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.

The Deputy Leader declared the following personal interest in respect of Item 10 of the agenda – Capital Programme: "I am a Member of the Governing Body of Heol y Celyn Primary School which is referenced in the report.''

To receive the minutes of the Cabinet Committee held on the 23^rd January 2023 as an accurate record.

The Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 23^rd January 2023.

To receive the report of the Interim Director of Social Services, which provides Cabinet with the opportunity to consider the outcome of the consultation on the preferred options on the future provision of accommodation for older people in each of the Council’s nine residential care homes.

The Interim Director of Social Services presented the report, which provided the Cabinet with the opportunity to consider the outcome of the consultation on the preferred options on the future provision of accommodation for older people in each of the Council’s nine residential care homes.

The Service Director of Democratic Services and Communication then provided the Cabinet with the feedback of the Overview and Scrutiny 2022-2027 Committee, which considered the report at its meeting held on 27^th February 2023. A formal letter had been circulated to the Cabinet prior to the meeting but the Service Director took the opportunity to summarise its key points:

• Many members acknowledged the strong public opposition to the Garth Olwg proposal;
• A Majority of members have recognised the case for change;
• Many members have identified the need to see proposals to invest in all facilities come forward as soon as possible;
• A comment was made by one member in respect of the focus of the report upon capacity rather than addressing a better geographical spread, and local access to such facilities;
• A member asked for reassurance that the Council is ‘confident’ when reducing capacity, there is ‘resilience’ in the community to support people to live independently longer; and
• A majority of the Committee commented upon the need for greater capacity for dementia as part of the proposals.

The Cabinet Member for Health & Social Care took the opportunity to thank officers for the comprehensive report, which set out for the Council’s continued modernisation programme of investment in care homes, despite the current financial position. The Cabinet Member was in support of the proposals that sought to provide dignity and respect in old age with modern, state of the art care homes, including provision for more complex needs and learning disabilities in adulthood. In respect of the extensive public consultation undertaken, the Cabinet Member noted that it was largely positive with residents welcoming the investment. The Cabinet Member spoke of the concerns raised regarding the Garth Olwg proposal and took the opportunity commend Councillor G Stacey for raising a number of issues raised on behalf of residents and staff in retaining the care home at Garth Olwg, whilst welcoming a new facility for adults with learning disabilities.

The Leader emphasised that although the care provided by staff was excellent, several of current homes did not meet the new modern-day standards. The Leader advised that the remodelling of the rooms to include ensuites etc was considered but that it would prove to be challenging with residents needing to be moved more than once, which was strongly condemned by the Older People’s Commissioner.  

The Deputy Leader thanked the Director for the report and spoke positive of the change to Ferndale recommendation to increase capacity, following consideration of the consultation responses.  The Deputy Leader fully appreciated the anxiety any change creates, but felt it was important to acknowledge that it would not be right by the service or future users, to continue with the status quo, and commented  ...  view the full minutes text for item 109.

To receive the report of the Interim Director of Social Services which provides information about children’s services plans for developing residential care services in line with the Council’s duties, and in the context of the Welsh Government Policy ambition to remove profit form the provision of care for looked after young people, and seek Cabinet’s agreement to approve and adopt the proposed Looked After Children: Residential Care Transformation Strategy 2022-2027.

The Service Director of Children’s Services provided the Cabinet with information about children’s services plans for developing residential care services in line with the Council’s duties, and in the context of the Welsh Government Policy ambition to remove profit form the provision of care for looked after young people; and sought Cabinet’s agreement to approve and adopt the proposed Looked After Children: Residential Care Transformation Strategy 2022-2027.

The Cabinet Member for Health & Social Care took the opportunity to thank officers for the detailed report, which he felt set out a pathway to delivering change and direction to children’s residential services. The Cabinet Member was fully supportive of a not-for-profit market and stressed that the overriding aim was to provide care to looked after children and young people, close to home in high quality settings where they can thrive by stable, resilient, and skilful staff. The Cabinet Member recognised that it was an ambitious task with significant barriers to overcome to comply with regulations by 1^st April 2027 and as Chair of Corporate Parenting Board, the Cabinet Member stated that Board Members were acutely aware of the increase in demand for placements, lack of availability and sufficiency and that for many years there had been children placed out of county.

The Cabinet Member questioned whether the decision had impacted on residential placement availability for children over the last year and whether it had increased the number of OWR placements supported by Children’s Services over the period in Rhondda Cynon Taf and other Local Authorities. The Service Director confirmed that the reason the Council had to develop OWR placements was due to the lack of suitable registered alternative and explained that the proposed strategy was the strongest plan to move away from those arrangements.

The Cabinet Member for Environment & Leisure commented that the Council did not want to be placing children in unregistered accommodation, but like many other Local Authorities, there was no other alternative due to a lack of suitable accommodation availability. The Cabinet Member sought assurance that the unregistered placements provide a safe environment with care and support that is tailored to the specific needs of the individual children while registered accommodation is pursued. The Service Director explained that all options are considered prior to an OWR placement, which included supporting the young people at their existing homes to prevent escalation; and developing therapeutic provision and placement support. Additionally, it was explained that RCT’s own resources were considered before an OWR placement but where there was no alternative option, the young people’s safety and wellbeing was paramount. The Service Director assured Members that managerial oversight is provided as it would in an RCT children’s home.

The Deputy Leader thanked the Scrutiny Committee for its contribution and stated that in order to support young people in local communities it was key that Local Members are provided with concise and factual information to prevent speculation and negate any concerns of the community.

In light of the Deputy Leader’s comment, the Cabinet  ...  view the full minutes text for item 110.

To receive the report of the Service Director of Democratic Services and Communication, which provides Members with an update on the Cabinet Work Programme on the proposed list of matters requiring consideration by Cabinet over the 2022-23 Municipal Year.

The Service Director of Democratic Services and Communication provided the Cabinet with an update on the Cabinet Work Programme on the proposed list of matters requiring consideration by Cabinet over the remainder of the 2022-23 Municipal Year. 

The Service Director informed Members that there had been several changes made to the Work Programme following its publication, which would be reflected on the Council’s website. The Service Director also advised that there would be an additional Cabinet meeting in April to ensure all necessary business is considered during the remainder of the Municipal Year.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To approve the Cabinet Work Programme for the 2022-23 Municipal Year (with appropriate amendment where necessary) and receive a further update on a 3 monthly basis.

To receive the report of the Director of Frontline Services, which seeks Cabinet approval to provide free bus travel for the period of 1st – 31st March 2023 for all journeys that start and terminate within the Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) county boundary. This would apply to all operators currently operating a scheduled service.

The Director of Frontline Services presented the report, which sought Cabinet approval to provide free bus travel for the period of 1st – 31st March 2023 for all journeys that start and terminate within the Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) county boundary. The Director explained that the Council had been successful in bidding for money through the UK’s Shared Prosperity Fund to introduce initiatives that will help reduce the cost of living for residents, through measures that improve energy efficiency and combat fuel poverty and climate change. As such, £500k had been awarded for the 2022/23 financial year, with further awards of £1.1M for 2023/24 and £1.2M for 2024/25.

The Director clarified that, if approved, free bus travel would apply to all operators currently operating a scheduled service, for journeys within the County Borough. If a journey ends outside of RCT, that part would remain payable.

The Leader advised that the average fayre for bus journeys across RCT was £2.30 and explained that the initial model considered by officers was a £2 flat rate across the whole year, totalling over £2M, which was unaffordable. The Leader continued and explained that, had they opted for the £2 flat rate model for a month, much of the funding would have been returned to the Government.

The Leader spoke of another Local Authority, which had trialled a period of free bus travel and informed Members that bus travel had increased by around 30% and although there was no long-term evidence of a substantial uplift, the key was to increase the number of passengers going forward. The Leader stated that an increase in bus travel would not only support the Council with its climate commitments but would save residents in RCT approximately £500K on travel for the month.

The Leader informed Members that following the month of March, a review would be undertaken of the pilot to gain an understanding of how best to use the additional funding of £1.2M in the new financial year.

With the agreement of the Leader, County Borough Councillor K Johnson addressed the Cabinet on this item.

The Leader thanked the Member for his contribution and explained that in terms of Bus Emergency Scheme, the Welsh Government had set out a three-month extension that could be extended further. The Leader added that subject to the budget announcement on 14^th March 2023, Local Government would be pressing UK Government for continued funding for the bus emergency scheme and acknowledged that with price increases in fuel etc, there had been an impact on bus travel.

The Deputy Leader and the Cabinet Member for Environment & Leisure voiced their support of the proposal. The Deputy Leader spoke on behalf of residents who were reliant on public transport and feeling the repercussions of the cost-of-living crisis; and stated that free bus travel throughout RCT for March would be of great financial benefit.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To note the content of the report and approve the proposal to introduce free bus travel for the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 112.

To receive the report of the Director of Education and Inclusion Services, which provides the opportunity for Cabinet to consider the recommendations made by the relevant temporary governing bodies as to the proposed naming of the three new schools in the Greater Pontypridd area.

The Cabinet RESOLVED to defer consideration of this item to a future meeting.

To receive the report of the Deputy Chief Executive & Group Director of Finance, Digital & Frontline Services, which provides the Cabinet with details of the Welsh Government Non-Domestic Rates (NDR) – Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Rate Relief (RLH) Scheme for 2023/24; details of a proposed local business rate reduction scheme; and details of the NDR Revaluation which comes into effect from 1^st April 2023.

The Head of the Revenue and Benefits Service presented the report, which provided the Cabinet with:

a)    Details of the Welsh Government Non-Domestic Rates (NDR) – Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Rate Relief (RLH) Scheme for 2023/24;

b)    Details of a proposed local business rate reduction scheme; and

c)    Details of the NDR Revaluation which comes into effect from 1^st April 2023.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Corporate Services was pleased to note that Welsh Government had recognised the financial challenges facing businesses in Wales and welcomed the increase in level of relief to 75% across Retail, Leisure, and Hospitality sectors. The Cabinet Member was also pleased to note that the Council’s local scheme would also be increased from £300 to £500 per qualifying business premises and noted that over 600 businesses would benefit in the coming year. The Cabinet Member concluded and noted that the Transitionary Relief Scheme, coupled with the freezing of the multiplier at 53.5p would protect businesses from the impact of the Non-Domestic Rate Revaluation exercise.

The Leader added that increasing the local relief scheme from £300 to £500 was a commitment of the administration to provide over and above the Welsh Government’s schemes.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To note the details of the WG RLH Scheme and formally adopt the scheme for the year 2023/24;

2.    The proposed local Business Rate Reduction Scheme for 2023/24; and

3.    To note the details of the NDR revaluation exercise.

Note: Following consideration of this item, the Leader left the meeting, and the Deputy Leader took the Chair.

To receive the report of the Deputy Chief Executive & Group Director of Finance, Digital & Frontline Services, which provides Cabinet with the results of the second phase of the budget consultation and the draft Budget Strategy to amend as necessary to recommend to Council.

The Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance and Digital Services provided the Cabinet with the draft budget strategy for consideration which they would wish to recommend to Council.

The Deputy Leader took the opportunity to thank the officers for addressing the budget approach in a sustainable way, particularly in terms of the use of transitional funding. The Deputy Leader acknowledged the continued pressure in respect of social care and proposed that the Cabinet amend the proposed strategy to take forward a Council Tax increase of 3.90%. The Deputy Leader was of the view that the marginal increase would still see RCT Council Tax lower than many other Local Authorities and would look to offset some of the pressures placed in the area.

The Deputy Leader noted that the report highlighted savings from procurement, technology, back office, and efficiency savings; and that compulsory job losses had been prevented. The Deputy commented that the opportunities to make savings away from the frontline were becoming increasing limited.

In light of the Deputy Leader’s comments, the Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Corporate Services moved the recommendations outlined within the report and proposed the additional recommendation, to amend the proposed Council Tax increase for 2023/24 to 3.90%, and to determine that this level forms part of the Cabinet Budget Strategy to be presented to Council on 8^th March 2023.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To review and amend the Budget Strategy which they wish to recommend to Council on the 8^th March 2023;

2.    To amend the proposed Council Tax increase for 2023/24 to 3.90% to support social care pressures, and to determine that this level forms part of the Cabinet Budget Strategy to be presented to Council on 8th March 2023; and

3.    To recommend to Council that the Deputy Chief Executive and Group Director of Finance, Digital and Frontline Services be authorised to amend the final budget consequential to the receipt of the Final Settlement as set out in Section 4 of the report.

To receive the report of the Deputy Chief Executive & Group Director of Finance, Digital & Frontline Services, which provides Cabinet with a proposed three year Capital Programme for 2023/24 to 2025/26 that if acceptable, will be presented to Council for approval.

The Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance and Digital Services provided Cabinet with a proposed three-year capital programme for 2023/24 to 2025/26 that if acceptable, will be presented to Council for approval.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Corporate Services took the opportunity to thank the Director for the report and was pleased to note that, despite the challenging financial circumstances, the Capital Programme continued to achieve one of the largest level of capital investment by a Local Authority in Wales. The Cabinet Member stated that the investments support the delivery of visible differences to communities and improve communities across RCT as a result.

The Deputy Leader echoed the Cabinet Member’s comments and was pleased to note the ambitious programme of investment, despite the current financial climate.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To review and propose the attached three-year capital programme to Council on 8^th March 2023 which includes:

·       A proposed 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; and

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

2.    To authorise the Deputy Chief Executive & Group Director – Finance, Digital & Frontline 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.