Agenda and minutes

The Leader welcomed Members and Officers to the Cabinet meeting and an apology for absence was received from the Cabinet Member for Prosperity and Development.

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, the following personal declarations were made:

Item 3 - Statutory School Organisation - Proposal to close Tref-Y-Rhyg Primary School with pupils transferring to Tonyrefail Community School

·       The Deputy Leader

Item 4 - Statutory School Organisation - Proposal to close Trallwng Infants' School with pupils transferring to Coedpenmaen Primary School

·       The Leader – “One of the public speakers is known to me”;

·       The Deputy Leader - “One of the public speakers is known to me and I am on the Governing Body of a school referenced within the report”; and

·       The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, Youth Participation and Climate Change - “One of the public speakers is known to me”.

Item 10 – Proposed Local Area Energy Plan for RCT

·       The Leader - Both the CCR and CJC are referenced, and I sit on both Boards as Council representative”.

(Note: the Leader declared this interest during Item 10 – see Minute No 36.)

To receive the report of the Service Director of 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.

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 Director of Education and Inclusion Services, which seeks formal approval to begin the relevant and required statutory school organisation consultation to close Tref-Y-Rhyg Primary School in line with the requirements of the Welsh Government’s (WG’s) School Organisation Code (2nd Edition) (011/2018).

The Director of Education and Inclusion Services presented the report, which sought formal approval to begin the relevant and required statutory school organisation consultation to close Tref-Y-Rhyg Primary School in line with the requirements of the Welsh Government’s (WG’s) School Organisation Code (2^nd Edition) (011/2018). The Director proposed to extend the catchment area of Tonyrefail Community School to incorporate the catchment area of Tref-Y-Rhyg Primary School; and that Tref-Y-Rhyg Primary School would close with pupils transferring to Tonyrefail Community School by no later than September 2025.

The Cabinet Member for Education, Inclusion and Welsh Language took the opportunity to thank the Director for bringing forward the report and wished to reserve his right to make comments until after the speakers had made their representations to the Cabinet.

With the agreement of the Leader, the following Non-Committee Members were granted permission to address the Cabinet:

• County Borough Councillor D Owen-Jones
• County Borough Councillor D Grehan

With the agreement of the Leader, the following members of the public were granted permission to address the Cabinet:

• Mr S Burgess
• Ms J Freeman

The Leader thanked the speakers for their representations and sought further response from officers to the key concerns raised.

The Director firstly emphasised that the commitment to Tref-y-Rhyg was not in question and stated that both Tref-y-Rhyg and Tonyrefail were both community schools with the wellbeing of learners at the heart. The Director explained that the proposal was to seek equity of provision for all learners in 21^st Century environments.

In terms of the points made around ensuring sufficient capacity to meet local needs in respect of building developments, the Director spoke of the close partnership with the Council’s planning department to ensure a sufficient supply of school places in the right areas of the County Borough and noted that the data demonstrated sufficient capacity in several schools in the area. It was explained that the Council would need to ensure sufficient supply if there were to be growth in housing developments within the area; and that if there were issues with capacity, the Council would strictly apply the schools admissions criteria.

The Director emphasised that the proposal before Members was to commence a statutory consultation at this stage and that, on balance, due to the data, the decline in pupil numbers, pupil projections, the maintenance backlog and the conditions survey, she felt it was right for Cabinet to consider the proposal.

Referring to the figures detailed within the report, the Leader noted that there were 82 statutory school age pupils based at Tref-y-Rhyg Primary School and that only 40 were from the catchment area. The Leader questioned why the number of pupils from the local catchment were so low. The Director advised that parents/carers have a choice to send their children out of catchment, due to surplus capacity in a number of schools within the area.

The Cabinet Member for Education, Inclusion and Welsh Language thanked the Local Members  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

To receive the report of the Director of Education and Inclusion Services, which seeks formal approval to begin the relevant and required statutory school organisation consultation to close Trallwng Infants’ School with pupils transferring to Coedpenmaen Primary Schoolin line with the requirements of the Welsh Government’s (WG’s) School Organisation Code (2^nd Edition) (011/2018).

The Director of Education and Inclusion Services presented the report, which sought formal approval to begin the relevant and required statutory school organisation consultation to close Trallwng Infants’ School with pupils transferring to Coedpenmaen Primary Schoolin line with the requirements of the Welsh Government’s (WG’s) School Organisation Code (2^nd Edition) (011/2018). It was proposed that Trallwng Infants’ School will close with pupils transferring to Coedpenmaen Primary School by no later than September 2025.

The Cabinet Member for Education, Inclusion and Welsh Language took the opportunity to thank the Director for bringing forward the report and wished to reserve his right to make comments until after the speakers had made their representations to the Cabinet.

With the agreement of the Leader, the following Non-Committee Member was granted permission to address the Cabinet:

• County Borough Councillor M Powell

With the agreement of the Leader, the following members of the public were granted permission to address the Cabinet:

• Ms Z Thomas
• Mr P Southway
• Ms L Davies

The Leader thanked the speakers for their representations. Referring to comments made about the investment made to the school over the past 18 months to 2 years, the Leader stated that since the time the investment was approved, the school had lost 27% of its pupils, according to data provided by the LEA. The Leader compared the data for the school, which was before Members to the data from 5 years ago and noted that in that time, the school had lost 1/3 of its pupils, despite an excellent Estyn report.

The Leader then sought further response from officers to the key concerns raised by the speakers.

The Director acknowledged the passion for Trallwng Infants School. In terms of the Estyn report, the Director explained that Estyn do not remove a school from a statutory category lightly and that it is a consequence of robust monitoring, including repeat visits to a school.

In terms of points made in relation to the spending at the school, the Director advised that it is the Council’s statutory duty to maintain conditions in schools and as such, there had rightly been essential investment into the school.

In respect of the decline in numbers at the school referenced by the Leader, the Director noted that there were only 30 learners currently at the school from the local community.

The Leader asked that, if Members were minded to give formal approval to commence a consultation, information such as the condition survey is included, which would allow school Governors to challenge if they felt there were any discrepancies.

Noting the new school in Glyncoch and that 10% of Trallwng Infants School pupils were from Glyncoch estate, the Leader questioned if the data projections were in respect of the in-catchment children and wondered if the new school at Glyncoch could also have a detrimental impact on pupil numbers. The Director advised that there were two data sets, one which was based on in-catchment projections through live birth data and another based  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

To receive the report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Group Director of Finance, Digital and Frontline Services, which provides Members with an update on the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2024/25 to 2027/28, based on current modelling assumptions in advance of formulating the detailed budget strategy proposals for 2025/26 during the autumn. 

The Deputy Chief Executive and Group Director of Finance, Digital and Frontline Services provided Cabinet with an update on the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2024/25 to 2027/28, based on current modelling assumptions in advance of formulating the detailed budget strategy proposals for 2025/26 during the autumn. 

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, Youth Participation and Climate Change noted that the MTFP set out the financial context in which the Council operates, including the financial challenges faced over the past three years. The Cabinet Member continued, noting that the MTFP aligns itself to the Council’s Corporate Plan priorities and enables the Council to track and resource allocation in future years.

The Cabinet Member commended the Council for demonstrating resilience and capability to respond to unprecedented challenges such as the Covid-19 outbreak, the major flooding within the County Borough and the current cost of living crisis; in addition to delivering essential public services and providing further investment into priority areas. The Cabinet Member took the opportunity to thank officers for the MTFP and moved the recommendations contained within the report.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care echoed the comments and extended his gratitude to the Director and officers for their long history of prudent financial management. The Cabinet Member acknowledged the budget deficit of £35M for 2025-2026 but was pleased that the MTFP sought to safeguard residents, communities, and businesses, whilst investing in infrastructure. The Cabinet Member emphasised that through robust financial management, the Council had not received a Section 114 Notice, which was unfortunately the case for many.

The Leader recognised that there was a challenging period ahead and spoke of his hope that the 30^th October budget announcement would provide support for public services. The Leader spoke of the huge pressures on spend, such as inflation and pay increases but agreed that RCT Council was in a better position thanks to its finance team.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To note the current position modelled in respect of the ‘Medium Term Financial Plan 2024/25 to 2027/28’ and receive further updates in the autumn as part of the annual budget setting process; and

2.    To note that the MTFP would be presented to Council in September and would be reviewed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in line with their terms of reference alongside our budget consultation arrangements.

To receive the joint report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Group Director of Finance, Digital and Frontline Services and the Director of Social Services, which provides Members with a position statement in respect of the Council’s long term and on-going programme of investment in care accommodation provision for older people and people with a learning disability across the County Borough.

The Deputy Chief Executive and Group Director of Finance, Digital and Frontline Services provided Members with a position statement in respect of the Council’s long term and on-going programme of investment in care accommodation provision for older people and people with a learning disability across the County Borough.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care welcomed the report, which detailed the significant investment in modernising care accommodation for older people and people with a learning disability. The Cabinet Member was in support of the recommendations, praising the Council’s seven-year modernisation programme, which sought to ensure a positive pathway to dignity in old age with modern care homes, including provision for more complex needs such as dementia, as well as support for people with learning disabilities in adulthood. The Cabinet Member commented that the on-going programme would undoubtedly enhance the health and wellbeing of older people and would lead to a more sustainable service.

The Deputy Leader was in support of the recommendations and commented that the report demonstrated the Council’s commitment to ensuring that the change in communities’ needs were being met in care accommodation and provision for older people.

The Leader added that the scale of investment at over £90M was substantial and stated that he was not aware of any other Local Authority providing the same level of investment into the provision.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To note the Council’s long term and on-going programme of investment in care accommodation provision for older people and people with a learning disability across the County Borough as part of supporting the delivery of sustainable adult social care services.

To receive the report of the Service Director of Democratic Services and Communication, which provides the Cabinet with an update on the proposed list of matters for consideration for the 2024-2025 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 2024-25 Municipal Year.

Members were content with the content of the Cabinet Work Programme and the Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To approve the Work Programme for the 2024-2025 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 Public Health, Protection and Community Services, which seeks approval of the proposal to renew the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) relating to intoxicating substances for Rhondda Cynon Taf.

The Community Safety and Strategic Partnership Services Manager sought approval of the proposal to renew the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) relating to intoxicating substances for Rhondda Cynon Taf.

The proposed renewed PSPO would continue to include two defined exclusion zones, to control intoxicating substance use (including alcohol), within Pontypridd and Aberdare Town Centres (including the Lower Graig area).

The Cabinet Member for Public Health and Communities emphasised that the Council takes community safety very seriously and stressed the importance of the PSPO. Referring to the figures outlined within the report, the Cabinet Member noted the significant effects alcohol and intoxicating substances can have on anti-social behaviour. The Cabinet Member spoke of the extent of the problem in Aberdare but recognised that the problem was prevalent throughout the whole of the County Borough.

The Cabinet Member praised officers for their positive working relationships with the police, PCSO’s and street wardens. However, the Cabinet Member was disappointed to note that the vast majority of fines issued within RCT were unpaid and felt it would be beneficial for the Local Authority to raise the issue with SWP to agree a more effective strategy going forward.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To consider the content of the report and the evidence to support the renewal of the PSPO relating to intoxicating substances (including alcohol) from 1^st October 2024;

2.    To consider the comments and feedback of the Community Services Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committee, which undertook pre-scrutiny at its meeting on the 2^nd September; and

3.    To approve the renewal of the PSPO for the whole County Borough to control alcohol and intoxicating substance related anti-social behaviour, which includes two defined exclusion zones to control intoxicating substance (including alcohol) use in public places within Aberdare and Pontypridd Town Centres.

To receive the report of the Director of Prosperity and Development, which provides Cabinet with the new draft RCT Housing Strategy (2024 – 2030) to gain approval to commence a phase of formal public consultation in respect of the draft strategy and to receive a further report detailing the results of the consultation.

The Temporary Service Director of Prosperity and Development shared with Cabinet Members the new draft RCT Housing Strategy (2024 – 2030), to gain approval to commence a phase of formal public consultation in respect of the draft strategy and to receive a further report detailing the results of the consultation.

The Deputy Leader took the opportunity to thank officers for a detailed and informative draft Housing Strategy. The Deputy Leader felt that the Strategy highlighted vision for both prosperous homes and prosperous lives. The Deputy Leader was pleased to note that the proposed consultation was over a six-week period with opportunities to engage both in person and online and stated that she looked forward to receiving the views of the consultees.

The Leader was in support of commencing a public consultation exercise but requested that officers look to include the use of forced sales and compulsory purchases in the updated draft prior to Cabinet consideration.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To consider the Draft RCT Housing Strategy, which has been informed by the outcomes of a phase of early engagement, with internal colleagues; and

2.    To commence a formal, public consultation exercise on the Draft Strategy, to be conducted over a 6 week period utilising online and in-person methods of engagement to capture a wide range of stakeholder’s thoughts to inform a final Strategy.

To receive the report of the Director of Corporate Estates, which provides the Cabinet with an overview of the Welsh Government sponsored advisory Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP) for the geographical area of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough, outlining the transition to a zero-carbon energy system by 2050; and the key findings and recommendations, together with the necessary steps to enable the LAEP’s implementation.

The Energy and Carbon Management Officer provided Cabinet Members with an overview of the Welsh Government sponsored advisory Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP) for the geographical area of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough, outlining the transition to a zero-carbon energy system by 2050.  The officer sought to inform Cabinet about the key findings and recommendations, together with the necessary steps to enable the LAEP’s implementation.

Note: At this point in proceedings, the Leader declared the following personal interest in respect of the item: “Both the CCR and CJC are referenced, and I sit on both Boards as Council representative”.

The Deputy Leader took the opportunity to extend her gratitude to officers for the detailed report and expressed her support for the proposed Local Area Energy Plan for RCT. The Deputy Leader felt that the Plan provided clear guidance and direction to transition the County Borough’s energy systems to meet Net Zero by 2050 and commented that, although ambitious, was supported by Welsh Government and the CCR. The Deputy Leader concluded by acknowledging the significant benefits to a number of areas, which were outlined within the report.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To note the content and formally adopt the Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP) that has been produced for the Rhondda Cynon Taf area as part of Welsh Government’s commitment to a major programme of ‘Local Area Energy Planning in Wales’. [LAEP - Welsh Gov't];

2.    To recognise the findings of the Rhondda Cynon Taf Local Area Energy Plan as an evidence base for future Climate Change and Carbon Reduction Actions, and related Planning Issues;

3.    To the Council’s ongoing engagement in the implementation of the LAEP, across all Service Areas.  To allow the appropriate officers to adapt the plan's scope and pace, as needed, and acknowledge the importance of collaborative efforts among all stakeholders, for impactful action; and

4.    To receive further reports on the progress of the proposals, either collectively, or on a ‘case by case’ basis, by way of further update(s) as/when deemed appropriate.