Agenda item

Ms Saz Wiley from the IRP Panel introduced the report and asked members to review the draft report and provide any comments and feedback. 

Asked for comments. Questions.

She advised members that the Panel felt the report was needed to enable Community Councils to attract potential members and remove barriers for potential members.   She added that the Costs of care needs was also an important factor in sustaining a diverse membership across Authorities. 

She stated that all Town and Community Councils should follow these principals to enable members to carry out their duties effectively and the very minimum they should make members aware what is available to them to promote a positive culture.

Mr Joe Stockley who was also in attendance from the IRP advised on the consultation dates and advised how members could respond

The Chairperson commented that she respected that the consultation included all Community Councillors in the provision and was not limited to Borough Councillors.  She noted that Borough Councillors were fortunate in that all equipment was provided to members to allow them to undertake their duties, but recognised the fact that this was not always the case for Community Councillors so was pleased to see this provision in the report. She added that this, she felt was vital that all members had the equipment necessary for them to undertake their roles.

Another member agreed with the Chairperson and supported the report and stated that he felt the costs of care provision was also very important.

Brian James endorsed

Another member also endorsed the report and agreed with being able to claim back the costs in relation to care.  He asked if others thought however that some members may be reluctant to claim back costs due to the financial impact on Community Councils.  He added that if members also have childcare requirements, that could also be a sizeable cost and would need to be reflected in the pre-cept.

Saz Wiley commented that she understood that reimbursement from smaller Community Councils could take up a large proportion of their budget and this was traditionally why there has been a low take up in the past.   She added that this provision needs to be in place and are hoping that the substantial changes we are proposing will work and be taken up.  She added that they do recognise the impact of the finances of Community Councils but were unable to quantify this until the take up was known.  She further added that they would need evidence that there is a demand to feed this back to Welsh Government.

A member stated that she was surprised to hear that not all Community Councillors were aware of the provisions available to them. She added that a report was taken to her Council’s AGM with the full information available to the members as she felt it was her duty as the Clerk and Proper officer of the Council to inform members of their entitlements.

Saz Wiley replied that it should be known and it is part of clerk’s responsibility to inform members of their entitlements.  Whilst it was not a huge payment, to some it would make a substantial difference to enable them to do their role. 

We want to remove barriers for people to become members of community councils and enable to do their role

The Chairperson advised that it should be councillor’s decision if they want to accept payments but advised they are entitled to it, then they should receive it. There were no further questions for the IRP so she thanked the officers for their attendance and assured them that they would continue to provide support to all Councillors on the matter.