Issue - meetings

 (a)      That the findings of the complaints investigated by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales during July to September 2018, as summarised in Issue 18 of the Casebook, be noted; and

(b)       A report be submitted to a future meeting on the case referred to the APW which was regarding a complaint against a Councillor at Monmouthshire  County Council.

The Monitoring Officer presented the report and explained that the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW) considered complaints that Members of Local Authorities in Wales had broken the Code of Conduct.

There were four findings that the PSOW could arrive at:

·         That there was no evidence of breach;

·         That no action needed to be taken in respect of the complaint;

·         That the matter be referred to the authority’s Monitoring Officer for consideration by the Standards Committee; and

·         That the matter be referred to the President of the Adjudication Panel for Wales (APW) for adjudication by a tribunal.

Casebook Issue 18 highlighted ten complaints that were investigated by the PSOW during July to September 2018.  There were four findings of no evidence of breach, four findings of no action necessary, one referral to the relevant Monitoring Officer for consideration by the Standards Committee and one referral to the APW for adjudication by a tribunal. The case outcomes conformed to expectations and did not reveal any insights or learning that needed to be shared.

            The Committee requested further information on the case that was referred to the APW which was regarding a complaint against a Councillor at Monmouthshire County Council.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the findings of the complaints investigated by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales during July to September 2018, as summarised in Issue 18 of the Casebook, be noted; and

(b)       A report be submitted to a future meeting on the case referred to the APW which was regarding a complaint against a Councillor at Monmouthshire County Council.