Setting Councillor standards

PEOPLE are being given the opportunity of joining a Carmarthenshire committee which sets the standard for councillors’ behaviour.

The County Council’s Standards Committee is looking for an independent member of the public to join them.

The committee was established to promote and maintain high standards of conduct by county and community councillors.

This is done through helping them observe the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, through both monitoring and training.

Complaints about councillors’ conduct must be made to the Ombudsman, who may then refer them back to Carmarthenshire to be dealt with by the committee.

The Standards Committee is made up of nine members, three of whom are county councillors, one community councillor and five independent members of the public, one of which is always Chair.

A vacancy has now arisen for a member of the public to join the committee as an independent member.

The term independent member does not denote membership of any political party, and simply means independent of the council.

Separate Welsh Government rules restrict the ability of current and former officers or members of the council and similar public sector bodies to fill this role.

Additionally applications cannot be considered from persons who have substantial business relationships with the council.

The post receives an allowance of £99-198 per meeting (depending upon duration) plus certain expenses.

The application pack contains full information and criteria for the post, plus a job profile and person specification.

The committee meets quarterly and is also responsible for dealing with applications from councillors to speak and vote at meetings on items in which they have an interest, and for providing training to town and community councils on matters relating to the Code of Conduct.

It receives an annual report on the council’s whistle blowing policy and produces an annual report on its work, which is presented to County Council.

The closing date for the post is January 9, and the appointment will be for up to six years.

• For an application pack or further information contact Acting Deputy Monitoring Officer Robert Edgecombe RJEdgeco@carmarthenshire.gov.uk 01267 224018.