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, County Borough Councillor R. Lewis declared the following personal interest in Item 3 of the agenda: “My partner works for Public Health Wales”.

To receive the minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on the 13^th and 20^th February as an accurate record.

The Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 13^th and 20^th February 2020 as an accurate reflection of the meetings.

To receive the report of the Chief Executive, which provides the Cabinet with the Council’s response to COVID-19.

The Chief Executive introduced the report, which sought to provide the Cabinet with an update of the action taken by the Council as a result of the COVID 19 national emergency; along with an opportunity to discuss the reopening of services in the future, when social-distancing and self-isolation become the new normal. In turn, each officer from the Senior Leadership Team provided the Cabinet with a comprehensive update in respect of the work undertaken within their service area in response to the pandemic.

The Group Director, Community and Children’s Services took the opportunity to thank staff, who had been remarkable in supporting the vulnerable people of RCT and were continuing to work with internal and external partners. The Group Director advised that the positon had stabilised slightly but highlighted the pressure on Children’s Services due to an increase in Children Looked After numbers and the potential pressures of coming out of lockdown, when many staff are self-isolating or shielding. In respect of PPE and testing, the Group Director advised that the Council continued to provide support to all providers, which was working well. Prior to concluding, the Group Director was pleased to announce that the new Maesyffynnon Extra Care Facility had recently opened despite the current circumstances.

The Director, Education and Inclusion Services took the opportunity to thank the headteachers and school staff for working together during the unprecedented time. It was advised that there had been an increase in vulnerable learners accessing the HUB settings. Members learned that the previous week, 420 children accessed the Emergency Childcare Provision, 120 of which were vulnerable learners. It was explained that the Hubs were open seven days a week and would be open during bank holidays and the half term break to meet the demand for essential workers. The Director announced that on 1^st June 2020, an additional 12 hubs would be opened due to the rise in demand, taking the total to 25 hubs. In respect of Free School Meal provision, the Director advised that all of the 9300 eligible children were accessing direct payments. Furthermore, the Director spoke of the Community Meals services for the elderly, which saw 635 people accessing daily meals at their homes and a further 413 frozen meals delivered each week to shielded vulnerable individuals who are unable to cook for themselves.

The Director, Prosperity and Development spoke of the restructured highways and cleansing maintenance regime, which has allowed the Council to rise to the high level of waste and recycling produced across the Borough, whilst continuing to respond to the repercussions of February’s floods. The Director went on to speak of the business support available, which was outlined within the ‘Prosperity’ section of the report. He continued by emphasising that the safety of the public remains paramount, but that there was an opportunity to build upon the ‘shop locally’ slogan and for more manufacturing to take place in the UK and more local.

The Director, Public Health, Protection and Community Services informed the Cabinet  ...  view the full minutes text for item 123.

To receive the Leaders Scheme of Delegation following the recent amendment:

·         The appointment of the Cabinet Member for Adult Community Services and the Welsh Language

The Service Director, Democratic Services and Communication updated Members with the changes to the Leader’s Scheme of Delegation and it was RESOLVED:

1.    To note the contents of the Leader’s Scheme of Delegation; and

2.    To note that the Leader of the Council is able to amend the Scheme of Delegation relating to executive functions at any time during the year; and that an update of the 3A will be presented to Members at the next meeting of the Cabinet.