Agenda and minutes

Mr John Weston apologised for his inability to attend the meeting.

Councillor Dafydd Edwards apologised for his inability to attend the meeting relating to item 5).

None.

Mrs Dana Jones, Democratic and Standards Officer declared a personal and prejudicial interest in 7 (a), (b) and (c) and left the meeting during consideration of these applications. Mrs Lisa Evans, Scrutiny and Standards Officer took the minutes during consideration of those applications.

Councillor Gill Hopley declared a personal and prejudicial interest in 7 (a), (b) and (c) and left the meeting during consideration of these applications.

Councillor Julian Evans   declared a personal and prejudicial interest in 7 (a), (b) and (c) and left the meeting during consideration of these applications.

Councillor Dai Mason declared a personal and prejudicial interest in 7 (d) and (e) and left the meeting during consideration of these applications.

Councillor Odwyn Davies declared a personal and prejudicial interest in 7 (d) and (e) and left the meeting during consideration of these applications.

It was RESOLVED to confirm as a true record of the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 17 September 2021 subject to:-

(i) amending the name of the late Anne Winfield to Ann in minute 13(i) and

(ii) amending Minute 20, that bilingual training would be provided between the members of the committee

Minute 14 – It was reported that the Review of Local Dispute Resolution protocol would be amended following discussion with PSOW Officers as the PSWO was no longer receiving repetitive or low level complaints. Once amended, One Voice Wales would be informing the Town and Community Councils accordingly.

Minute 16 –had been discussed at a workshop on the 17 November 2021.

Minute 20- feedback had not been received and was not forthcoming

Minute 20- The two new independent members had received training on the 27 September 2021

Minute 21-  A proposal had been received from the All Wales Monitoring Officers group that the North Wales Standards Forum be extended to an All Wales Forum. Members agreed to this proposal and the response would be sent to the MO group accordingly.

To discuss with party leaders the methods of promoting and maintaining high standards by conduct by Members of Ceredigion County Council to include the duties required under S 62-63 of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021

The Chair welcomed Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn (Leader of the Council and Leader of the Plaid Cymru Group), Councillor Ray Quant (Deputy Leader of the Council and Leader of the Independent Group) and Councillor Ceredig Davies (Leader of the Liberal Democrats and opposition party) for attending the meeting to exchange views on promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct in Ceredigion.

It was reported that the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 placed new duties on leaders of political groups and standards committees and contains the relevant sections, namely s62 and s63. 

With regard to the duties of leaders of political groups in relation to standards of conduct, (S.52A Local Government Act 2000) states that a leader of a political group consisting of members of a county council  in Wales must take reasonable steps to promote and maintain high standards of conduct by the members of the group; and must co-operate with the council’s standards committee.

In section 54 Local Government Act 2000 (functions of standards committees), a standards committee of a county council or county borough council in Wales also has the specific functions of—

(a)     monitoring compliance by leaders of political groups on the council with their duties under section 52A(1), and

(b)     advising, training or arranging to train leaders of political groups on the council about matters relating to those duties

It was reported that the political leaders of Ceredigion County Council were invited annually to the Ethics and Standards Committee to discuss the methods of promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct by Members of Ceredigion County Council. It was reported that it was now necessary for Group Leaders to consider the additional duties upon them to take reasonable steps to promote and maintain high standards of conduct by the members of the group; and how to co-operate with the council’s standards committee, and how this can be evidenced. The political leaders stated that they welcomed this guidance, as it was a reference for them to confirm that the standards were being adhered to.

All the Leaders of the Council emphasised the importance of the Committee’s work in promoting high standards of conduct and welcomed the training that would be held in May 2022, following the elections on the Code of Conduct.

The Leaders also highlighted the need to address the issues of conduct at meetings that were held virtually, especially with the etiquette of Members such as answering the phone while attending the meeting.

The Chair thanked the Leaders for attending the meeting.

Mr John Weston apologised for his inability to attend the meeting.

Councillor Dafydd Edwards apologised for his inability to attend the meeting relating to item 5).

Councillor Dan Potter, Ceredigion County Council

An application for dispensation dated 12 November 2021 received from Councillor Dan Potter to speak only on issues discussed regarding the harbour at the Harbour Users Consultative Committee for New Quay which are held prior to the season and following (March and October).  Councillor Potter owns New Quay marine a boating business which repairs boats in the harbour. He is also employed by Ceredigion County Council annually to undertake the swimming area as a Safe Swim area contractor. Councillor Potter also leases two mooring from Ceredigion County Council and owns a shed outside the lifeboat station and the old coast guard station in Paragon. He also receive £40 a week as a coxswain of New Quay Lifeboat /RNLI.

Councillor Potter was present at the meeting to present his application and answered questions regarding his application.

Councillor Potter was requested to leave the video conference for the Committee to consider his application.

It was RESOLVED to grant Councillor Potter with dispensation to speak only on the grounds that the nature of the members’ interest is such that the member’s participation in the business to which the interest relates would not damage public confidence in the conduct of the relevant authority’s business; and the participation of the member in the business to which the interest relates is justified by the member's particular role or expertise; (regulation 2 (d) and (f) of the Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensations)(Wales) Regulations 2001). The dispensation was granted for a period of 12 months.

An application  for dispensation dated 12 November 2021 was received from Councillor Dan Potter to speak and vote on issues discussed regarding the harbour and beach at New Quay.  Councillor Potter owns New Quay marine a boating business which repairs boats in the harbour. He is also employed by Ceredigion County Council annually to undertake the swimming area as a Safe Swim area contractor. Councillor Potter also lease two mooring from Ceredigion County Council and owns a shed outside the lifeboat station and the old coast guard station in Paragon. He also receive £40 a week as a coxswain of New Quay Lifeboat /RNLI.

Councillor Potter was present at the meeting to present his application and answered questions regarding his application.

Councillor Potter was requested to leave the video conference for the Committee to consider his application.

It was RESOLVED to grant Councillor Potter with dispensation to speak and vote on the grounds that the nature of the members’ interest is such that the member’s participation in the business to which the interest relates would not damage public confidence in the conduct of the relevant authority’s business; and the participation of the member in the business to which the interest relates is justified by the member's particular role or expertise; (regulation 2 (d) and (f) of the Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensations)(Wales) Regulations 2001). The dispensation was granted for a period of 12 months.

An application for dispensation dated 12 November 2021 was received from Councillor Dan Potter to speak and vote on issues discussed regarding the harbour and beach at New Quay.  Councillor Potter owns New Quay marine a boating business which repairs boats in the harbour. He is also employed by Ceredigion County Council annually to undertake the swimming area as a Safe Swim area contractor. Councillor Potter also lease two mooring from Ceredigion County Council and owns a shed outside the lifeboat station and the old coast guard station in Paragon. He also receive £40 a week as a coxswain of New Quay Lifeboat /RNLI.

Councillor Potter was present at the meeting to present his application and to answer any questions regarding his application.

Councillor Potter was requested to leave the video conference for the Committee to consider his application.

It was RESOLVED to grant Councillor Potter with dispensation to speak only on the grounds that the nature of the members’ interest is such that the member’s participation in the business to which the interest relates would not damage public confidence in the conduct of the relevant authority’s business; and the participation of the member in the business to which the interest relates is justified by the member's particular role or expertise; (regulation 2 (d) and (f) of the Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensations)(Wales) Regulations 2001). The dispensation was granted for a period of 12 months.

An application for dispensation dated 10 January 2022 was received by Councillor Peter Davies MBE to speak and vote at the Governance and Audit Committee in relation to the Audit Wales report on Planning. Councillor Davies was a member of the Council’s Development Control Committee.

It was RESOLVED to grant Councillor Peter Davies with dispensation to speak only on the grounds as the participation of the member in the business to which the interest relates is justified by the member's particular role or expertise; (regulation 2 (f) of the Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensations)(Wales) Regulations 2001). The dispensation was granted for the meeting due to be held on 17/1/22 only.

An application for dispensation dated 18 December 2021 was received by Councillor Rowland Rees-Evans to speak only at the Governance and Audit Committee in relation to the Audit Wales report on Planning. Councillor Rees-Evans sat on both the Development Control Committee and was the Vice-Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee. There were a number of issues within the AW report directed at the Development Control Committee.

Councillor Rees-Evans was present at the meeting to present his application and to answer any questions regarding his application.

Councillor Rees-Evans was requested to leave the video conference for the Committee to consider his application.

It was RESOLVED to grant Councillor Rees-Evans with dispensation to speak only on the grounds that the participation of the member in the business to which the interest relates is justified by the member's particular role or expertise; (regulation 2 (f) of the Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensations)(Wales) Regulations 2001). The dispensation was granted for the meeting to be held on 17/1/22 only.