Agenda item

The Head of Law and Standards introduced the Welsh Government Statutory and Non-Statutory Guidance for Principal Councils and highlighted the relevant sections for Standards Committee. The Head of Law and Standards reminded Committee of the draft report shared with them in March 2022 when the consultation had begun and confirmed that this was the final version of the report. The Head of Law and Standards stated that there were four relevant areas under the Section 4 Statutory Guidance which included guidance on the function of the Group Leaders in relation to conduct and monitoring of them, the function of Standards Committees and the Standards Committee Annual Report.

The Head of Law and Standards highlighted to the Committee the guidance in support of the Group Leaders and noted that it clarified the role; stating that although conduct is a matter for each individual Member the Group Leaders should take reasonable steps to maintain high standards of conduct by promoting high standards and tackling non-compliance. The Head of Law and Standards noted that the report outlined some examples of steps that could be taken such as training, development opportunities and modelling behaviour. The Head of Law and Standards stated that the Group Leaders have a duty to cooperate and maintain good working relationships with the Standards Committee and the Monitoring Officer to ensure Member co-operation. The Head of Law and Standards added that the Group Leaders have the duty to report any concerns regarding Member behaviour.

The Head of Law and Standards informed the Committee that it was stipulated in the report that at the beginning of each municipal year the Group Leaders will meet with the Standards Committee to consider how they will work together, the frequency of attendance of the Group Leaders at meetings and to set a threshold of compliance of the Group Leaders in relation to the Code of Conduct. The Head of Law and Standards highlighted that the Group Leader must stand by any disciplinary actions agreed by the Standards Committee.     

The Head of Law and Standards stated that Section 5 mirrored the previous points from the perspective of the Standards Committee functions. The Head of Law and Standards added that the Committee also would have a role in the approach to Gifts and Hospitality and informed the Committee that Newport City Council’s current approach was in line with the All-Wales approach.

The Head of Law and Standards informed the Committee that Section 6 of the report contained information relating to advice and training for Group Leaders to ensure that they are compliant with their duties and noted that there was not any training offered to them at present. The Head of Law and Standards stated that this would be discussed with the Democratic and Electoral Services Manager and brought to the next Standards Committee meeting.

The Head of Law and Standards stated that the Standards Committee had a duty to provide an annual report and added that the new version would be due as soon as possible following the end of the financial year. The Head of Law and Standards explained to the Committee that the guidance covered what should be included in the report and added that it would be required to be reported to full Council within a period of 3 months following consideration by the Standards Committee.

The Head of Law and Standards highlighted that it included the need of Members to declare interest in owned property but noted that they were not required to provide a full address just the ward it is situated within.

A Committee Member queried what constituted a Group Leader and the Head of Law and Standards informed the Committee that the group had to be 2 or more Members but noted that she would confirm this.

The Chair requested that the sections of the Welsh Government Statutory and Non-Statutory Guidance for Principal Councils highlighted by the Head of Law and Standards be added to Agenda for the next meeting so that they could be discussed in further detail.

A Committee Member requested further information on the current level of Gifts and Hospitality and the Head of Law and Standards stated that this could also be included on the agenda for the next meeting.

A Committee Member queried whether the updated information regarding property declaration applied to Community Councillors.

The Head of Law and Standards stated that as far as she was concerned it was for principal councils only but added that this could be clarified. The Head of Law and Standards stated that Community Councillors were not required to have a register of interests but that they should declare them when they arise at meetings.

Resolved:

The Committee noted the Welsh Government Statutory and Non-Statutory Guidance for Principal Councils, and it was decided that the relevant sections should be looked at in more detail in the next meeting as well as a discussion surrounding gifts and hospitality.