To consider
the report of the Monitoring Officer (attached)
Minutes:
Submitted
– the report of the Monitoring Officer inviting the committee to:-
·
undertake a self assessment of the committee’s work and outputs during
2017-18; and
·
consider a draft work
programme for 2018-19.
RESOLVED
(a) To adopt the following as the
committee’s self assessment of its performance in
2017/18:-
FUNCTION |
ASSESSMENT (1/2/3/4) |
Evidence |
Further steps |
Promote and
maintain high conduct standards by members |
1 |
The Chair and
Vice-chair have attended the North Wales Standards Forum to share experiences
with other standards committees. A series of
induction courses were held for members along with detailed courses based on
a WLGA template. Reviewed
Protocols for Gratuities and Hospitality and Member Officer Relations. Submitted an
annual report to the Full Council Number of
complaints received is low. |
Continue to
attend and support |
Assist
members to adhere to the Code of Conduct |
1 |
Supported an
induction programme for the new Council. Monitoring
Officer and his team providing advice and guidance in meetings and on a
one-to-one basis for members. Council door
always open for members. |
Consider
Training feedback and a new training programme Standards Committee
members to attend training sessions on the Code. |
Advise the
Council regarding adopting or amending the Code of Conduct |
1 |
No occurrence
has arisen to amend the Code. |
|
Monitoring
the function of the Code of Conduct |
1 |
Received
regular reports of allegations against members Received
annual reports by the Ombudsman and
the Adjudication Panel for Wales Annual
reports received about the interests register and declarations made Annual reports
received about the interests and hospitality register. |
Continue to
monitor the consideration of alternative methods of receiving
information Consider
amendments to the Code of Conduct and how to share the change. Include the
interests of the Standards Committee’s independent members on the Council
website and also consider other methods of raising the Standards Committee’s
profile on the website. Request the
Democratic Services Committee to consider methods of raising the Standards
Committee’s profile on the Members’ Portal.
|
Advise, train
or arrange to train members on matters relating to the Code of Conduct |
1 |
A series of
induction courses were held for members as well as detailed courses based on
a template by the Welsh Local Government Association. |
New Training
Programme and include this as an item on the 2018/19 work programme |
Grant
dispensations for members |
1 |
Applications
for dispensations were dealt with and actions were taken on an objective and
proper basis. |
|
Deal with reports
from case tribunals and any reports from the Monitoring Officer on matters
referred by the Ombudsman |
1 |
No need for
hearings has arisen during the year |
|
Authorise the
Monitoring Officer to pay allowances to persons who assist with an
investigation |
1 |
No occurrence
to pay such an allowance has arisen |
|
Exercise the
above functions in relation to community councils |
3 |
Monitoring
Officer and his team providing advice and guidance for councils, clerks and
members. Adopted a
pilot for Code of Conduct training. Promoted a
One Voice Wales local resolution procedure for Community Councils |
New Training
Programme. It is
recognised that more promotion work is required as community and town councils
continue to generate complaints to the Ombudsman, although the threshold for
complaint investigations has increased. The message needs to be disseminated
in an attempt to change culture so that it is possible for more complaints to
be resolved locally. Put the pilot
in operation and timetable what is going to be done, when and how. Also, as part
of the training, examine whether or not it is possible for community and town
council clerks to offer training to one another on an informal basis. |
(b) To approve the following
work programme for 2018/19:-
9 July, 2018
Annual Report
Allegations against
Members
Complete the Member
Officer Relations Protocol Review
Approve Code
Guidelines
1 October, 2018
Annual Report of the
Ombudsman
Allegations against
Members
Dispensations
Procedure
Raise the Standards
Committee’s Profile on the Council Website
21 January, 2019
Gratuities and
Hospitality Register
Declaration of
Interest Register
Annual Report of the
Adjudication Panel
Allegations against
Members
18 March, 2019
Self-evaluation and
Work Programme
Allegations against
Members
Training Review
(c) To ask the Democracy
Service to programme a calendar of Council meeting dates in 2019/20 in a manner
where sufficient time is allowed between meetings of the Standards Committee
and the full Council to refer matters, such as the Annual Report, to the next
Council meeting, rather than having to wait for another committee cycle.
The Monitoring Officer and the Senior Solicitor were thanked for their
work in the field of Code of Conduct training.
Supporting documents: