Agenda a Chofnodion

Apologies were noted from Tony Graham and Simon Pritchard from Pontypridd Town Council

Derbyn datganiadau o fuddiannau personol gan Aelodau, yn unol â gofynion y Cod Ymddygiad.

Noder:  Mae gofyn i Aelodau ddatgan rhif a phwnc yr agendwm mae eu buddiant yn ymwneud ag ef a mynegi natur y buddiant personol hwnnw; a lle bo Aelodau'n ymneilltuo o'r cyfarfod o ganlyniad i ddatgelu buddiant sy'n rhagfarnu, mae rhaid iddyn nhw roi gwybod i'r Cadeirydd pan fyddan nhw'n gadael..

None received

.Derbyn cofnodion y cyfarfod ar 27 Gorffennaf 2020 yn rhai cywir.

RESOLVED: The minutes of the meeting of the 27^th July 2020 were approved as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

Ms Saz Wiley from the IRP Panel introduced the report and asked members to review the draft report and provide any comments and feedback. 

Asked for comments. Questions.

She advised members that the Panel felt the report was needed to enable Community Councils to attract potential members and remove barriers for potential members.   She added that the Costs of care needs was also an important factor in sustaining a diverse membership across Authorities. 

She stated that all Town and Community Councils should follow these principals to enable members to carry out their duties effectively and the very minimum they should make members aware what is available to them to promote a positive culture.

Mr Joe Stockley who was also in attendance from the IRP advised on the consultation dates and advised how members could respond

The Chairperson commented that she respected that the consultation included all Community Councillors in the provision and was not limited to Borough Councillors.  She noted that Borough Councillors were fortunate in that all equipment was provided to members to allow them to undertake their duties, but recognised the fact that this was not always the case for Community Councillors so was pleased to see this provision in the report. She added that this, she felt was vital that all members had the equipment necessary for them to undertake their roles.

Another member agreed with the Chairperson and supported the report and stated that he felt the costs of care provision was also very important.

Brian James endorsed

Another member also endorsed the report and agreed with being able to claim back the costs in relation to care.  He asked if others thought however that some members may be reluctant to claim back costs due to the financial impact on Community Councils.  He added that if members also have childcare requirements, that could also be a sizeable cost and would need to be reflected in the pre-cept.

Saz Wiley commented that she understood that reimbursement from smaller Community Councils could take up a large proportion of their budget and this was traditionally why there has been a low take up in the past.   She added that this provision needs to be in place and are hoping that the substantial changes we are proposing will work and be taken up.  She added that they do recognise the impact of the finances of Community Councils but were unable to quantify this until the take up was known.  She further added that they would need evidence that there is a demand to feed this back to Welsh Government.

A member stated that she was surprised to hear that not all Community Councillors were aware of the provisions available to them. She added that a report was taken to her Council’s AGM with the full information available to the members as she felt it was her duty as the Clerk and Proper officer of the Council to inform members of their entitlements.

Saz Wiley replied that it should  ...  view the full Cofnodion text for item 4.

Derbyn diweddariad gan y Cyfarwyddwr Gwasanaeth – Gwasanaethau Democrataidd a Chyfathrebu

The Service Director of Democratic Services and Communications presented his report to members.  He advised that all Committee functions at RCTCBC were fully operational and meeting virtually using ZOOM and that Welsh Government were keen to The Service Director of Democratic Services and Communications presented his report to members.  He advised that all Committee functions at RCTCBC were fully operational and meeting virtually using ZOOM and that Welsh Government were keen to enshrine the progress made at virtual meetings

He gave members an update on the following service areas and how they were operating during the firebreak lockdown. 

·         Social Care -  Day services and respite remained as they were

·         School and flying start resumed and will continue to operate as normal.  Adult learning will also continue to be accessible.

·         Community Recycling Centre’s – would resume operating after the firebreak was over and would operate on summer opening hours for one week to clear any backlog. 

·         Leisure centres will resume after the firebreak with additional restrictions

·         Town centres reopened but with a small number of public toilets remaining closed due to health and safety measures

·         Library service to reopen on the 9^th  November some operating on a click and collect service which will be further reviewed on 16th November

·         Welsh mining experience, closure will continue

·         Santa experience, cancelled.

·         Corporate estates, seek to minimize gatherings will send an email

·         Other services will continue as they were post lockdown, due to RCT area having a high level of transmission all areas are under continual review.

Members were advised that consultations would continue virtually this year due to the pandemic and there would be no impact on the detail we are able to provide. 

Members were also advised that the Democratic Services team were now providing support to Taffs Well Community Council until they were able to recruit a clerk. Diversity, Local Government Bill

Members were informed that there were 39 complaints referred to the ombudsman in the last year.  He advised that if members/ clerks required support in this area that the team were available to support and code of conduct refresher training could be made available for any members that would benefit.  

the progress made at virtual meetings

The Head of Planning provided an update for Community and Town Councils in respect of the process involved in collecting and spending Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) monies including the preparation of Infrastructure Lists.

He advised that the total receipts passed to Community/Town Councils (October 2020) were £360,615.24.

·                     Hirwaun  £9,190.30

·                     Llanharan  £221,699.57

·                     Llanharry  £786.67

·                     Llantrisant  £7464.43

·                     Llantwit Fardre  £29,403.53

·                     Pontypridd  £51,684.78

·                     Tonyrefail  £18,781.87

·                     Taffs Well and Nantgarw £13,210.99

·                     GilfachGoch £6174.74

·                     Other (areas with no Community Council) £2,218.36

The Head of Planning advised that CIL monies could be used to provide match funding with other income streams to make the most efficient use of funding to benefit the community.  He added that the Community/Town Council should also work closely with their neighbouring Community/Town Councils, and RCT Council to agree on infrastructure spending priorities.  If the Community/Town Council shares RCT Council’s priorities, they may agree that the Council should retain the CIL to spend on specific infrastructure (which may not be in the Community/Town Council administrative area) but will support the development of the area.  Decisions on how the funds are spent are at the discretion of the Community/Town Council provided it is in accordance with the CIL Regulations

The Head of Financial Services – Children and Community and Corporate Policy and Consultation Manager gave members a presentation on the draft Budget Consultation Process for 2021/22.  They advised all members of the relevant dates and how they would be able to take part in the process.

None