MORE than 40 exceptions for councillors to vote on matters or groups they have an involvement with have been agreed in the past year.
Rhodri Guest, the independent chairman of Torfaen Borough Council’s ethics and standards committee, confirmed the figure when he presented his annual report to the authority’s Tuesday, June 9 meeting.
Mr Guest said: “On dispensations we agreed 42 for councillors in the last 12 months.”
Labour council leader Anthony Hunt said those dispensations allow councillors to vote, or make decisions to support groups in the community they are involved with such as a food share group he said he volunteers with, and raises funds for.
The Panteg councillor said: “It is not about groups councillors benefit from but allows us to work in our wards and I know that is true for members across this chamber.”
The annual report was accepted and noted by the full council.
Mr Guest said there had been no referrals from the Ombudsman regarding councillors conduct referred to the committee during the past 12 months. One complaint against a councillor was resolved under the local resolution policy with an apology.
He said the committee had worked with leaders of council groups on “maintaining high standards” among councillors and held a meeting with group leaders in February.
The independent chairman, who isn’t an elected borough councillor, also reminded councillor of the importance of attending training and said the committee will, over the next 12 months, consider further discussion on refresher training on the code of conduct, which is the set of rules councillors must follow regarding behaviour.
