Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from County Borough Councillor M Tegg, T Williams, J Harries, A Davies-Jones, K Morgan, S.M Evans, E Webster, M Powell and S Belzak.

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

1.     Members are requested to identify the item number and subject 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 prejudicial interest they must notify the Chairman when theyleave.

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, the following declarations of interest were received:

·         County Borough Councillor E Stephens declared a personal interest– Late Report Item “I work for an MEP and am therefore employed by the European Parliament..”

·         County Borough Councillor P Jarman referred to her dispensation granted by the Standards Committee on the 23^rd November, 2018. “To speak and vote on all matters for the duration and adoption of the 2019-2020 Budget process in capacity as Leader of the Opposition.”

·         County Borough Councillor S Morgans handed the Mayor a petition on behalf of Councillor J Harries (who was unable to attend the meeting), in respect of a request from local Members to cut down trees. 

·         County Borough Councillor S Pickering advised Members of her forthcoming ‘Arctic Survival Challenge’ that she was taking par in,, tackling freezing temperatures in the  wilderness of Northern Sweden, 150 km south of the Arctic Circle on behalf of the Royal British Legion and details of sponsorship were provided.

·         County Borough Councillor G Davies congratulated the Welsh rugby team on their recent performance during the autumn internationals leaving the team 3^rd in the rugby world rankings.  Councillor Davies referenced rugby player Tomas Williams, a former Treorchy Comprehensive School pupil from the Rhondda who was inspirational to the games.  It was noted that a letter and an invitation to attend the  Parlour would be sent to Mr Tomas as an official acknowledgement of his success.

To  approve as an accurate record, the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 24^th October, 2018.

The Council RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 24^th October 2018 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

In accordance with Open Government Council Meeting Procedure Rule 2, to receive any statements, to receive any statements from the Leader of the Council and/or statements from Cabinet Portfolio Holders:

Statement from the Leader of the Council in respect of Senior Management Review.

The Leader advised Members of the recent opportunity brought forward to review the Senior Management structure for the Authority, advising of a report coming forward to the December Cabinet meeting.  He added that the report would present a reduction in a number of senior officer posts resulting in a reduction in management costs around £400,00.  He added that it was appropriate that the Authority review the structure following the reduction in staffing levels that had been witnessed to date. The Leader concluded that the projected reduction in costs would help with the budget going forward.

Statement from the Deputy Leader of the Council - Cabinet Member for Council Business

The Deputy Leader requested all Members to join her in  congratulating the staff within the HR Employment, Education and Training Team that coordinates the Apprenticeship and Graduate programme for RCT Council, advising that the team have helped the Council to win the Large and Macro Employer of the Year in the Apprentice Awards Cymru 2018. The Deputy Leader continued by advising that the Council were the only Authority in Wales to achieve such an award, and attributed this to the hard work and dedication of the team who work tirelessly to support the Council’s apprentices and graduates.  The Deputy Leader added that the award is an illustration that the Council is an excellent place for people to learn and develop in a dynamic and future-focused organisation, with the prospect of continuous employment on the completion of their two-year training programme.

Statement from the Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure & Heritage Services

The Cabinet Member announced to Members that the Welsh Mining Experience had won the Family Venue of the Year award at the Welsh Hospitality Awards.  She advised that the Award recognised the venues and attractions in Wales that stood out above the rest for their commitment to providing first class customer service and the positive impressions they leave on visitors.  She added that it was a glowing testament to the hard work and dedication of the staff at the Welsh Mining Experience that we were able to win this award after being nominated by members of the public. 

The Cabinet Member continued by addressing the need to continually support the Council’s visitor attractions adding that through the Council’s capital programme and other sources of funding, £750,000 had already been invested into improving the visitor offer at the WME and this has led to visitor numbers increasing by over 50%.

a)      Question from County Borough Councillor S. Pickering to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure and Heritage Services, County Borough Councillor A. Crimmings:

“Will the Cabinet Member provide an update on the Council’s significant investment in our play areas?”

b)     Question From County Borough Councillor P Jarman to the Leader of the Council,  Councillor A Morgan:

“Please will you make a statement on the problems endured at the  new junction on the A 4059 at Newtown Mountain Ash ?”

c)      Question from County Borough Councillor A. Fox to the Leader of the Council, County Borough Councillor A. Morgan:

“Will you provide an update on the progress of delivery on the core public commitments made last year?”

d)     Question from County Borough Councillor J. Bonetto to the Cabinet Member for Adult Services and the Welsh Language, County Borough Councillor G. Hopkins:

“What action is the Council taking to prepare for the winter pressures soon to be impacting on our social services provisions?”

e)      Question from County Borough Councillor J James  to the Cabinet Members for Enterprise, Development & Housing , Cllr R Bevan:

“Will the Cabinet Member for Enterprise Development and Housing make a statement on the importance of Special Landscape Areas within the County Borough.”

1.     From County Borough Councillor S Pickering  to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure & Heritage Services (County Borough Councillor A Crimmings)

“Will the Cabinet Member provide an update on the Council’s significant investment in our play areas?”

Response from County Borough Councillor A Crimmings.

The cabinet Member advised that since the programme started in 2015, 97 play areas had benefited form an investment of over £3.2million.  She added that Sports Wales had previously advised that such investment had seen over half of the total improvement in Wales being carried out in RCT alone.

The Cabinet Member informed Members that 27 play area investment projects were scheduled for completion by 31^st March 201.  The Cabinet Member commented on the investment to the two plays areas in Ynysybwl.

County Borough Councillor S Pickering  had no supplementary question to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure & Heritage Services.

2.     Question form County Borough Councillor P Jarman to the Leader of the Council, county Borough Councillor A Morgan:

“Please will you make a statement on the problems endured at the new junction on the A4059 at Newtown Mountain Ash?”

Response from County Borough Councillor A Morgan:

The Leader commented that he was aware of the concerns raised in respect of the new layout at the junction, which he attributed to aggressive driving and drivers over taking unsafely.  He advised that 2 stages of safety audit are undertaken during the design stages of major highway projects and an RSA3 is also undertaken following the opening of a new scheme to motorists. He added that this scheme is conducted independently of the Council by accredited road safety experts and traffic police.  The Leader commented on the small proportion of poor driving witnessed across the Authority which causes concern and added that in respect of the junction in question, signage had been installed to advise of the need to merge, although he advised that he had requested for further signage to be installed.  He commented on the need to work with the Police to look at enforcement action against the poor driving witnessed which caused the concerns raised.  He concluded by adding that the function of the new junction would alter once the scheme was fully operational in the Winter 2019/20, which would generate more equal lane usage by motorists naturally obviating perceived issues.

Supplementary question from County Borough Councillor P Jarman:

Councillor Jarman commented on the Leaders awareness of the concerns and the criticism of the layout of the junction which causes motorists to accelerate to over 30mph and the shortage of the 2 lane arrangements leading to numerous near misses, with motorists continuing at speed towards the pedestrian crossing despite the added signage and the conclusions of the safety audit report.  Councillor Jarman commented on the affects the road had on local residents with excessive car horn beeping.  The Councillor asked whether the Leader still stood content that the junction was safe for the public or whether further work was recommended?

Response from County  ...  view the full minutes text for item 82.

In accordance with Rule 13 of the Council’s Procedure Rules (Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution) to engage in the Leader’s debate.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13.2  the Mayor stated that he would invite the Leader to address Council following which the Leader would respond to Members’ comments on his Annual Report.

The Leader opened his address by stating that this was an opportunity to showcase some of the things that the Council had achieved over the last 12 months and the areas that he would like to bring forward for consideration in respect of investment projects, transformation projects and commented on the need to still ensure sustainability as the Council are still in austerity measures, referencing the Local Government settlement and the potential further savings that would need to be made. The Leader added that the Council could not be complacent if it was to continue to implement changes for residents and communities in the future.

Budget

The Leader assured Members that the Budget was still the Council’s top priority and reflected that the Council were still experiencing austerity measures.  He advised of the £6m efficiencies achieved over the last year adding that he tried to avoid transferring the worst of the cuts to the frontline service and residents. The Leader continued to discuss the Council Tax setting adding that RCT was below the welsh average and the 6^th lowest in Wales based on average per dwelling.

Education & Schools

Members were advised that £8m had been invested across the schools of RCT over the last year adding that not once had the schools budget been cut due to the austerity measures, although he noted that the funding provide to schools did not meet the growing demands placed on schools. The Leader continued by advising of the investment taken forward through the Band A C21st School projects and the investment of £3.5m across 6 schools through the Welsh Language Early Years Capital Grant.  He advised of the investment taken forward across 3 schools to reduce class sizes and the investment of £995k for the new extension to Ffynnon Taf through both CIL and Capital funding. 

The Leader continued by advising of the £168m strategic Business Case approved by Welsh Government for the Band B projects and also referenced the School Holiday Enrichment programme which had been extended to five schools across the County Borough  and the benefits this brought to both pupils and families.

The Leader referenced the proposed increase for  school budget of £2m for 2018/19  and commented on the lobbying taken forward to Welsh Government for further funding.  The Leader concluded his update in this area by commenting on the results achieved across the Authority highlighting that a small dip in performance had been witnessed across the key stages although explained that a number of factors including the curriculum change and changes in the expectation for outcomes could be attributed to this dip, although he added that performance was on target.

Highways & Strategic Projects

The Leader reminded Members that the Cabinet had recently approved a 3year - £23.5m highways improvement scheme commenting that better roads across the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83.

The Director of Communications & Interim Head of Democratic Services provided Members with a brief update in respect of the Council Work Programme.   Members were advised  that the Presentation from the RAF would take place during the January meeting and that following the Leaders announcement in respect of the Review of the Senior Management Structure a report would come forward to Council in the New Year.  Members were also advised that further addition to the programme involved a report in respect of Brexit and the invitation to the Standards Chair to present the Committees Annual report at the Council AGM.

To receive the Joint Report of the Director of Communications & Interim Head of Democratic Services and the Director, Legal & Democratic Services.

The Director of Communications and Interim Head of Democratic Services presented Members with the report which provided details of the Councils Political balance following the reduction in membership of the Plaid Cymru and Conservative political groups and the consequential effect on the appointment of Scrutiny Committee Chairs.

Following a discussion, it was RESOLVED:

1.    That the scheme for the allocation of seats to the different political   groups and bodies to which Section 15 of the Local Government and            Housing Act 1989 applies, as detailed in the Appendix to the report,        be adopted;

2.    That the Director of Communications and Interim Head of Democratic Services be authorised to make appointments to politically balanced bodies upon receipt by him of notification of the wishes of the political groups subject to any subsequent requests for amendment of membership of Committees being referred to Council;

3.    To note that Members of the Cabinet are not eligible for appointment to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee or Scrutiny Committees;

4.    To note that at least one Member of the Cabinet can sit on the Audit and Democratic Services Committees but the Council Leader is excluded from these positions;

5.    That the Chair of the  Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee and the Chair of the  Finance and Performance Scrutiny Committee be allocated to the Plaid Cymru Group;

6.    That the following Members be nominated as Chairs to the Scrutiny

Committees as shown below:-

·         County Borough Councillor L.M. Adams – Overview & Scrutiny Committee

·         County Borough Councillor S. Rees-Owen – Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee

·         County Borough Councillor J Williams – Finance & Performance Scrutiny Committee

·         County Borough Councillor R. Yeo – Health & Well-Being Scrutiny Committee

·         County Borough Councillor S.A. Bradwick – Public Service Delivery, Communities & Prosperity Scrutiny Committee

7.    That the following Members be nominated as Vice-Chairs to the

Scrutiny Committees as shown below:-

·      County Borough Councillor S. Evans – Overview & Scrutiny Committee

·      County Borough Councillor W. Lewis – Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee

·       County Borough Councillor G. Thomas – Finance & Performance Scrutiny Committee

·      County Borough Councillor G Holmes– Health & Well-Being Scrutiny Committee

·      County Borough Councillor T. Williams – Public Service Delivery, Communities & Prosperity Scrutiny Committee

8.    That the allocation of Notices of Motion be amended to reflect the following:

·         Labour – 9 ( reduction of 1)

·         Plaid Cymru – 4 (reduction of 1)

·         Conservatives – 1 (reduction of 1)

·         Alliance – 2 (unaffected)

·         Unallocated – 1 (unaffected).

To consider the report of the Group Director, Corporate & Frontline Services.

In accordance with the requirements of both the CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management and the CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities, the Group Director, Corporate & Frontline Services provided Members with information on:-

·         The Council’s Treasury Management activity during the first six months

of 2018/19; and

·         Prudential and Treasury indicators for the same period.

Following a discussion, it was RESOLVED  to approve the content of the

Report.

To receive the report of the Director, Public Health, Protection & Community Services.

In accordance with statutory requirements the Director, Public Health, Protection & Community Services provided Members with the revised Statement of Principles, under the provisions of the Gambling Act 2005 (i.e. the local policy statement for the management of gambling activity within the boundary of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council), for the period 2019 – 2021.

Following discussions it was RESOLVED:

1.    To approve the revisions to the policy as advocated by the Director of Public Health, Protection and Community Services; which were also considered and endorsed by,

-               the Licensing Committee on 11th September 2018

-               Cabinet on 16^th October 2018.

2.    To adopt the revised Statement of Principles in line with statutory requirements.

To receive the report of the Director of Communications & Interim Head of Services.

The Director of Communications & Interim Head of Democratic Services presented Members with his report which advised of the decision taken forward by the Democratic Services Committee meeting on the 12^th November, 2018 in respect of the IRP recommendation surrounding supporting the work of Members, with particular reference to telephony provision.

It was RESOLVED:

1.    To endorse the agreed way forward as recommended by the Democratic Services Committee as outlined below:

                      i.        To provide elected Members with 2 options with regard to the provision of telephony:

·         Option 1 – elected Members make their own arrangements, pay the associated bill and receive a payment of £19.64 per month as a contribution toward the cost of telephony.

·         Option 2 – a handset is provided and paid for by the Council (no requirement for elected Members to pay a bill / receive payment from the Council).

2.    That the arrangements become effective from 1^st January 2019 and the estimated annual cost is built into the Council’s budget setting arrangements for 2019/20.

To receive the report of the Director, Legal & Democratic Services.

The Director of Legal & Democratic Services advised Members of the recommendations of the Standards Appointments Panel following the recent interviews conducted by the Panel for the position of reserve independent Member to the Standards Committee.

Members RESOLVED to approve the recommendation of the Appointments Panel to appoint Mr. Colin M. Pallant as reserve Independent Member of the Standards Committee for a term of six years commencing 29^th November 2018.

To receive the report of the Director of Communications & Interim Head of Democratic Services.

The Director of Communications and Interim Head of Democratic Services advised Members of the decision taken forward by the Democratic Services Committee on the 12^th November, in respect of the recording of Member Attendance.

Following discussions it was RESOLVED:-

1.    To endorse the decision taken forward by the Democratic Services Committee as outlined below:

             i.             To the future recording of Members attendance utilisng the following categories of apologies:

a)     Council Duties – i.e. attendance at another Council meeting /representing the Council at a specific event – i.e Mayoral duties / Cabinet Member duties.

b)     Business Duties – i.e. LEA School Governor Duties / Community Council duties / Outside Bodies / Community Health Council

c)     Carer Responsibilities – Including caring for both younger and older generations / Family Members.

d)     Sickness

e)     Work Commitments

f)      Bereavement

g)     Apology

2.    That the Interim Head of Democratic Services notifies all Members of the agreed way forward for all future meetings, taking into consideration the time required to amend the current attendance recording system.

3.    That the Interim Head of Democratic Services provides feedback to the Council’s Standards Committee in respect of the reporting of Member Attendance.

4.    That the proposed way forward of recording Member Attendance is utilised until the full implementation of the Modern.Gov system in respect of recording of attendance.

To consider the under-mentioned Notice of Motion standing in the names of County Borough Councillors, W. Lewis, G. Caple, G.W. Hughes L.M. Adams, D.R. Bevan, H. Boggis, J. Bonetto, S. Bradwick, J. Brencher, A. Calvert,  A. Crimmings, A. Davies-Jones, L. De Vet, J. Elliott, S. Evans, M. Fidler Jones, M. Forey, A. Fox, E. George, M. Griffiths, J. Harries, G. Holmes, G. Hopkins, G. Jones, R. Lewis, C. Leyshon, A. Morgan, S. Morgans, M.A. Norris, D. Owen-Jones, S. Pickering, S. Powderhill, S.M. Powell, S. Rees, A. Roberts, J. Rosser, R.W. Smith, G. Stacey, M. Tegg, G. Thomas, W. Treeby, R.K. Turner, M. Webber, D.H. Williams, T. Williams, C.J. Willis, R. Yeo

“Over a million people in the UK are affected by Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI) and every 90 seconds someone is admitted to hospital with an ABI, either through the sustaining of a traumatic injury or through illness-related medical conditions.

It is estimated that the cost to the economy is around £15bn a year, yet the research and support available is inadequate.  Early access to specialist rehabilitation is vital, as those suffering from ABIs are less likely to return to work and play an active role in society, consequently impacting on the emotional and physical well-being of both themselves and their carers.

Children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are also considerably more likely to sustain an ABI before the age of 5, many of which go undiagnosed for their lives and have a considerable impact on their quality of life thereafter.

At present, there are no major trauma centres in Wales, and patients have to be transferred to the nearest facility in England, where there are often no specialist rehabilitation consultants.

This Council therefore resolves to:

-       Support the Brain Injury Charity, Headway, and support their future campaigns to raise awareness of the hugely damaging effects of ABIs.

-       Request that the Leader of the Council writes to both the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Health and the Chief Executive of the Cwm Taf UHB to request that a major trauma centre be established in the South Wales region.”

The following Notice of Motion standing in the names of County Borough Councillors, W. Lewis, G. Caple, G.W. Hughes L.M. Adams, D.R. Bevan, H. Boggis, J. Bonetto, S. Bradwick, J. Brencher, A. Calvert,  A. Crimmings, A. Davies-Jones, L. De Vet, J. Elliott, S. Evans, M. Fidler Jones, M. Forey, A. Fox, E. George, M. Griffiths, J. Harries, G. Holmes, G. Hopkins, G. Jones, R. Lewis, C. Leyshon, A. Morgan, S. Morgans, M.A. Norris, D. Owen-Jones, S. Pickering, S. Powderhill, S.M. Powell, S. Rees, A. Roberts, J. Rosser, R.W. Smith, G. Stacey, M. Tegg, G. Thomas, W. Treeby, R.K. Turner, M. Webber, D.H. Williams, T. Williams, C.J. Willis, R. Yeo was received in accordance with Council Procedure Rules.

“Over a million people in the UK are affected by Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI) and every 90 seconds someone is admitted to hospital with an ABI, either through the sustaining of a traumatic injury or through illness-related medical conditions.

It is estimated that the cost to the economy is around £15bn a year, yet the research and support available is inadequate.  Early access to specialist rehabilitation is vital, as those suffering from ABIs are less likely to return to work and play an active role in society, consequently impacting on the emotional and physical well-being of both themselves and their carers.

Children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are also considerably more likely to sustain an ABI before the age of 5, many of which go undiagnosed for their lives and have a considerable impact on their quality of life thereafter.

At present, there are no major trauma centres in Wales, and patients have to be transferred to the nearest facility in England, where there are often no specialist rehabilitation consultants.”

Following consideration of the report it was RESOLVED to:

·         Support the Brain Injury Charity, Headway, and support their future campaigns to raise awareness of the hugely damaging effects of ABIs.

·         Request that the Leader of the Council writes to both the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Health and the Chief Executive of the Cwm Taf UHB to request an update on the major trauma centre to be established in the South Wales region.”

With the agreement of the Mayor, being of the opinion that the report of the Chief Executive – ‘Understanding the potential impact of Brexit and in particular a ‘No Deal’ Brexit on the Council’  be considered in accordance with the provision of section 100(b)4(B) of the Local Government Act 1972, as a matter of urgency, by reason of special circumstance i.e. To ensure Members are aware of the potential impact of Brexit, in its various forms to help inform future Council decision making.

With the agreement of the Mayor, being of the opinion that the report of the Chief Executive – ‘Understanding the potential impact of Brexit and in particular a ‘No Deal’ Brexit on the Council’  be considered in accordance with the provision of section 100(b)4(B) of the Local Government Act 1972, as a matter of urgency, by reason of special circumstance i.e. To ensure Members are aware of the potential impact of Brexit, in its various forms to help inform future Council decision making.

The Chief Executive of the Council presented Members with his report which provided an overview of the potential impact of Brexit on the Council and its residents. The Chief Executive assured Members that Council officers will continue to liaise with Welsh Government, the Welsh Local Government Association, partners and third party suppliers and contractors to ensure the Council  better understand the risks of a No-Deal Brexit and the impact on the Council’s services and local communities.

Following brief discussions it was RESOLVED:

1.    To note the information contained within the report.

2.    To receive further briefings to Cabinet, Council and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee during the period to 29^th March 2019

(N.B  During consideration of this item it was RESOLVED to continue the meeting in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 8, to allow consideration of the remaining agenda items and continuation of Council business.)