Issue - meetings

(a)       That Democratic Services Committee have responsibility around regulation 33; and

(b)       That the committee disagree in principle with the legislation and believe the procedures in regulations 34-39 should be as simple as possible.

The Democracy and Governance Manager explained that the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011 made available to Members of local authorities entitlement to five types of family absence and that consultation was being undertaken on draft regulations and draft guidance.

            Councillor C. Bithell argued that types of family absence were the same as someone being granted dispensation for non attendance for a set time due to serious personal illness or illness of a close family member. 

            The Head of Legal and Democratic Services advised members that the measure had already been passed in order to make councils more family friendly and to afford councillors the same rights as officers. He did acknowledge that it might be interpreted as being overly bureaucratic.

            Councillor D. Evans said that he was in agreement with the right to family absence as long as it mirrored conditions of paid employees of the council.  The Head of Legal and Democratic Services explained the differences.

            The Head of Legal Services suggested that the Democratic Services Committee have responsibility around regulation 33 in point 3.05 of the report. On being put to the vote, this was carried with 8 votes in favour, 1 against and 1 abstention.

            Discussion followed about Regulation 34 and how alleged improper usage of family leave would be managed.

            Councillor C. Bithell proposed an amendment to point 3.06 of the report in that any complaint concerning abuse of family leave would be reported to the Standards Committee rather than Democratic Services Committee.  On being put to the vote, this was not carried with 3 votes in favour and 7 against.

            The Head of Legal and Democratic Services suggested that the committee seemed to disagree in principle with the legislation and believed the procedures in regulations 34 to 39 be as simple as possible.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That Democratic Services Committee have responsibility around regulation 33; and

(b)       That the committee disagree in principle with the legislation and believe the procedures in regulations 34-39 should be as simple as possible.