Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority has been praised for going âabove and beyondâ to provide support and development for its Members by the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA).
The Authority has been awarded the Advanced Level Charter for Member Support and Development, having shown âeffective and sustained work by the officers and Membersâ in its submission.
The Charter is designed to establish that an essential range of support and development arrangements for councillors is in place, while the Advanced Charter is designed to recognise that the arrangements required for the Charter are working effectively.
National Park Authority Chairman, Cllr Paul Harries said: âWe are extremely proud to be one of only three authorities in Wales to achieve the Advanced Charter, having been recognised by the WLGA for the hard work of staff and Members, especially given the difficult circumstances presented by the global pandemic.
âThe examples highlighted by the WLGA included support for Members accessing and using the online meeting platform that enabled the Authority to keep functioning while Covid-19 restrictions have made it impossible to hold committee meetings in person.â
In order to achieve the accolade, evidence had to be provided of the development, support facilities and support services provided to Members and this is reviewed by a Panel of WLGA and local authority officers, followed by a series of interviews with the Members and officers.
In a letter congratulating the Authority, the WLGAâs Review Panel said: âThe information and evidence provided clearly demonstrate that all the necessary criteria have been met.
âMembers are benefitting from and are able to demonstrate improved practice due to a comprehensive and effective programme of support and development which enables the effective corporate governance of the Authority.â
For more information and to see a list of the local authorities that have been awarded the charter and advanced charter, visit the WLGA website: https://www.wlga.wales/wales-charter-for-member-support-and-development-
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