Agenda and minutes

You are welcome to use Welsh at the meeting, a minimum notice period of 3 working days is required should you wish to do so.  A simultaneous translation will be provided if requested.

No requests had been received for the simultaneous translation service.

To receive.

Apologies for absence were received from:-

Councillor S. Thomas (Leader of the Council)

Councillor J. Wilkins (Leader of the Independent Group)

Councillor J. Thomas

Ms S. Rosser

To receive any declarations of interest and dispensations made.

No declarations of interest or dispensations were reported.

To receive the decisions of the Standards Committee held on 18^th October, 2022.

(Please note the decisions are submitted for points of accuracy only).

The decisions of the Standards Committee held on the 18th October, 2022 were submitted.

The Committee AGREED that the decisions be accepted as a true record of proceedings.

To receive the Action Sheet arising from the meeting held on 18^th October, 2022.

The Action Sheet arising from the meeting held on 18th October, 2022 was submitted.

The Committee AGREED that Group Leaders only be invited to meetings of the Standards Committee if relevant items on the agenda; and the work of the Democratic Services Team and the Monitoring Officer be noted in the Annual Report.

To consider Standards Committee draft Terms of Reference.

Consideration was given to the draft Terms of Reference.

The Committee AGREED that

·       the draft Terms of Reference be amended to include the word ‘ethics’ to reflect the Nolan Principles, the word standards precluded by the word ethics;

·       the Head of Legal & Corporate Compliance to look at the involvement of the Committee in Town/Community Council work;

·       the Head of Legal & Corporate Compliance to pursue attendance of the Town Council representative on the Committee.

To consider the Standards Committee Annual Report draft template.

Consideration was given to the Annual Report draft template.

The Committee AGREED that the Annual Report

·       should report on items in the public domain;

·       should include a Chair’s conclusion summing up the work of the Committee for the year and the conclusion to note the work of the Democratic Services Team and the Monitoring Officer;

·       a Special Standards Committee be convened on 2^nd March, 2023 to approve final version of the Annual Report before being considered at Council on 30^th March, 2023;

·       the report to cover a calendar year i.e. January 2022 – January 2023.

To consider verbal report of the Data Protection & Governance Officer.

Consideration was given to the verbal report of the Data Protection & Governance Officer.

The Committee AGREED that the verbal report be noted.

To consider verbal report of the Monitoring Officer. (Letter to the Chairs of Standards Committee attached).

Consideration was given to the verbal report of the Monitoring Officer.

The Committee AGREED that if the new process was causing issues to advise the Ombudsman going forward.

To receive a verbal update on future training from the Head of Legal & Corporate Compliance.

The Committee AGREED that a virtual half day training session be arranged with an external provider for existing and new Members.  Torfaen and Monmouthshire Council’s to be invited to attend.  An internal discussion on the training session to be held once completed.

AOB/DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The Head of Legal & Corporate Compliance to look to establish a specific webpage promoting the work of the Standards Committee.

The next meeting to be held on 2nd March, 2023.