Agenda item

The Standards Committee received a referral from the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales (the “Ombudsman”) that Councillor Dean Lewis may have breached the Neath Port Talbot Council (“the Council”) Member Code of Conduct following Councillor Lewis having been found guilty of a charge of driving a vehicle whilst under the influence of alcohol in January 2023.

Based upon the undisputed facts in this case the Standards Committee felt that a reasonable member of the public would consider that Councillor Lewis’ conduct had brought his office of Councillor and the Council into disrepute and therefore was satisfied that Councillor Lewis  had breached Paragraph 6(1)(a) of the Code of Conduct.

In considering the sanction to be imposed upon Councillor Lewis for his breach of the Code the Committee had regard to the representations made on behalf of the Ombudsman and those made by Councillor Lewis.

The Committee followed the five stage process set out in guidance issued by the Adjudication Panel for Wales.

Having considered all the evidence and representations, the Committee RESOLVED that it would be appropriate and proportionate to suspend Councillor Lewis for a period of 4 months and that he should undertake Code of Conduct refresher training within the next 6 months.  Cllr Lewis now has 21 calendar days to appeal this determination before it will take effect.

The Standards Committee received a referral from the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales (the “Ombudsman”) that Councillor Dean Lewis may have breached the Neath Port Talbot Council (“the Council”) Member Code of Conduct following Councillor Lewis having been found guilty of a charge of driving a vehicle whilst under the influence of alcohol in January 2023.

Based upon the undisputed facts in this case the Standards Committee felt that a reasonable member of the public would consider that Councillor Lewis’ conduct had brought his office of Councillor and the Council into disrepute and therefore was satisfied that Councillor Lewis  had breached Paragraph 6(1)(a) of the Code of Conduct.

In considering the sanction to be imposed upon Councillor Lewis for his breach of the Code the Committee had regard to the representations made on behalf of the Ombudsman and those made by Councillor Lewis.

The Committee followed the five stage process set out in guidance issued by the Adjudication Panel for Wales.

Having considered all the evidence and representations, the Committee.

RESOLVED        That it would be appropriate and proportionate to suspend Councillor Lewis for a period of 4 months and that he should undertake Code of Conduct refresher training within the next 6 months.  Cllr Lewis now has 21 calendar days to appeal this determination before it will take effect.

Further details of the decision are attached to minutes.