Agenda item
MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
To receive the minutes of the Standards Committee meeting held on the 22nd May, 2015 (copy enclosed).
Minutes:
The Minutes of the Standards Committee held on the 22nd
May, 2015 were submitted.
The Chair commented on the high standard of minutes
produced.
Accuracy:-
5. Forward Work Programme – The date of the next
meeting be amended from the “16th September, 2015 to the “18th
September, 2015”.
11. Training for Chairs and Vice Chairs of City, Town
and Community Councils – The name “Julie” be amended to read “Julia”.
Matters
arising:-
5. Forward Work Programme – In reply to a question
from the Chair regarding progress with the guidance and framework template for
City, Town and Community Councils (CTCC), the DMO explained the information
referred to had been included in the PSOW Code of Conduct Casebook and the
Committee agreed that this would be sufficient as the production of further
guidance would result in a duplication of information. She confirmed that work had been undertaken
on the Self Regulatory Protocol; for (CTCC) and an item had been included on the
agenda for consideration.
8. PSOW – Revised Code of Conduct Guidance – In
response to a question from the Chair regarding the circulation of a briefing
paper to improve communication links and key messages with CTCC, the Deputy
Monitoring Officer (DMO) referred to the production of an executive summary or
a short briefing note on the key issues.
The DMO explained that cluster meetings were held with Clerks of CTCC
and the matter of improving communication links for the dissemination of
information could be discussed, including the enhanced use of Information
Technology methods.
The DMO highlighted the merit in circulating to CTCC’s
noteworthy information and facts from the PSOW Code of Conduct Casebook. She agreed to liaise with the Communications
Team on methods of disseminating information to the CTCC’s, and with the
Monitoring Officer regarding the information to be circulated.
It was
confirmed by the DMO that the Monitoring Officer had contacted the Ombudsman as
agreed to ascertain how complaints were recorded and how long they were
saved. It was explained that a paper
format of complaints was retained by the PSOW for a period of two years, and an
electronic format for ten years. Members
were informed that previous complaints would be checked and taken into
consideration when determining whether or not to investigate a new complaint.
10. Feedback from Code of Conduct Training for Clerks
of the City, Town and Community Councils – The DMO confirmed that due to time
constraints the next training session for CTCC Clerks would be held in January,
2016, and would be scheduled as afternoon sessions commencing at approximately
3.00 p.m.
The DMO confirmed that the training session held on
the 29th June, 2015 had taken place, and a trainer with greater
knowledge of Welsh guidance, legislation and issues would be sought foe
2016.
Councillor M.Ll. Davies informed the Committee that
literature pertaining to chairing skills was available and could be utilised.
Any Other Business:- Independent Member Julia Hughes
(JH) made reference to the discussion on the electronic publication of
information from CTCCs, and the confirmation by the MO that it was a new
requirement which was now compulsory.
She highlighted the need for easy access to information and explained
that she had undertaken a voluntarily audit of ten Councils in respect of this
issue. JH agreed to provide further
details of the work undertaken.
Standards Conference Wales 2015:- The DMO referred to
the Standards Conference scheduled to be held in Cardiff on the 20th
October, 2015 and requested that any Members wishing to attend contact the Personal Assistant
to the Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services before the 29th September, 2015. The Chair confirmed that he intended to
attend the Conference.
RESOLVED – that, subject to the above, the Minutes be received
and approved as a correct record.
(LJ to Action)
Supporting documents: