Agenda Item No. 5

The Vale of Glamorgan Council

Standards Committee: 12th July, 2018

Report of the Monitoring Officer

Delegated Powers to Consider Applications for Dispensation

Purpose of the Report

1. To apprise Members of an application received for dispensation and of the use of the Monitoring Officer's delegated powers in consultation with the Chairman of the Standards Committee.

Recommendation

That the use of the Monitoring Officer's delegated power in consultation with the Chairman of the Standards Committee be noted and approved.

Reason for the Recommendation

To note the current situation and compliance with Delegated Powers.

Background

2. At the Full Council meeting on 1st March, 2017 (Min. No. 957), Full Council resolved that the Monitoring Officer in consultation with the Chairman or in his/her absence the Vice-Chairman of the Standards Committee be granted delegated powers to consider refusal or approval of urgent applications for dispensation on behalf of the Standards Committee and thereafter report to use of such delegations to the next relevant meeting of the Standards Committee.
3. The Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001 permits Members to apply to the Standards Committee to speak and if appropriate vote on issues which due to a prejudicial interest they may not otherwise be able to speak or vote or remain in the room. 

Relevant Issues and Options

4. On 29th May, 2018 the Monitoring Officer received a dispensation application from Councillor Rachel Nugent-Finn to speak and vote on matters relating to the Vale of Glamorgan Council's Reshaping Services Strategy.  The application was for dispensation as a Vale of Glamorgan Elected Member and a Barry Town Council Elected Member in order to be able to discuss matters regarding the Reshaping Services Strategy on both Councils when the matter arose.  The Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Chairman, granted a dispensation under paragraphs (c) and (d) of the Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001, the dispensation to speak and vote being granted until the date of the next Local Government Elections.

Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)

5. There are no direct implications arising from this report.

Sustainability and Climate Change Implications

6. There are no direct implications arising from this report.

Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)

7. There are no direct legal implications arising from this report.

Crime and Disorder Implications

8. There are no direct implications arising from this report.

Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language issues)

9. There are no direct implications arising from this report.

Corporate/Service Objectives

10. The Constitution is part of the framework supporting the Council's commitment to provide political leadership and active relationship engagement and Full Council agreed to the delegated power for the Monitoring Officer in consultation with the Chairman or in his or her absence, the Vice-Chairman, of Standards Committee.

Policy Framework and Budget

11. Not applicable.

Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)

12. This is an internal matter and consultation was necessary only with the Standards Committee Chairman as per the Standards Committee's resolution on 25th January, 2017 and Full Council resolution on 1st March, 2017.

Relevant Scrutiny Committee

13. None.

Background Papers

The application form for dispensation as outlined in paragraph 4 of this report.

Contact Officer

Mrs. Karen Bowen, Tel: (01446) 709856

Officers Consulted

None.

Responsible Officer:

Ms. D. Marles, Head of Legal Services and Monitoring Officer