Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed attendees to the hybrid meeting of the Council and apologies for absence were received from County Borough Councillors A-Davies Jones, L de Vet, H Fychan , G Hughes, D Grehan, G Hopkins, J James, M Fidler Jones, K jones and S Rees-Owen.

The following Councillors and officers were present in the Council Chamber:

County Borough Councillors A Morgan, M Webber, R Bevan, A Crimmings, G Caple, W Lewis, C Leyshon, M Norris, S Bradwick, J Harries, G Thomas, G Jones, M Powell, L Walker, E Stephens.

Mr C Bradshaw, Chief Executive, Mr B Davies, Director of Finance & Digital Services, Mr A Wilkins, Director Legal Services Mr C Hanagan, Service Director Democratic Services & Communications, Mr R Evans, Director Human Resources and Mr S Gale Director of Prosperity & Development.

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 were made pertaining to the agenda and declarations in relation to agenda items 12 and 19 were declared later in the meeting (Minute 142 refers):

Agenda items 11-15

Cllr P Jarman

Personal - “Dispensation to speak and vote on all matters for the duration and adoption of the 2021-22 Budget process in my capacity as Leader of the Opposition”

Cllr M Powell

Personal – “I’ve been granted dispensation by the Standards Committee to speak and vote on all matters relating to the present and proposed budget for 2022-23, for all of those items that would reflect a budget adjustment and my wife is an employee of the Local Authority”

Agenda item 17B-Notice of Motion

Cllr A Fox

Personal –“A family member works for a housing association operational in RCT”.

Cllr W Lewis

Personal – “I work for a Housing Association.”

Agenda item 16-Sustainable Communities for Learning (Formerly 21st Century Schools) Capital Programme - New Welsh Medium Primary School In Rhydyfelin

Cllr A Forey

Personal – “My daughter is employed by the local authority in education.”

Cllr M Webber

Personal – “I am a Governor on the school mentioned in the report.”

Cllr M Powell

Personal – “I am a governor or Coedpenmaen Primary School, Trallwn Infants School and Hawthorn High School”.

Agenda Item 10Revised Local Development Plan (RLDP) 2022-2037

Cllr W Lewis

Personal – “The Housing Association I work for is mentioned in the report.”.

Cllr S Powell

Agenda Item 7 - Members question 6 – “My wife is employed at Tonysguboriau Primary School, I am also a Governor there and it is in my ward”.

Agenda item 12 – Council Tax Resolution

Head of Democratic Services – “We will record a blanket personal declaration for those Members who are Members of a Town or Community Council”

Cllr G Thomas – Personal – “I am a Member of the South Wales Police & Crime Panel.”

Cllr R Lewis – Personal – “I am a Member of the South Wales Police & Crime Panel.”

Cllr M Powell – Personal – “I am a Member of Pontypridd Town council.”

Cllr S Belzak – Personal – “I am a Member of Pontypridd Town council.”

Agenda Item 19 Funding Arrangement for Transport (Rail) Infrastructure Works

Cllr J Brencher – Personal – “My son is a Director of Transport for Wales”.

Mr A Wilkins– Director, Legal Services on behalf of all Council Officers

present in relation to Agenda Item 9 -The Council's Pay Policy Statement 2022/23

“The Pay Policy statement for the Council has no effect on existing terms and conditions applying to individual employees and simply sets out the Council’s approach to previously adopted policies, therefore Officers will remain in the meeting whilst the item is presented by the Director of Human Resources and during subsequent discussion.”

To approve as an accurate record, the minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 9^th February 2022.

The Council RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the hybrid meeting on the 9^th February 2022 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

The following announcements were made:

The Service Director of Democratic Services received the following petitions:

Ø  Councillor J Williams – On behalf of residents regarding permit parking in Grawen Street, Porth

Ø  Councillor A Cox – Calling on the Council to use its powers and legislation to bring back empty properties into use such as the Porth Hotel (310 signatures)

Ø  Councillor E Webster -Parking & Traffic in Treorchy

Ø  Councillor J Davies -On behalf of residents of Tylacelyn Road, Penygraig regarding traffic calming measures.  

Ø  Councillor M Powell –On behalf of the Pontypridd residents regarding a skatepark.

Ø  County Borough Councillor T Williams announced the sad passing of Mr Brian Fear and referenced his charity work and his selfless nature and passed her condolences to his family.

Ø  County Borough Councillor P Jarman also wished to pay her condolences to Mr Fear’s family and friends as she recounted his significant football achievements.

To provide the opportunity for members to consider practical support from the communities and businesses of Rhondda Cynon Taf to the citizens of Ukraine.

In providing the opportunity for Members to consider practical support from the communities and businesses of Rhondda Cynon Taf to the citizens of Ukraine, the Leader provided an update on what Local Government in Wales would be doing to support the efforts. He advised that there had been little information to date coming directly from Central Government to Local Authorities.

The Leader commented that the community response had been huge, and many millions raised to date, with many collections organised locally but he advised that getting goods and supplies to the residents of the Ukraine was becoming increasingly difficult. He hoped that communities would be able to support in other ways once the repatriation of Ukraine residents had become clearer.

The Leader called on cross-party support for the following motion:

“This Council places on record its solidarity with the citizens of Ukraine.

This Council pledges to do all it can to support Ukrainian citizens who have been forced to flee their own country, as a result of the Russian invasion, by participating in all initiatives led by the Welsh and UK Government to provide refuge. This includes committing to participate in the UK Government’s ‘sponsorship programme’, which is seeking to enable public sector organisations to provide long-term practical support for Ukrainian refugees.

We are committed to welcoming Ukrainian families, both with and without UK family ties, and to enable them to access support from individuals, businesses, charities and community groups, on their arrival here in Wales and Rhondda Cynon Taf Council.

This Council commits to prioritising and targeting the support of all Council services toward any Ukrainians seeking to make Rhondda Cynon Taf their home.” 

Council resolved to support the afore-mentioned motion. A query was raised regarding the potential for the Council to make a corporate donation to the cause for the citizens of Ukraine which would represent the will and generosity of the residents of RCT.

It was RESOLVED to delegate the matter of the donation to Officers, in discussion with Group Leaders, to agree and finalise the arrangement subject to the Council having the powers and vires to do so.

To receive acknowledgements and thanks to those Members who are not standing for re-election in the Local Government Elections on the 5^th May 2022.

The Group Leaders paid their acknowledgements and thanks to those Members who are not standing for re-election in the Local Government Elections on the 5^th May 2022 as follows:

Labour Group: County Borough Councillors M Forey, J Rosser, G Thomas, R Turner, L M Adams, M Griffiths, L De Vet, M Tegg (already resigned), E George, J Harries, M Fidler Jones, S Powell, A Davies-Jones, A Calvert and S Pickering.

Plaid Cymru Group : County Borough Councillor G R Davies, E Griffiths, M Weaver, J Cullwick, H Fychan MS, E Stephens and A Chapman.

Conservative Group: County Borough Councillor J James MS

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

The Leader of the Council, County Borough Councillor A Morgan made a statement in respect of the significant package of investment from Welsh Government in response to the cost-of-living crisis. He advised that the detail is currently being finalised and a report to Cabinet would be presented over the next few weeks. Members were informed that the package is being branded the ‘Council Tax rebate’ using Council Tax bands A-D as a way of qualifying means, with the overall package to RCT being in the region of £15/16 million which will be paid to residents as soon as possible.

To receive Members questions in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9.2.

(N.B a maximum of 20 minutes shall be allowed for questions on notice.)

The Service Director Democratic Services & Communication advised that question 5 will fall due to the absence of County Borough Councillor S Pickering

Question from County Borough Councillor G. Holmes to the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services, County Borough Councillor G. Caple:

“Could the Cabinet Member please make a statement on delayed discharges from hospital and outline what work the Council is undertaking to assist with this?”

Response of County Borough Councillor Caple:

Councillor Caple responded by advising that Adult Social Services continues to facilitate discharges from A&E through its Stay Well at Home Service, on average 10 per week, together with ward discharges it is the single point of access and the complex hospital discharge team, on average 23 patients per week. He added that regular meetings are held with the Health Board to explore more effective discharge processes and examine individual case reviews. In order to support business continuity Adult Social Services has mobilised its workforce in order to provide support critical support.

Councillor Caple advised that an in-reach system of community-based staff has been implemented to expediate the discharge of patients, those who are in a position to leave but are waiting further assessments or support that may be provided in the community ensuring people are safe and well cared for at home. Albeit a complex process, all the skills and disciplines such as therapists, hospital discharge co-ordinators, occupational therapists, mobile responders are being utilised to ensure this system is as swift and effective as possible.

Supplementary question from County Borough Councillor G Holmes:

“If it were not for the proactive, ‘can-do’ approach taken by this council and local government in general, the problem of delayed transfers would be significantly greater for our health colleagues and further exacerbate capacity challenges faced by our health services, including the ambulance services, if it were not for our support?”

Response of County Borough Councillor Caple:

Councillor Caple agreed with Councillor Holmes comments and sentiments and advised that the Council would continue to explore different models of service provision and continue to work with partners, particularly the NHS in leading the transformation of services by using prevention and intervention measures. This may lead to some services being transferred to local government where they may best lie. In the meantime, the Council will continue to work to support an increasing number of people with more complex needs at home, in the community through the additional operating hours of the Stay Well at Home service and also to support the avoidable hospital conveyance and admissions cases.

Councillor Caple wished to recognise and express deep appreciation of the hard work and dedication of the teams within adult social services and other council services such as housing as well as the independent sector providers who have worked under extreme and sustained pressure for a considerable amount of time. Councillor Caple thanked them for going the extra mile to support the NHS.

In conclusion, Councillor Caple commented that across Wales, pressures on A&E departments  ...  view the full minutes text for item 137.

The Service Director Democratic Services & Communications confirmed that subject to business needs, this would be the last scheduled Council meeting concluding on the 24^th March 2022. He advised that the next Council meeting would be the Council’s Annual General Meeting held on the 25^th May 2022.

To receive the report of the Service Director Democratic Services & Communications

The Service Director Democratic Services & Communications presented his report to advise Council of the recent appointment of Lay Members to the Governance & Audit Committee, to ensure compliance with the legislative requirement set out in the Local Government & Elections Wales Act 2021 that at least one third of the Governance & Audit Committee consist of Lay Members

The Service Director advised that the Council’s Appointments Committee had been

unanimous in its decision to appoint Mr Melvyn Jehu and Mr Julius Roszkowski.

Through his report the Service Director sought Council’s ratification of the Committee’s

decision and that the Lay Members be appointed for a term of office until the next

ordinary Local Government Elections (currently scheduled for May 2027).

Following consideration of the report it was RESOLVED to:

1.  Note the arrangements as set out in the report, relating to the appointment of new Lay Members to the Governance & Audit Committee for a term of office commencing from the beginning of the 2022-2023 Municipal Year until the next ordinary Local Government Elections; and

   2. Ratifiy the decision of the Appointments Committee in respect of the appointment

       of Lay Members to the Governance & Audit Committee as Mr Melvyn Jehu and Mr

       Julius Roszkowski.

To receive the Joint Report of the Director of Human Resources and Director of Legal Services.

In accordance with Section 38(1) of the Localism Act, 2011, the Director, Human Resources provided Members with information in respect of the Council’s 2022/23 Pay Policy Statement.

Following discussion, the Director of Human Resources responded to a query relating to the Council’s regrading process for staff. He advised that appropriate discussions had taken place with the Trade Unions and they had been advised to utilise the agreed Regrading Policy and undertake a review of the job descriptions for those concerned

Members RESOLVED to approve the Pay Policy Statement as attached at Appendix A of the report.

To receive the report of the Director of Prosperity & Development

The Director of Prosperity & Development presented his report with the purpose of updating Members on the progress of the Revised Local Development Plan (RLDP) 2020-2030. The Director advised that as the Council has been unable to meet the previously agreed formal Delivery Agreement, he sought the necessary statutory Council approval to cease the preparation of the current Revised Local Development Plan (RLDP) 2020 – 2030 and begin the preparation of a new RLDP for the plan period 2022 - 2037.

The Director referred Members to table one in the report which summarised the new RLDP timetable and advised that details of the revisions had been reported to Cabinet and to the cross party RLDP Members Steering Group.

Following discussion, it was RESOLVED to:

1. Approve the cessation of the preparation of the Revised Local Development Plan (RLDP) 2020 – 2030.

2.  Approve the proposal to begin a new RLDP with an amended and extended Plan period of 2022 – 2037.

3.  Approve the Delivery Agreement (DA), that sets out the Community Involvement Scheme and Timetable for the preparation of the proposed new RLDP 2022 – 2037. This is attached as Appendix 1 of this report.

4.  Approve that officers seek necessary Welsh Government agreement to formally start the preparation of the RLDP 2022 – 2037 in accordance with the Delivery Agreement.

To receive the report of the Director of Finance & Digital Services

The Director of Finance and Digital Services presented the report which provided information on the final local government settlement for 2022/23 and set out the recommendations of the Cabinet with regard to the Council’s Revenue Budget and the level of Council Tax for the year ending 31^st March 2023.

The Director of Finance and Digital Services advised that two phases of consultation

had been undertaken with the second phase focussing on the proposed

budget strategy itself. The consultation was held between the 28^th  January 2022 until

the 13^th February 2022. Feedback from the second phase consultation process, 

together with that from the Finance & Performance Scrutiny Committee, School Budget

Forum and the Joint Consultative Committee is attached to the report.

The Director of Finance and Digital Services advised that the final local government

settlement was received on the 1^st March 2022 which saw an increase in funding for

the Council of 8.4%, the detail of which has been presented to Council on the

19^th January 2022. He confirmed the remaining budget gap of £229,000, the detail

s reported at section 7 within the report.

The Director of Finance and Digital Services outlined the budget strategy proposals and referred Members to table 1 at section 10 of the report which summarised the implications including the proposed reduction in the level of Council Tax increase and the delivery of efficiencies. The remaining budget gap of £963,000 can be offset by an allocation from the already replenished transition funding reserve of £4.6M, resulting in a balanced budget for next year of £566.792M.

Following discussion, it was RESOLVED to:

 1. Note the written statement from the Minister for Finance and Local Government (Rebecca Evans MS) and the table on the 2022/23 Final local government settlement, reproduced at Appendix 1;

2. Note the implications for the Council and the remaining budget gap as set out at section 5;

3. Agree a Council Tax increase for 2022/23 of 1.00%;

4. Agree the uplift to the aggregate Schools Budget as detailed at section 8;

5. Agree the budget strategy proposals as set out at paragraphs 10.3(a) to 10.3(i);

6. Agree the use of the ‘Medium Term Financial Planning & Service Transformation Reserve’ as transition funding, totalling £0.963M for 2022/23;

7. Approve Tables 3 and 4 in Section 13 of the report as the basis of allocating resources to the Individual Schools Budget (ISB), to other Council Services, and to meet its corporate financing requirements; and

8. Agree the Council’s overall budget for 2022/23 at £566.792M, in order to pass the necessary statutory resolutions to set the Council Tax for the forthcoming financial year by the statutory deadline of the 11^th March 2022.

To receive the report of the Director of Finance & Digital Services

The Director advised that following agreement of the County Borough Council’s revenue budget for the financial year ending 31^st March 2023, and the increase of Council Tax at 1.00% this report sets out the necessary formal resolution to set the level of next year’s Council Tax, including the levels of precepts from the Community Councils and the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales.

He reported to full Council on the robustness of the budget and the adequacy of the reserves held, set out at paragraph 9 of the report. In doing so, he restated the non-continuation of the Welsh Government hardship fund and noted the Council already includes £0.5M contribution to general fund reserves in the base budget in order to replenish levels to the minimum level of £10M over the medium term.

Following consideration of the report it was RESOLVED to:-

1. Note the level of the precept from the Police & Crime Commissioner for South Wales;

2. Note the level of the Community Council Precepts, as detailed in Appendix 1;

3.  Pass the formal Council Tax resolutions for the financial year ending 31^st March 2023, as contained in Appendix 2; and

4. Note my comments upon robustness of the estimates and the adequacy of the proposed financial reserves as detailed at paragraph 9.2.

(Note: During discussions, the following declarations of personal interests were made:

County Borough Councillor G Thomas – “I am a member of the South Wales Police & Crime Panel”

County Borough Councillor R Lewis -  “I am a member of the South Wales Police & Crime Panel”

County Borough Councillor M Powell – “ I am a member of Pontypridd Town Council”

County Borough Councillor S Belzak – “I am a member of Pontypridd Town Council”

(The Service Director Democratic Services & Communications advised of a blanket declaration of personal interest for all members of Town and Community Councils would be recorded).

(Note: County Borough Councillors L Hooper, S Trask and S Belzak wished to have it recorded as having voted against the recommendations)

To receive the report of the Director of Finance & Digital Services

The Director of Finance & Digital Services set out the Council's proposed Capital Programme for 2022/23 to 2024/25, following receipt of the final local government settlement for 2022/23.

Following consideration of the report it was RESOLVED to:-

1.  Note the detail of the final 2022/23 local government settlement for capital   expenditure, reproduced at Appendix 1;

2.   Agree to the proposed reallocation of existing resources, and allocation of new resources as detailed in paragraph 5;

3.    Agree to allocate the funding identified in the report to the investment priorities as detailed in paragraph 6.2;

4.    Agree the proposed ‘core’ three-year programme detailed at Appendix 2;

5.    Agree the proposed total three-year Capital Programme, detailed at Appendices 3 (a) to (e), which includes the following non-core capital funding:

·       Prudential borrowing to support Sustainable Communities for Learning Schemes (formerly 21^st Century Schools) and Highways Improvements schemes;

·       Capital grants for specific schemes;

·       Third party contributions;

·       Additional Council resources previously allocated to support existing schemes and Corporate Plan investment priorities; and

·       The investment priorities detailed in paragraph 6.2.

(Note: The Members of the RCT Independent Group present wished to have their names recorded as having voted against the matter:

County Borough Councillors M Powell, L Walker, P Howe, W Jones and W Owen

County Borough Councillor S Belzak also wished to have his name recorded as having voted against the matter).

To receive the report of the Director of Finance & Digital Services

To receive the report of the Director of Finance & Digital Services

Members were presented with the report of the Director of Finance & Digital Services which set out a high-level overview of how capital expenditure, capital financing and treasury management activity contribute to the provision of Council services along with an overview of the associated risk, its management and the implications for future financial sustainability.

The Director advised that both this and the Council’s Treasury Management report would be presented to the Finance & Performance Scrutiny Committee.

Following discussion, it was RESOLVED to approve the Capital Strategy report incorporating the Prudential Indicators.

To consider the report from the Director of Finance & Digital Services.

In his report the Director of Finance & Digital Services set out his report which sought Council’s approval:

·     For a capital investment of £14.183M for a new Welsh medium primary school in Rhydyfelin;

·     To finance the project through the Welsh Government’s (WG) Sustainable Communities for learning (formerly 21^st Century Schools) Band B capital grant and to fund the Council’s contribution from borrowing using its powers under the Prudential Code.

Following consideration, it was RESOLVED to:

1. Agree to the inclusion in the capital programme of a new Welsh medium primary school in Rhydyfelin at a total cost of £14.183M; and

2. Agree that the net capital cost to the Councilof £4.964M is funded through borrowing, using the Council’s powers under the Prudential Code, with the annual revenue cost of £0.195Mbeing included in the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan.

17A To consider the under-mentioned Notice of Motion standing in the names of County Borough Councillors: W. Lewis, S. Evans, L. M. Adams, J. Barton, D. R. Bevan, H. Boggis, J. Bonetto, S. Bradwick, J. Brencher, A. Calvert, G. Caple, A. Crimmings, L. De- Vet, J. Edwards, J. Elliott, A. Fox, M Griffiths, G. Jones, M. Fidler Jones, M. Forey, E. George, J. Harries, G. Holmes, G. Hopkins, W. Lewis, R. Lewis, C. Leyshon, A. Morgan, S. Morgans, M. A. Norris, D. Owen-Jones, S. Pickering, S. Powell, S. Rees, A Roberts, J. Rosser, G. Stacey, G. Thomas, W. Treeby, R. K. Turner, M. Webber, D. Williams, R. Williams, T. Williams R. Yeo:

This Council notes that when the UK Government negotiated its exit from the European Union, a commitment was given to matching the level of funding provided to local areas from the European Union and accepted the assurances by UK Ministers, that Wales would not lose “a single penny” of EU funding as a result of this process. 

A recent cross-party Commons’ Treasury Committee found in a report on October’s Autumn Budget and Spending Review, that the Shared Prosperity Fund will be worth 40% less a year than the EU funding schemes it will replace.  The report also expressed its surprise that the “size of the Fund is being reduced to such an extent”.

In context, the EU Structural Fund programme was worth £2.5bn a year and Wales received a disproportionate share of this funding at around £400m a year, or four times the UK average on a per-person basis. In November, the Welsh Government highlighted that the £46m Wales would receive through the Community Renewal Fund – the ‘precursor’ to the Shared Prosperity Fund - fell short of that promised amount of funding and that anything less than £375m in new funding per year from the UK Government would be a failure to honour that commitment.

Furthermore, the inordinate delay in getting the UKSPF programme up and running has left vulnerable individuals at risk of long-term unemployment at risk because of the cuts and delays.

This Council therefore:

• Recognises the vital contributions that EU Structural Funding delivered to the West Wales and the Valleys region in particular.

• Calls on the U.K. Government to make good on its promise to replace European Union funding in full.

And resolves to:

• Request that the Leader of the Council writes to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Prime Minister to convey this Council’s view and request that the disparity in funding under the Shared Prosperity Fund be addressed as a matter of urgency.
• Request our local Members of the Senedd & Members of Parliament to support this Council’s calls to address this disparity in funding.
• Request that the Council communicates the response of the Prime Minister to this Council representations.

***************************************************************************************

17B To consider the under-mentioned Notice of Motion standing in the names of County Borough Councillors: R. Williams,  A. Fox, L. M. Adams, J. Barton, D. R. Bevan, H. Boggis, J. Bonetto,  ...  view the full agenda text for item 148.

17A To consider the under-mentioned Notice of Motion standing in the names of County Borough Councillors: W. Lewis, S. Evans, L. M. Adams, J. Barton, D. R. Bevan, H. Boggis, J. Bonetto, S. Bradwick, J. Brencher, A. Calvert, G. Caple, A. Crimmings, L. De- Vet, J. Edwards, J. Elliott, A. Fox, M Griffiths, G. Jones, M. Fidler Jones, M. Forey, E. George, J. Harries, G. Holmes, G. Hopkins, W. Lewis, R. Lewis, C. Leyshon, A. Morgan, S. Morgans, M. A. Norris, D. Owen-Jones, S. Pickering, S. Powell, S. Rees, A Roberts, J. Rosser, G. Stacey, G. Thomas, W. Treeby, R. K. Turner, M. Webber, D. Williams, R. Williams, T. Williams R. Yeo:

This Council notes that when the UK Government negotiated its exit from the European Union, a commitment was given to matching the level of funding provided to local areas from the European Union and accepted the assurances by UK Ministers, that Wales would not lose “a single penny” of EU funding as a result of this process. 

A recent cross-party Commons’ Treasury Committee found in a report on October’s Autumn Budget and Spending Review, that the Shared Prosperity Fund will be worth 40% less a year than the EU funding schemes it will replace.  The report also expressed its surprise that the “size of the Fund is being reduced to such an extent”.

In context, the EU Structural Fund programme was worth £2.5bn a year and Wales received a disproportionate share of this funding at around £400m a year, or four times the UK average on a per-person basis. In November, the Welsh Government highlighted that the £46m Wales would receive through the Community Renewal Fund – the ‘precursor’ to the Shared Prosperity Fund - fell short of that promised amount of funding and that anything less than £375m in new funding per year from the UK Government would be a failure to honour that commitment.

Furthermore, the inordinate delay in getting the UKSPF programme up and running has left vulnerable individuals at risk of long-term unemployment at risk because of the cuts and delays.

This Council therefore:

• Recognises the vital contributions that EU Structural Funding delivered to the West Wales and the Valleys region in particular.

• Calls on the U.K. Government to make good on its promise to replace European Union funding in full.

And resolves to:

• Request that the Leader of the Council writes to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Prime Minister to convey this Council’s view and request that the disparity in funding under the Shared Prosperity Fund be addressed as a matter of urgency.
• Request our local Members of the Senedd & Members of Parliament to support this Council’s calls to address this disparity in funding.
• Request that the Council communicates the response of the Prime Minister to this Council representations.

At the meeting the Chair announced that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10.4.1 the following amendment to the Notice of Motion had been received from County Borough Councillors P. Jarman, A. Cox,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 148.

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.

17B To consider the under-mentioned Notice of Motion standing in the names of County Borough Councillors: R. Williams,  A. Fox, L. M. Adams, J. Barton, D. R. Bevan, H. Boggis, J. Bonetto, S. Bradwick, J. Brencher, A. Calvert, G. Caple, A. Crimmings, A. Davies-Jones, L. De- Vet, J. Edwards, J. Elliott, S. Evans, M Griffiths, G. Jones, M. Fidler Jones, M. Forey, E. George, J. Harries, G. Holmes, G. Hopkins, W. Lewis, R. Lewis, C. Leyshon, A. Morgan, S. Morgans, M. A. Norris, D. Owen-Jones, S. Pickering, S. Powell, S. Rees, A Roberts, J. Rosser, G. Stacey, G. Thomas, W. Treeby, R. K. Turner, M. Webber, D. Williams, T. Williams, R. Yeo:

Losing a loved one can be one of the most traumatic and emotionally stressful experiences for an individual, in addition to the potential added burden of having to deal with their affairs.

The last two years in particular have brought unprecedented further challenges to families and friends who have lost loved ones, with public health restrictions being placed on funerals and family gatherings at various times as the country tackled the coronavirus pandemic.

For families and friends of those who have passed away whilst living in rented accommodation, the challenges can, sadly, be even greater, with some housing associations only allowing one week for the deceased’s possessions to be cleared from the property.

It is, however, within the discretionary powers of housing associations to extend this timeframe, and this would undoubtedly reduce the stress and upset for the family or friends of the deceased tenant.

This Council therefore resolves to:

• Request that the Leader of the Council writes to local Housing Associations in Rhondda Cynon Taf to ask them to consider using their discretionary powers to give families additional time of, at least 2 weeks following the funeral of their relatives, to clear belongings from a premises where an occupant has recently passed away.

Following discussion, it was RESOLVED to adopt the notice of motion.

(Note: County Borough Councillor J Brencher declared a declaration of personal interest – “ My son is Director for Transport for Wales”)

“That the press and public be excluded from the meeting under Section

100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 for the next item of

business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt

information as defined in Paragraph 14 Schedule 12(A) of the Act.”

It was RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

To receive the report of the Director of Finance & Digital Services which sets out proposed funding to be provided by Welsh Government to the Council for transport infrastructure works.

The Director of Finance & Digital Services provided Members with an overview of his report which contained exempt information.

Following consideration of the report it was RESOLVED to :

1.  Agree to the principles of the financing arrangement and the acceptance of the offer of funding as set out in the report (subject to conclusion of the issues as set out at para 4.10);

2.    Authorise officers to progress, negotiate and conclude the necessary further legal agreements ensuring that the Council’s position is fully safeguarded; and

3.    Note and agree that the Council’s Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators are updated to reflect the arrangement.

(Note: County Borough Councillors L Hooper and S Trask wished to have their names recorded as having voted against the above recommendations).