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 made pertaining to the agenda.

To receive the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on the 24^th January, 2019 as an accurate record.

The Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 24^th January 2019 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

To receive the report of the Group Director, Corporate & Frontline Services, setting out the proposed revisions to Council fees and charges for the financial year 2019/20 (all to be effective from 1^st April 2019 or as soon as is practicable thereafter).

The Director, Financial Services provided the Cabinet with a report, setting out the proposed revisions to Council fees and charges levels for the financial year 2019/20, all to be effective from 1st April 2019 or as soon as is practicable thereafter

The Director, Financial Services reported on the results of the review undertaken by Cabinet in respect of the Councils proposed fees and Charges for the 2019/20 financial year, highlighting  the reviews objective of continuing to provide a comprehensive range of quality services at affordable prices.

Members were advised that the outcome of the review was a proposed 2.90% standard increase to fees and charges (allowing for rounding adjustments as appropriate) with the exception of a number of areas that were proposed to be subject to specific treatment. The Director referred members to table 1, set out in section 5 of his report which provided a Summary of the proposed fees and charges not subject to the proposed standard increase.

Members were advised of the details in respect of Meals on Wheels, Day Centre Meals, and Houses in Multiple Occupation.  The Director advised that the total estimated income that would be generated by the proposals outlined within the report would be £42k in a full year.  Before concluding his report the Director also referenced previous Cabinet decisions approved in relation to fees and charges during the 2018/19 financial year which would be incorporated into the Council’s 2019/20 proposed Budget Strategy. 

The Leader of the Council thanked the Officers for the report and commented on the proposed 2.90% standard increase to fees and charges, which he commented was a reasonable amount.  The Leader commented on the freezing of charges as highlighted within the report, following consideration of the feedback received from the Budget consultation process.

The Deputy Leader welcomed the freeze to school meals and also spoke of the rationale for the proposed schedule of fees in respect of Houses in Multiple Occupation, referencing the regulation and enforcement schemes in place in relation to HMOs needed to be undertaken by the Authority.

Other Members also spoke positively on the proposed charges for HMOs commenting on the need to ensure that the young people within the County Borough were given the highest standard of accommodation, with the Council ensuring health and safety for the students and their wellbeing was catered for by the respective landlords.  Reference was also made to the Treforest Property Accreditation Scheme, where properties within this accreditation would receive a 10% reduction.

Following discussions it was AGREED:

1.    To approve the proposed revised levels for all areas of the Council’s fees and charges as set out at section 5 of the report and detailed at Appendix 1 of the report. 

2.    To build the net budgetary impact (£42K for 2019/20) into the budget strategy proposals for consideration by Cabinet and Council as appropriate.

3.    To note the fees and charges decisions already approved and included in the 2019/20 proposed budget strategy ( as outlined in paragraph 5.5 of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 119.

To receive the report of the Group Director, Corporate & Frontline Services, proposing the three year capital programme for 2019/20– 2021/22.

The Group Director, Corporate & Frontline Services provided the Cabinet with a report outlining the Council’s three year Capital Programme for 2019/20 – 2021/22 which if agreed, would be presented to Council on 6^th March, 2019.

Cabinet Members were referred to Appendix A of the report, where the draft three year Capital Programme was outlined.

The Group Director explained that the core programme had been maintained at £15.934M per year and that the three year capital programme presented was fully funded. A risk remained that the projected capital receipts would be less than anticipated but it was assured that capital receipts projections would continue to be closely monitored. The Group Director continued to advise that the proposed capital programme for 2019/20 to 2021/22 represented a total investment of £173.202M and continued to provide detail of this investment.

Cabinet Members were referred to section 5 of the report, where the additional investment and earmarked reserves were outlined. Section 5.3 highlighted the results of a detailed risk assessment of earmarked reserves and provided a view on the extent to which any amounts could be released.  Members were advised that the total amount of reserves identified to be released amounts to £6.740M.

The Group Director referred Members to the table outlined in section 5.7 which identified the specific areas where investment is proposed, as in accordance with the overarching objectives and aims of the Corporate plan:

·         Highways & Roads

·         Highway Structures

·         Park Structures

·         Making Better Use/Traffic Developments

·         A4119 Dualling

·         Land Drainage

·         Bryn Pica Eco Park

·         Empty Property Grants

·         Town Centre Maintenance  Grants (revenue project)

·         Schools

·         Extra Care

·         Parks

·         Play Areas

·         Skate Parks / multi use Games Areas

·         Cemeteries

·         Leisure Centres Enhancements

·         King George V Track

The Leader spoke positively on the proposed Capital investment which aligned with the priorities of the Councils Corporate plan, commenting on the potential for future grants to come forward following recent discussions with the First Minister.  The Leader commented on a number of new investment areas identified in the report, referencing Bryn Pica Eco Park and the investment to cemeteries, following a review of the service. 

The Deputy Leader commented on austerity and the pressures facing the Council and many other Local Authorities across Wales, although she highlighted that that no other Local Authority was able to invest in key service areas like RCT and reiterated her thanks to the work of the Leader, Chief Executive, Group Director, Corporate & Frontline Services and the finance officers involved.

Following discussions it was AGREED:

1.    To propose the attached three year capital programme at Appendix A of the report to Council on the 6^th March which includes:

                I.          A review and proposed release of earmarked reserve balances as detailed in paragraph 5.3 of the report;

               II.          Proposed investment priorities as detailed in paragraph 5.7 of the report;

             III.          The Council’s core capital programme;

             IV.          The Council’s total capital programme including additional non core funding

To receive the report of the Group Director, Corporate & Frontline Services, with information in respect of the 2019/20 local government settlement, the outcomes of the general budget consultation exercise and feedback from the pre-scrutiny activity undertaken by the Finance & Performance Scrutiny Committee, to assist it with its deliberations, prior to constructing the revenue budget strategy for the financial year ending 31^st March 2020, which it will recommend to Council, for approval.

The Group Director, Corporate & Frontline Services presented his report to Members which provided Cabinet with information in respect of the 2019/2020 local government settlement, the outcomes of the general budget consultation exercise and feedback from the pre-scrutiny activity undertaken by the Finance & Performance Scrutiny Committee, to assist with Cabinet’s deliberations, prior to constructing the revenue budget strategy for the financial year ending 31^st March 2020, which it needed to recommend to Council, for approval.

Members were referred to Appendix A of the report, which set out a proposed budget from the Council’s Senior Leadership Team, following consideration of the local government settlement, which had been received on the 19^th December 2018. The Group Director advised that the Senior Leadership Team discussion paper contained key elements of a balanced revenue budget strategy for 2019/2020.

Through his report, the Group Director was able to provide Members with details of the potential financial effects on Rhondda Cynon Taf and its Council Tax payers, including an exemplification of a high level budget requiring a Council Tax increase of 3.6%.

Reference was made to the Medium Term Financial planning and Service Transformation Reserve and the Group Director confirmed that the Council have been able to increase the level of transitional funding available and the latest position is that this reserve has now increased to £4.840M (additional in year savings to date of £0.175M).

The Group Director advised of the recent base budget updates with specific reference to potential adjustment for South Wales Fire & Rescue Service Levy and the additional costs of the firefighter pension fund, which if not funded by central government, could be subsequently passed on to constituent authorities.  The Group Director advised that depending on the outcome of this decision the strategy report presented to Council would reflect the higher value for the levy.

Members attention was also drawn to the teachers pension which had not been included in the budget position as confirmation was still awaited on the quantum and timing of funding to cover the cost implications.  It was added that if no confirmation is received prior to the final budget setting then an additional ‘temporary’ allocation would be made from transitional funding or other earmarked reserves to cover this and any impact from an amended Fire Service levy.

The Group Director concluded his report by drawing Member’s attention to the Consultation process that had been undertaken in relation to the budget, with Members being advised that the consultation ran from the 5^th November, 2018 to the 17^th December, 2018 and engaged over 4000 people.  The Group Director also referenced the Pre-scrutiny that had been undertaken in respect of the Budget.

The Leader spoke on the proposed budget strategy and commented on the positive position the Council were in due to prudent managing of the budget throughout the year, efficiency making and remodelling of services.  The Leader added that Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Council Tax would be one of the lowest in Wales, advising Members of recent Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 121.

Members noted the updated Leaders Scheme of Delegation for the 2018-19 Municipal Year in respect of the changes to:

·         SACRE Membership change – County Borough Councillor M Fidler-Jones replacing County Borough Councillor M Griffiths

·         Strategic Culture & Arts Steering Group – Amendments to the Terms of Reference

·         Addition of the RCT Twinning Association Steering Group.