The Standards Committee of Powys Council convened on 12 June 2024 to discuss several key issues, including feedback from observing full council meetings, the Monitoring Officer's report, and the final draft of the Standards Committee Annual Report. Decisions were made to adopt the Monitoring Officer's report and to approve the final draft of the annual report.

Feedback from Observing Full Council Meetings

The committee reviewed feedback from observing full council meetings, specifically the report by Nigel Steward from 22 February 2024. The feedback highlighted areas for improvement in council procedures and member conduct. Steward noted that the overall decorum was satisfactory, but there were instances where procedural rules were not strictly followed. The committee discussed potential training sessions to address these issues.

Monitoring Officer's Report

The Monitoring Officer's report, presented in document 2024-06-12 MO report Standards Committee 002, was adopted by the committee. The report covered various compliance issues and updates on ongoing investigations. It was noted that several complaints have been resolved satisfactorily, but there remains a need for ongoing vigilance and adherence to standards.

Final Draft of the Standards Committee Annual Report

The committee approved the final draft of the Standards Committee Annual Report for 2023-2024. The report, updated on 6 June 2024, summarises the committee's activities over the past year, including the number of complaints received and their outcomes. The report also outlines future objectives, such as enhancing transparency and improving member training.

National Standards Committee Forum Notes

The committee briefly discussed the notes from the National Standards Committee Forum held on 29 January 2024. Key points included the importance of maintaining high ethical standards and the role of local standards committees in fostering public trust.

Summary of Meeting with Group Leaders

A summary of the Standards Committee meeting with Group Leaders held in May 2024 was presented. The discussion focused on collaborative efforts to uphold ethical standards and the need for consistent communication between the committee and group leaders.

Register of Interests

The committee reviewed the Register of Interests to ensure all members' declarations were up to date. This is part of the council's commitment to transparency and accountability.