Agenda item

RESOLVED:               That the report and discussion be noted.

The Standards Committee welcomed four elected Members from various political groups, to discuss the remit of the Standards Committee and how the Standards Committee can assist elected Members in discharging their own personal duties.

Numerous topics were covered, including training on how to deal with Town/Community Council issues, Code of Conduct, and equalities and diversity. Committee Members noted that the design of the learning and development was key, and Members suggested that training could be made more interactive, with group work and small workshops.

Attendance at hybrid meetings was discussed, and it was noted that although attendance at meetings had risen since the introduction of the option to attend via Microsoft Teams, attendance was not the same as participation, and a lot of Members were simply present, without taking part. Members were currently being encouraged to participate more, and to turn their cameras on during all meetings.

Members felt it was important to attend certain meetings – such as Licensing Committees, and Appeal Panels – in person, due to the sensitive nature of the meetings. Officers explained that Welsh legislation was currently different to that of England, and as such the Council could not enforce attendance in person. Similarly, the Council could not enforce attendance at training sessions.

RESOLVED:               That the report and discussion be noted.