Agenda, decisions and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

None.

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City & County of Swansea, no interests were declared.

To approve & sign the Minutes of the previous meeting(s) as a correct record.

Approved.

Resolved that the Minutes of the Standards Committee held on 24 June 2022 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Approved subject to amendment.

The Monitoring Officer presented a report to consider the Protocol on Member / Member Local Dispute Resolution Protocol and proposed changes.

Resolved that Appendix A be recommended to Corporate Management Team and Council for formal adoption subject to the following amendments:

1)            Paragraph 3.1 – Add the Monitoring Officer to those notified when a member wishes to use the Protocol;

2)            Paragraph 3.2 - The word “formally” be added after the word “referred”.

Approved subject to amendment.

The Monitoring Officer presented a report to consider the Protocol on Member / Officer Relations and proposed changes.

Resolved that the Standards Committee recommend the updated Protocol at Appendix A to the Corporate Management Team and Council for formal adoption subject to the following amendment:

1)           A footnote / link regarding the Nolan Principles & the Officers Code be added to the “Respect and Courtesy” section.

Approved subject to amendment.

The Monitoring Officer presented a report to consider the template for Group Leaders to complete in relation to their duty to the Local Government & Elections (Wales) Act 2021.

Resolved that the template attached at Appendix A be approved, subject to the following additions:

1)           A date field be added to the form;

2)           Guidance on how to complete the form and an explanation of why the information is required be included;

3)           Section 1. Training – Responses should be split to differentiate between new members and existing members;

4)           Examples be included in Sections 2 and 4.

For information.

The Monitoring Officer provided a “For information” report to update the Standards Committee on the Annual Report and Accounts of the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales 2021/2022.

For information.

The Monitoring Officer presented a “For Information” report to update the Standards Committee on decisions made by the PSOW in relation to allegations that Local Authority and Community / Town Councillors had breached the Code of Conduct.

Noted.

The Monitoring Officer presented the Work Plan for 2022-2023.

Resolved that the Work Plan be noted.

The Monitoring Officer outlined that this was probably the current Chairs last meeting of the Standards Committee as her term of office would end on 18 October after 10 years.  The Committee thanked the outgoing Chair for the work undertaken during that period.

The Monitoring Officer also welcomed Councillor Carlo Rabaiotti, the Community / Town Council representative to his first meeting following his appointment on 6 October 2022.