Agenda item

To provide a current update on the Work Programme.

The Standards Committee were updated on those items that were due for review.

Annual Report

The Head of Law & Regulation advised that the Annual Report would be brought to Standards in draft form in September 2016 and presented to Council at the end of September.

Dispensations

The Committee no longer had to review dispensations or neighbourhood allowances, therefore there were no dispensation requests for the foreseeable future.

Local Resolution Protocol

There was only one formal complaint, which was resolved in the first instance, therefore no issues would need to go before the local resolution panel. 

The Code of Conduct had also been amended and could be referred under the local resolution protocol.

The Chair commented that the changes to the protocol had really helped.

Head of Law and Regulation reminded those present of the various stages of the local resolution protocol, which were: Stage 1 - a valid complaint established at officer level.  Stage 2 - a potential issue that fell within the code that might be resolved amicably and would not involve members until the final Stage 3 and whether there was a misconduct.  There were only two formal complaints in the past 12 months, one was not accepted and one was going through the process.

Review of the Council’s Protocol

There was a Planning Protocol being reviewed at national level by Welsh Government which was hoped to be established and was currently under consultation, this could be reviewed in September 2016.

Succession Planning

This could be reviewed in September in conjunction with the protocol for member officer relationships and guidance of the practical applications of the statutory Code of Conduct.  A few suggestions were put to Council by the Standards Committee which were turned down.  The Chair suggested that it might be worthwhile reviewing the document which could also be built into the local resolution protocol.

Councillor Thomas referred to the advert that stated no former officer or councillor of the Council could apply and asked if there should be a timescale rather than an indefinite stipulation.  The rules were very specific and independent members needed to be truly independent, the legislation would need however to be checked. 

Councillor Thomas also referred to the statement that independent membersmust be politically active. Discussion ensued as to what was defined as politically active.  Examples of roles that a person might be active in were stated in the application.  The Chair felt strongly that an independent member should not have a strong allegiance, the other independent members also agreed.

Councillor Fouweather asked whether references should be included on the application.  The Head of Law & Regulation advised that as it was not for a job application references were not required.  It was suggested that a character reference be included or even references requested at interview stages.  After discussion however the Chair suggested that references not be included.

The Chair pointed out that there was a Date of Birth (DOB) field on form, this would be removed.

The Committee noted that arrangements would need to be put in place to advertise the vacancies for Standards Committee Membership.  This would be done over the course of the summer, in readiness for the September 2016 meeting through Newport Matters and possibly a local newspaper, depending on cost.  With cost in mind, advertising arrangements were discussed.  An advert could also be sent to other local Standards Committees, or displayed on the front page of the Council’s website.

G Hancock also mentioned that his tenure expired in May 2017 and asked whether expressions of interest would be sent out at the same time.  The Head of Law & Regulation advised that this could be done nearer the time of the elections next May. 

A Jenkins would check memberships.

Code of Conduct Training

Arrangements for refresher training could be undertaken by tagging a session onto one of the future meetings.  

Agreed:

§  That a draft annual report be brought to the meeting in September.

§  To review the Succession Planning document which could be built into the local resolution protocol.

§  That arrangements be put in place for the advertisement of membership.