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MINUTES of a meeting held on 2^nd October, 2007.

Present: Mr. C.D. Samuel (Chairman); Mr. P. Langmaid and Mr. D. Perkins, and Councillors Mrs. M.E.J. Birch, Mrs. V.M. Hartrey and Mrs. M. Kelly Owen.

In attendance: Councillor Miss. J. Cole.

380     APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE -

These were received from Mr. G. Ellis and Community Councillor Ms. A. Pryer.

381     MINUTES -

RESOLVED - T H A T the minutes of the meeting held on 30^th July, 2007 be approved as a correct record.

382     DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST -

Councillor Mrs. M. Kelly Owen declared an interest in Agenda Item. No. 5 in that she had “called-in” a decision of Cabinet which had given rise to Councillor Miss. J. Cole’s application for dispensation.

Councillor Mrs. V.M. Hartrey declared an interest in Agenda Item No. 5 in that she was a member of the Cabinet who had made a decision, the subject of which Councillor Miss. J. Cole wished to speak.

Both Members vacated the room whilst this matter was under consideration.

383     LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2000: REFERENCE TO ADJUDICATION PANEL FOR WALES RE: ALLEGED BREACH OF CODE OF CONDUCT: COUNCILLOR T.G. DAVIES, ST. BRIDES MAJOR COMMUNITY COUNCIL (MO) -

Committee were advised of a decision of the Adjudication Panel for Wales following a reference from the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales in respect of allegations against Community Councillor T.G. Davies.

The Adjudication Panel of Wales had received a referral from the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales in relation to allegations made against Community Councillor T.G. Davies.  The allegations were that Community Councillor Davies had breached St. Brides Major Community Council’s Code of Conduct with regard to failing to declare an interest and / or the nature of an interest and / or failing to withdraw from consideration of matters in which he had a personal interest at meetings of St. Brides Major Community Council on 9^th January, 2006, 13^th February, 2006 and 13^th March, 2006.  A further allegation of being guilty of improper conduct during the Community Council meeting on 13^th February, 2006 was also considered.

The Adjudication Panel had met on 13^th and 14^th September, 2007 and, in accordance with Section 79(8) of the Local Government Act 2000, had forwarded formal written notification to the Standards Committee of the Tribunal’s decision.  Members noted that the Tribunal had decided unanimously that Community Councillor Davies be suspended from acting as a Member of St. Brides Major Community Council for the period of nine months or, if shorter, the remainder of his term of office, with effect from the date of the notice of the Tribunal’s decision i.e. 14^th September, 2007.  Community Councillor Davies had the right of appeal to the High Court against this decision.

Members of the Standards Committee enquired if the decision of the Adjudication Panel would preclude Councillor Davies from standing in the Community Council elections in May 2008, should he wish to do so, and the Deputy Monitoring Officer stated that she would provide a response to the Members in the form of a letter. 

RESOLVED - T H A T the decision of the Adjudication Panel for Wales in respect of Community Councillor T.G. Davies be noted.

384     APPLICATION FOR DISPENSATION - COUNCILLOR MISS. J. COLE (MO) -

Councillor Miss. Cole was invited to speak on her application.

The Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensation)(Wales) Regulations 2001 permitted Members to apply to the Standards Committee to speak and, if appropriate, vote on issues concerning which, due to a personal interest, they might not otherwise be able to speak and vote.

The Committee considered an application from the Vale of Glamorgan Councillor Miss. J. Cole for dispensation to speak on matters relating to the Barry Town Hall Exhibition Area in view of her being a Trustee of the Women’s Arts Association.

Councillor Miss. Cole requested that the date on which she wished to discuss the Barry Town Hall Exhibition Area, as detailed on her application form, be amended from “9^th October, 2007” to “during any debate”.

RESOLVED - T H A T Councillor Miss. J. Cole be granted dispensation to speak on matters relating to Barry Town Hall Exhibition Area during any debate.