Agenda item

To consider a report by the Monitoring Officer (copy attached) regarding an

application for a dispensation made by members of Llanbedr DC Community

Council.

The Monitoring Officer (MO) presented the Application for Dispensation by members of Llanbedr DC Community Council (copy attached) to allow the Committee to consider the application, determine whether or not to grant a dispensation and any conditions to be attached to the dispensation.

The Chair welcomed and introduced representatives from Llanbedr D.C Community Council, Councillors Lyn Evans and Bob Barton.

Councillor Bob Barton gave a brief background to the reason for the request for a dispensation. In the Community Council meeting in March 2017 discussion had taken place to address the recent closure of local businesses. A group had been set up too look at the potential for the Pub to be used as a community HUB. Councillor Barton expressed the intention of the HUB would allow the community to proactively work with the community and groups. A number of avenues had been looked at and explored.

Councillor Lyn Evans explained that an association had been formed. The new association had included 2 members from the Community Council. For this reason they were seeking the dispensation request.

The Chair raised a question regarding the ownership of the pub and it being leased to the newly formed association. Councillor Barton confirmed discussion had taken place regarding the establishment being leased back, but was at the early stages of discussion. The Community Council had meetings arranged to discuss the development further as the project developed.

Independent Member Julia Hughes enquired whether, if the dispensation request was for two Community Councillors would this remain the same in the future or likely to change. In response to the question raised Councillor Evans responded saying his intentions had been to establish the HUB and ensure it is set up and running efficiently, then to hand on to other interested parties.

The MO informed the Committee that an exemption or dispensation could be granted by the Standards Committee by virtue of the Local Government Act 2000. He referred them to the regulation extract in Appendix 2 and those specifically applicable in this case – Regulation 2 (d) and (h).

Whilst the Standards Committee need only select one ground for granting the dispensation they were not obliged to grant it. The Committee could attach time limits and financial conditions to the dispensation.

At this juncture the committee adjourned to consider the Dispensation request and it was –

RESOLVED that, a dispensation be granted to two Members of Llanbedr DC Community Council namely Councillor Lyn Evans and Councillor Tim Baker, in respect of business relating to the community association formed in respect of The Griffin public house, pursuant to Regulation 2(h) of the Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001:

      i.        the Dispensation applies only to the two members nominated;

    ii.        the Dispensation will apply for 6 months from the date of this Standards Committee meeting (3 April 2018);

   iii.        the name and constitution of the community association be provided to the Monitoring Officer within 7 days of the Standards Committee meeting (3April 2018);

   iv.        the Dispensation applies only to matters relating to membership of the community association and any financial interest in the association would require an additional Dispensation.

    v.        the Dispensation allows the two named members to speak but not vote on any business relating to the community association

The Chair thanked the Councillors from Llanbedr D.C Community Council for attending the meeting.