Agenda, decisions and minutes

Councillor Hilary McGuill declared an interest in agenda item number 4 as she was the Councillor applying for dispensation.   

Councillor Hilary McGuill declared an interest in agenda item number 4 as she was the Councillor applying for dispensation.   

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 6 July 2015.

That subject to the amendment, the minutes be received, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 July 2015 were submitted. 

Minute Number 3 – Dispensations

There was a spelling mistake in the first paragraph and the word ‘assts’ should read ‘assets’.

Minute Number 4 – Review of the Protocol for Members in Their Dealings with Contractors / Developers and Other Third Parties

            The Monitoring Officer explained that Group Leaders would be written to asking if they felt the minor change to the above Protocol needed to be reported to County Council.  If they felt it didn’t, it would be actioned accordingly based on their approval.

Minute Number 6 – Biennial All Wales Standards Conference, Cardiff – 20 October

            The Monitoring Officer said he had not received any responses from Town and Community Councils.  A flyer that had been received about the event had been circulated to Town and Community Council’s and they would be contacted again to seek any interest in the place that had been allocated to them at the last meeting of the Standards Committee.

Minute Number 7 – Forward Work Programme

            The Monitoring Officer advised that the next meeting of the Standards Committee was the annual joint meeting with Town and Community Councils.  Northop Community Council had offered to host the meeting and it would take place in the Edith Banks Memorial Hall, High Street, Northop.

RESOLVED:

That subject to the amendment, the minutes be received, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

That Councillor Hilary McGuill be granted dispensation under paragraph (d) of the Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001 for a period of 12 months (ending 6 September 2015) to speak on planning application number 053208 relating to an application to build 59 new dwellings in Mynydd Isa and to remain in the room during the debate and voting.  The dispensation would apply to any other applications, which, in the Monitoring Officer’s view, were substantially the same.

The Monitoring Officer explained that a dispensation request had been received from Councillor Hilary McGuill and invited her to provide any further information to the Committee prior to leaving the room whilst it was considered.

Councillor McGuill explained that she was seeking dispensation to speak at the Planning and Development Control Committee on 16 September 2015 on planning application number 053208 to build 59 dwellings in the ward adjacent to hers.  She would be in attendance at the Committee on behalf of Councillor Amanda Bragg who was the local Member but was on holiday.

Dispensation to speak was sought as Councillor McGuill was a governor at both schools which would receive monies should the planning application be approved.

The Monitoring Officer added that the dispensation was to speak only as Councillor Bragg, or Councillor McGuill on her behalf, were not members of the Planning and Development Control Committee.

Similar applications had been considered in May 2014 where dispensations were approved.

Councillor McGuill left the room whilst the dispensation request was considered.

Mr Robert Dewey proposed that the application for dispensation to speak on behalf of the local Member be granted.  The Monitoring Officer suggested that the dispensation could also read ‘and in the Monitoring Officer’s view, on any other similar application’ and that it be for a time period of 12 months which was agreed. It was also agreed that Councillor McGuill could remain in the room after addressing the Committee.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Hilary McGuill be granted dispensation under paragraph (d) of the Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001 for a period of 12 months (ending 6 September 2015) to speak on planning application number 053208 relating to an application to build 59 new dwellings in Mynydd Isa and to remain in the room during the debate and voting.  The dispensation would apply to any other applications, which, in the Monitoring Officer’s view, were substantially the same.

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme be noted;

(b)       That training on the Local Resolution Procedure be provided at the November meeting; and

(c)        That training on the ethical issues arising out of community asset transfer be provided at the October meeting and that the meeting should approve a newsletter to all Town and Community Councils as well.

The Monitoring Officer suggested that the training on the local resolution procedure be received at the November meeting which was agreed.

                        Agenda items for the October meeting were sought and Councillor McGuill suggested an item on Community Asset Transfer.  Following a discussion it was agreed that it be dealt with by way of training with information included on dispensations and declarations of interest.

                        The Monitoring Officer would draft a Newsletter to send out to Town and Community Council’s listing the topics to be covered at the meeting in October.  The newsletter would be sent to the Committee for approval prior to it being sent out.  Town and Community Council’s would also be asked if they had any items for the agenda.

            RESOLVED:

            (a)       That the Forward Work Programme be noted;

(b)       That training on the Local Resolution Procedure be provided at the November meeting; and

(c)        That training on the ethical issues arising out of community asset transfer be provided at the October meeting and that the meeting should approve a newsletter to all Town and Community Councils as well.

There were no members of the press or public in attendance.