Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed all members and officers to the meeting and welcomed Bev Smith from the Independent Remuneration Panel

To receive disclosures of personal interest from Members in accordance with the Code of Conduct

Note:  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 where Members withdraw from a meeting as a consequence of the disclosure of a prejudicial interest they must notify the Chairman when they leave.

None

To receive as an accurate record the minutes of the meeting on the 12 November 2021

RESOLVED: To approve the minutes of the 12 November 2021 as an accurate record of the meeting

To provide 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

The Head of Planning provided a presentation 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.  The presentation advised the Committee on the following areas:

• How CIL is charged
• The Charging Zones
• CIL Charging Schedule
• Passing CIL receipts to Town/ Community Councils
• Infrastructure Lists

Following conclusion of the presentation Members were invited to provide comments and ask questions

The Chair asked in larger Town and Community Council areas such as Pontypridd where 11 wards make up the Town Council, do the Council declared what area the CIL receipt came from and are the public consulted on how the funds are invested into their community.

The Head of Planning advised that this is at the discretion of each Town and Community Council and we do not instruct them how to spend the funds.  However, he advised that it should be a clear and transparent process however.  He confirmed there was no legal requirement for the Community Councils to go out to public consultation however they are encouraged to do so to inform local priorities.  Following a question from the Chair, the Head of Planning also confirmed that not all Community Councils sign up to the CIL 123 list, but they are again, encouraged to do so

RESOLVED: The Committee considered the advice in the report and in particular the preparation of an ‘Infrastructure (Regulation 123)’ type List.

To inform members that under the requirements of the Local Government Measure 2011, the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales has published its draft annual report 2023-24 for consultation as attached at Appendix A

The Service Director Democratic Services and Communications introduced the report to Members which provided the Committee with the opportunity to submit their representations on the draft annual report 2023-24, specifically in relation to section 13 of the report which relates to Town and Community Councils.

Bev Smith, Member of the Independent Remuneration Panel also provided background and context to the proposals and welcomed comments and feedback from Members.  She added that feedback from Town and Community Councils was important in shaping the 10 year review and identifying the need for the panel to have a three year strategy.

A Member from Llantrisant Community Council commented that this report had recently been presented to his Community Council meeting and their members feedback was that the £6 uplift was felt to be quite derisory and they felt more should be made available to them due to the costs Community councillors can incur in undertaking their role.  If the remuneration reflects the duties and expectations on a Community Councillor it was felt the role would be more attractive to perspective candidates. Another Member agreed with these comments.

The Independent Remuneration Panel Member understood the Members concerns but clarified that the payment is not a salary, and is intended to cover costs such as working from home and it is described in this way.  The debate that we will have in the new year is recognising whether Community Councillors should be paid for their role and will be picked up in a series of workshops in the new year.  She reassured that she would not want this to be a barrier to people who would like to become Community Councils.

All Members were encouraged to feed into this consultation process and encourage their respective Community Councils to feed into the process to ensure their voices are heard before the consultation closes on the 1^st December.  Members were reminded the consultation was open to all respond and they could do so by emailing IRPMailbox@gov.wales

Following conclusion of the report it was RESOLVED to:

1.  Note that the consultation on the draft annual report 2023-24 is open for members to respond to until 1^st December 2022.  Members are also able to respond to the consultation by emailing IRPmailbox@gov.wales 

The Service Director Finance Services presented a report to the Committee on the Phase one Consultation of the Councils proposed Budget Strategy for 2023-24.  

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, the Service Director provided Members with an overview of: the Council’s 2022/23 financial position and outlook over the medium term; general approach for 2023/24 (in respect of the phase 1 budget consultation process); 2023/24 Budget Setting – key strategic building blocks; the Council’s Priorities; and Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS). The Service Director indicated that the overview of these areas intended to assist Members in formulating their feedback, being a consultee as part of the 2023/24 Budget Consultation process.

Following conclusion of the presentation, Members were invited to provide their feedback on the key strategic building blocks, the Council’s priorities and CTRS

A member commented that in his experience of being a School Governor, Schools had been very efficient in managing their resources and with the biggest overheads in schools being salaries, he felt that they would find it very difficult to deliver the high standard of education that is essential, should staff have to be reduced in any way. Another Member agreed and commented that teaching assistants were invaluable in providing specialist support to pupils with special educational needs and they should be protected. The Chair agreed that staff at the schools are the biggest asset.

Members feedback that the Council should also continue to prioritise social services and protect social care workers as a key area for additional investment which would support the community in remaining safely in their own homes under care and not have to go into a hospital or care setting if they are able to safely manage, with support in the comfort of their own home.  This would alleviate pressure on hospitals and bed blocking.

The Chair advised that in order to receive comprehensive feedback from all Community Councils, the Democratic Services Team will engage with all clerks to request that this is added to their agendas of Community Council meetings.  She added that a topic as significant as the Councils Budget, which affects all RCTCBC residents should be widely shared and consulted upon. 

To consider any urgent items as the Chairman feels appropriate.

None Received