Please note that the three political Group Leaders of BCBC have been invited to attend the meeting for this item.

It was noted that the Leaders of the three political groups had been invited to attend the meeting for this item.

The Chief Officer Legal and Regulatory, Human Resources and Corporate Policy presented the report, the purpose of which was to present to the committee, the report of the three political group leaders outlining their compliance with the duties in relation to maintaining standards of conduct.

She referred to the report presented on 30/09/2022 on the new duties placed upon standards committees and political group leaders under the Local Government and the Elections Wales Act 2021 and invited the three group leaders to introduce their reports after which they could be asked questions by the committee.

The Chairperson invited the Leader, Bridgend County Independents, to present her report in the order of the appendices of the report.

Cllr Williams explained that the report is divided into three sections namely:

• Demonstrating personal commitment to and attending relevant development or training around equalities and standards.
• Encouraging group members to attend relevant development or training around equalities and standards.
• Ensuring nominees to a Committee have received the recommended training for that Committee.

The Group Leader stated that while she was a returning member, her group mainly comprised of members in their first term  of  office. The group were eager and enthusiastic about being active and making progressive changes for the good she explained. She stated that all the members in her group endeavoured to attend all member training provided and where they could not attend in person, they looked at the video recordings of the sessions.

The Group Leader also made reference new members still learning the speed at which processes work, adding that she has been on hand to advise them and guide them on the democratic processes of the Authority. She stated that she also works closely with her group members in terms of adverse comments made on social media, including those made personally.

A member of the committee inquired, particularly in respect  of new members, if there was something the Standards Committee could do to assist  in the support of new members in any way.

The Group Leader responded that she felt new members would benefit from a briefing from the Standards Committee   On its remit and the type of issues it considers

A member enquired if the issues with regards to social media had calmed down as this new term had progressed and asked for recommendations on what the group leader felt could be done to assist in the above regard.

The Group Leader responded that the level of attacks had not reduced or calmed down but the new members adverse reaction to such verbal attacks had subsided.

The Chief Officer Legal and Regulatory, Human Resources and Corporate Policy thanked the Group Leader for her presentation and informed the committee that she had recognised the requirement of a briefing in relation to the standards committee to members and will include this within the annual report to Council in July.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 122