Decision details

The Chair of the Standards and Ethics Committee, Mr. Richard Tebboth present the Standard and Ethics Committee’s Annual Report 2016/17.

The main thrust of the Committee had concentrated on

·         making itself more visible, through attendance at Council and Committee meetings and its Member briefings;

·         preparing for the new elected Members induction sessions and training on the Code of Conduct. 

·         designing  and considering outcome from the exit survey undertaken in February 2017, in particular around behavioral matters and alleged incidents, and was pleased that the Council had been able to provide confidential counselling support to Members if required

·         listening to a number of concerns raised on levels of conduct in some full Council meetings - which attracted adverse comment in public media and risked affecting the overall reputation of the Council;

·         analysis of complaints reported to the Monitoring Officer; cases referred to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales and complaints under the Local Resolution protocol. One case outstanding from the previous year was dealt with by the Adjudication Panel for Wales. 

·         Continue its work on being pro-active in promoting good standards of practice and seeking to resolve problems at an early stage, rather than relying on reacting to complaints once they reach a more formal level.

The Chair thanked all Committee members for their work and input into the work of the Committees and in supporting officers of the Council.  As ever, the Committee’s work relies heavily on the support it receives from officers, particularly the Director of Governance and Legal Services and all her staff.

The Chair thanked  Community Councillor John Hughes, who stands down at the end of a lengthy and loyal term of office, and of independent member Hollie Edwards-Davies, who is standing down after a less lengthy but active period of service.

Members raised a number of matters around the Exit Survey and safeguards for Members.  Some concerns were raised about how radical the Committee’s response had been to the behavioral matters raised during the last administration and the support given to Councillors affected by such behavior.  There was a recognition that the Committee’s briefings had underlined the messages around Code of Conducts and ethical standards. A concern was raised around the Committee Members observing meetings general comment around Members leave meetings early, it was felt that this did not fit well with encouraging equality and diversity of members who may have particular personal or caring commitments and that lengthy meetings did not support members in these roles. It was felt that the Council had a duty of care to all Councillors and their wellbeing. 

The Committee was encouraged to ensure that its membership was more diverse as part of the forthcoming recruitment process. 

The Chair responded to the matters raised and stressed the importance of party groups supporting the committee in its endeavors.  The Chair took on board the need tom increase diversity and encouraged all Members to promote in their communities applications to any vacancies that occur. 

RESOLVED – That the Chairperson and all Members of the Standards & Ethics Committee be thanked for their work to support Members during the past year and the Annual report was received and noted.