The Standards & Ethics Committee of Cardiff Council is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, 5 November 2025. The committee will be discussing updates on independent member appointments, code of conduct complaints, member training, and the local resolution protocol. They will also be asked to recommend the reappointment of David Mills as an independent member.

Local Resolution Protocol

The committee is expected to discuss proposed changes to Cardiff Council's Local Resolution Protocol, a document designed to address low-level, member-on-member complaints. The revisions take into account recommendations from the Monitoring Officers' Group and a review by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW).

Key proposed amendments to the protocol, as detailed in Appendix A, include:

• Limiting the protocol's scope: The protocol would apply only to low-level complaints between members of the county or city council, excluding complaints from the public.
• Officer complaints: The protocol may continue to allow council officers to make complaints under the procedure.
• Standards of behaviour: The protocol would not specify expected standards of behaviour, with concerns raised about the potential confusion of introducing a new list of expected behaviours that is legally unenforceable.
• High-level complaints: Examples of what might be perceived to be high-level complaints, taken from the Ombudsman's guidance on the Code of Conduct, would be added to the protocol and Annex 1.
• Ombudsman referrals: The protocol would be clarified to confirm that the complainant would be advised to refer any alleged serious breaches of the code to the Ombudsman.
• Complainant consent: A new paragraph would be added to clarify that the operation of the protocol is subject to the agreement of both parties to participate in the process.
• Right to refer: Reference to the complainant's right to complain to the Ombudsman has been strengthened by adding 'at any time' to the protocol.
• Number of stages: The stages have been revised, to propose the following 2 stages: 1. Mutual resolution; and 2. Formal Conciliation Meeting (to replace the Hearing stage).
• Group leader involvement: Group leaders may be invited to participate in a Stage 2 Formal Conciliation Meeting, if the Monitoring Officer's Stage 1 attempts to resolve the complaint are unsuccessful, noting that attendance at the meeting is voluntary.
• Hearing stage: Proposed amendments would replace the hearing stage with a formal conciliation meeting; to clarify actions which may be agreed (remedial action, apology, training); and to confirm that no determination may be made in relation to breach of the Code, or sanctions.

The committee is being asked to give its views on the revised draft Local Resolution Protocol, attached as Appendix B, and agree any further amendments to be recommended.

If the hearing stage of the Local Resolution Protocol is removed, then the associated Local Resolution Hearings Panel Procedure (Appendix C), approved in March 2023, will be unnecessary and should therefore be revoked; and consequential minor amendments will be required to the Hearings Procedure for Ombudsman Referrals (Appendix D), approved in July 2019, to delete references to Local Resolution Hearings.

Independent Member Appointment Update

The committee will receive an update on the process to appoint an independent member to the Standards and Ethics Committee, following the resignation of Ruth Davies in July 2025.

The Independent Member Appointment Update report notes that the vacancy was advertised publicly, with a closing date of 21 September 2025. One application was received, and the shortlisting panel met on 15 October 2025 and determined that the application would proceed to interview stage. The interview date is set for 3 November 2025 and the committee will be provided with a verbal update at its meeting with the outcome of the interview.

The report also recommends that the committee recommend to full Council the reappointment of David Mills for a further consecutive 4 year term of office with effect from 27 January 2026. Councillor Julia Charles sat on the shortlisting panel but was unable to make the Interview date, so her substitute Community Councillor Mike Jones-Pritchard agreed to sit. Kirsty Williams, Vice Chair, Cardiff PSB¹ is the lay member on the appointments panel.

Members' Code of Conduct Complaints Update

The committee will receive an update on complaints made against members of Cardiff Council or any of Cardiff's Community Councils alleging a breach of the Members' Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct Complaints Update covers the period from 1 July 2025 to 30 September 2025.

During this quarter, the Monitoring Officer was notified by the Ombudsman of five complaints alleging a breach of the Members' Code of Conduct. The report provides brief details of the five complaints:

• A complaint submitted by a member of the public alleging that a member had provided an online news outlet with inaccurate information about their background. The Ombudsman decided not to investigate this complaint.
• A complaint submitted by a member of the public alleging that a member had displayed bullying and biased behaviour during a regulatory committee meeting. The Ombudsman decided not to investigate this complaint.
• A complaint submitted by a member of the public, which is under initial assessment by the Ombudsman.
• A complaint submitted by a member, which is under initial assessment by the Ombudsman.
• A complaint submitted by a member, which the Ombudsman has decided to investigate.

Members Code of Conduct – Training Attendance Information

The committee will receive a summary of attendance figures, feedback received, and proposed next steps for monitoring member engagement with the recorded Members' Code of Conduct training session.

The Members Code of Conduct – Training Attendance Information report notes that all elected members, independent members and co-opted members, (with the exception of three newly elected members) were invited to attend one of two scheduled sessions, with the option of attending either an in-person or on-line session.

The attendance statistics are as follows:

The committee is recommended to note the information set out this report and agree that the Monitoring Officer:

• Distribute a brief survey to members to determine whether they have viewed or plan to view the recording.
• Explore the option of obtaining feedback from group whips as an alternative to formal feedback forms.
• Continue to monitor engagement levels and training needs, with a focus on informing future session planning.