Agenda and minutes

To receive disclosures of personal interest from Members in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

Note:

1.     Members are requested to identify the item number and subject matter that their interest relates to and signify the nature of the personal interest; and

2.     Where Members withdraw from a meeting as a consequence of the disclosure of a prejudicial interest they must  notify the Chairman when they leave.

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, there were no declarations of interest pertaining to the agenda.

To receive the minutes of the Cabinet meeting of the 25^th October, 2016.

The Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 25^th October, 2016 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

To receive the report from the Director, Regeneration & Planning updating Members on the progress of the redevelopment of the former Taff Vale Precinct site and seeking approval for the next stages of the delivery of the development of the site.

The Director, Regeneration & Planning provided Cabinet Members with an update on the redevelopment of the former Taff Vale Precinct site, seeking approval for the next stages of the delivery of development of the site.

Cabinet Members were referred to section 5 of the report where the background of the project was identified. The officer explained that Pontypridd is a pivotal location in the Cardiff Capital Region and stressed the significance the development will have on the economy.

The Members spoke positively on the project and agreed that it would build on the success of the Lido, acting as a catalyst to improve Pontypridd and the County as a whole.

The Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Planning & Tourism took the opportunity to thank officers for their hard work in maintaining the momentum of the ambitious scheme and commented that it further confirms the Council’s ambitions to regenerate. The Member added that there was currently little opportunity for retail development and that the redevelopment would be attractive for future investors.

Following consideration of the item, the Cabinet RESOLVED:

a)    To instigate the procurement of external consultant teams for the next stages of surveys, design, project and cost management in order to proceed to the next stage of project delivery.

b)     To carry out all work necessary to further develop the programme producing a detailed delivery programme with key milestones; producing a robust cost plan to set a realistic budget; to developing fully detailed design proposals to deal with all reserved matters, and procuring a suitable contractor.

c)     To receive further reports as the scheme progresses, in particular the full business case that includes further details of the total funding package for the capital investment.

To receive the report from the Director, Education & Lifelong Learning advising Members of the outcome of the recent publication of a statutory notice in respect of a proposal to close Cwmaman Infants and Glynhafod Junior Schools and transfer their pupils to a new Primary School that will be created for the community, subject to parental preference in September, 2018.

The Director, Education & Lifelong Learning advised Members of the outcome of the recent publication of a statutory notice in respect of a proposal to close Cwmaman Infants’ and Glynhafod Junior Schools and transfer their pupils to a new Primary school that will be created for the community, subject to parental preference, in September, 2018. The officer proposed that the new school would be constructed on a currently vacant site at Glanaman Road, Cwmaman (the site of the former Fforchaman Colliery).

The Cabinet Member for Education & Lifelong Learning spoke positively on the proposals, commenting that the £7.2m investment would be a successful addition to the Council’s larger school reorganisation plan, benefitting pupils and their families in the future.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services added that it was pleasing to see the Council still investing in its schools, despite the times of austerity.

It was RESOLVED:

a)    To note that no objections, or comments were received in response to the publication of the statutory notice to progress this proposal;

b)    To implement the proposal to close Cwmaman Infants’ and Glynhafod Junior Schools and open a new Community Primary School for Cwmaman in a new school building that will be constructed for this purpose. The new school will open on 1^st September 2018.

c)     To note that a separate report on funding arrangements will be submitted to full Council in due course.

To receive the report from the Group Director, Community & Children’s Services seeking Cabinet approval to consult in partnership with Merthyr Tydfil Council and the Cwm Taf University Health Board on the draft Learning Disability Joint Statement of Strategic Intent.

The Group Director, Community & Children’s Services provided Cabinet Members with the draft Learning Disability Joint Statement of Strategic Intent seeking approval toconsult in partnership with Merthyr Tydfil Council and the Cwm Taf University Health Board. The officer advised that the report title should read:

 ‘Report of the Group Director, Community & Children’s Services in discussion with the relevant portfolio holder, Councillor G Hopkins’.

The officer explained that the Statement of Strategic Intent was important for the Council and its Regional Cwm Taf Partners as it reinforces the intention to transform services with the key focus being on prevention, self-management and independence within the spirit of the Social Services and Wellbeing Act (Wales) 2014.

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services,  Equalities and the Welsh Language and the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services both praised the draft Statement of Strategic Intent, and agreed that it is pleasing to see partners across Cwm Taf working together to improve the services for individuals with learning disabilities.

Following further discussions, it was RESOLVED:

a)    To approve for consultation the draft Learning Disability Joint Statement of Strategic Intent

b)    To receive, for approval, a further report in February 2017 on the outcome of the consultation alongside a final Learning Disability Joint Statement of Strategic Intent and an implementation plan to take forward the actions required to deliver the commissioning intentions.

To receive the report from the Group Director, Corporate & Frontline Services seeking Cabinet approval of the Commissioning, Procurement & Contract Management Strategy.

The Director, Corporate Estates & Procurement presented the report to Cabinet seeking approval of the Commissioning, Procurement & Contract Strategy. The Cabinet Members were referred to section 3 of the report where the aims of the strategy were outlined and it was explained to them that it could be a fundamental building block in helping the Council to deliver its priorities and transform its services.

The officer explained that establishing robust arrangements in respect of how commissioning is approached within the Council is significant in making the best of the resources whilst ensuring services delivered are meeting the needs of its communities.

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services took the opportunity to thank the officers for their time and work put into the strategy, commenting that it has been made accessible and easily understandable.

The Leader commented that the strategy could be fundamental in contributing to the Council’s overall efficiency savings, reiterating the importance of every service area monitoring and challenging methods of delivery.

Cabinet Members RESOLVED:

a)    To review, challenge and approve the Commissioning, Procurement & Contract Management Strategy (hereinafter the ‘Strategy’).

b)    To approve the establishment of a Commissioning & Procurement Group whose role will be to ensure that management has thoroughly challenged all aspects of the service for which they have responsibility.

c)     To approve a programme of rollout for the Strategy whereby all Delivery Plan owners are required to complete stages 1 & 2 of the cycle, taking into account all aspects of their services.

To receive the report from the Group Director, Corporate & Frontline Services updating Cabinet Members on the outcome of the follow up visit undertaken by the Wales Audit Office (WAO) in respect of the Local Authority’s Arrangements to Support Safeguarding of Children, together with a progress report in respect of actions taken to address overall recommendations in relation to Corporate Safeguarding responsibilities.

The Group Director, Corporate & Frontline Services provided Cabinet Members with an update on the outcome of the follow-up visit undertaken by the Wales Audit Office (“WAO”) in respect of the Local Authority’s Arrangements to Support Safeguarding of Children, together with a progress report in respect of actions taken to address overall recommendations in relation to our Corporate Safeguarding responsibilities.

The Officer explained that positive progress had been made in implementing its Corporate Safeguarding arrangements which was evidenced in the Delivery Plan and Risk Register updates and took the opportunity to thank the Group Director, Community & Children’s Services for the joint work provided during the process.

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Equalities & the Welsh Language spoke positively on the recommendations contained within the report, expressing that safeguarding and protecting children remained a key priority for the Council. The Member added that it was pleasing to see further progress had been made since the publishing of the report in May, 2016.

It was RESOLVED:

a)    To consider the content of the WAO report ‘Local Authority arrangements to Support Safeguarding of Children follow up’

b)    To review and challenge the Council’s progress to date against the planned actions as set out in the Corporate Safeguarding Delivery Plan endorsed by Cabinet in March 2016.

c)     To refer the WAO report and associated Delivery Plan to Audit Committee to further challenge the overall governance arrangements in place.

d)    To refer the WAO report and associated Delivery Plan to the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee.

To receive the report from the Chief Executive updating the Cabinet on the steps taken by the Council as an individual public body, to address its responsibilities under the Well-being of Future Generations Act 2015.

The Chief Executive provided Cabinet Members with an update on the steps taken by the Council as an individual public body, to address its responsibilities under the Well-being of Future Generation Act 2015. The officer referred the Members to section 5 of the report where the Council’s current position was shown. The officer explained that the Council is making positive progress in meeting its duties under the Well-being of Future Generations Act.

Cabinet Members were pleased with the contents contained within the report and reiterated the importance of carrying out sustainable development within the authority.

Following further discussions of the item, it was RESOLVED:

a)    To consider the content of the Policy Statement in respect of the Well-being of Future Generations Act 2015.

b)    To agree the approach to the implementation of the Well-being of Future Generations Act.

c)     To review and challenge the Council’s self assessment of the Corporate Plan – ‘The Way Ahead’ against the requirements of the Well-being of Future Generations Act 2015.

d)    To agree to update the Corporate Plan, for any Well-being of Future Generations Act 2015 requirements as part of the annual review of the Plan in April 2017.

“That the press and public be excluded from the meeting under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act (as amended) for the following items of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of the exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of the Schedule 12A of the Act”.

It was RESOLVED:

a)    That the press and public be excluded from the meeting under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972 (as amended) for the following items of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Act, namely information which relates to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority that holds that information)

To receive the report from the Group Director, Community & Children’s Services advising Members of the proposed strategy to modernise accommodation options and deliver extra care housing for the people of Rhondda Cynon Taf.

It was RESOLVED:

a)    To approve the draft strategy to modernise accommodation options and deliver a range of extra care housing developments across Rhondda Cynon Taf (attached as Appendix

b)    To support the procurement of strategic development partner(s) to support the delivery of the Strategy and develop the Maesyffynnon site.

c)     To support the production of an extra care overarching commissioning plan. 

d)    To receive update reports (at least 12 monthly) on progress in delivering the Strategy and on individual scheme business cases and investment cases including details of the quantum of investment, the mechanism for investment, and the expected/required return on that investment.