Issue - meetings

To consider the directions received from the President of the APW on the role of the Monitoring Officer at APW proceedings, disclosure and anonymising evidence.

That the Committee welcomes the practice directions and agrees to consider applying similar principles (as appropriate) where required to any hearing before the Committee.

The Monitoring Officer presented a report to consider the directions received from the President of the Adjudication Panel for Wales (APW) on the role of the Monitoring Officer at APW proceedings, disclosure and anonymising evidence of witnesses and third parties.

The Monitoring Officer explained that the matter had arisen following his written request to the President of the APW for clarity on the process during tribunal proceedings.  He gave an overview of the three practice directions that were subsequently issued which helped to ensure consistency, fairness and transparency at tribunals but were not legally binding.  These would need to be considered by the Committee at any future hearings.

Having been moved and seconded by Councillor Paul Johnson and Julia Hughes, the recommendation was carried.  Councillor Heesom asked that his abstention from the vote be recorded.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee welcomes the practice directions and agrees to consider applying similar principles (as appropriate) where required to any hearing before the Committee.