The Standards and Ethics Committee met to discuss several reports, including group leader reports, independent member vacancies, code of conduct complaints, and the annual report. The committee agreed to note the group leaders' reports, establish an appointment panel for the independent member vacancy, and note the National Standards Forum report. A key focus of the meeting was a review of the Local Dispute Resolution Protocol, which led to a lengthy discussion and a decision to revisit the protocol at a future meeting.

Local Dispute Resolution Report

The committee reviewed Cardiff Council's Local Resolution Protocol and Hearings Panel Procedure, considering recommendations from the Monitoring Officers Group and a legal opinion from the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW). The protocol applies to low-level, member-on-member complaints.

Decision: The committee agreed to revisit the protocol at a future meeting, pending further work.

Key discussion points included:

• Complaints from the public: The committee agreed to exclude reference to complaints from members of the public in the protocol.
• Officer complaints: Councillor Catriona Brown-Reckless opposed allowing officers to complain under this process, arguing they should use the formal ombudsman route. Other members disagreed, stating officers should have access to this process.
• List of behaviours: Councillor Brown-Reckless raised concerns about creating a document that implies powers that are not there, potentially encroaching on freedom of speech. Other councillors thought it was good to give guidance on expected behaviours. The committee decided to put this on hold for further work and to bring it back to the next meeting.
• High-level complaints: The committee agreed to undertake further work, revisiting case law to inform what has been regarded as high-level complaints through previous decisions.
• Role of the monitoring officer: It was agreed that the protocol should clarify that the complainant, not the monitoring officer, should refer matters to the ombudsman.
• Consent: The committee agreed that the protocol should state explicitly that it is a consensual process and that councillors do not need to participate.
• Mediation: The committee agreed to move away from breaches and sanctions and to explore a more mediation-based approach.
• Group leaders: Councillor Brown-Reckless raised concerns about bringing in group leaders, stating it should be made clear that this is a voluntary process and that group leaders should not be pressured to participate.

Standards & Ethics Committee Annual Report

The committee considered the contents of its annual report for 2024-25 and arrangements for the report to be finalised and presented to full council.

Decision: The committee agreed to add a paragraph reflecting the Conservative group's concerns and discontent with how the Standards Regime had been handled.

Councillor Brown-Reckless raised concerns about a potential omission from the report, regarding correspondence from herself and the Conservative leader raising concerns about the standards regime. She said that their request to have the matter dealt with by the Standard Ethics Committee in a reform and public meeting was repeatedly refused, and that the working group that addressed the issues did so behind closed doors, which was not satisfactory.

Annual Report Letter from the Ombudsman

The committee considered the annual letter from the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales, Michelle Morris, for Cardiff Council, together with their annual report and accounts for 2024-25¹. Councillor Brown-Reckless raised concerns about a senior member of the ombudsman's team making unacceptable comments against the Conservative party on social media. She stated that the ombudsman's report on the matter was a whitewash and not acceptable from a Conservative point of view.

Reports from Group Leaders and Whips

The committee considered reports from political group leaders on the discharge of their statutory duties relating to standards of conduct of members of their groups.

Decision: The committee agreed to note the group leaders' reports.

Independent Member Vacancy Report

The committee considered a report regarding the vacancy for an independent member of the committee following the resignation of Ruth Davis.

Decision: The committee agreed to establish an appointments panel comprised of three members.

The committee authorised the monitoring officer, in consultation with the chair, to make all necessary arrangements for the appointment process.

National Standards Forum Report

The committee considered a report in respect of the June 2025 meeting of the National Standards Committee Chairs Forum.

Decision: The committee agreed to note the report.

Officers Personal Interests

The committee reviewed the officer's personal interest and secondary employment policy, in light of the information set out in the report, including the new digital system which has been introduced for the process in officer's personal interest and secondary employment, and the senior officer's personal interest declarations.

Decision: The committee agreed to recommend the report.

Councillor Catriona Brown-Reckless was absent from the room for this item.