Agenda Item No. 5

The Vale of Glamorgan Council

Standards Committee: 20th September, 2018

Report of the Monitoring Officer and Head of Legal and Democratic Services

Review of Community and Town Councils Sector in Wales - August Newsletter and Outline of Findings and Recommendations

Purpose of the Report

1. To apprise Members of information received from the Independent Review Panel.

Recommendation

That the report be noted.

Reason for the Recommendation

To apprise Committee of the newsletter received and the outline of findings and recommendations following the review.

Background

2. As part of the Standards Committee work programme agreed at the meeting on 22nd March 2018, a report was presented to the Committee on 17th May, 2018 regarding the Independent Review that was being undertaken of the Community and Town Councils Sector in Wales. 
3. The Independent Review Panel had been commissioned by Welsh Government to undertake the review with the following remit:

• To explore the potential role of local government below principal Councils;
• To draw on best practice;
• To define the most appropriate models / structures to deliver this role; and
• To consider how these models and structures should be applied across Wales, this to include consideration of any situation to which it would not be necessary or appropriate.

4. All Group Leaders of the 22 Local Authorities in Wales had been advised of the review which was to focus on what was required to ensure the most local level of government was effective, efficient and delivering benefits to local communities. 
5. The review had commenced in July 2017 and the Council had been informed that the Panel had heard the views and gathered evidence through a range of stakeholders. 

Relevant Issues and Options

6. The Independent Panel had published a June Newsletter which is presented for information to the Committee in July and a copy of the August edition is also attached at Appendix A to this report for the Committees information. Attached at Appendix B is an outline of the findings and recommendations of the Independent Review Panel for Committees consideration.
7. The final report is to be reported to Welsh Government for its consideration and any decisions together with the final report will be reported to the Standards Committee. 

Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)

8. None as a direct result of this report

Sustainability and Climate Change Implications

9. None as a direct result of this report

Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)

10. None as a direct result of this report

Crime and Disorder Implications

11. None as a direct result of this report

Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language issues)

12. None as a direct result of this report

Corporate/Service Objectives

13. None as a direct result of this report

Policy Framework and Budget

14. N/A

Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)

15. N/A

Relevant Scrutiny Committee

16. N/A

Background Papers

Contact Officer

Karen Bowen, Democratic and Scrutiny Services Officer

01446 709856

democratic@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

Officers Consulted

Responsible Officer:

Ms. D. Marles

Head of Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer