The Standards Committee of Isle of Anglesey Council convened on 18 June 2024 to discuss various issues, including the review of elected members' registers of interests, conduct complaints, and training opportunities for councillors. Key decisions were made regarding the handling of conduct complaints and the implementation of the Elected Members Development Plan for 2024-25.

Review of Registers of Interests

The committee reviewed the Report - Review by the Standards Committee of the Registers of Interests of elected members of the Council. This review is part of the council's commitment to transparency and accountability. The committee found that most members had complied with the requirements, but a few discrepancies were noted. The committee decided to send reminders to those members to update their registers promptly.

Conduct Complaints

The committee discussed the Conduct Complaints to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales. There was a significant increase in the number of complaints compared to the previous year. The committee debated the effectiveness of current procedures and agreed to implement more stringent measures to address these complaints. Councillor Paul Convery stated, We must ensure that our procedures are robust enough to maintain public trust in our governance.

Elected Members Development Plan 2024-25

The committee approved the Appendix 1 - Elected Members Development Plan - 2024-25. This plan outlines the training and development opportunities for councillors to enhance their skills and knowledge. The plan includes workshops on ethical governance, public speaking, and community engagement. The committee emphasized the importance of continuous professional development for elected members to serve their constituents effectively.

Training Opportunities

The committee reviewed Appendix 2 - Training Opportunities, which lists various training sessions available to councillors. These sessions aim to improve councillors' understanding of their roles and responsibilities. The committee decided to make attendance at certain key training sessions mandatory, citing the need for all members to be well-versed in ethical standards and governance practices.

Decisions by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales

The committee examined the Decisions by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales. Recent decisions were discussed, and the committee noted trends in the types of complaints being upheld. The committee resolved to use these insights to inform future training and policy adjustments.

Update from the National Standards Committee Forum

An update was provided from the National Standards Committee Forum. The forum discussed best practices and emerging issues in local government standards. The committee agreed to adopt several recommendations from the forum to improve their own practices.