Agenda item

To receive any requests for dispensations.

(a)       That the dispensation request from Buckley Town Councillors Dennis and Jeannie Hutchinson in respect of discussion on local bus services at Buckley Town Council be refused; and

(b)       That Flintshire County Councillor and Saltney Town Councillor Veronica Gay be granted dispensation under paragraphs (d) (e) (f) and (h) of the Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001 to make verbal and written representations to Saltney Town Council and Flintshire County Council on matters relating to the Saltney Dementia support group and the monthly Memory Café.  For public meetings, Councillor Gay is to leave the meeting after speaking, before the application is debated and voted on.  For private meetings with County Council officers, there is a requirement for at least one witness to be present, to ensure that there are at least three people involved in the conversation, and that the discussion be minuted.  The dispensation to be granted for 12 months, ceasing on 3 December 2019.

Buckley Town Councillors Dennis and Jeannie Hutchinson

The Monitoring Officer provided background information to a dispensation request from Buckley Town Councillor Dennis Hutchinson (and his wife) whose bus company was currently contracted to provide services in the County.  As part of a review of local bus routes, the County Council had agreed to a request from Buckley Town Council for additional time to agree a formal response to the consultation, specifically on the ‘Shopper Hopper’ service which was operated by Councillor Hutchinson’s company.  Both Councillors were seeking dispensation to be present, without participating or voting, when the matter was considered at a forthcoming meeting of Buckley Town Council.

There was discussion on allowing Councillors with a prejudicial interest the same rights as members of the public in being allowed to remain in the room to observe meetings, without affecting the openness of the debate.  It was also noted that Buckley Town Council had already benefitted by being granted an extension to the consultation deadline and that other bus contractors may not be aware of the meeting which had been specially convened to discuss this one topic.

Julia Hughes proposed that dispensation be refused, which was seconded by Jonathan Duggan-Keen.  On being put to the vote, this was carried.

Councillor Woolley asked that his abstention from the vote be recorded.

Councillor Veronica Gay

Members of the Committee were asked to consider a dispensation request from County Councillor and Saltney Town Councillor Veronica Gay, received after publication of the agenda.  As a member of a Dementia support group and volunteer for a monthly Memory Café, Councillor Gay was seeking dispensation to make verbal and written representations on specific issues affecting the group and Café, without taking part in voting.

It was explained that although this was determined to be a personal interest, Councillor Gay was seeking dispensation as a safety precaution to enable her to speak and put her name to written representations.

Views were expressed on the value of Councillor Gay’s knowledge contributing to related representations without voting rights.  Some Members felt that the perception of whether this was a public service was a grey area and should be flagged up with Town and Community Councils in respect of individuals with multi-interests seeking dispensation in similar circumstances.

Officers clarified the terms of the dispensation request including the usual time period and safeguards.  This was proposed and seconded by the Chairman and Edward Hughes.  On being put to the vote, it was carried.  The decision applied to Councillor Gay in her capacity as both County Councillor and Town Councillor.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the dispensation request from Buckley Town Councillors Dennis and Jeannie Hutchinson in respect of discussion on local bus services at Buckley Town Council be refused; and

(b)       That Flintshire County Councillor and Saltney Town Councillor Veronica Gay be granted dispensation under paragraphs (d) (e) (f) and (h) of the Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001 to make verbal and written representations to Saltney Town Council and Flintshire County Council on matters relating to the Saltney Dementia support group and the monthly Memory Café.  For public meetings, Councillor Gay is to leave the meeting after speaking, before the application is debated and voted on.  For private meetings with County Council officers, there is a requirement for at least one witness to be present, to ensure that there are at least three people involved in the conversation, and that the discussion be minuted.  The dispensation to be granted for 12 months, ceasing on 3 December 2019.