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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 the following members of the Committee: Councillor Richard Clark
2.1 The MO&ACLO confirmed that the meeting was quorate.
3.1 There were no declarations of interest
4.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2024 were confirmed as an accurate record of the meeting, subject to the following amendment: The second bullet point under paragraph 3.1 should read: · Mr Rhodri Guest, in relation to application number 1 as his son goes to Pontypool United U9’s.
5.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 22 May 2024 were confirmed as an accurate record of the meeting.
6.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 26 April 2024 were confirmed as an accurate record of the meeting.
7.1 The content of the action sheet was noted.
8.1 8.2 8.3 The Team Leader Democratic and Member Services (TLD&MS) outlined the report which updated the committee on the level of attendance of elected members at committees and policy seminar sessions. The committee noted that whilst attendance at Full Council meetings was generally good, the level of attendance for some members at other meetings was particularly low. The committee commented around the importance of attending all meetings as part of the democratic process and they expressed particular concern that low attendance at smaller committee meetings could impact on the effectiveness of the committee. The committee agreed that the Chair should write to Group Leaders requesting them to address low attendance. The MO&ACLO responded to questions as follows: • Attendance of co-opted members was recorded and monitored. There was provision in the Constitution to disqualify co-opted members if they failed to attend meetings over a certain period. • Support could be arranged if a member raised issues in terms experiencing particular difficulties or a particular illness, and there may be leniency around non-attendance at meetings in these circumstances. 8.4 The committee reviewed the reported attendance of members at meetings for the Civic Year May 2023 – May 2024.
9.1 The MO&ACLO outlined the report which asked the committee to consider and implement the draft Work Programme for the Committee for the Civic Year 2024/25, and she provided the following updates: • Code of Conduct refresher training was scheduled to take place in October 2024. A morning and afternoon session would be provided to ensure as many members as possible can attend. • The committee would be kept informed of any updates with regards details of the next Standards Conference. • The Chair was due to present the committee’s annual report to Council on 17 September 2024. 9.2 The MO&ACLO confirmed that a record of member attendance at Code of Conduct training was kept. She explained that the Ombudsman enquire about code of conduct training received by members during any investigative work. 9.3 The committee was pleased that the Code of Conduct refresher training had been put in place further to recommendations they had previously made. 9.4 The committee approved the draft Work Programme for 2024/25 as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.
10.1 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. 10.2 The Chair outlined the applications for dispensations. The committee considered and agreed the 2 schemes applications below, noting the typing error in application number two which should have read ‘Pontnewynydd’. Small Scheme Application Ref No: Councillor applying for Dispensation: Name of Organisation: Amount: 1. Sue Morgan Bridge 46 to Five Locks Canal Group £100 2. Alfie Best Pontnewynydd Community Association £200
11.1 Members of the Press and Public were excluded 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 at this stage as it would have a detrimental effect on the fairness of the hearing of the complaint if the press and public gave views on the allegations in advance of the hearing, the result of which is required under the protocol to be reported to full Council at a later date so that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs that 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.
Lists the council's current councillors only. Co-opted members, officers and former councillors aren't shown.