2016 No. 84 (W. 38)
The Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) (Wales) (Amendment) Order 2016
Made
Laid before the National Assembly for Wales
Coming into force
This Order is made by the Welsh Ministers in exercise of the powers conferred on the National Assembly for Wales by sections 50(2), 50(3), 50(4), 50(4E), 81(2), 81(3) and 105 of the Local Government Act 20001 and now vested in them2;
The Welsh Ministers have carried out such consultation as is required by virtue of section 50(5) of that Act;
The Welsh Ministers are satisfied that, as required by section 50(4)(a) of that Act, the amendments to the model code of conduct being issued under section 50(2) are consistent with the principles specified in the Conduct of Members (Principles) (Wales) Order 20013 made pursuant to section 49(2).
Accordingly, the Welsh Ministers make the following Order:
Title, commencement, application and interpretationI21
1
The title of this Order is the Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) (Wales) (Amendment) Order 2016 and it comes into force on 1 April 2016.
2
This Order applies to each relevant authority in Wales.
3
In this Order—
“the 2008 Order” (“Gorchymyn 2008”) means the Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) (Wales) Order 20084;
“relevant authority” (“awdurdod perthnasol”) has the meaning set out in Part 1 of the model code in the Schedule to the 2008 Order.
Amendment of the Schedule to the 2008 OrderI12
1
The model code in the Schedule to the 2008 Order is amended as follows.
2
In Part 1—
a
in paragraph 1(1), at the appropriate place insert—
“register of members’ interests” (“cofrestr o fuddiannau’r aelodau”) means the register established and maintained under section 81 of the Local Government Act 2000;
b
for paragraph 1(2) substitute—
2
In relation to a community council—
a
“proper officer” (“swyddog priodol”) means an officer of that council within the meaning of section 270(3) of the Local Government Act 19725; and
b
“standards committee” (“pwyllgor safonau”) means the standards committee of the county or county borough council which has functions in relation to the community council for which it is responsible under section 56(1) and (2) of the Local Government Act 2000.
3
In Part 2—
a
in paragraph 3(a) omit “police authority or”;
b
in paragraph 6(1)(c) omit “to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales and”.
4
In Part 3—
a
omit paragraph 10(2)(b);
b
in paragraph 11(4), after “monitoring officer” insert “, or in relation to a community council, your authority’s proper officer”;
c
for paragraph 12(2)(b)(iv) substitute—
d
in paragraph 14—
i
in sub-paragraph (1), after “sub-paragraphs (2),” insert “(2A),”;
ii
after sub-paragraph (2) insert—
2A
Where you have a prejudicial interest in any business of your authority you may submit written representations to a meeting relating to that business, provided that the public are allowed to attend the meeting for the purpose of making representations, answering questions or giving evidence relating to the business, whether under a statutory right or otherwise.
2B
When submitting written representations under sub-paragraph (2A) you must comply with any procedure that your authority may adopt for the submission of such representations.
5
In Part 4—
a
for paragraph 15 substitute—
Registration of Personal Interests15
1
Subject to sub-paragraph (4), you must, within 28 days of—
a
your authority’s code of conduct being adopted or the mandatory provisions of this model code being applied to your authority; or
b
your election or appointment to office (if that is later),
register your personal interests, where they fall within a category mentioned in paragraph 10(2)(a), in your authority’s register of members’ interests by providing written notification to your authority’s monitoring officer.
2
Subject to sub-paragraph (4), you must, within 28 days of becoming aware of any new personal interest falling within a category mentioned in paragraph 10(2)(a), register that new personal interest in your authority’s register of members’ interests by providing written notification to your authority’s monitoring officer.
3
Subject to sub-paragraph (4), you must, within 28 days of becoming aware of any change to a registered personal interest falling within a category mentioned in paragraph 10(2)(a), register that change in your authority’s register of members’ interests by providing written notification to your authority’s monitoring officer, or in the case of a community council to your authority’s proper officer.
4
Sub-paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) do not apply to sensitive information determined in accordance with paragraph 16(1).
5
Sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) do not apply if you are a member of a relevant authority which is community council when you act in your capacity as a member of such an authority.
6
You must, when disclosing a personal interest in accordance with paragraph 11 for the first time, register that personal interest in your authority’s register of members’ interests by providing written notification to your authority’s monitoring officer, or in the case of a community council to your authority’s proper officer.
b
in paragraph 16(2), after “monitoring officer” insert “, or in relation to a community council, your authority’s proper officer”;
c
in paragraph 17, after “monitoring officer” insert “, or in relation to a community council, to your authority’s proper officer”.
(This note is not part of the Order)