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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 Richard Clark.
2.1 The MO&ACLO confirmed that the meeting was quorate.
Part of an issue followed across 4 meetings
3.1 3.1 The MO&ACLO referred to Agenda Item 8, Dispensations in Respect of Members Small Schemes, and advised that Councillor Steven Evans had a personal and prejudicial interest as he had made applications (no.2 and no.12) and he would be required to leave the meeting for these items. Councillor Steven Evans confirmed his interest. The MO&ACLO also advised that the Chair had a personal and prejudicial interest in relation to application no.13 as the application concerned Pontypool United RFC and his son played for this club. The Chair confirmed his interest. The MO&ACLO further advised that the Chair would need to leave the meeting for this item at which time the Committee would need to nominate a Chair who should be an Independent Member of the Committee. Joanna Hall was nominated, and this was seconded. The Committee agreed that Joanna Hall would Chair the meeting for application no.13.
4.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 9 February 2023 were confirmed as an accurate record of the meeting.
5.1 The content of the action sheet was noted.
6.1 The MO&ACLO outlined the report asking the Committee to note and comment on the draft Annual Report of the Ethics and Standards Committee which will be presented to Council. The MO&ACLO explained that, since publication of this report, Members of the Ethics and Standards Committee had received external training, and the Chair had attended the National Standards Forum for Chairs. The Committee agreed that the Chair should include details relating to both sessions in the Annual Report of the Ethics and Standards Committee. 6.2 Discussion ensued, and the following points were noted: · The duty on leaders of political groups to promote standards of conduct of members within their group came into effect in May 2022. The previous Chair of Ethics and Standards Committee met with the leaders of political groups in December 2022 to discuss this duty and to consider how the Ethics and Standards Committee could monitor and ensure compliance. A reporting template which has been used by a number of local authorities was discussed and agreed. The MO&ACLO would circulate a copy of the template to committee members and she suggested that leaders of political groups be invited to the next meeting to discuss the template and compliance with the new duty on leaders of political groups. · One Voice Wales provided training for Town and Community Councils and in larger counties, it was now a statutory duty to publish council training programmes. With regards to Cwmbran Community Council, the rolling programme of training from One Voice Wales was available online. Members agreed that this was a matter for discussion going forward and consideration should be given around including this in the work programme and the Annual Report to ensure that the committee are complying with their responsibilities. The MO&ACLO would email all clerks of Community and Town Councils following this meeting to request details of training programmes in place regarding Members Code of Conduct. 6.3 The Committee considered and commented on the draft Annual Report of the Ethics and Standards Committee attached as an Appendix 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 asking Members to consider and implement the draft Work Programme for the Committee for the Civic Year 2023/24. 7.2 Members approved the draft Work Programme for 2023/24 as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.
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 as allowed under that Scheme. 8.2 Council Steven Evans left the meeting for applications 2 and 12. The Chair left the meeting for application 13. 8.3 The Chair outlined the applications for dispensations and the committee considered and agreed the 26 schemes applications below: Small Scheme Application Ref No: Councillor applying for Dispensation: Name of Organisation: Amount: 1. Sue Malson Gypsy Traveller Association £500 2. Steven Evans Thornhill 4U Too £250 3. Janet Jones Bethel (King Street) Baptist Church £100 4. Janet Jones Blaenavon Community Heritage Museum £100 5. Ronald Burnett St Peter’s Church, Henllys £500 6. Colette Thomas 1st Henllys Scouts £200 7. Mandy Owen Costar Partnership £300 8. Janet Jones Blaenavon Over 50’s Forum £50 9. Janet Jones Blaenavon Horticultural Society £100 10. Janet Jones Blaenavon Heritage VC Primary School £50 11. Janet Jones Royal British Legion – Blaenavon Branch £50 12. Steven Evans Table Talkers £50 13. Mark Jones Pontypool United RFC £200 14. David Daniels Friends of Pontnewydd Park £350 15. Anthony Hunt Panteg House £200 16. Nathan Yeowell Panteg House £200 17. Norma Parrish Panteg House £200 18. Anthony Hunt Friends of Fishpond Park £200 19. Nathan Yeowell Friends of Fishpond Park £200 20. Norma Parrish Friends of Fishpond Park £200 21. Anthony Hunt Bridge 46 to Five Locks Canal Group £100 22. Anthony Hunt Griffithstown Junior AFC £100 23. Anthony Hunt Golliwopsie Playgroup £50 24. Anthony Hunt Pontypool Boxing Club £100 25. Anthony Hunt Panteg Cricket Club £100 26. Mandy Owen Ty Gwyn Allotments £200 8.4 The MO&ACLO sought the committee’s views on the £25 threshold for declarations of gifts and hospitality. The committee agreed that it would be beneficial to have a standardised threshold. The MO&ACLO explained that Town/Community Council’s would have adopted their own threshold some time ago.
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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