Content

 

(a)  To adopt the following as the Standards Committee’s self-evaluation of
its performance in 2022/23.

 

FUNCTION


ASSESSMENT
(1/2/3/4)
 


Evidence


Further action





1.  Promote and maintain high standards of
conduct by members
 
 


1.


The Chair and
Vice-chair have attended the Wales Standards Forum to share experiences with
other standards committees.
 
Submit an
annual report to the Full Council
 
The
Committee had received a report on the Local Government and Elections (Wales)
Act 2021
 


Continue to
attend and support.
 
 
 




2.  Assist the members to adhere to the Code of
Conduct
 


2.


The
Monitoring Officer and his team provide advice and guidance at meetings, and
on a one-to-one basis for members.
 


Organise further
courses to be held on the Code of Conduct during the coming year.




3.  Advise the Council with regard to adopting
or amending the Code of Conduct
 


1.


No
occasion had arisen to revise the Code.


 




4.  Monitor the implementation of the Code of
Conduct
 


3.


Receive
regular reports of allegations against members
 
Receive
the annual reports of the Ombudsman and the Adjudication Panel for Wales
 
 
 
 
 


Continue
to monitor and consider alternative methods of receiving information.
 
Receive
regular reports from the Ombudsman's Code of Conduct Casebook.
 
Receive
annual reports on the register of interests and hospitality.
 




5.  Advise, train or arrange for members to receive
training on matters relating to the Code of Conduct
 
 


3.


Induction
training was arranged for all members of Cyngor Gwynedd following the
elections.


Set a
specific requirement to proceed with the training in the work programme for
next year.
 




6.  Granting dispensations to members
 


1.


No
applications had been considered under the new procedure. 
 


 




7.  Deal with reports of case tribunals and any
reports from the Monitoring Officer on matters referred by the Ombudsman
 


1.


One
hearing was held during the year regarding a Member of a Town and Community
Council


 




8.  Authorise the Monitoring Officer to pay
allowances to persons assisting with an investigation
 


No action
required.


 


 




9. Monitor
the compliance of Leaders of Political Groups on the Council and their duties
under Section 52A(1) of the Local Government Act 2000.
 
Advise,
train or arrange for the Council's Political Group Leaders to receive
training on matters relating to those duties.
 


3.


A briefing session was conducted with Political Group Leaders regarding
the new duty.
 
The Protocol to implement the duty was agreed.


Proceed to
develop the system, together with the system to report back to committee.




10.  Exercise the above functions in relation to
community councils
 


2.


The
Monitoring Officer and his team provide advice and guidance to councillors,
clerks and members.
 
A
substantial engagement project was undertaken by the Chair and the Town and
Community Member that led to a report with specific recommendations and a
work plan.
 


Need
to restore the programme on a virtual basis next year.

 

(b)  To approve the
following work programme for 2023/24:-

 

26 June 2023

Annual Report

Allegations against Members

The Ombudsman’s Casebook

Welsh Government Consultation on the
Response to the Penn Report

 

6 November 2023

Register of Gifts and Hospitality

Declaration of Interests Register

The Ombudsman’s Annual Report

Allegations against Members

Review of the Protocol for Political Group
Leaders

Review Internal Solution Arrangements

To accept the Report from the Wales
Standards Forum

Report on Arrangements to deal with
communication following hearings

 

19 February 2024

Adjudication Panel's Annual Report

Allegations against Members

Self-assessment and Work Programme

The Committee’s Annual Report