Issue - meetings

To approve and encourage the adoption of One Voice Wales’ procedure.

That the Committee notes the principles outlined within the One Voice Wales Local Resolution Procedure and encourages its adoption by Town and Community Councils.

The Monitoring Officer presented a report on the adoption of a Local Resolution Procedure for Town and Community Councils to help reduce the number of low-level complaints submitted to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW).

Views were sought on whether Town and Community Councils should be encouraged to adopt a simplified model protocol which had been made available by One Voice Wales.  It was explained that the protocol allowed for some flexibility for councils to adapt to their own use at a stage when there were no live or ongoing complaints.

Whilst Councillors Heesom and Woolley had no issues with the content of the protocol, both had reservations about the willingness of Town and Community Councils to adopt a procedure from One Voice Wales.  Councillor Woolley also commented on the need for a uniform approach across Wales.

Following further debate, the Monitoring Officer explained that the resolution arrangements previously adopted by the Council were not appropriate for Town/Community Councils and that the protocol presented now was the only suitable precedent for them to adopt.

In view of the concerns raised, a number of suggestions were made on how best to promote the protocol and encourage its adoption.

Following a suggestion by the Chairman, it was agreed that the Committee would note the principles outlined within the One Voice Wales Local Resolution Procedure and encourage its adoption by Town and Community Councils.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee notes the principles outlined within the One Voice Wales Local Resolution Procedure and encourages its adoption by Town and Community Councils.