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The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
1.1 The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. 1.2 Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Ron Burnett and Mrs Shirley Morgan
2.1 The MO&ACLO confirmed that the meeting was quorate.
3.1 The MO&ACLO advised that Councillor Steven Evans had a personal and prejudicial interest in relation to Agenda Item 8, Dispensations in respect of Members’ Small Schemes, as he was Chair of the organisation Thornhill 4U Too, therefore, he would be required to leave the meeting whilst this item was considered. Councillor Steven Evans confirmed his interest.
4.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2022 were confirmed as an accurate record of the meeting.
5.1 The content of the action sheet was noted.
5.1 The MO&ACLO outlined the report inviting the committee to note and comment on the draft Annual Report of the Ethics and Standards Committee which would be presented to council after the elections. 5.2 Members who had attended the All Wales Standards Conference commented that the Conference useful and informative. For those members of the committee that were unable to attend the conference, the MO&ACLO confirmed that she had circulated the programme and slides for their information. It was agreed that Members comments in relation to the conference would be included in the Annual Report. 5.3 The committee referred to the increase in Ombudsman complaints for County Borough Councils. They were pleased to see that Torfaen was performing well in this area. 5.4 Members referred to the Complaint under the Local Resolution Protocol and commented that the members concerned would have welcomed a Stage 2 process. The MO&ACLO advised that she had spoken to the Head of Democratic Services who had confirmed that a report would be considered by Council in the near future, with a recommendation to appoint a Member Champion which would enable the Stage 2 process. 5.5 The committee considered the draft Annual Report of the Ethics and Standards Committee attached as Appendix 1 to the report and agreed that any further changes required can be delegated to the Chair of the Ethics and Standards Committee.
7.1 The MO&ACLO outlined the report inviting committee members to consider and implement their draft Work Programme for the Civic Year 2022/23. 7.2 Members commented around the importance of all current and newly elected Members being encouraged to attend Code of Conduct Training following the Election in May. Members agreed that the committee should write to the leaders of all political groups to encourage attendance. The MO&ACLO advised that it would be more appropriate to do this after the Election. She explained that a training programme was already in place for all Members in the immediate weeks following the elections. The programme offered morning and afternoon hybrid sessions which all current and newly elected members would be encouraged to attend. There would also be a training package provided by Welsh Local Government Association which would be consistent across Wales. The MO&ACLO also confirmed that Members of the Ethics and Standards Committee would be invited to attend any appropriate training. 7.3 Members approved the draft Work Programme for 2022/23 as set out in Appendix 1 (Version 40).
Councillor Steven Evans left the meeting. 8.1 The MO&ACLO outlined the report informing Members of applications for dispensation by Councillors to award monies out of Members’ Small Schemes to their chosen charities, clubs or organisations allowed under that Scheme. Further to the personal and prejudicial interest declared by Councillor Steven Evans in relation to application no.3 below, the committee considered and agreed to this small schemes application. Councillor Steven Evans was invited to re-join the meeting. 8.2 The committee agreed the following Small Schemes applications: Small Scheme Application Ref No: Councillor applying for Dispensation: Name of Organisation: Amount: 1. Huw Bevan Ponthir Baptist Church £150 2. Giles Davies Victoria Village and District Welfare Hall £200 3. Steven Evans Thornhill 4U Too £200 4. Colette Thomas 1st Henllys Scout Group £200 5. Gaynor James Comrades of the Great War Pontypool Branch £150 6. Janet Jones Bethel (King Street) Baptist Church £100 7. Ronald Burnett St Peter’s Church, Henllys £1000 8. Mandy Owen Ty Gwyn Allotments £150 9. Mandy Owen Costar Partnership £300 10. Anthony Hunt Panteg House £300 11. David Yeowell Panteg House £350 12. Norma Parrish Panteg House £350 13. Anthony Hunt Bridge 46 to Five Locks Canal Group £200 14. Anthony Hunt Friends of Fishpond Park £200 15. David Yeowell Friends of Fishpond Park £150 16. Norma Parrish Friends of Fishpond Park £150 17. Anthony Hunt Griffithstown Junior AFC £100 18. Anthony Hunt Golliwopsie Playgroup £50 19. John Killick Torfaen Opportunities Group (TOGs) £500 20. Stuart Evans Friends of the Green £250
9.1 Members of the Press and Public were excluded from the meeting as the following item is exempt under Paragraph 12 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) as the report contains information identifying individuals which should not be made available to the pubic in accordance with the local resolution protocol adopted by the council and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
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