Standards Committee

The Monitoring Officer submitted a report (COGC/59/23) asking Members to review the Confidential Reporting Procedure linked to the Code of Conduct for Members. The Monitoring Officer presented the report and highlighted the main points contained within it. A discussion ensued and the following points were raised: · Confirmation that there had not been any issues raised which required any changes to be made to the procedure, so Members were being asked to note it at this stage. · Suggestion that the Democratic Services Committee be asked to consider the provision of Code of Conduct training on a bi-annual basis for both County Borough Councillors, and Community Council Members also. RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Monitoring Officer submitted a report (COGC/58/23) asking Members to review the operation of the Whistleblowing Policy and to note any changes in practice introduced as a result of concerns raised under the Policy. The Monitoring Officer presented the report and highlighted the main points contained within it. The following points were raised during the debate: · Confirmation that three concerns had been raised with the Monitoring Officer over the past 12 months, but the nature of them hadn’t given rise for any corporate concerns. · All concerns were recorded and monitored, and if there were patterns then these would be highlighted with the appropriate Department. · Recognition that some issues were report that didn’t fall within the Whistleblowing Policy, but where this happened, they would be directed elsewhere in line with the most appropriate Policy. · The Monitoring Officer advised that messages were issued via staff bulletins to advise that she was always willing to speak to individuals in a confidential manner if they wanted to discuss any concerns. RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Monitoring Officer submitted a report (COGC/57/23) asking Members to agree the first draft of the Annual Report of the Standards Committee. The Monitoring Officer presented the report and highlighted the main points contained within it. She advised that both herself and the Deputy Monitoring Officer had met with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Committee to discuss the content of the draft report, but wished to present it today to enable Members to see the work done so far. Collectively, Members were satisfied with the document so far, and it was agreed that the report would be presented to Council for their approval in September. RESOLVED – That Council be recommended to approve the Annual Report of the Standards Committee in September 2023, as detailed in Appendix 1 to report COGC/57/23.

The Monitoring Officer submitted a report (COGC/61/23) to respond to the consultation paper issued by the Welsh Government with their proposals for implementing the Penn Review. The Monitoring Officer presented the report and highlighted the main points for consideration. A detailed debate ensued, and the following points were raised: · Members were asked to provide feedback on some of the changes that would directly affect the Standards Committee. The following comments were made: o Q13 – Advertising for independent members of Standards Committees and whether adverts should be placed in newspapers. § Suggestion that adverts should be placed on the Council’s website, as well as social media pages as this would attract individuals from different age groups. § Recognition that most newspapers are available online, and the Council may wish to consider advertising in as diverse a range of media as possible. § Confirmation that the current requirement was to advertise in print, but feedback from other Monitoring Officers across Wales suggested that other Authorities would like to have a choice to decide upon the most suitable means for advertising in their area. § Costs of advertising online was far lower than in print, but recognition still needed to be given to those people without internet access. o Q14a. Former Council employees sitting as independent members on Standards Committees. § It was noted that the current ban on former employees sitting on a Standards Committee was a blanket ban that was in place to minimise the risk of undue influence on decision making. § Members collectively felt that a sliding scale should be implemented for those who have been in statutory or politically restricted post level, and that the type of role in which the person was employed should be considered before agreeing whether the person was eligible to apply. § It was also suggested that a former employee should not sit on the Standards Committee of the Authority in which they were employed, but shouldn’t be disallowed from sitting on a neighbouring Authority’s Standards Committee. o Q16. Standards Committees’ summonsing witnesses and sanctions. § Collectively, Members didn’t see a benefit to summonsing witnesses, and felt that the value of their evidence could be question if they were reluctant to attend. It was felt that it would be more useful if a letter was sent to the person explaining that it would be helpful for them to attend, rather than to summons them. o Q17. Do you agreed that the sanctions a Standards Committee can impose should be changed or added to. § Members discussed the various sanctions that could be imposed, including a requirement for Members to attend training, whether apologies were compulsory, and lengths of suspension. RESOLVED - That the Chief Officer Governance and Customer submit the Penn Review consultation response to the Welsh Government by the deadline of 23 June 2023.

The Monitoring Officer submitted a report (COGC/60/23) asking Members to consider the Mutual Respect Policy for Members. The Monitoring Officer presented the report and a discussion ensued. It was noted that there were so many negative and personal comments on social media, and the Policy therefore needed to be strong. Members felt that induction and training was vital in getting the message across that this sort of behaviour was not acceptable. RESOLVED – That the Committee consult with elected Members on the proposed Mutual Respect Policy.

The Monitoring Officer submitted a report (COGC/64/23) asking Members to consider the appointment of a Lay Panel Member for the Standards Committee Selection Panel. The Monitoring Officer presented the report and highlighted the main points contained within it. She advised the Committee that she had received notification that the current Lay Panel Member wished to resign, and it was now a matter for Members to consider the appropriate methods for the recruitment of his replacement. Previously, an invitation had been given to Members of the Standards Committee to submit names of suitable candidates to the Monitoring Officer who would then carry out that appropriate checks to ensure the person nominated complied with the requirements of the role. RESOLVED – (i) That the Committee wish to pass on their thanks to Mr Graham Binnie for his contributions during his time as the Lay Panel Member for the Standards Committee Selection Panel. (ii) That Standards Committee Members be invited to submit names of suitable candidates for the Lay Panel Member to the Chief Officer Governance and Customer.