Issue - meetings

That in future the Council meets the cost of individual notifications made by

Members to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

The Democracy and Governance Manager introduced a report to consider a change in the Council’s practice concerning the cost of individual Member notifications to the Information Commissioner’s office (ICO). 

The Democracy and Governance Manager provided background information and advised that the practice in Flintshire had been to provide advice and assistance to elected Members over their individual notifications but for the cost to be met by the Member themself.  Following liaison with the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) concerning this issue it had been established that the majority of authorities pay the fee rather than expecting the individual Member to do so.  The WLGA also sought clarification on this matter from the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) who had indicated that the local authority should make the payment on behalf of their Members.

In view of the practice of other authorities and the advice from the IRPW the Committee were advised that the Council should in future meet the cost of the notifications by individual Members.  In practice this would be by reimbursement to the Member.

RESOLVED:

That in future the Council meets the cost of individual notifications made by

Members to the Information Commissioner’s Office.