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.

County Borough Councillor G Hopkins declared the following personal interest in respect of Agenda item 7  and remained in the meeting when the item was discusses and voted upon – ‘I am a member of Llanharan Community Council.’

To receive the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on the 20^th September, 2018  as an accurate record.

The Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 20^th September, 2018 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

To receive the report of the Group Director Corporate & Frontline Services  setting out the position with regard to one-off resources which have become available following review of the Council’s earmarked reserves post completion of the audit process of the Council’s 2017/18 Statement of Accounts, including Insurance funding requirements.

The Group Director Corporate & Frontline Services presented Members with his report which set out the position with regard to one-off resources which have become available following a review of the Council’s earmarked reserves post completion of the audit process of the Council’s 2017/18 Statement of Accounts, including Insurance funding requirements.

The Director advised that the level and use of earmark reserves was constantly reviewed as part of the Council’s robust financial management arrangements and referred Members to section 4.3 of the report appendix which outlined the extent to which any amounts could be released.  Section 5.4 of the report appendix also provided narrative about potential areas for future investment (as outlined below), with £23.450M of investment which could be fully funded through a combination of the release of one off earmarked reserves plus prudential borrowing funded from reduced costs of insurance claims:

·         Extracare (£2.000M)

·         Making Better Use (MBU) / Traffic Management (£0.300M)

·         Parks and Green Spaces (£0.200M)

·         Strategic Regeneration Investment (£1.000M)

·         A4119 Dualling (£1.500M)

·         Llanharan Bypass (£0.500M)

·         Community Hubs (£0.250M)

·         Treorchy Link Road (£0.200M)

·         Aberdare Bypass (£1.000M)

·         Robertstown and Coedely (match funding) (£4.200M)

·         Highways Investment (to 2021) (£12.000M)

·         Bryn Pica Eco Park (£0.200M)

·         Community Enabling Fund (£0.100M)

The Leader welcomed the report and the opportunity for investment across the areas outlined, which had been previously identified within the Corporate Plan and the public pledge within the Labour Manifesto.  The Leader referenced the recent flooding that has been witnessed across parts of the County Borough and asked that  further funding be made available to the infrastructure reserve to help alleviate pressures and investment in this area going forward.

The Deputy Leader also spoke positively on the report and the opportunities available to the Council to invest whilst still facing austerity measures, commenting that this was attributable to the Councils sound financial management.

Following discussions it was RESOLVED:

1.            To propose the release of earmarked reserves, undertake prudential borrowing and resultant Investment Priorities as detailed at Appendix A to Council at its meeting on 24^th October 2018, subject to the inclusion of an additional £100k to the Infrastructure reserve.

2.            To receive a further update in early 2019 on Earmarked Reserve availability as part of the normal budget strategy work being undertaken in preparation for the 2019/20 financial year.   

To receive the report of theDirector, Public Health, Protection and Community Services updating Cabinet on the progress of the investment programme into Leisure Centres, 3G Pitches, Play Areas, Parks and Heritage and Visitor Attractions, highlighting the improvements in service performance as direct result of the investment.

The Head of Leisure, Parks & Countryside presented his detailed report to Members which provided Members with an update on the progress of the investment programme into Leisure Centres, 3G Pitches, Play Areas, Parks and Heritage and Visitor Attractions, highlighting the improvements in service performance as direct result of the investment.

The officer provided Members with the positive detail in respect of the investment and the outcomes and benefits to such investment for the County Borough.

Members were advised that there has been a marked return on the investment into Leisure Service, with the service already surpassing the targets for membership and retention set out in the Leisure Strategy for 2020.  The Officer continued by advising that there was also  a marked improvement in the performance of Rhondda Heritage Park, with the investment  halting the long-term decline in the facility, and now the management team have been able to present an offer that has been enthusiastically welcomed by both existing and new customers. It was added that future plans should enable the renamed “Welsh Mining Experience” to become a key tourist destination within South Wales.

The success and popularity of the investment into 3G sports pitches were also provided  as well as the Council’s investment into Leisure and Recreation facilities and visitor attractions.

The Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure & Heritage Services thanked the service for the positive report before Members and spoke of the positive outcomes and benefits of the investment provided in the service for all generations of the County Borough in respect of health outcomes, health and wellbeing as well as strengthening communities.

The Leader commented on the adaption’s made to services to better suit residents and referenced the increase in membership in Leisure Centres and the positive outcomes being witnessed with health goals, reducing diabetes, obesity and access to play areas for younger generations.

The deputy Leader also commented on the strengthening of community cohesion through the service area and commented on the current demands with Netball and the forward thinking approach of the authority.

It was RESOLVED:

1.    To note the progress made with the investment programme into Leisure, Sport, Parks, Play and Visitor Attractions across the County Borough,

2.    To note the significant improvements in service delivery that are a direct result of the investment programme,

3.    To consider future investment priorities for the service as and when funding opportunities arise.

To receive the report of the Director Corporate and Frontline Servicesproviding Cabinet with the  progress made through the ongoing Highways Investment Scheme, and to present costed options for future carriageway and footway maintenance strategies.

Members were provided with the report of the Service Director Highways and Streetcare Services which provided an update on the progress made through the ongoing Highways Investment Scheme.  The Service Director also utilised the opportunity to present costed options for future carriageway and footway maintenance strategies, as outlined within the report.

The Service Director advised that Investment across the Councils  highways asset since 2011/12 has improved the condition of the asset, reducing insurance costs and the incidence of claims for slips, trips and falls on the highway and has consequential benefits to well-being, pressures on health care and productivity.

Through his report, Members were provided with the impact of a range of funding scenarios, including the potential benefits of committing to an accelerated programme of investment, with such a programme improving the condition of the asset, and also reducing the level of funding required to maintain the asset thereafter. The Service Director explained that his would lead to a reduction in the number of pot-holes requiring filling and an opportunity to reinvest in more proactive maintenance activities.

The Leader spoke of the importance of investment and maintenance of its most valuable asset, and spoke on the accelerated investment option as identified within the report.

It was RESOLVED:

1.            To note the progress made to date, specifically the improvements in the condition of the carriageway network, the reduced numbers of third party claims made against the Council and the reduction in the number of actionable carriageway and footway defects developing on the network.

2.            To note the projected funding requirements for the various options and to take forward option 2 as outlined within the appendix of the report, namely the accelerated funding for 3years option.

(N.B County Borough Councillor R Bevan left the meeting room when the report was discussed and therefore refrained from voting on the item.)

To receive the report of the Group Director Corporate and Frontline Services updating Cabinet on the current status in respect of a number of key strategic transportation infrastructure projects.

The Service Director, referred Members to the report before them which provided an update on the current status in respect of a number of key strategic transportation infrastructure projects including Mountain Ash Southern Cross Valley Link, Llanharan Bypass, A4119 Ely Valley Road Dualling (Stinkpot Hill), Park and Rides, Cynon Gateway North (A4059 Aberdare Bypass Extension) and Gelli / Treorchy Relief Road.

The Service Director spoke in detail in respect of each of the projects presented before responding to Members comments.

The Leader commented on the projects and advised that these had all been referenced within the Councils Strategic Plan and commented positively on the opportunities such projects would deliver for those accessing the County Borough.  He added that highway infrastructure investment was invaluable to the County Borough allowing for the development of big and small schemes, which all have a dramatic effect on the transport infrastructure of the Authority.

Following discussions it was RESOLVED:

1.    To note the progress made to date on Mountain Ash Southern Cross Valley Link Road, Llanharan Bypass, A4119 Dualling (Stinkpot Hill) and the Council’s current Park and Ride projects.

2.    To note the Welsh Government A465 dualling proposals and the impact on the Cynon Gateway North Link Road.

3.    To consider the issues of the Gelli-Treorchy Relief Road and the alternative proposals for a Treorchy Link Road, as outlined within the report.

4.    To consider the funding of further works and studies to progress the key strategic transportation infrastructure projects.

To receive the report of the Director, Regeneration, Planning & Housing seeking Cabinet approval of the contents of the CIL Annual Monitoring Report.

To enable the Council to continue to operate a Community Infrastructure Levy in accordance with the statutory regulations, the Service Director Planning provided his report to Members. Member were reminded that the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 (as amended) require the Council to produce an annual report detailing CIL income and expenditure, and the Service Director outlined the detail of the CIL income and expenditure for 2017/18. 

Members were also advised that the content of the report had been presented to the Finance & Performance Scrutiny Committee during their meeting in September.

The Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development & Housing commented on the report and discussed the obligations on the Council to produce a 123 list and commented that it would be beneficial if the local Community Councils also operated with a similar list, although this wasn’t a mandatory requirement.  The Cabinet Member also made reference to the relatively low CIL receipts which he added was to be expected for the first few years of its implementation as the majority of development that is currently being undertaken in the County Borough was granted planning permission prior to CIL being implemented.

County Borough Councillor G Hopkins also commented on the good practice of Community Councils producing a 123 List, and spoke of the practice taken forward within Llanharan Community Council which he was happy to share.

The Deputy Leader advised Members that the subject of a CIL 123 List by Community Councils would be added to the agenda for discussions at the next meeting of the Community Liaison Committee.

Following discussions it was RESOLVED:

1.    To the contents of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)  Annual Monitoring Report, as outlined within  Appendix A of the document.

(N.B. County Borough Councillor G Hopkins declared a personal interest in relation to this item to which minute number 48 refers)

To receive the report of the Director, Regeneration, Planning & Housing, providing Members with a draft regeneration strategy for taking Porth Town Centre forward into the future that delivers economic growth and job creation.

The Head of Regeneration, Housing and Prosperity provided Members with a  draft regeneration strategy for  Porth Town Centre, which looked to take forward the area  into a Town Centre that would deliver economic growth and job creation. The Officer referred to the Councils Corporate Plan commitments and the need to tackle the many challenges currently faced by town centres within the County Borough, adding that the solution required an integrated, co-ordinated and holistic approach to town centre regeneration that harnesses the many exciting opportunities currently presented through the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal.

Members were referred to section 5 of the report which provided in detail the draft strategy for members consideration including the key schemes that would need to be taken forward to make the strategy work.  Members were advised that a critical next step that has been highlighted in the implementation process was the need to carry out a public consultation on the draft strategy.

The Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development & Housing welcomed the strategy, which looked to build and plan for the future and entailed many wider benefits for the residents of not only Porth but of the County Borough. 

County Borough Councillors G Caple and  J Williams also spoke to the item.

The Leader of the Council commented on the strategy and spoke of the benefits the Metro would also bring to the strategy and the positive consequences for other areas of the County Borough.

Following discussions it was RESOLVED:

1.    That following consideration of the draft Porth Town Centre Regeneration Strategy as outlined within the Appendix of the report, to Initiate a public consultation exercise on the draft Strategy and receive a further report detailing the results from the consultation exercise.

2.    That subject to the public consultation feedback, to the further development of schemes and projects as outlined within the draft strategy.

To receive the report of theDirector of Public Health, Protection and Community Services outlining  the revised Statement of Principles, under the provisions of the Gambling Act, for the period 2019 – 2021 in accordance with statutory requirements.

The Director, Public Health, Protection & Community Services provided Members with his report which considered the revised Statement of Principles, under the provisions of the Gambling Act 2005 (i.e. the local policy statement for the management of gambling activity within the boundary of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council), for the period 2019 – 2021 in accordance with statutory requirements.

The Director advised of the statutory requirement to review the Statement of Principles on a 3 yearly basis and the current statement had therefore been subject to review. He added that the proposed Statement of Principles was to come into effect from 31^st January 2019, pending approval from full Council.

The Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, Well-being & Cultural Services commented on the Principles which assisted the Authority in ensuring that it was well regulated and which was necessary to ensure the protection of residents in this area.

It was RESOLVED:

1.    To approve the revisions to the policy as advocated by the Director of Public Health, Protection and Community Services, and which were considered by the Licensing Committee on 11th September 2018.

2.    To commend the revised Statement of Principles to Council for adoption in line with statutory requirements.

To receive the report of the Director of Legal And Democratic Servicesenabling Members to review the Council’s use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (as amended) (‘RIPA’) in 2017-18 and to review and set the Council’s Corporate Enforcement Policy and its policy on the use of RIPA.

The Director, Legal & Democratic Services provided Members with an annual update on the Council’s use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (as amended) (‘RIPA’) for the period 1^st April, 2017 – 31^st March 2018 and confirmed that this had been used in a consistent and appropriate manner with Council policy. The Director also referred Members  to the  review undertaken with the Council’s Corporate Enforcement Policy and its policy on the use of RIPA.

The Deputy Leader thanked the Director for the update and the confident knowledge that staff work to the policies in places, to protect themselves and the Council.  The Deputy Leader requested that Members be provided with the revised policy in full following the meeting.

It was RESOLVED:

1.            To note the contents of the report;

2.            To acknowledge that  RIPA had been used in an appropriate manner that is consistent with the Council’s RIPA policies during the period 1^st April 2017 – 31^st March 2018;

3.            To approve the proposed revisions to (i) the Corporate Enforcement Policy and (ii) the Corporate RIPA Policy as shown in Appendices 1 and 2 to the report respectively; and

4.            To note that in the Senior Responsible Officer’s opinion the current Acquisition of Communications Data under RIPA Policy remains fit for purpose.

To receive the report of the Director of Communications and Interim Head of Democratic Services providing Members with the Corporate Parenting Boards Annual Report.

The Director of Communications & Interim Head of Democratic Services

presented Members with the Annual Report of the Corporate Parenting Board for 2017/18, as required under the Leaders Scheme of Delegation.

As Chair of the Corporate Parenting Board, the Cabinet Member for Children & Young People commented on the report and the work undertaken by the Board during the year ( which at the time was Chaired by Cllr G Hopkins), commenting on the aspirations within the plan and positive working relationship with Scrutiny.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Community Services & Welsh Language commented on the duty placed upon all Councillors to safeguard those children within the Authorities care and the need and aspirations to ensure that these children still deliver and achieve their full potential and are given the same chances as any other child. The Cabinet Member and previous Chair to the Board thanked the Members and Officers for their commitment and work over the 2017/18 Municipal Year and spoke of work undertaken including the opportunity to celebrate the successes of the children  within the Children Looked After service.

Following discussions it was RESOLVED:

 to the best of their abilities& Children’s Community Services thanked Members for the opportunity to present his Committees report which provided an overview of the good work undertaken over the 2016/17 Municipal Year

1.    That following comments to note the Corporate Parenting Board Annual Report (which is attached as Appendix 1 to the report).

To receive the report of the Group Director, Corporate & Frontline Services providing the Cabinet with information in respect of the 2019/2020 Provisional Local Government Settlement, and initial comments on its likely implications for the delivery of Council services.

With the agreement of the Leader, being of the opinion that the report of the Group Director, Corporate & Frontline Services  – ‘The Council's 2019/20 Revenue Budget - The Provisional Settlement ‘ be considered in accordance with the provision of section 100(b)4(B) of the Local Government Act 1972, as a matter of urgency, by reason of special circumstance i.e. To provide Members with an update on the provisional settlement following its publication on the 9^th October, 2018.

The Group Director, Corporate & Frontline Services referred Members to his report which provided Cabinet with information in respect of the 2019/2020 Provisional Local Government Settlement, and initial comments on its likely implications for the delivery of Council services, following publication of the details on the 9^th October, 2018.

The Group Director provided Members with the headline data from the settlement advising that the provisional reported settlement for Rhondda Cynon Taf, shows an increase of +0.3% which is above the average of -0.3%. Settlement figures across the twenty two local authorities in Wales range from at best +0.4% to at worst -1.0%.   Member were advised that the provisional settlement included partial funding for the Teachers pay awards agreement and the increase in Free School Meals, however details of specific grants had yet to be announced.

Members were advised that although the Provisional Settlement was better than modelled in the most recent Medium Term Financial Plan, it still presented the Council with a significant challenge in terms of preparing a balanced budget for 2019/20, with Members being advised that the potential funding gap going forward would be £5.920M.  The Group Director took the opportunity to advise Members of the work needed to be undertaken to develop an equitable budget strategy for 2019/20.

The Leader thanked the Group Director for  the information following the announcement and commented on the huge risk still facing the Authority with the teacher pay awards, which were not fully funded and advised that communication had been sent to both Welsh Government and UK Government in respect of this matter.  The Leader also referenced the Barnett consequences from the UK Government which could impact on the settlement going forward for Wales and spoke of the pressures relating to Health and Social Care, the levies in respect of apprenticeships and National Insurance contributions and commented that consultation on bridging the gap would need to be taken forward.

The Deputy Leader also commented on the provisional settlement and advised that the Council had been shortlisted for a prestigious national award for the Councils Apprenticeship scheme.

It was RESOLVED:

1.    To note the Provisional 2019/2020 Local Government Settlement, announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services the 9^th October 2018.

2.    To note that the Final 2019/2020 Local Government Settlement is expected during December 2018.

3.    To note that the general budget strategy consultation, subject to Cabinet agreement will commence on the 5^th November 2018.

4.    To refer the report to the Council meeting on the 24^th October,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

“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 *** of Part 4 of the Schedule 12A of the Act”.

RESOLVED – 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 they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in: Paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972 (as amended), namely information relating to the financial affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). Transparency in the conduct of local authority business is desirable; however, personal financial information will be discussed and considered. Consequently it is considered; the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing information by virtue of which the meeting is likely not to be open to the public during its consideration.

To receive the report of the Group Director Corporate and Frontline Servicespresenting Cabinet with the outcome of the procurement process to invest, alongside its wholly owned Company (Amgen), in new technology to make a step change in the efficiency of the processing of recyclate at its Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).

The Director, Regeneration & Planning referred Members to his report, which contained exempt information, advising  Members of  the outcome of the procurement process to invest, alongside its wholly owned Company (Amgen), in new technology to make a step change in the efficiency of the processing of recyclate at its Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).

Following discussions it was RESOLVED:

1.    That following consideration of the outcome of the procurement process as set out within the  report to support the investment;

2.    To the funding proposals as set out in paragraph 8.1 of the report, namely funding contributions from both the Council and Amgen.

3.    To authorise officers to award the contract and put in place the necessary operational arrangements for its installation.