Agenda item

To note the attendance by members of the Standards Committee at County, Town and Community Council and to receive their reports.

Members reported on their attendance at the meetings as follows –

·       Independent Member Samuel Jones reported on the meeting of Llangynhafal Community Council held on 24 April 2024.   The meeting was an Annual General meeting followed by a public open meeting.  8 Community Councillors were in attendance together with the Clerk of the Council.  10 members of public were also in attendance but left after the conclusion of the Annual meeting prior to the ordinary meeting.    The meeting was not a hybrid meeting.   The Council were very active in the local area.  The Community Council Annual Report stated members of the public could attend all meetings throughout the year.  A member made a personal declaration of interest as finance assistance for the sports club had been submitted.  The member acted in accordance with their declaration.  Appropriate time was allowed by the Chair for responses to questions.  The Clerk supported the Chair.  The meeting was conducted well and the Clerk responded to emails.

The Monitoring Officer stated Llangynhafal Community Council were a well run council.   It was confirmed that if financial assistance was requested for a figure in excess of £500 the declaration of interest might be a prejudicial interest – but if less than £500 there is an exception.  A personal interest would still need to be declared.

Independent Member, Peter Lamb, explained he had not been able to visit Prestatyn Town Council but would visit in September 2024.

·       Independent Member, Anne Mellor had not attended a City, Town and Community Council since the last Standards Committee.

·       Independent Member, Julia Hughes, reported on the meeting of Bodfari Community Council meeting held on 14 May 2024.  The meeting had been an Annual General meeting followed by an ordinary meeting.  It was a hybrid meeting, 2 members joined remotely and 3 members attended in person together with the Clerk.  There were connectivity issues and the 2 remote members lost connection for a short length of time.  There were expressions of interest and a declaration of interest when a cheque from the lottery was received in the ordinary meeting and members were not sure if it was a personal interest or personal and prejudicial interest.  In the meeting papers the cheque paid to contractors were same surname as that of a councillor.  The Councillor declared a personal and prejudicial interest and left the meeting.   The meeting concluded at 9.00 p.m.    The Chair was supported by the Clerk who was easy to contact.  Difficulty in hearing the Councillors who attended remotely due to the position of the seating.

The Chair confirmed she was still to attend Rhyl Town Council but as there had been 2 bereavements within the past few months it was felt it would be more appropriate to visit when things had settled down. 

There were a number of City, Town and Community Councils who had new Clerks.  Some Clerks were experienced but also there were some who had no previous experience.  The Monitoring Officer confirmed he would collate a list of those Clerks with no experience.

It was confirmed that if a meeting was conducted through the medium of Welsh, if a non-Welsh speaker were to attend there should be the facility of someone to assist in informing the non-Welsh speaker of the gist of the meeting.   The legislation was that the two languages were to be treated equally.

During discussions it had been agreed to populate a list of Councils for the Independent members to visit.   A list of County Council meetings to be circulated and also a list of City, Town and Community Councils which were conducted through the medium of Welsh.

RESOLVED that, subject to the above, Standards Committee note the attendance at meetings update.