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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - Council Chamber

Contact: Democratic Services 

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

To note the appointment of County Councillor D.W.H. Jones as Chair of Democratic Services Committee

Minutes:

We noted the appointment of County Councillor D. Jones as Chair of Democratic Services Committee.

 

 

2.

To appoint a Vice Chair

Minutes:

The Committee appointed County Councillor D. Evans as Vice-Chair.

3.

Declarations of interest

Minutes:

None.

4.

Public Open Forum

Minutes:

No matters for the Public Open Forum.

5.

For Information - IRPW Draft Remuneration Report 2021-2022 pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Minutes:

The Local Democracy Manager presented the IRPW Draft Remuneration Report 2021-2022. 

 

Members were advised that the report is on consultation and they are able to submit responses if they wish to do so. 

 

There were just few changes in the report, including a small uplift to the basic allowance for Members. There has been a change to the reimbursement of costs of care in that the cap of £403 has been removed.

 

The Committee resolved to accept the report.

6.

Hybrid Meetings

Minutes:

The Local Democracy Manager referred to the protocol to introduce hybrid meetings discussed at the previous meeting. 

 

Since recent restrictions, a hybrid meeting of Licensing Committee, and Informal Cabinet had been held successfully.  There are some tweaks to be made regarding camera positions and sound issues but overall it worked well.  Trials will continue depending on restrictions.

 

Councillor Treharne provided feedback as a remote attendee of the hybrid Licensing Committee meeting.  He noted a slight echo during the meeting which was resolved during the meeting.  The voting procedures went smoothly and overall the meeting was successful.

 

The Vice Chair of Planning Committee expressed that the Committee were keen to get back to the Chamber as soon as possible.

 

 

 

 

7.

Consultation - Changes to Adoption Absence for Members pdf icon PDF 202 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received a report to consider submitting a response to Welsh Government on the changes to adoption absence for local authority members.

 

Welsh Ministers intend to amend the 2013 regulations to increase the adopter’s absence entitlement from 2 weeks to 26weeks. This will result in the same levels of maternity and adopter’s absence being available under the 2013 regulations.

 

Members were invited to comment and provide responses to the consultation.

 

Members welcomed the amendments, and recognised the importance of supporting adoptive parents, the same as birth parents.

 

 

8.

Forward Work Programme Engagement pdf icon PDF 284 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Head of Policy and Governance presented the report to identify the implications of the pandemic for the work of the committee in seeking to broaden involvement in local democracy and ensure that the committee remains sighted on recent additions to the Cabinet and Council forward planner to identify those topics of most interest to communities where early and effective engagement can add most value.

 

Members were keen to progress with engagement but felt that in light of the current restrictions it best to defer the item to the next meeting.

9.

Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales - County Council proposals.

Minutes:

The Local Democracy Manager advised Members that the proposals from the Boundary Commission for the new County Council seats for the 2022 elections are due to be published on 10th December 2020.  An update would be circulated in due course.

 

 

10.

Minutes of the previous meeting pdf icon PDF 123 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 7th September were confirmed as an accurate record.

11.

Date of next meeting: Monday 18th January 2021, 14:00pm

Minutes:

Noted.