Cost of Living Support Icon

Agenda Item No. 10

 

The Vale of Glamorgan Council

 

Standards Committee: 17th May, 2018

 

Report of the Monitoring Officer

 

Ongoing Public Services for Wales Ombudsman Investigations

 

Purpose of the Report

  1. To provide Committee in Part II of the agenda with an overview of the ongoing investigations by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales in respect of Members' Code of Conduct complaints within the Vale of Glamorgan. 

Recommendations

THAT the Standards Committee notes the contents of the report and considers the update on the investigations under the Part II report on this agenda.

Reasons for the Recommendations

To apprise Members of ongoing investigations.

Background

  1. The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales has legal powers to look into complaints about public services and independent care providers in Wales.  The Ombudsman can also look into complaints that local authority Members have breached their Local Authority's Members' Code of Conduct and is independent of all government bodies.

Relevant Issues and Options

  1. There are a number of ongoing investigations in relation to complaints regarding breaches of the Members' Code of Conduct which may be brought to the Committees attention but are, confidential at this stage in line with the Ombudsman's procedure. The Monitoring Officer will provide an update to the Standards Committee, at the meeting, in relation to these investigations under Part II of this agenda.

Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)

  1. None as a direct result of this report.

Sustainability and Climate Change Implications

  1. None as a direct result of this report.

Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)

  1. None as a direct result of this report.

Crime and Disorder Implications

  1. None as a direct result of this report.

Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language issues)

  1. None as a direct result of this report.

Corporate/Service Objectives

  1. One of the roles of the Standards Committee defined in its terms of reference is to promote and maintain high standards of conduct by Councillors, Co-opted Members and Church and Parent Governor representatives.

Policy Framework and Budget

  1. This report is a matter for the Standards Committee.

Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)

  1. The report does not involve any consultation with other parties.

Relevant Scrutiny Committee

  1. None.

Background Papers

N/A

Contact Officer

Karen Bowen (01446) 709856

democratic@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

Officers Consulted

None.

Responsible Officer:

Ms. D. Marles

Monitoring Officer