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.

No apologies for absence were received.

To receive any declarations of interest and dispensations made.

There were no declarations of interest or dispensations reported.

To receive the decisions of the special Standards Committee held on 2^nd March, 2023.

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

The decisions of the Standards Committee held on the 2^nd March, 2023 were submitted.

The Committee AGREED that the decisions be accepted as a

true record of proceedings.

To receive the Action Sheet arising from the special meeting held on 2^nd March, 2023.

The Action Sheet arising from the meeting held on 2^nd March, 2023 was submitted.

The following update was reported:

·       Town/Community Council Representation at Meetings – The Data Protection & Governance Officer said he was expecting an update the following week.

The Committee AGREED, subject to the foregoing, that the action sheet be noted.

To consider the Ombudsman Annual Report.

https://www.ombudsman.wales/annual-report-accounts/

Consideration was given to the Conduct Element of the Ombudsman Annual Report, when the following point was raised:

·       A Member suggested that meeting participants should use earphones when discussing exempt information at virtual meetings – The Monitoring Officer undertook to refer this matter to the Head of Democratic Services, Governance & Partnerships for further discussion.

The Committee AGREED that the Ombudsman Annual Report be noted.

To consider referrals made to the Ombudsman.

Having regard to the views expressed by the Proper Officer regarding the public interest test, that on balance the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information and that the report should be exempt.

RESOLVED that the public be excluded whilst this item of business is transacted as it is likely there would be a disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 12, Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972 (as amended).

Consideration was given to report of the Head of Legal Compliance.

Upon a vote being taken,

The Committee AGREED to proceed to formal hearing.