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 17^th October 2022 as an accurate record.

The Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 17^th October 2022.

To receive the report of the Director of Education and Inclusion Services, which provides the Cabinet with an update on the provision of additional teaching accommodation at Y Pant, following the report presented to Cabinet on 13^th December 2021 highlighting the increasing pressures on pupil numbers in the south of the County Borough.

The Service Director of 21^st Century Schools and Transformation, provided the Cabinet with an update on the provision of additional teaching accommodation at Y Pant, following the report presented to Cabinet on 13^th December 2021 highlighting the increasing pressures on pupil numbers in the south of the County Borough.

The Service Director recommended that consideration be given to agree to the construction of the two-storey teaching block at Y Pant with the phased programme to fit out the first floor initially and subsequently the ground floor when the capacity demands at the school dictate. The proposal would allow the Council to continue to deliver on its statutory duty to provide the appropriate number of school places in the right locations.

The Cabinet Member for Education, Youth Participation & Welsh Language noted that the scope of the proposed scheme had changed which had impacted on the project cost and the delivery programme.

The Cabinet Member commented that Y Pant was an attractive school, made more attractive by its transformation following investment in 2018. It was noted that the catchment area was an area of significant housing and population growth, with an increase in demand of school places forecast. The Cabinet Member concluded and commented that the proposal before Members was cost effective, sustainable and would help the school meet the demand of current and future admission numbers.

The Leader spoke in support of the proposals and the importance of minimising the use of portacabins when there are short term surges of cohorts.  The was pleased with the future proofing of the schools in terms of growth and advised that the longer-term position shows the three comprehensive schools within the area are close to capacity, largely due to the growth in population within the southern area of the County.

The Deputy Leader echoed previous comments and stated that the significant housing growth in the south of the County Borough had resulted in high demand for school places.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To note the changes that impact upon school places as detailed within the report;

2.    To approve the changes to the scope of the project; and

3.    To approve the increase in the capital investment to build a new two-storey teaching block at Y Pant.

To receive the report of the Director of Finance and Digital Services, which formally sets the Council Tax Base for the financial year 2023/24.

The Head of the Revenues and Benefits Service provided Cabinet with the report which formally set the Council Tax Base for the financial year 2023/24.

The officer advised that the Council Tax Base calculated for 2023/24 was £80,182.87 and proposed that the collection rate was estimated to be 97.25%, which produced a net Council Tax Base of £77,977.84.  It was explained that for every £1 levied in Council Tax next year, a sum of £77,978 would be generated to meet the budget requirement of the Council.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Corporate Services was happy to support the recommendations contained within the report.

The Deputy Leader noted that the report contained important information for the Community Councils when setting their budgets.

The Leader thanked the officer for the report and the Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    That in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (Wales) Regulations 1995 as amended, the amount calculated by the Council as its net tax base for the financial year 2023/24, shall be £77,977.84; and

2.    That for each defined community area of the County Borough, the 2023/24 tax base for Council Tax setting purposes, shall be as set out at Appendix 1.

To receive the updated Leader’s Scheme of Delegation.

The Cabinet RESOLVED to note the changes to the Leader’s Scheme of Delegation.