Content

 

(a)  To adopt the following as the Standards Committee's self-evaluation of
its performance in 2023/24.

 

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 the
annual report to the Full Council.
 


Continue
to attend and support.
 
 
 




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


1.


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


 




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


1.


No
occasion had arisen to revise the Code.
 
However,
the Internal Resolution Procedure was reviewed to support the duty of Leaders
of Political Groups under 52A(1) of the Local Government Act 2000.
 


 




4.  Monitor the implementation of the Code of
Conduct
 


1.


Receive
regular reports on 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
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.


Full Code
of Conduct training was arranged for members with the first session taking
place during February and the second in April.


Need to
look at providing further training as many members did not attend.
 




6.  Granting dispensations to members
 


1.


Two applications
for dispensation were discussed and allocated by the Committee in February
2024.
 


 




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 Cyngor Gwynedd.
 
In addition, the procedure for hearings was reviewed to strengthen the
communication.


 




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


No action
required.


None to
report


 




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.
 


2.


A joint session was held with Political Group Leaders and the Standards
Committee Leaders to consider the duty.
 
Criteria and a reporting on duty procedure were adopted.
 
The Monitoring Officer has met with the Group Leaders individually to
discuss the Code of Conduct matters.


The
arrangements will be undertaken in accordance with the statutory guidelines.




10.  Exercise the relevant above functions in relation
to community councils
 


3.


The
Monitoring Officer and his team provide advice and guidance to councillors,
clerks and members.
 
However, it was acknowledged that providing for an activity such as
training has been challenging and this area needed attention and to come to a
conclusion regarding the way forward.
 


Need to
consider resuming the programme virtually when resources allow.

 

 

(b)  Agree to move the Review Internal Resolution Procedure item from the
meeting in November 2024 to the meeting in February 2025 to add an item on
Training and Supporting Community Councils to the meeting in November.  Following this amendment, to approve the
following work programme for 2024/25:-

 

17 June 2024

Annual Report

Allegations against members

Self-assessment and Work Programme

 

4 November 2024

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

To accept the report from the Wales
Standards Forum

Training
and Supporting Community Councils

 

17 February 2025

Adjudication Panel's Annual Report

Allegations against members

Self-assessment and Work Programme

Review
Internal Solution Arrangements