• Agenda and minutes
  • Agenda and minutes

    Venue: Hybrid

    Contact: Julia Nicholls - Democratic Services  01443 424098

    Media

    Items
    No. Item

    153.

    Apology

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    An apology of absence was received from County Borough Councillor G. Hopkins.

    154.

    Declaration of Interest

    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.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, there were no declarations made pertaining to the agenda.

     

    155.

    Election of the Presiding Member

    To elect a Presiding Member of the Council.

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED – that County Borough Councillor G Hughes be elected as Presiding Member for the 2022/23 Municipal Year.

     

    County Borough Councillor G Hughes resumed the Chair following his appointment and addressed Council in his role as Presiding Member.

     

    156.

    Election of the Deputy Presiding Member pdf icon PDF 131 KB

    To receive the report of the Service Director Democratic Services & Communication.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    The Service Director, Democratic Services & Communication presented his report which proposed the appointment of two Deputy Presiding Members as part of the Council’s democratic Council structure to undertake the functions of the Presiding Member in their absence as Chair of the Council.

     

    The Service Director advised that the arrangement would ensure that in most circumstances one of three Members would be available to chair a hybrid meeting in person, which is vital to the smooth running of a live broadcasted meetings. Should Council agree to the proposal it was recommended that the appointment of a Presiding Member and the two Deputy Presiding Members is undertaken on an annual basis at the Council’s Annual General Meeting and that the Director of Legal Services (as Monitoring Officer) is given delegated authority to make any consequential changes to the Council’s Constitution.

     

    Following consideration, it was RESOLVED to:

     

    1. Appoint two Deputy Presiding Members into the Council structure, who would undertake the administrative functions of the Chair of the Council in the absence of the Presiding Member;

     

    2.Appoint two Deputy Presiding Members for the 2022-2023 Municipal Year (at agenda item 4 ‘Elections & Appointments’) and on an annual basis at the Annual General Meeting thereafter; and

     

    3.That the Director of Legal Services (as Monitoring Officer) amends the Council’s Constitution to reflect the required amendments detailed in the above recommendations and makes any consequential changes.

     

     

     

    157.

    Elections & Appointments

    a) To elect the Deputy Presiding Officer(s) of the Council (subject to the outcome of the report at Agenda item 3)

     

    b) To receive an address from the Mayor of the Council 2021-2022.

    c) To elect a Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council for the Municipal Year 2022-2023.

        (For the Mayor to announce their consort for the Municipal Year 2022-2023)

     

    d)To appoint a Deputy Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council for the Municipal Year 2022 – 2023.

     (For the Deputy Mayor to announce their consort for the Municipal Year 2022 – 2023.)

     

    e)To appoint a Leader of the Council.

     

    f)To confirm the appointment of the Leader of the largest opposition party, as the Leader of the Opposition.

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    To elect Two Deputy Presiding Members of the Council

     

    RESOLVED – that County Borough Councillor Sheryl Evans be elected as the first Deputy Presiding Member for the 2022/23 Municipal Year.

     

    RESOLVED – that County Borough Councillor Barry Stephens be elected as the second Deputy Presiding Member for the 2022/23 Municipal Year.

     

     

    To receive an address from the retiring Mayors of the Council 2021-2022.

     

    County Borough Councillor J Bonetto took the opportunity to reflect on her term of office as Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf for the first part of the 2021/22 Municipal Year before she joined the Council Cabinet as Member for Education and Inclusion Services.She thanked everyone who had helped her raise a significant amount, over £30,000 for her Charities, Help for Heroes, AP Cymru and 2 Wish who conduct excellent work within the community.

     

    The retiring Mayor County Borough Councillor W Treeby thanked her predecessor, Councillor Jill Bonetto and congratulated her on raising money during a difficult period. Councillor Treeby commented that the last few months as Mayor had been a privilege for her. She thanked the residents, communities and officers who had supported her and her charities. 

     

    In response Members paid tribute to the retiring Mayors for their efforts and hard work during their respective terms of office.

     

    To elect a Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council for the Municipal Year 2022-2023.

     

    RESOLVED – to elect County Borough Councillor W Treeby as Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council for the Municipal Year 2022-2023.

     

    The Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council for the Municipal Year 2022-2023 commented on the huge honour to serve as Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf during a historic year as the County Borough celebrates the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and also welcomes the Queen’s Baton Relay back to Rhondda Cynon Taf ahead of the Commonwealth Games. She referenced the Freedom of the County Borough which will be granted to Welsh rugby legend Neil Jenkins MBE and also to all key workers, to acknowledge their commitment throughout the global pandemic.

     

    During her term of office as Mayor for RCT, Councillor Treeby announced her charities as the Wales Air AmbulanceStroke Association and Green Meadow Riding for the Disabled, as well as supporting the Armed Forces.

     

    Members wished the incoming Mayor well for her forthcoming year.

     

    To appoint a Deputy Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council for the Municipal Year 2022 – 2023.

     

    RESOLVED – to elect County Borough Councillor W Lewis as Deputy Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council for the Municipal Year 2022-2023.

     

    The Deputy Mayor congratulated the new incoming Madam Mayor and for affording her the honour of being re-elected as Deputy Mayor for 2022-23.

     

    To appoint a Leader of the Council.

     

    RESOLVED – that County Borough Councillor A Morgan be appointed Leader of the Council for the 2022/2023 Municipal Year.

     

    County Borough Councillor A Morgan extended his thanks to the Labour Group for their support during the last year  ...  view the full minutes text for item 157.

    158.

    Executive Functions

    To note the Leader’s Scheme of Executive Delegations, including the appointment of Deputy Leader and the Cabinet, to be presented by the Leader at the meeting of the Council.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED to note the Cabinet and their individual designations, as follows:-

     

    ·       County Borough Councillor A Morgan, Leader & Cabinet Member for Infrastructure & Investment

     

    • County Borough Councillor M. Webber, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Council Business

     

    • County Borough Councillor M. Norris, Cabinet Member for Development & Prosperity

     

    • County Borough Councillor R. Lewis, Cabinet Member for Education, Youth Participation & Welsh Language

     

    • County Borough Councillor G. Caple, Cabinet Member for Health & Social Care

     

    • County Borough Councillor B. Harris, Cabinet Member for Public Health & Communities

     

    • County Borough Councillor A. Crimmings, Cabinet Member for Environment, & Leisure

     

    • County Borough Councillor C. Leyshon, Cabinet Member for Climate Change & Corporate Services

     

     

    159.

    Review- Overview & Scrutiny Arrangements 2022-2027 pdf icon PDF 311 KB

    To receive the report of the Service Director Democratic Services & Communication.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    The Service Director Democratic Services & Communication presented his report which provided Members with the recommended scrutiny arrangements for the next Council term (2022-2027) and subject to Members’ agreement, sought approval to amend the Constitution to reflect the proposals contained within the report.

     

    The Service Director referred Members to the proposed models of scrutiny as set out at section 6 of the report which would support and respond to the requirements and direction of the Local Government & Elections (Wales) Act 2021. He advised that the reduction in the number of scrutiny committees would see an increase in the frequency of meetings from the current six-week cycle.

     

    To assist Members, the Service Director reported on the proposed remit of each of the four thematic scrutiny committees and where necessary any changes to the current model.

     

    In conclusion, the Service Director highlighted the reasons for the proposed changes to the scrutiny structure such as balancing the Scrutiny Committee Work Programmes and allowing for greater pre-scrutiny on key decisions of the Cabinet which will further support the Council’s Corporate Plan.

     

    Following consideration of the report it was RESOLVED to:

     

    1.         Support the recommendations of the ‘Head of Democratic Services’ in respect of the Council’s proposed future scrutiny arrangements as detailed in this report;

     

    2.         Agree that following prior consultation with the Scrutiny Chairs and Vice Chairs, the terms of reference of each of the Scrutiny Committees be reviewed, refined and agreed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its first meeting following the AGM; and

     

    3.         Agree that authority is provided to the Director of Legal Services (as Monitoring Officer) to update the Council Constitution accordingly to reflect the changes to each Committee’s terms of reference, once agreed upon.

     

     

    160.

    The Political Balance of the Council pdf icon PDF 179 KB

    To consider the joint report of the Director of Legal Services and Service Director, Democratic Services & Communication.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Through his joint report with the Director of Legal Services, the Service Director, Democratic Services & Communication, advised Members of the outcome of the review of the Political Balance of the Authority following the local government elections held on the 5th May 2022.

     

    The Service Director highlighted the outcomes of the review undertaken and the available seats which require appointment by the respective political groups as set out in tables A and B of the appendix to the report. He also referred to the allocation of scrutiny committee Chairs subject to agreeing the revised scrutiny arrangements proposed by the Head of Democratic Services.

     

    He advised that Section 5 seeks Council’s determination of the allocation of the notices of motion for the new municipal year and authority would also be sought for the appointments to the Committees once the nominations are received from the political groups.

     

    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 this report, be adopted;

     

    2.         That the Service Director of Democratic Services & Communication 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; and

     

    3.        That the allocation of Notices of Motion for the 2022-2023 Municipal Year is as follows: -

     

    Labour - 12

    Plaid Cymru -5

    RCT Independent Group - 2

    Conservatives – 1

     

    (Note: The lost motion to change the allocation of Notices of Motion from that as set out to Labour 12, Plaid Cymru 4, RCT Independent Group 3 and Conservative Group 1 was proposed by Councillor M Powell and seconded by Councillor C Lisles).

    161.

    The Council's Constitution - Proposed Amendments pdf icon PDF 216 KB

    To consider the joint report of the Director of Legal Services and Service Director, Democratic Services & Communication.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    The Director, Legal Services set out the proposed amendments to the Council’s

    Constitution as outlined in the joint report which sought Council’s approval of the  proposed amendments to the Constitution as set out in Appendices A, B, C and D to the report. The Director advised that the proposals reflect legislative changes including consequential changes required as a result of relevant provisions in the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 the majority of which came into force on 5th May 2022.

     

    The Director referred to the summary of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 provisions set out at section 5.1 of the report which took effect from 5th May 2022.

     

    Following discussions, it was RESOLVED to agree the proposed amendments relating to the Council’s Constitution as set out in appendices A, B, C and D to the report as follows:

     

    Appendix A (Part 1 – Summary Guide & Explanation);

    Appendix B (Part 2 – Articles of the Constitution);

    Appendix C (Part 3 – Responsibility for Functions - extract); and

    Appendix D (Part 4 - Rules of Procedure- extract)

     

     

    162.

    Appointment of Committees 2022-2023 pdf icon PDF 141 KB

    To consider the report of the Service Director, Democratic Services & Communication providing recommendations for the appointment of Committees for the 2022-2023 Municipal Year.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    The Service Director Democratic Services & Communication presented his report which sought the appointment of the Council’s Committees for the 2022-2023 Municipal Year.

     

    RESOLVED to appoint the under-mentioned Committees for the 2022-2023 Municipal Year:

     

     

    a)  Planning and Development Committee (x11 Members)

    b)  Licensing Committee (x11 Members)

    c)   Appointments Committee (x5 Members)

    d)  Appeals/Employee Appeals/Chief Officer Appeals Committee (x5

    Members)

    e)  Overview and Scrutiny Committee (x14 Members)

    f)    Education & Inclusion Scrutiny Committee (x14 Members)

    g)  Community Services Scrutiny Committee (x14 Members)

    h)  Climate Change, Frontline Services & Prosperity Scrutiny Committee (x14 Members)

    i)    Governance & Audit Committee (x6 Members)

    j)    Democratic Services Committee (x17 Members)

    k)   Standards Committee (x2 Members)

    l)    Constitution Committee (x8 Members)

    m) Pension Fund Committee (x5 Members)

    n)  Cwm Taf Public Services Board Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee

     (x5 Members)

     

    163.

    Appointment of Chairs & Vice Chairs 2022-2023 pdf icon PDF 202 KB

    To consider the report of the Service Director, Democratic Services & Communication.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    In his report the Service Director, Democratic Services & Communication sought consideration to the appointment of Chairs and Vice-Chairs to the Council’s Committees for the Municipal Year 2022-2023, and it was RESOLVED:

     

    1.       To appoint the following Members to the posts of Chairs and Vice-Chairs:

     

      

    Committee

    Chair

    Vice-Chair

    Planning & Development

    S Rees

    W Lewis

    Licensing

    A S Fox

    D H Williams

    Appointments

    R Davis

    M Webber

    Appeals/Employee Appeals/Chief Officer Appeals

    R Williams

    G Holmes

    Pension Fund Committee

    M Norris

    M Ashford

    2.     To appoint County Borough Councillor W Jones as Chair and County Borough Councillor M Webber as Vice Chair of the Democratic Services Committee in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011 (the ‘Measure’);

     

    3.  To note that in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government & Elections (Wales) Act 2021, and at the Council meeting held on the 20th October 2021, it was agreed to extend the term of office of the current Lay Member appointed to the Governance & Audit Committee, Mr. Christopher Jones, until the ordinary Local Government Elections following May 2022 (currently scheduled for May 2027);

     

    4.  To agree that the responsibility for the appointment of the Vice-Chair of the Governance & Audit Committee be delegated to the Governance & Audit Committee;

     

    5.   That the appointment of Chair of the Education & Inclusion Scrutiny Committee be allocated to the Plaid Cymru Group;

     

    6.     In accordance with the nominations received from the appropriate Political Groups, that the following Members be appointed as Chairs to the under-mentioned Scrutiny Committees together with the appointment of Vice-Chairs: --

     

    Committee

    Chair

    Vice-Chair

     

     

     

    Overview & Scrutiny

    J Edwards

    M Rees-Jones

    Education & Inclusion

    Sera Evans

    K Webb

    Community Services

    J Bonetto

    G Williams

    Climate Change, Frontline Services & Prosperity

    C Middle

    G Warren

     

     

     

     

    7.     To note the appointment of the Presiding Member and Deputy Presiding Member, Councillors G Hughes and Sheryl Evans as the Chair and Vice-Chair respectively to the Constitution Committee;

     

    8.     To note that for Municipal Year 2022-2023 the Chair & Vice-Chair of the Cwm Taf Public Services Board Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee (‘JOSC’) will be appointed by the JOSC; and

    9.     That the following 19 posts, which meet the qualifying criteria and would attract Senior Salaries, are to be paid by this Council for the 2022/23 Municipal Year as follows:

     

     

    POSITION

    AMOUNT (£)

     

     

    Leader

    £63,000

     

     

    Deputy Leader

    £44,100

     

     

    Executive (Cabinet Member) (x6)

    £37,800

     

     

    Planning & Development Committee Chair

    £25,593

     

     

    Licensing Committee Chair

    £25,593

     

     

    Overview and Scrutiny Committee Chair

    £25,593

     

     

    Scrutiny Committee Chairs (x3)

    £25,593

     

     

     

     

    Appeals Committee Chair

    £25,593

     

     

     

     

    Democratic Services Committee Chair

    £25,593

     

     

     

     

    Pension Fund Committee Chair

     

    £25,593

     

     

    Presiding Member

    £25,593

     

     

    Leader of Opposition (largest group)*

    *must be paid subject to relevant criteria being met

    £25,593

     

    164.

    Quasi Judicial Bodies/Ad-Hoc Committees 2022-2023 pdf icon PDF 35 KB

    To consider the report of the Service Director, Democratic Services &

    Communication.

     

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    The Service Director Democratic Services presented his report in respect of appointing Members to the Quasi-Judicial Bodies/Ad Hoc Committees for the 2022-2023 Municipal Year subject to the political balance of the Council as set out below:

     

    RESOLVED to appoint the following:

     

    1.   The Local Education Authority Governors (Appointments) Committee (5 Members). (4 Labour, 1 Plaid Cymru):

    County Borough Councillors R Lewis, G Stacey, J Brencher, S Hickman and Sera Evans

     

    2.   Voluntary Early Retirement/Redundancy Panel (5 Members)(4 Labour, 1 Plaid Cymru):

    County Borough Councillors M Webber, L Tomkinson, J Bonetto, G Jones and D Grehan.

     

    3.   Joint Consultative Committee (4 Members):

    County Borough Councillors A Crimmings, R Lewis, M Webber and A Morgan

     

     

    165.

    Outside Bodies pdf icon PDF 588 KB

    To receive the report of the Service Director, Democratic Services & Communication.

     

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Following consideration of the report of the Service Director, Democratic Services & Communication it was RESOLVED – that the under-mentioned Members be appointed to the following non-executive Joint Committees and Outside bodies for the 2022-2023Municipal Year:-

     

     

    ·       Age Concern Cymru (1 representative) Councillor G Caple

    ·       Consortium Local Authority Wales (C.L.A.W.) (1 representative) Councillor C Leyshon

    ·       Cynon Valley Indoor Bowls Committee (1 representative) Councillor A Morgan

    ·       Edward Thomas Charity (4 representatives)Councillors R Lewis, R Williams, A Fox, M Rees Jones

    ·       Joint Council for Wales (2 representatives) Councillors M Webber and C Leyshon

    ·         The Alliance (3 representatives) Councillors S Powderhill, G Jones, E Dunning

    ·         Tower Site Liaison Committee (3 representatives) Councillors K Morgan, L Addiscott and Cllr Scott Emanuel

    ·       Valuation Tribunal Wales – Appointments Panel (1 representative) Councillor C Leyshon

    ·       Wales Co-op Centre Board (1 representative) Councillor M Norris

    ·       Welsh Local Government Association (5 representatives) Councillors A Morgan, M Webber, M Norris, R Lewis & C Leyshon

    ·       Welsh Local Government Association Executive Board (1 representative and 1 substitute) Councillor A Morgan and M Webber

    ·       Board of Governors Coleg y Cymoedd (1 representative) Mrs G Davies

    ·       Judges Hall Trust (1 representative) Councillor G Hughes

    ·       RCT Community Chest (1 representative) Councillor A Crimmings

    ·       Reserve Forces & Cadets Association (1 representative) Councillor C Preedy

    ·       Trivallis (1 representative) Councillor B Stephens

     

    ·       South Wales Fire & Rescue Authority(4 representatives) Councillors S Bradwick, A Roberts, G Holmes and D Parkin

     

    ·     Brecon Beacons National Park Authority (NPA)( 1 representative) Councillor S Emmanuel

     

    (Note: The following Members wished to have their names recorded as having voted in favour of appointing Cllr Adam Owain Rogers as the Brecon Beacons representative:

    Councillors K Morgan, Sera Evans, D Evans, C Lisles, A Ellis, D Grehan and M Powell)

     

    ·     South Wales Police Crime Panel (2 representatives) Councillors B Harris and L Addiscott

     

    ·     Cwm Taf Community Health Council (3 representatives) Councillors Martin Ashford, Emma Dunning and Amanda Ellis

     

     

    166.

    Calendar of meetings 2022-2023 pdf icon PDF 320 KB

    To consider the report of the Service Director, Democratic Services & Communication, relating to the proposed calendar of meetings for the 2022-2023 Municipal Year.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Through his report, the Service Director, Democratic Services & Communication sought the approval of the attached Calendar of Meetings for 2022 – 2023 Municipal Year.

     

    The Service Director referred to the element of flexibility that would be required going forward and that a full calendar to include the earlier agreed Scrutiny proposals and revised model would be included for circulation.

     

    Following discussion, it was RESOLVED:

     

    1.        To note the contents of the report

     

    2.         To agree that with the exception of the Planning and Development Committee, meetings will not be convened during School holidays, subject to urgent business needs; 

     

    3.         To agree the proposed Calendar of Meetings for the Municipal Year 2022-  23, as attached at Appendix 1 to the report;

     

    4.         To note that this draft calendar is subject to change, based upon the demands of business over the coming municipal year. Any changes or additions will be undertaken in consultation with the appropriate committee chairs; and

     

    5.        To note that a survey of all Members’ preferences regarding the future timing of meetings will be undertaken during the next three months in line with Section 6 of the Local Government Measure 2011 as amended within the Local Government & Elections (Wales) Act 2021.