Agenda item

To consider an application for dispensation by a County Councillor.

The Legal Services Manager/Deputy Monitoring Officer reported that Councillor Derek Owen has applied for the dispensation (Enclosure 1 to the report).  She stated that the application includes information about the nature of the interest, type of dispensation sought and grounds for seeking a dispensation.  She gave an overview of the relevant statutory grounds on which the Standards Committee may grant a dispensation.

 

It was noted that the County Council has consulted on a proposal about whether or not to adopt a visitor levy pursuant to the Visitor Accommodation (Register and Levy) Act 2025. Councillor Derek Owen has applied for the dispensation to speak in meetings or

discussions on the visitor levy, and to write to officers and members about the matter.  He also wishes to remain in the room during any debate or voting on the issue but not vote at such meetings.

 

The Chair invited Councillor Owen to speak in support of his application.

  

Councillor Owen reported that land he owns is partly used as a Certified Location (CL) Site on Parys Mountain.  He stated that his partner operates the caravan site comprising of five caravan pitches and one static caravan.  Councillor Owen explained that he wishes to contribute to future meetings relating to the adoption of the visitor levy.  He stated that he will be declaring an interest in the meetings.

 

Members of the Panel were afforded an opportunity to question Councillor Owen on his role as an elected member and the potential impact of the levy on the CL Site.  Councillor Owen responded that the levy would likely have a low impact on the CL Site.  Councillor Owen emphasised that the CL Site is very small with low visitor numbers.  He highlighted the importance of tourism for Anglesey, and that he could contribute to the discussions due to his expertise in small scale sites.

 

The Visitor Economy and Coastal Areas Manager reported that the consultation on the visitor levy has now closed.  He stated that over 2,000 responses have been received.   A report on the findings from the consultation will be presented to the Executive on 22 September, followed by the County Council on 24 September for a decision to be taken. 

 

A question was raised as to how the visitor levy would be administered, should it be adopted.  The Visitor Economy and Coastal Areas Manager responded that the Welsh Revenue Authority (WRA) would expect business to collect the levy and make a return to the WRA on a quarterly basis.

 

The Visitor Economy and Coastal Areas Manager left the meeting at 10:24 am.

 

After hearing the background to the application for dispensation by the Applicant, the Panel retired to private session to determine whether or not to grant a dispensation, and if granting a dispensation, to consider (i) on what ground or grounds the dispensation is granted and (ii) whether there are any limitations/constraints to be imposed.

 

Returning to public session, the Chair reported that the Panel considered and agreed that the Applicant has a prejudicial interest.

 

RESOLVED to grant a dispensation to Councillor Owen in respect of the interest referred to in the application and on the statutory grounds identified in Paragraphs 2(d) and 2(f) in the application. 

 

The dispensation permits the Councillor to: - 

 

•  write to officers and members about the issue;

•  speak to officers about the issue, provided a note is taken of any such discussions;

•  speak at all meetings about the issue;

•  remain in the room during any debate on the issue and while voting takes place, but not to participate in voting.

 

Limitation:

 

The dispensation shall expire at the end of the current term for elected members of the County Council (on the fourth day after the next local government election).

 

Actions:

 

•  Councillor Owen must declare a prejudicial interest when attending

   Council and all other relevant meetings.

•  The Deputy Monitoring Officer and Chair to agree on the wording of a

    Decision Notice.

•  The Chair to write to Councillor Owen confirming that the Dispensation Panel

    has granted the dispensation.

•  To share a copy of the Decision Notice with Councillor Owen and Democratic

   Services.