Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Mr Andre Morgan (Chair)

(NOTE:

1.    Councillors R. James and J. Gilasbey having earlier declared an interest in this item left the meeting and took no part in its determination by the Committee

2.    Mr R Edgecombe, Legal Service Manager, as a member of the Dyfed Pension Fund left the meeting during consideration of the dispensation application. Mr K. Thomas, Democratic Services Officer, who was also a member of the Dyfed pension Fund, remained in the meeting to take notes)

The Committee considered an application submitted by Councillor Robert James of Carmarthenshire County Council for the grant of a dispensation under the provisions of the Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations to speak and vote at the meeting of Carmarthenshire County Council on the 9^th October, 2019 in relation to a Notice of Motion to encourage the Dyfed Pension Fund to divest from fossil fuels.

It was reported that a dispensation was sought as Councillor James had a personal interest in these matters by virtue of paragraph 10(2)(b)(1) of the Code of Conduct in that his partner (a close personal associate) was a member of the Dyfed Pension Fund.

Councillor James’ interest was also prejudicial as a member of the public, with knowledge of the relevant facts, would reasonably regard that interest as being so significant that it would be likely to prejudice the Councillor’s judgement of the public interest.

Councillor James had accordingly requested that a dispensation be granted under Regulation 2 (d) of the Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensation) (Wales) Regulations 2001.

Following a discussion it was

RESOLVED that dispensation be granted under Regulation 2(d) of the Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensation) (Wales) Regulations 2001 to Councillor Robert James to SPEAK and Vote at the meeting of Carmarthenshire County Council on the 9^th October, 2019 in relation to the notice of Motion to be considered by the Council to encourage the Dyfed Pension Fund to divest from fossil fuels.

Following the Committee’s determination of the dispensation application, Cllr R. James and the legal services Manager were recalled to the meeting.

The Legal Services Manager referred to the Committee’s decision to grant Cllr James’ dispensation and advised that as there may be other members of the Council who may have a similar interest in the Notice of Motion and would need to declare that interest and seek dispensation to participate at the Council meeting on the 9^th October, the Monitoring Officer had enquired whether it would grant her delegated authority to grant any such applications that may be received.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED to grant Delegated Authority to the Council’s Monitoring Officer to determine dispensation requests which may be received from other County Councillors to Speak and Vote at the meeting of Carmarthenshire County Council on the 9^th October, 2019 in connection with the Notice of Motion to encourage the Dyfed Pension Fund to divest from fossil fuels

There were no items of urgent business