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.

Cllr R Bevan declared a personal interest in item 3 as he has a family member who works for the Authority but has been granted dispensation from the Standards Committee 

Cllr Webber declared a personal interest in item 7 as a governor on the interim governing body

To receive the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on the 27^th January 2022 as an accurate record.

The Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 27^th January 2022 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

To receive a report from the Director of Finance and Digital Services, which provides the Cabinet with the proposed revisions to Council fees and charges levels for the financial year 2022/23 (all to be effective from 1st April 2022 or as soon as is practicable thereafter) and the details of fees and charges decisions previously approved and included in the 2022/23 proposed Budget Strategy.

The Director Finance and Digital Services presented the report to Members which set out Proposed revisions to Council fees and charges levels for the financial year 2022/23 (all to be effective from 1^st April 2022 or as soon as is practicable thereafter); and also details of fees and charges decisions previously approved and included in the 2022/23 proposed Budget Strategy.

He continued that it was a requirement to agree the Council’s fees and charges for 2022/23, as part of the annual budget setting process.

He advised Cabinet that the outcome of Cabinet’s review is a proposed 2.50% standard increase to fees and, with the Council absorbing the implications of not applying a standard uplift in line with the CPI rate of inflation. In addition, a number of areas are proposed to be subject to specific treatment, as set out in the report.  He added that the impact of the proposals set out in Table 1 of the report would reduce income by £45k in a full year (compared to the Council’s budget modelling for 2022/23).  In addition, a number of fees and charges decisions have previously been approved and accordingly have already been incorporated into the Council’s 2022/23 proposed Budget Strategy.

Cllr M Norris agreed that the proposal to protect a wide range of areas from cost increases were recognition of the rising cost of living faced by all residents. He added that the last consultation feedback that lots of residents had asked for pest control to be frozen so Cabinet have listened and this forms part of the proposal.

The Deputy Leader spoke positively of the proposals and stated that she was very supportive of the proposals outlined in the report

At this juncture in the meeting and with agreement of the Leader, Councillor P Jarman addressed the Committee on this item to which the Leader responded too.   

The Service Director Democratic Services and Communications confirmed that as the matter is for determination at Council, the report is exempt from call-in procedures.

Following discussion 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 and detailed at Appendix 1 of the report

2.     Subject to 1 above being agreed, to build the net budgetary impact (£45k for 2022/23) into the budget strategy proposals for consideration by Cabinet and Council as appropriate (paragraph 5.3).

3.      To note the fees and charges decisions previously approved and included in the 2022/23 proposed Budget Strategy (paragraph 5.4 / Table 2).

To receive a report from the Director of Finance and Digital Services, which provides Cabinet with the proposals and results that have now been consulted upon as part of a second phase of budget consultation, for Cabinet to consider and amend as necessary the draft budget strategy which they would wish to recommend to Council.

The Director Finance and Digital Services presented the report to members on the draft budget proposals for the 2022/23 revenue budget strategy.  The proposals have now been consulted upon as part of a second phase of budget consultation and the results are now available for Cabinet to consider and amend as necessary the draft budget strategy which they would wish to recommend to Council.

The Director continued that for 2022/23, the proposals below are recommended to Council and full details provided in the report.  The reserve currently stands at £4.607M, having been replenished during this year (2021/22) by £0.988M to quarter 2.  Accordingly, to address the remaining budget gap, it is proposed that an allocation of £0.971M is made from this reserve for 2022/23. This would facilitate a balanced budget for 2022/23 and would leave £3.636M in the reserve

The Cabinet Member Corporate Services spoke positively of the proposals and stated that a great deal of good work had been undertaken to achieve an ambitious programme for the next period.  He continued the budget needs to be balanced against the rising cost pressures and urged caution going forward.

The Deputy Leader commented that the proposals were also in line with the budget consultation where over 80% of respondents are in support of a 1% Council Tax rise.

The Cabinet Member Adult Services welcomed the additional £1.5m funding for adult social care which will go towards supporting the Health and Social Care sector who are under financial pressures. 

The Cabinet Member Education and Inclusion was pleased to see schools are viewed as a key priority and the proposed budget increase is to cover an increase in staff, additional learning needs and energy costs.

The Leader spoke positively of the areas due to receive investment and is particularly pleased that the proposals included an increase to a minimum of £10 an hour pay increase which included all Health and Social Care staff.  He assured that discussions with the sector that all staff benefit from the offer to support the recruitment and retention of staff

The Service Director Democratic Services and Communications confirmed the report is exempt from call-in procedures as the matter will be presented to Council on 9^th March for approval.

Following discussions it was RESOLVED to:

1.    To review their Budget Strategy which they wish to recommend to Council on the 9^th March 2022; and

2.    To authorise the Director of Finance and Digital Services to amend the level of contribution from the Medium Term Financial Planning and Service Transformation Reserve as a consequence of any change to the Council’s resource levels announced in the Final Local Government Settlement.

To receive a report from the Director of Finance and Digital Services, which provides Cabinet with a proposed three year capital programme for 2022//23 to 2024/25 that if acceptable, will be presented to Council for approval.

The Director Finance and Digital Services presented the report to Member on the three year capital programme which includes:

§A proposed reallocation of existing resources, and allocation of new resources as detailed in paragraph 5 of the report;

§Proposed investment priorities as detailed in paragraph 6.2 of the report;

§The Council’s core capital programme;

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

The Leader spoke positively at the proposals and commented that the additional investment areas were all linked to Corporate Plan and will save revenue in the future.  He added the proposals were well received by the public through the consultation process. 

The Service Director Democratic Services and Communications confirmed that the report was exempt from call in procedures as the report would be determined at Council on 9^th March 2022

Following discussion it was RESOLVED:

1.    To authorise the Director of Finance and Digital Services to amend the level of Council Resources required to fund the Core Three Year Capital Programme as shown at Appendix 2 as a consequence of any change to the Council’s capital resource levels announced in the Final Local Government Settlement.

To receive a report from the Director Finance and DigitalServices, which provides Cabinet with details of a proposed Local Business Rate Reduction Scheme for Rhondda Cynon Taf and an update on the continuation of the Welsh Government Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Rate Relief (RLH) Scheme for 2022/23.

The Head of Revenue and Benefits presented Cabinet with details of a proposed local Business Rate Reduction Scheme for Rhondda Cynon Taf and an update on the continuation of the Welsh Government Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Rate Relief (RLH) Scheme for 2022/23.  The proposals provided ongoing support to RLH businesses within Rhondda Cynon Taf following two years of restricted trading through the period of the COVID 19 pandemic. 

The Head of Service continued that the adoption of the WG RLH Rate Relief Scheme and the Local Discretionary Business Rates Relief Scheme will provide further much needed financial support for local businesses to meet their 2022/23 rate liability and forms part of a wider package of support intended to create and maintain vibrant town centres across Rhondda Cynon Taf, which is something that this Council has committed to in its Corporate Plan.

The Cabinet Member Corporate Services was pleased to add to the support available for business and also to other sectors that are included in the scheme and is great news for businesses.

The Service Director Democratic Services confirmed the report was exempt from call in procedures

Following discussion it was RESOLVED to:

1.         Note the changes to the Welsh Government RLH Scheme for the year 2022/23;

2.         Adopt the Welsh Government RLH Scheme for the year for 2022/23; and

3.         The proposed local Business Rate Reduction Scheme for 2022/23 which will be incorporated into the Council’s Revenue Budget Strategy. 

To receive a report from the Director of Finance and Digital Services regarding financing of the proposals to build a new Welsh Medium Primary School in Rhydyfelin.

The Service Director Finance and Digital Services provided an update regarding financing of the proposals to build a new Welsh Medium Primary School in Rhydyfelin.  The investment in a new Welsh medium primary school in Rhydyfelin can be financed by Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Band B grant and by borrowing for the Council’s contribution by the use of powers available under the Prudential Code

The Deputy Leader spoke positively of the plans of the new state of the art welsh medium school now becoming a reality following a number of delays in the process due to the pandemic.

Following discussion it was RESOLVED:

1.    To note the position, as set out in the report on the submission of a full business case to Welsh Government in respect of a new Welsh medium primary school in Rhydyfelin;

2.    To review and agree the updated total costs and funding package for the school; and

3.    To review, and if acceptable propose that the Prudential Borrowing report attached at Appendix A to the report is presented to Council on 9^th March 2022.

To receive a report from the Director of Prosperity and Development, in respect of the draft Placemaking Plan for Pontypridd Town Centre which provides a bold vision for the regeneration of the town.

The Service Director Prosperity and Development presented the report to members which set out the draft Placemaking Plan for Pontypridd Town Centre.  The report provides a bold vision for the regeneration of the town.  He continued that ‘Placemaking’ is an overarching approach to improving how a place looks, functions and is experienced. The draft Placemaking Plan for Pontypridd Town Centre seeks to replace the existing Regeneration Framework for Pontypridd (2017-2022) building upon the foundations of what has already been delivered and to provide a framework for delivering further new development and investment that can help improve the prosperity of Pontypridd, enhance the townscape and make it more resilient to future change.

The Cabinet Member Bevan Enterprise Development and Housing commented that the proposals in the report demonstrates the Councils commitment to the development of Pontypridd and noted that £167m had been invested in the area in recent years.  He looked forward to receiving feedback from the consultation process.

The Deputy Leader agreed and commented that the development of the Lido, YMCA and the Muni over the last few years demonstrates this Council’s level of commitment and investment in this ward.

Following discussions it was RESOLVED:

1.    To consider the draft Pontypridd Placemaking Plan and agreed to consultation and public engagement on the overarching Pontypridd Placemaking Plan including engagement on early ideas for the former Marks & Spencer /Dorothy Perkins/Burtons area;

2.    To receive a further report detailing the results from the consultation exercise;

3.    That in addition to consulting on the Placemaking plan, agree to a funding application being submitted to Welsh Government to demolish the vacant Marks & Spencer/Dorothy Perkins/Burtons buildings due to their dilapidated and structural state and general poor quality and to commence the demolition process if and when funding is in place and on the securing of any necessary statutory consents;

4.    That in addition to consulting on the Placemaking plan, agree to move to the formal procurement stage to secure a development partner to deliver a hotel on the site of the former Bingo Hall/High Street/Sardis Road.

To receive a report from the Director of Legal Services in respect of the Council’s use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (as amended) (RIPA) and The Council’s use of the Acquisition of Communications Data under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA).

The Trading Standards & Registrar Services Manager presented the report to members Acknowledge that investigatory powers in respect of covert surveillance and acquisition of communications data have been used in an appropriate manner that is consistent with the Council’s RIPA and IPA policies during the period 1^st January – 31^st December 2021.

Members were informed that dring the period 1^st January – 31^st December 2021 there were no authorisations in respect of directed surveillance.  During the same period, there were no authorisations for the use of covert human intelligence sources.

The Deputy Leader thanked officers for the report which ensures we are using RIPA in an appropriate manner.  She added it is a useful tool in flytipping and rogue trader incidences.

Following discussion it was RESOLVED:

To note and acknowledge that investigatory powers in respect of covert surveillance and acquisition of communications data have been used in an appropriate manner that is consistent with the Council’s RIPA and IPA policies during the period 1^st January – 31^st December 2021.

“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: “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”.

To receive a report from the Director of Corporate Estates that seeks Cabinet approval to purchase the Freehold interest of 103-110 Taff Street, Pontypridd and 13-17 Sardis Road, Pontypridd.

The Director Corporate Estates presented the report which set out the proposal to acquire ownership of key properties to provide the Council with control of the land and buildings along the main retail area of Taff Street, Pontypridd, to be incorporated into a town centre regeneration scheme development, which will have significant tangible benefits to the town and surrounding area.

To seek authority to acquire the Freehold interest of existing properties known as 103-110 Taff Street, Pontypridd and 13-17 Sardis Road, Pontypridd which are located in a key position in a main retail location, part of which is subject to long leasehold interests.

Following discussion it was RESOLVED:

To approve the purchase of the Freehold interest of 103-110 Taff Street, Pontypridd and 13-17 Sardis Road, Pontypridd and the leaseholds of 105-106 Taff Street, Pontypridd of for a sum of £2.412M.

To consider any urgent business as the Chairman feels appropriate.

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