Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor G.B. Thomas.

There were no declarations of personal interest.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 22^nd April 2024 be signed as a correct record.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 30^th April 2024 be signed as a correct record.

The Committee considered its draft 2023/24 Annual Report which detailed the work it had undertaken during that period. If approved, the report would be presented to a future meeting of the County Council in accordance with the requirements set out within the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021.

In response to queries, the Committee was advised that an update in respect of the whistleblowing complaint which remained outstanding and information pertaining to the number of training plans published by Town and Community Councils would be provided to the Committee at its next meeting.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the draft Standards Committee Annual Report 2023/24 be adopted and presented to Council.  

The Committee considered an application submitted by Community Councillor Anjuli Faye Davies for the grant of a dispensation under the provisions of the Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations to speak and vote and make written representations in relation to council business at meetings of Llangathen Community Council regarding the proposals for a chain of electricity pylons in the County (the Bute Energy Scheme). It was reported that Councillor Davies would have a personal and prejudicial interest in this business as she lives and farms near the proposed route of the pylons.

It was reported that a dispensation was sought by Councillor Davies by virtue of:

Regulation 2(2)(d) – the nature of the member’s interest was such that the member’s participation in the business to which the interest relates would not damage public confidence in the conduct of the relevant authority’s business,

Regulation 2(2)(e) the interest is common to the member and a significant proportion of the general public and;

Regulation 2(2)(f) – the participation of the member in the business to which the interest relates is justified by the member’s particular role or expertise.

The committee was advised that if it was minded to grant Councillor Davies’ request it would also need to determine the duration of that dispensation.

Following a discussion it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that dispensation be granted under Regulations 2(2)(d), 2(2)(e) and 2(2)(f) of the Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensation) (Wales) Regulations 2001 to Councillor Anjuli Faye Davies to speak and make written representations but NOT vote on council business at meetings of Llangathen Community Council regarding the proposals for a chain of electricity pylons in the County (the Bute Energy Scheme) and the dispensation be valid until the end of the current electoral term. 

The Committee considered an application submitted by Community Councillor Elizabeth Ann Davies for the grant of a dispensation under the provisions of the Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations to speak and vote and make written representations in relation to council business at meetings of Llangathen Community Council regarding electricity transmission from Nant Mithil Energy Park to the grid connection in Carmarthenshire.

It was reported that Councillor Davies would have a personal and prejudicial interest in such business as the proposed route of the electricity pylons affects her property and those of her neighbours.

It was reported that a dispensation was sought by Councillor Davies by virtue of:

Regulation 2(2)(d) – the nature of the member’s interest was such that the member’s participation in the business to which the interest relates would not damage public confidence in the conduct of the relevant authority’s business and;

Regulation 2(2)(e) the interest is common to the member and a significant proportion of the general public.

The committee was advised that if it was minded to grant Councillor Davies’ request it would also need to determine the duration of that dispensation.

Following a discussion it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that dispensation be granted under Regulations 2(2)(d) and 2(2)(e) of the Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensation) (Wales) Regulations 2001 to Councillor Elizabeth Ann Davies to speak and make written representations but NOT vote on council business at meetings of Llangathen Community Council regarding electricity transmission from Nant Mithil Energy Park to the grid connection in Carmarthenshire and the dispensation be valid until the end of the current electoral term. 

The Committee considered an application submitted by Community Councillor Eiryl Rees for the grant of a dispensation under the provisions of the Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations to speak and vote and make written representations in relation to council business at meetings of Llangathen Community Council regarding electricity transmission from Nant Mithil Energy Park to the grid connection in Carmarthenshire.

It was reported that Councillor Rees would have a personal and prejudicial interest in such business as the proposed route of the electricity pylons potentially affects her property.

It was reported that a dispensation was sought by Councillor Rees by virtue of:

Regulation  2(2)(d) – the nature of the member’s interest was such that the member’s participation in the business to which the interest relates would not damage public confidence in the conduct of the relevant authority’s business and;

Regulation 2(2)(f) – the participation of the member in the business to which the interest relates is justified by the member’s particular role or expertise.

The committee was advised that if it was minded to grant Councillor Rees’ request it would also need to determine the duration of that dispensation.

Following a discussion it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that dispensation be granted under Regulations 2(2)(d) and 2(2)(f) of the Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensation) (Wales) Regulations 2001 to Councillor Eiryl Rees to speak and make written representations but NOT vote on council business at meetings of Llangathen Community Council regarding electricity transmission from Nant Mithil Energy Park to the grid connection in Carmarthenshire and the dispensation be valid until the end of the current electoral term. 

The Committee considered a group application submitted by the clerk to Llandyfaelog Community Council in respect of all 11 members of that council for the grant of a dispensation under the provisions of the Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations to speak and vote in relation to council business regarding Planning consultations relating to the Towy – Usk and Tywi – Teifi connections from the Nant Mithil and Lon Fawr Energy Parks to the grid connection in Carmarthenshire.

It was reported that Councillors Nicola Jones, Philip Davies, Eifion Jones, Jenny Jones, Shan Rees, Carys Thomas, Rheinallt Jones, Janet Knott, Elfryn Williams, Viv Davies and Meinir James would have personal and prejudicial interests in such business as detailed within the application. It was also noted that the scale of the proposed projects would mean that the wellbeing and/or financial position of close personal associates of the councillors would be, or would likely to be, affected.

The dispensations were sought by virtue of:

Regulation 2(2)(a) - no fewer than half the members of the relevant authority by which the business is to be considered has an interest which relates to that business.

Regulation  2(2)(d) – the nature of the member’s interest was such that the member’s participation in the business to which the interest relates would not damage public confidence in the conduct of the relevant authority’s business, and;

Regulation 2(2)(e) the interest is common to the member and a significant proportion of the general public.

The report advised that the application referenced the ground in Regulation 2(2) (c) – political balance, however, this ground was only applicable to County and County Borough Councils and would not therefore be relevant to this application.

The committee was advised that if it was minded to grant the request it would also need to determine the duration of that dispensation.

Following a discussion, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that dispensations be granted under Regulations  2(2)(a), 2(2)(d) and 2(2)(e)of the Standards Committees (Grant of Dispensation) (Wales) Regulations 2001 for Councillors Nicola Jones, Philip Davies, Eifion Jones, Jenny Jones, Shan Rees, Carys Thomas, Rheinallt Jones, Janet Knott, Elfryn Williams, Viv Davies and Meinir James to SPEAK AND VOTE at meetings of Llandyfaelog Community Council regarding Planning consultations relating to the Towy – Usk and Tywi – Teifi connections from the Nant Mithil and Lon Fawr Energy Parks to the grid connection in Carmarthenshire and that the dispensations be valid until the end of their current term in office.