Issue - meetings

Adoption Absence for Local Authority Members

Meeting: 25/11/2020 - Constitution and Democratic Services Committee (Item 12)

12 Adoption Absence for Local Authority Members pdf icon PDF 142 KB

To consult the Committee on WG proposals to extend Adoption Absence for Local Authority Members.

Additional documents:

Decision:

(a)       That the proposals and the three questions, along with the suggested responses, be approved as the Council’s response; and

 

(b)       That the Head of Democratic Services be authorised to respond to the consultation on behalf of the Authority.

 

Minutes:

The Head of Democratic Services introduced a report on the Welsh Government (WG) proposals to extend the Adoption Absence for Local Authority Members from 2 to 26 weeks.  He explained that the consultation period runs until 29 December 2020 and local authorities were being asked three questions to gauge the reasonableness of the proposals.  Authority was sought for the Head of Democratic Services to respond to the consultation on behalf of the Council. 

 

The Head of Democratic Services referred to the three questions detailed in paragraph 1.06 of the report, the suggested responses, and the changes identified in paragraph 1.05.

 

Councillor Mike Peers raised a question on the changes to the regulations which would prevent multiple periods of adopter’s absence being taken under the same arrangement.  He asked if more than one child was adopted could there be a concurrence of absence of 26 weeks for each child or was the limit 26 weeks per year.  Councillor Peers also sought clarification on the change which would allow individuals taking adopter’s leave to continue some duties with the consent of the Chair, and asked if this would be brought back to the Constitution and Democratic Services Committee for consideration. 

 

The Head of Democratic Services  responded to the questions raised and explained that the proposed increase in the length of adopter’s absence was to allow 26 weeks for the adoption process and commented that it was unlikely that  a second adoption process would arise in the same year.  .He also provided an example of how an individual taking adopter’s leave may continue with some of their duties with the consent of the Chair.

 

The Chief Officer advised that following the consultation period should the legislation be passed, the WG may require the Authority to adopt a change to its Standing Orders which would be incorporated into the Constitution.  This matter would then be submitted to the Constitution and Democratic Services Committee for approval.

 

The recommendations in the report were moved by Councillor Chris Bithell and seconded by Councillor Rob Davies.

 

RESOLVED: 

 

 (a)      That the proposals and the three questions, along with the suggested responses, be approved as the Council’s response; and

 

(b)       That the Head of Democratic Services be authorised to respond to the consultation on behalf of the Authority.