2015.

ARISING THEREON

The Vice-Chair said that he and some Members of the Standards Committee attended a Dispensation Panel in Conwy County Borough Council. He stated that he considered that a training session be afforded to the Standards Committee on Dispensations and procedures.

It was RESOLVED that the Monitoring Officer arrange training session for Members of the Standards Committee on Dispensations.

ACTION : As noted above.

•   Minutes of the Standards Committee held on 19 February, 2016.

Members of the Committee expressed concern that the “decision” of the Standards Committee with regard to Councillor Peter Rogers’ suspension was on the Daily Post website nearly an hour before the commencement of the meeting on 19 February, 2016. The Monitoring Officer said that she contacted the Daily Post asking them to remove the story from the website.

It was RESOLVED that the Monitoring Officer write to the Daily Post on behalf of the Standards Committee expressing concern with regard to this matter and asking for clarification/remedy.

ACTION : As noted above.