Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed attendees to the meeting of the Cabinet.

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 Code of Conduct, the following declarations of interest were made pertaining to the agenda:

·       The Leader declared a personal interest in respect of agenda item 10 – Education and Inclusion Services Planned Capital Programme 2024-2025: “There are schools referenced within the report of which I am Chair of Governors”;

·       The Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Corporate Services declared a personal interest in respect of agenda item 10 – Education and Inclusion Services Planned Capital Programme 2024-2025: “I am on the Governing Body of Maes y Coed Primary School, which is referenced within the report”;

·       The Cabinet Member for Development and Prosperity declared a personal interest in respect of agenda item 10 – Education and Inclusion Services Planned Capital Programme 2024-2025: “I am on the Governing Body of Cwm Clydach School, which is referenced within the report”

·       County Borough Councillor K. Johnson declared a personal interest in respect of agenda item 6 – Review of the Council’s Home to School Transport Policy: “I am on the Governing Body of Maes y Bryn Primary School which is a feeder school to one of the comprehensive schools; I am a parent of two children who will, in the future, travel to a comprehensive school; and I am also an employee of Transport for Wales”; and

·       County Borough Councillor C Lisles declared a personal interest in respect of agenda item 10 – Education and Inclusion Services Planned Capital Programme 2024-2025: “I am on the Governing Bodies of Hawthorn Primary School and Hawthorn Secondary School which are referenced within the report”.

To receive the minutes of the Cabinet Committee on the 21^st February 2024 as an accurate record.

The Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 21^st February 2024 as an accurate record.

For information, to receive the updated Leader’s Scheme of Delegation.

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

For information, to receive the report of the Service Director, Democratic Services and Communication, which provides the feedback and comments of the items that were pre-scrutinised by the Council’s thematic Scrutiny Committees following its last Committee cycle.

For information, the Service Director of Democratic Services and Communication provided Cabinet with the feedback and comments of the items that were pre-scrutinised by the Council’s thematic Scrutiny Committee’s following its last Committee cycle.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.   To note the comments and observations of the Scrutiny Committees following pre-scrutiny of the items listed within section 5 of the report.

To receive the report of the Service Director of Democratic Services and Communication, which provides an update on the proposed list of matters requiring consideration by Cabinet for the remainder the 2023-2024 Municipal Year.

The Service Director of Democratic Services and Communication presented, for Cabinet Members’ comment and approval, an update on the Cabinet Work Programme on the proposed list of matters requiring consideration by Cabinet over the remainder of the 2023-2024 Municipal Year.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To approve the Work Programme for the 2023-2024 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 Highways, Streetcare and Transportation Services, containing other relevant documentation in relation to the proposed new Home to School Transport Policy, which looks to assist Cabinet in its determination.

The Director of Highways, Streetcare and Transportation Services reported the results of the public consultation exercise initiated by Cabinet, together with updated Equality and Welsh Language impact assessments in relation to a proposed new Home to School Transport Policy to assist Cabinet in its determination of whether or not it wished to progress with implementation of a new Home to School Transport Policy.

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Leisure firstly took the opportunity to thank officers for providing the Cabinet with the correspondence and responses to the consultation; and to thank the contribution of residents, reflected in the report with 2858 valued responses.

The Cabinet Member noted that for over 10 years, the Council had provided discretionary transport for more learners than almost every other Welsh Council’s Home to School transport operations; and that the Council had consistently gone above and beyond its legal requirement, as set out by Welsh Government, in delivering free transport to its pupils.

The Cabinet Member continued and stated that, as a result of significant underfunding from the UK Government and a budget gap of £85M over the next three years, Cabinet must consider the proposals put forward by Officers that review where the service goes beyond the statutory requirement and how savings can be made. Prior to concluding, the Cabinet Member emphasised that rising costs had made the Council’s current Home to School Transport policy unsustainable and acknowledged the reason for the report being brought for Cabinet’s consideration.

In terms of the significant rise in Home to School Transport costs, the Leader added that it had increased from £8M in 2015 to over £15M in recent years.

The Leader reiterated the Cabinet Member’s comments in respect of the Council going above and beyond in comparison to other Local Authorities and explained that if the Cabinet were to agree to the recommendations contained within the officer’s report, the Council would still be providing one of the most generous Home to School Transport policies in Wales, with a large number of individuals benefiting from discretionary transport. The Leader stated that there were 18 other Local Authorities which had either made significant changes or had not provided the discretionary element for years.

The Leader stressed that this was a decision the Cabinet did not take lightly but that every option must be considered as part of the budget setting process, due to the extraordinary financial challenges as a result of low funding from central government and the continued pressures on social care.

The Deputy Leader firstly took the opportunity to thank the Overview & Scrutiny Committee for its valuable comments and feedback and noted the letter produced as part of the papers before Members.

The Deputy Leader recognised the concerns expressed by residents through the consultation process and echoed the Leader’s comments that Members faced a difficult decision, but one which was deemed necessary given the current financial circumstances.

Referring to the consultation feedback and comments made during the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting, the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 120.

To receive the report of the Chief Executive, which sets out a new draft Corporate Plan from 2024/25 – 2029/30. 

The Chief Executive set out a new draft Corporate Plan from 2024/25 – 2029/30. 

The Leader took the opportunity to thank officers for the work undertaken to develop the comprehensive draft Corporate Plan. The Leader emphasised the importance of the strategic plan, which is used to shape the Council’s priorities, budget and Capital Programme; and it was acknowledged that a smaller, ‘easy read’ Plan would be developed as a result.

The Leader was pleased with the new six-year Plan and explained that there may be additions and changes as and when the Council need to respond to situations.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Corporate Services echoed the Leader’s comments and was pleased to note that climate priorities had been embedded throughout the Plan. The Cabinet Member added that the Council’s ambitions outweigh its challenges.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To review the contents of the draft Corporate Plan 2024-30;

2.    To consider the outcome of the consultation and engagement process;

3.    To consider the comments and feedback, following pre-scrutiny by the Council’s Overview & Scrutiny Committee; and

4.    To recommend the draft Corporate Plan to Council for approval at its meeting scheduled for 24^th April 2024.

To receive the report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Group Director of Finance, Digital and Frontline Services, which provides Members with an overview of the Council’s performance, both from a financial and operational perspective, based on the first nine months of this financial year (to the 31st December 2023).

The Service Director of Finance and Improvement Services provided the Cabinet with an overview of the Council’s performance, both from a financial and operational perspective, based on the first nine months of this financial year (to the 31st December 2023).

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Corporate Services recognised the difficult environment which services were operating in; and the cost pressures across the Council, impacted by increased demand and higher level of inflation. However, the Cabinet Member remained reassured by the robust service management arrangements and proactive work across services to address the challenges. The Cabinet Member was particularly pleased to note the significant Capital Programme expenditure, which demonstrated a sustained year on year investment across the Council’s assets and infrastructure.

The Leader spoke of the almost £2.5M projected overspend, which was largely down to the £2.7M overspend within social services. The Leader advised that this was an area of huge pressure in almost all Local Authorities and explained that the statutory demands must be met, despite financial pressures.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

Revenue

1.    To note and agree the General Fund revenue outturn position of the Council as at the 31st December 2023 (Section 2 of the Executive Summary);

2.    To request that Cabinet approve the virements listed in Sections 2a - e of the Executive Summary that exceed the £0.100M threshold as per the Council's Financial Procedure Rules;

Capital

3.    To note the capital outturn position of the Council as at the 31st December 2023 (Sections 3a – e of the Executive Summary);

4.    To note the details of the Treasury Management Prudential Indicators as at the 31st December 2023 (Section 3f of the Executive Summary); and

Corporate Plan Priorities

5.    To note the Quarter 3 progress updates for the Council’s Corporate Plan priorities (Sections 5 a – c of the Executive Summary) that include updates in respect of the Council’s on-going work to deliver its Climate Change ambitions.

To receive the report of the Director of Highways, Streetcare and Transportation Services, which sets out the detailed capital programme for Highways, Transportation and Strategic Projects.

The Director of Highways, Streetcare and Transportation Services set out the detailed capital programme for Highways, Transportation and Strategic Projects.

The Leader thanked the Director and noted the expansive capital programme of investment detailed within the report. The Leader was pleased to advise that in addition, notification had been received from Welsh Government of approximately £8M highway funding for larger projects including active travel and road safety; along with approximately £3.5-4M for flood risk management. The Leader was confident that there would be further successful grants through the year, which would be added to the extensive programme.

The Cabinet Member for Health & Social Care spoke of the destruction of Storm Dennis within RCT four years ago, which required an unprecedented amount of work to report the Council’s vital infrastructure. The Cabinet Member was of the view that the list of works detailed at Table 5 of the report, was testament to the investment required.

The Leader added that it had been four years since the country went into a National lockdown as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and commended officers for continuing to work on the Storm Dennis infrastructure improvements and repairs through such a difficult period. The Leader commented that due to significant levels of investment and substantial flood risk management funding, the Council would be better placed to face a situation such as Storm Dennis, should it happen again.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To note and approve the Supplementary Capital Programme for Highways, Transportation and Strategic Projects as detailed within the report; and

2.    To note that the current allocations are part of a 3-year capital programme that delegates authority to the Director of Highways, Streetcare and Transportation Services in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Deputy Chief Executive & Group Director – Finance, Digital & Frontline Services, to extend activity to deliver additional projects during the financial year, where capacity exists for accelerated delivery in accordance with the purpose of the wider programme, or to suspend programmes/projects and reallocate funding to optimise delivery.

To receive the report of the Director of Education and Inclusion Services, which provides Cabinet with details of the capital works for approval for 2024/25 as part of the Council’s three-year Capital Programme.

The Service Director of 21St Century Schools and Transformation provided the Cabinet with details of the capital works for approval for 2024/25 as part of the Council’s three-year Capital Programme.

The Cabinet Member for Education, Youth Participation and Welsh Language welcomed the £6.3M commitment as part of the Capital Programme and emphasised that this had been a strategic decision of the Cabinet to support the schools. The Cabinet Member noted that the report referred to ‘minor works’ but emphasised that the difference the works make to the schools were not minor, but instead contribute to the very best learning environment for young people within the County Borough. The Cabinet Member also spoke of the positive relationship established between the Local Authority and the school leaders, which was appreciated by schools.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To approve the Education Capital Programme priority schemes for 2024/25 as outlined in Appendices 1-9 of the report and approve scheme commencement.

To receive the report of the Director of Human Resources, which provides information on the Council’s Annual Equality Report for the year 2022-2023.

The Diversity and Inclusion Manager provided information on the Council’s Annual Equality Report for the year 2022-2023.

The Deputy Leader took the opportunity to thank the team for the considerable amount of work involved in producing the Annual Equality Report and was pleased to note that the Council had met the General Equality Duty. The Deputy Leader recognised that equality covers a huge area and has an impact on all the work of the Council.

The Deputy Leader also extended her gratitude to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for its comments and feedback, which was attached at Appendix 2 to the report.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To consider the comments and feedback, following pre-scrutiny by the Council’s Overview & Scrutiny Committee, attached at Appendix 2 to the report; and

2.    To the content and publication of the Annual Equality Report.

To receive the report of the Director of Human Resources, which provides information on the Council’s Strategic Equality Plan 2024-2028.

The Diversity and Inclusion Manager provided the Cabinet with information on the Council’s Strategic Equality Plan 2024-2028.

The Deputy Leader took the opportunity to thank the team for the considerable amount of work involved in producing the Strategic Equality Plan and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for its comments and feedback, which was attached at Appendix 2 to the report.

The Deputy Leader noted that the Plan included all protected characteristics and details in terms of how performance is measured. The Deputy Leader added that the Local Authority had made good progress but that there was room for improvement.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To consider the comments and feedback, following pre-scrutiny by the Council’s Overview & Scrutiny Committee; and

2.    To the content and publication of the Strategic Equality Plan (SEP).

To receive the report of the Director of Public Health, Protection and Community Services, which provides information to Members in relation to the Council’s continued commitment to being an Age-Friendly Community and its proposed application to the become a member of the World Health Organisations Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities.

The Head of Arts, Culture and Library Services provided the Cabinet with information in relation to the Council’s continued commitment to being an Age-Friendly Community and its proposed application to become a member of the World Health Organisations Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care thanked the officer for the report and commented that it evidenced the Council’s continued commitment to becoming an age-friendly community. The Cabinet Member spoke of the vision of the Council, which was to ensure RCT is a great place to grow older and that older residents feel heard, valued and informed.

As the Older People’s Champion, the Cabinet Member was pleased to support the Council submitting an application to become a member of the World Health Organisations Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities.

The Deputy Leader echoed the Cabinet Member’s comments and was pleased to support the recommendations contained within the report.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To consider the information within the report and approve the submission of an application to become a member of the World Health Organisations Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities.

To receive the report of the Director of Prosperity and Development, which presents Cabinet with the findings of the Local Housing Market Assessment 2023 – 2028; and seeks approval before submitting to Welsh Government and then to publicise the document.

The Head of Housing Strategy and Investment presented to Cabinet the findings of the Local Housing Market Assessment 2023 – 2028 and sought approval before submitting to Welsh Government and then to publicise the document.

The Cabinet Member for Development and Prosperity praised the piece of work, which was based on the outcomes of local data being fed into the Welsh Government modelling programme. The Cabinet Member emphasised the importance of the strategic document, which, in turn, feeds into the Council’s Housing Strategy and the new Local Development Plan preferred strategy, which was currently being consulted upon.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    That Members approve the Local Housing Market Assessment 2023 – 2028 as a key source of evidence to support the delivery of housing policies in the Council’s Corporate Plan, Local Development Plan and Housing Delivery Plan;

2.    That Members approve the Local Housing Market Assessment 2023 – 2028 as a tool to negotiate affordable housing provision on planning applications and to identify how housing need translates to different sizes and types of affordable housing (e.g. social rent and low cost home ownership); and

3.    That Members approve the Local Housing Market Assessment 2022 – 2037 for use to inform funding bids (including Social Housing Grant) and to influence residential development in the County Borough.

“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 the report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Group Director of Finance, Digital and Frontline Services, which provides the Cabinet with a position statement on irrecoverable debt and identifies the requirement to write-off certain amounts in accordance with strict review criteria.  

Following the consideration of the report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Group Director for Finance, Digital and Frontline Services containing exempt information as defined in Paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972 (as amended), namely information relating to the financial affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information), the Cabinet was RESOLVED:

 1.   To write-off the accounts to the appropriate Bad Debt Provision contained within the Council’s accounts (if further information on any debt becomes available, payment will be pursued).