Agenda item

To receive any requests for dispensations.

Members of the press/public will be able to remain at the meeting whilst an application for dispensation is presented to the Committee and will be able to return to hear the Committee’s decision.  However, under Paragraph 18C Schedule 12A Local Government Act 1972 the Committee will exclude the press and public from the meeting whilst it deliberates on any application for a dispensation.

Derbyn unrhyw geisiadau am oddefebau.

Bydd aelodau'r wasg / y cyhoedd yn gallu aros yn y cyfarfod tra bydd cais am ryddhad yn cael ei gyflwyno i'r Pwyllgor a bydd yn gallu dychwelyd i glywed penderfyniad y Pwyllgor. Fodd bynnag, o dan Baragraff 18C Atodlen 12A Deddf Llywodraeth Leol 1972 bydd y Pwyllgor yn gwahardd y wasg a'r cyhoedd o'r cyfarfod tra bydd yn ystyried unrhyw gais am ryddhad.

RESOLVED:

That Flintshire County Councillor David Healey be granted dispensation under paragraphs (d), (f) and (i) of the Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001 to speak to and write to officers; and to speak for five minutes at meetings of the Planning Committee both in relation to the above application and also any application which, in the opinion of the Monitoring Officer, was similar.  Councillor Healey was advised that when he speaks to officers about the Issue there needs to be an independent witness present and there must be minutes taken of any such meetings.

Councillor Healey could speak at the above meetings about the Issue but should leave the meeting once he has spoken and before the matter was debated and voted on.

Before speaking at any such meetings about the Issue Councillor Healey should still declare his interest in the matter and confirm that he has a dispensation to speak about it.  The same applies to any written communications with officers.

The dispensation to be granted for 12 months, ceasing on 8January 2024.

The Chair reported that one application for dispensation had been received from Councillor David Healey. 

The Monitoring Officer provided background information and context.  He  gave an overview of the request and advised that Councillor Healey wished to represent the views of residents in his Ward who were concerned about a proposed locaL residential development.  Councillor Healey sought dispensation to speak to and write to officers and to speak as the Local Member at the Planning Committee in relation to application FUL/000769/22 (application for erection of 70 dwellings, construction of a new vehicular access, landscaping and associated works at land at Wrexham Road, Abermorddu, Hope, Flintshire, LL12 9DG) (“the Issue”)

Councillor David Healey was invited to speak on his request for dispensation.  He provided further explanation of the level of dispensation sought and details about the personal and prejudicial interest which had arisen.  During discussion Councillor Healey responded to the question raised by the Chair regarding his request to remain in the room during any debate.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION) ACT 1985 - TO CONSIDER THE EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

At this point, the Chair proposed that the meeting move into closed session - as provided for under the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985.  This was moved by Gill Murgatroyd and seconded by Councillor Andrew Parkhurst.

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting as the item was considered to be exempt by virtue of paragraph 18C of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

Councillors David Healey, Bill Crease and Teresa Carberry were put into the virtual waiting room and the live streaming of the meeting was paused.

The Monitoring Officer provided advice to the Committee on the granting of dispensations. 

Following the debate, Councillors David Healey, Bill Crease and Teresa Carberry were re-admitted to the meeting and the live streaming recommenced.

The Monitoring Officer informed Councillor Healey that the Standards Committee had resolved to grant him a dispensation under paragraphs (d), (f) and (i) of the Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001 allowing  him to:

• speak to and write to officers; and
• to speak for five minutes at meetings of the Planning Committee both in relation to the above application and also any application which, in the opinion of the Monitoring Officer, was similar. 

Councillor Healey was advised that when he speaks to officers about the Issue, there needs to be an independent witness present and there must be minutes taken of any such meetings.

Councillor Healey could speak at the above meetings about the Issue but should leave the meeting once he has spoken and before the matter was debated and voted on.

Before speaking at any such meetings about the Issue Councillor Healey should still declare his interest in the matter and confirm that he has a dispensation to speak about it.  The same applies to any written communications with officers.

The dispensation to be granted for 12 months, ceasing on 8January 2024

RESOLVED:

That Flintshire County Councillor David Healey be granted dispensation under paragraphs (d), (f) and (i) of the Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001 to speak to and write to officers; and to speak for five minutes at meetings of the Planning Committee both in relation to the above application and also any application which, in the opinion of the Monitoring Officer, was similar.  Councillor Healey was advised that when he speaks to officers about the Issue there needs to be an independent witness present and there must be minutes taken of any such meetings.

Councillor Healey could speak at the above meetings about the Issue but should leave the meeting once he has spoken and before the matter was debated and voted on.

Before speaking at any such meetings about the Issue Councillor Healey should still declare his interest in the matter and confirm that he has a dispensation to speak about it.  The same applies to any written communications with officers.

The dispensation to be granted for 12 months, ceasing on 8January 2024.