The Standard and Ethics Sub Committee - Hearings Panel of Cardiff Council met on Wednesday 10 June 2026. The primary item on the agenda was a referral from the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales concerning a complaint against Councillor Latif. The meeting also included the approval of previous minutes.

Ombudsman Referral of a Complaint Against Councillor Latif

The main focus of the meeting was scheduled to be the consideration of an Ombudsman referral of a complaint against Councillor Latif. The report pack indicated that significant portions of the documentation relating to this item were exempt from publication. This was due to the confidential nature of the proceedings, as outlined in the Local Government Act 1972 and the Standards Committee (Wales) Regulations 2001. The public were likely to be excluded from this part of the meeting, and recording of the proceedings was also expected to be prohibited.

The report pack included a detailed procedure for hearings concerning Ombudsman referrals. This procedure outlines the steps the Hearings Panel would follow, including initial determinations, pre-hearing arrangements, the conduct of the hearing itself, and the potential for sanctions if a breach of the Code of Conduct was found. The procedure also detailed the powers of the Hearings Panel, the rights of representation for the Councillor and the Investigating Officer, and the process for appeals and publication of decisions.

The procedure document, titled PROCEDURE FOR HEARINGS (OMBUDSMAN REFERRALS) , explains that a Hearings Panel Sub-Committee is established to consider investigation reports, conduct hearings, make determinations, and impose sanctions. It specifies that the Panel should be composed of three members, with at least two being independent members. The procedure also details how the Panel makes an initial determination on whether there is evidence of a failure to comply with the Code of Conduct. If there is sufficient evidence, arrangements are made for a formal hearing.

The procedure further outlines the stages of a hearing:

• Stage 1: Formal Findings of Fact: This stage involves considering any disagreements about the facts presented in the investigation report.
• Stage 2: Did the Member fail to follow the Code?: Based on the established facts, the Panel determines whether the Councillor has failed to comply with the Code of Conduct.
• Stage 3: Breach of the Code and Sanctions: If a breach is found, the Panel considers representations on potential sanctions, which could include censure or suspension for a period not exceeding six months. The Panel may also recommend remedial action.

The procedure also covers recommendations to the Authority, the announcement and issuance of written decisions, and the process for appeals to the Adjudication Panel for Wales. Finally, it details the publication requirements for the outcome of the investigation.

Approval of Minutes

The committee was also scheduled to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 21 April 2026.