Agenda item

Resolved:

That the report and discussion be noted.

The Monitoring Officer gave the committee an extended overview to the circulated report. Mr Griffiths stated an exercise of promoting and developing an understanding of the work of the Standards Committee had been carried out internally with NPT Group Leaders.

Saliant points raised by the Chairs and Vice Chairs of Neath Port Talbot Town and Community Councils on conduct matters included members behaviours and attitude towards the code of conduct.

It was noted the importance of the code of conduct. Officers explained the further importance of complying with the code of conduct when signing documentation on taking office. If identified that members are in breach of the code of conduct, Community Councillors were reminded that a referral can be carried out with the ombudsman.

In addition, the requirement to promote the values associated with rules of the code of conduct was highlighted. 

Social media platforms were discussed with Councillors reminded that again the code of conduct must be adhered too with rules applied as appropriate i.e. during and following meetings specifically in terms of posting information on social media.

Community Councillors stated how training had been useful and informative during specific Town and Community Council Meetings and made a recommendation to those in attendance to take part in any training opportunities provided by the Monitoring Officer.

Town/Community Council Chairs went on to express how difficult situations dealing with conduct matters and the negative impact on Town and Community Council clerks with stress levels raised and the difficulties addressing. It was also expressed how difficult it was in getting members to undertake training.

The Monitoring Officer explained that a summary document on the obligations of becoming a councillor was being established along with the clerk’s forum.

The co-option process was discussed briefly with it highlighted that sometimes members can be difficult to manage. The Chair of the Standards Committee stated this presented its own challenges especially in terms of online meetings and the lack of member personality and social interaction. 

Standards to meetings including setting housekeeping rules were mentioned.

Standard Committee members asked how inappropriate behaviours were recorded. Town Council Chairs confirmed that all information was recorded within the minutes of the meeting. Anything over and above would warrant a formal process.

The Monitoring Officer suggested that the local resolution process be adopted in situations of inappropriate behaviour. This process would be circulated by the monitoring officer.

Town/Community Council Chairs asked if there was a summary document to the code of conduct. The Monitoring Officer explained there were several documents that would be circulated following the meeting.

The Chair thanked all for their attendance to the meeting.

Resolved:

That the report and discussion be noted.