Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from the Leader of the Council, County Borough Councill A. Morgan.

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 following declarations of personal interest were made pertaining to the agenda:

·       In respect of Agenda Item 10 – Family Engagement Officers Review, the Cabinet Member for Education, Youth Participation & Welsh Language declared ‘I am on the Governing Body at YGG Abercynon, which is referenced within the report’; and

·       In respect of Agenda Item 9 – Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE), the Cabinet Member for Environment and Leisure declared ‘The Leader has appointed me to sit on the SACRE Committee’.

To receive the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on the 22^nd June 2022 as an accurate record.

The Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 22^nd June 2022 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

To receive a report from the Director of Finance and Digital Services to provide Members with an overview of the Council’s performance, both from a financial and operational perspective, for the financial year ended 31st March 2022.

The Service Director of Finance and Performance Services provided the Cabinet with an overview of the Council’s performance, both from a financial and operational perspective, for the financial year ended 31st March 2022.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Corporate Services was assured by the proactive approach taken to assure the Council’s ongoing financial resilience, which had been aided by the additional funding made available by Welsh Government during the quarter. The Cabinet Member noted the three Corporate Plan priority position statements and the positive difference made to communities throughout various Council service areas.

The Cabinet Member for Environment & Leisure agreed that the report reinforced the excellent work undertaken by all departments within the Local Authority.

The Deputy Leader acknowledged the challenging events experienced by the Local Authority, such as the ongoing effects of the pandemic.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To note the on-going impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on service delivery and, in parallel, the re-introduction of services as Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted;

Revenue

2.    To note and agree the General Fund revenue outturn position of the Council as at the 31st March 2022 (Section 2 of the Executive Summary) and note the incorporation of Welsh Government Covid-19 funding into this position to support on-going service delivery.

Capital

3.    To note the capital outturn position of the Council as at the 31^st March 2022 (Sections 3a – e of the Executive Summary).

4.    To note the details of the Treasury Management Prudential Indicators as at the 31^st March 2022 (Section 3f of the Executive Summary).

Corporate Plan Priorities

5.    To note the year end position regarding progress made against agreed Corporate Plan priorities (Sections 5 a – c of the Executive Summary).

6.    To note the progress update to enhance the Council’s Short term and long-term response to extreme weather events (section 6 of the Executive Summary)

To receive a report from the Director of Finance and Digital Services to set out the Council’s updated draft Risk Management Strategy.

The Service Director of Finance and Improvement Services presented the report, which set out the Council’s updated draft Risk Management Strategy.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Corporate Services commented that effective risk management arrangements are key to the Council’s ability to deliver its services and the priorities set out within the Corporate Plan. The Cabinet Member noted that the report had been considered in depth by the Council’s Governance and Audit Committee and was pleased to note its content.

The Deputy Leader commented that the report demonstrates the robustness of the Council’s internal management and took the opportunity to thank internal audit and the Governance and Audit Committee for the contribution.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To approve the Council’s updated draft Risk Management Strategy, as endorsed by the Governance and Audit Committee at its meeting on 23rd March 2022.

To receive a report from the Director of Public Health, Protection and Community Services in respect of the Draft Housing Support Programme Strategy 2022-26. 

The Head of Community Safety and Community Housing presented the draft Housing Support Programme Strategy 2022 – 2026 to Cabinet for consideration and approval.

The Cabinet Member for Public Health & Communities thanked the officer for the presentation and commented that the concerning statistics detailed within the report demonstrated the demand for supported housing schemes. The Cabinet Member shared the following example from the report: ‘524 individuals, families and groups were placed in temporary accommodation in 2020/2021. 40% of the 524 were placed in temporary accommodation multiple times, leading to a total of 852 placements in 2020/2021.’

The Cabinet Member for Development and Prosperity congratulated officers on the innovative pilot scheme which had been set up to work with landlords and alleviate the housing lists. The Cabinet Member commented that there was a need for local housing allowance to rise to keep pace with the rise in the private rent sector and acknowledged that this was an issue to take up with Welsh Government.

The Deputy Leader spoke of her visits to shared housing provision and emphasised the importance of working with Local Members.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To approve the Rhondda Cynon Taf Housing Support Programme

Strategy 2022 -2026 as set out at Appendix 1 of the report; and

2.    To support the development of a comprehensive Delivery Plan and Investment Strategy to secure achievement of the Strategy priorities over the next 4 years and specifically to identify the financial requirements and funding opportunities to deliver the development of additional supported housing schemes, including a new scheme to replace the Mill Street Hostel, and to offer further shared housing provision throughout

To receive a report from the Group Director for Community and Children’s Services in respect of a redevelopment proposal to provide specialist care accommodation for people with learning disabilities at the former Bronllwyn Residential Care Home.

The Director of Adult Services provided Cabinet with a redevelopment proposal to provide specialist care accommodation for people with learning disabilities at the former Bronllwyn Residential Care Home “Bronllwyn”, as part of the modernisation of the Council’s residential care home modernisation programme, which was previously agreed by Cabinet in December 2020 and to seek approval for the funding required to deliver the proposed redevelopment.

The Cabinet Member for Health & Social Care was pleased to note the significant investment into health and social care infrastructure and the Council’s residential care home modernisation programme for the older generation. The Cabinet Member noted that Bronllwyn was built in the 1970’s and was no longer fit for purpose for those who require specialist care.

The Cabinet Member endorsed the recommendation to submit a new funding application in July 2022 for the full redevelopment costs, currently estimated at £4.879m, to Welsh Government’s Integration and Rebalancing Care Fund (IRCF).

The Deputy Leader was pleased to note that alternative provision had been found for residents whilst Bronllwyn had been closed.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.  To consider the information in the report;

2.    To approve the redevelopment proposal for Bronllwyn to provide specialist care accommodation for people with learning disabilities as outlined in Section 5 of the report;

3.    To continue the current care and support arrangements for the previous service users of Bronllwyn Day Centre until the new older people day centre facility at the Dan-y-Mynydd Extra Care Scheme in Porth opens in early 2024, and approves the permanent closure of the day centre at Bronllwyn to allow the redevelopment of the site, as set out in paragraph 5.13 of the report;

4.    To approve the relocation of the Council’s Supported Living Team Office at Bronllwyn to Ty Elai;

5.    To approve the funding package as outlined in Section 9 below, to redevelop Bronllwyn to provide specialist care accommodation for people with learning disabilities;

6.    To include the redevelopment of Bronllwyn within the Council’s Capital Programme (Modernisation Programme (Adults); and

7.    To receive update reports on progress of the Bronllwyn redevelopment.

To receive a report from the Group Director for Community and Children’s Services, which proposes temporary changes in response to the current demand and capacity of the Council’s residential care homes for older people.

The Director of Adult Services provided Cabinet with information regarding the current demand and capacity of the Council’s residential care homes for older people and made recommendations to temporarily redesign current service provision leading to the temporary closure of the 24-bed Ystrad Fechan care home and the transfer of the eight residents to Pentre House or another home of their choosing which meets their needs; and to temporary provide provision of up to 10 new step up step down beds at Parc Newydd, in partnership with Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, to support hospital discharge.

The Cabinet Member for Health & Social Care noted that the demand for traditional residential care was decreasing and the demand for more complex care was increasing.

Referring to the proposal to temporary provide provision of up to 10 new step up step down beds at Parc Newydd, the Cabinet Member was pleased to note that this was the first of its kind and would commented that it would, no doubt, improve patient flow through the system.

The Deputy Leader was in support of the recommendations contained within the report and emphasised that any future proposals following the temporary period would be based on a wide ranging consultation and explained that the Council’s Scrutiny Committees would have the opportunity to consider any investment of service redesign options before a Cabinet decision is made.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.  To consider the information in the report;

2.    To redesign the Council’s residential care home service to temporarily close Ystrad Fechan and transfer residents to Pentre House or another home of their choice which meets their needs;

3.    To redesign the Council’s residential care home service and temporarily provides up to 10 new step up step down beds at Parc Newydd, in partnership with Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, to support hospital discharge; and

4.    To receive a further report in Autumn 2022, setting out proposals to bring forward development proposals and options for the modernisation of, and investment in the Council’s residential services.

To receive a report from the Director of Education in respect of the 2022 Childcare Sufficiency Assessment.

The Director of Education presented the report, which sought Cabinet approval to commence public consultation of the contents of the 2022 Childcare Sufficiency Assessment (CSA) for the statutory period of 28 days prior to submitting to Welsh Government for formal approval.

The Cabinet Member for Education, Youth Participation & Welsh Language commented that assessment provided an up-to-date picture of the County Borough but noted that the responses were received during the pandemic. The Cabinet Member commented that there had been a reduction in registered settings and places with a particular decline in child-minding spaces across RCT due to lockdown restrictions.

In terms of demand and any gaps in provision, the Cabinet Member drew attention to North East Taff Ely and South Rhondda, which he felt should be closely monitored.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment & Leisure spoke of the provision of play and its importance.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To note the content of the report;

2.    To commence consultation with relevant stakeholders on the contents of the 2022 CSA; and,

3.    That following the consultation period, the CSA be submitted to Welsh Government for final approval.

To receive a report from the Director of Education in respect of the Council’s statutory duties to establish a Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE).

The Director of Education provided the Cabinet with information on the Council’s statutory duties to establish a Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE).

The Director sought to update Members on the constitution of Rhondda Cynon Taf SACRE and provided them with the Annual Report of the RCT SACRE for the academic year 2020-2021 is available.

The Deputy Leader and the Cabinet Member for Education, Youth Participation & Welsh Language took the opportunity to thank all those involved in the SACRE for their contributions and work undertaken.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To note the content of the Annual Report 2020-2021.

To receive a report from the Director of Education and Inclusion Services in respect of the implementation of the Family Engagement Officer (FEO) pilot in RCT, and to outline two options for furthering this work whilst also considering the wider work of Family Engagement in RCT schools and the work ongoing toward Community Focussed Schools.

The Head of the Attendance and Wellbeing Service provided Cabinet Members with information on the implementation of the Family Engagement Officer (FEO) pilot in RCT and outlined three options for furthering the work for Cabinet consideration.

The Cabinet Member for Education, Youth Participation & Welsh Language was pleased to consider the report and commented that supporting children and their families was a manifesto commitment of the administration. The Cabinet Member was of the view that the pilot had been a success in many schools and was in support of its expansion to further the work. The Cabinet Member felt that the additional funding and FEO’s would improve attendance at schools and explore with children and families any potential barriers in terms of attendance.

In terms of the options put forward by officers, the Cabinet Member was in support of Option 3 and commented that it was based on need and a hybrid of the other two options outlined within the report.

The Deputy Leader commented that some children had found it difficult to return to a school setting, post pandemic, and that the additional support officers had helped greatly.  

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To note the positive impact of the pilot of Family Engagement Officer roles as contained in the report; and

2.    To approve Option 3, to deploy the additional Welsh Government funding based on the highest identified need and to benefit pupils across all phases - primary, secondary and Pupil Referral Unit learners.

To receive a report from the Director of Education and Inclusion Services in respect of Next Projects funded by the Mutual Investment Model (MIM) of Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.

The Lead Officer for Strategic Planning and MIM provided Cabinet Members with an update on progress with the second batch of three primary schools proposed to be funded via the Mutual Investment Model (MIM) funding element of Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. In addition, the Officer sought approval of Members to submit a New Project Requestto the Welsh Education Partnership Company (WEPCo) requesting the production of a Stage 1 submission which will commence initial design work for proposed new primary school buildings for Maesybryn, Tonysguboriau and Glyn-coch via the MIM funding element of Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.

The Cabinet Member for Education, Youth Participation & Welsh Language was pleased to note the content of the report and commented that it continued the modernisation agenda and vision to have the very best facilities for the pupils within the County Borough.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    That a New Project Request be issued to WEPCo in relation to proposed new primary school buildings for Maesybryn, Tonysguboriau and Glyn-coch in accordance with the Strategic Partnering Agreement to which the Council is a party (per Cabinet Report dated the 24th of September 2020);

2.    To note Cabinet’s approval given at the meeting on the 22^nd of June 2022 in relation to the statutory consultation on the proposed closure of Craig-Yr-Hesg/Cefn Primary Schools and the creation of a new primary school for Glyn-coch; and

3.    To note that agreeing to issue New Project Requests to WEPCo does not commit the Council to enter into contractual arrangements in relation to any projects.  Approval to progress further or enter into any Project Agreements for any MIM Projects will be brought back before Cabinet for determination.

To receive a report from the Director for Prosperity and Development in respect of the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), to highlight investment opportunities for Rhondda Cynon Taf and the wider South East Wales region, and to propose arrangements of a South East Wales Regional Investment Plan.

The Director of Prosperity and Development provided Cabinet with an update on the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which supports the government’s wider commitment to level up all parts of the UK and provides funding for local investment between 2022 and 2025. The Director sought to highlight the investment opportunities for Rhondda Cynon Taf and the wider South East Wales region and provide detail of the proposed delivery arrangements and the timescales for the submission and appraisal of a South East Wales Regional Investment Plan.

The Cabinet Member for Development and Prosperity was pleased to note the content of the report and commented that £585M of new investment would be brought to Wales, with around half allocated to the South East region and 16% to RCT.The Cabinet Member also took the opportunity to congratulate officers on taking the lead for the Region.

The Deputy Leader spoke positive of the report and the Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To consider the detail of the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund for the period 2022 to 2025 and the potential investment opportunities for Rhondda Cynon Taf and the wider South East Wales region;

2.    To the delivery arrangements for SPF in RCT and the wider Cardiff Capital Region and the requirement for a 3 year Regional Investment Plan to access the Fund as set out in Section 7 of the report; and

3.    To endorse the Council’s role as lead authority for South East Wales and the development and submission of a Regional Investment Plan to UK Government by 1 August 2022.