Standards Committee

This statutory committee has an important role in promoting, maintaining and improving the standards of conduct of the Authority's members and the county's community and town councils. 

It is a statutory committee, and has the following responsibilities under the Local Government Act 2000:

  • promote and maintain high standards of behaviour by Councillors
  • assist the Councillors to follow the Code of Conduct for Members
  • advise the Council on the adoption or amendment of the Members' Code of Conduct
  • monitoring the implementation of the Members' Code of Conduct
  • advise, train or arrange to train Councillors on matters relating to the Members' Code of Conduct.

At Cyngor Gwynedd it also has the following responsibilities:

  • monitor the compliance of leaders of political groups on the council with their duties under section 52A(1) of the Local Government Act 2000;
  • advise, train or arrange to train leaders of political groups on the council regarding matters relating to those duties. 

 

Members of the Committee

There are 9 members on the Committee:

  • 5 Independent Members (who are not members of Cyngor Gwynedd or any town or community council). One of these members will be The Chairman and the Vice-chairman of the Committee.
  • 3 Elected Members who are Cyngor Gwynedd councillors. 
  • Community Member who is a member of a town or community council.

View current membership of the Committee  

Appoint a new member

Cyngor Gwynedd is looking for an Independent Member for its Standards Committee 

The committee meets 3 times a year but further meetings are called from time to time as required.  Remuneration Panel has determined that an hourly fee of £26.25 should be paid to co-opted / lay members of authorities with voting rights (£33.50 for committee chairs). 

What is an Independent Member?

An Independent Member means a person who:

  • Is not a member or officer of any local authority (or spouse or civil partner of such a person)
  • Has not been a member or officer of any local authority in the last 12 months
  • Is not a former member or former officer of Gwynedd Council

An Independent member is expected to possess the following qualities and skills: -

  • Listening skills;
  • Ability to understand and weigh up evidence;
  • Ability to come to an objective view and explain that view by reference to the evidence;
  • Teamworking skills;
  • Respect for others and an understanding of diversity issues;
  • Discretion;
  • Personal integrity.
  • Be well respected in the community;
  • Be able to meet the time commitment involved and be available at short notice;
  • Be able to provide two references.

Submit an application

For further details contact Sion Huws, Propriety and Elections Manager, sionhuws@gwynedd.llyw.cymru. / 01286 679168

Close

 

 

Meetings of the Standards Committee

View Committee Minutes and Agendas

 

The Code of Conduct

All councils must adopt a Code of Conduct for their elected and co-opted members. When a member accepts his post he will commit to respect the Code of Conduct of his/her authority. 

View Cyngor Gwynedd's Code of Conduct

Cyngor Gwynedd also has a 'Gwynedd Standard' which is a document that explains the standards of behaviour expected from Cyngor Gwynedd councillors when dealing with each other. This document can be seen as an Appendix to the Code of Conduct.

 

Complaints

If you want to make a formal complaint that a member has failed to adhere to the Code of Conduct it must be referred to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales. For information on how to lodge a complaint visit the Ombudsman's website:

Ombudsman website: How to complain