Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Presiding Member welcomed Members to the first hybrid Council meeting to be held in Llys Cadwyn, Pontypridd.

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:

Agenda Item 5 – Members’ Questions

Councillor K Johnson – Personal – “I am an employee for Transport for Wales”

Agenda item 6 – Revenue Budget Strategy 2024/2025

Councillor Sera Evans – Personal- “My son’s school is mentioned in the report”

(Declared later in the meeting Minute No.105 refers) Councillor R Lewis – Personal- “I am Vice Chair of the Central South Consortium Joint Education Service Joint Committee”

Agenda item 7 – Council Tax Resolution 2024/2025

Councillor C Lisles – Personal- “I am a Town Councillor for Pontypridd Town Council”

Councillor J Bonetto – Personal – “ I am a Community Councillor for Taffs Well & Nantgarw Community Council”

Councillor A Rogers – Personal- “I am a member of the Hirwaun & Penderyn Community Council”

The Director of Legal & Democratic Services explained that a blanket personal declaration for those who are members of a Town or Community Council would be declared in respect of Agenda Item 7 which references the Community / Town Council Precepts.

Councillor B Harris – Personal- “I am a member of the South Wales Police & Crime Panel”

Councillor L Addiscott – Personal-“I am a member of the South Wales Police & Crime Panel”

Agenda item 8 -  Capital Programme 2024-2025-2026-27

Councillor  W. Owen – Personal – “I sit on the Board of Governors for Ponty clun Primary School”

Councillor G Holmes – Personal- “I am a Governor for Penygawsi Primary School”

Councillor S Morgans – Personal- “I am a Governor for Llyn Y Forwyn School”

Councillor J Smith – Personal – “I am a Governor for Llyn Y Forwyn School”

Councillor M Webber – Personal- “I sit on the interim Governing Body for the new Ysgol Awel Taf”

Councillor L Tomkinson – Personal-“I am a interim Governor for Ysgol Afon Taf”

Councillor S Trask – Personal-“ My daughter attends Bryncelynnog Comprehensive School”

Councillor C Lisles – Personal- “I am a Chair of Governors for Hawthorn Primary School”

Councillor C Lisles – Personal- “I am a member of the Governing Body for Hawthorn High School which will form Ysgol Afon Wen”

Councillor C Preedy -Personal-“I have a family member who is a teacher at Bryncelynnog Comprehensive School”

Councillor A Roberts – Personal- “I am a Governor for Hawthorn High School” 

Councillor J Bonetto – Personal- “I am a Governor at Hawthorn High School”

Councillor J Bonetto – Personal-“I sit on the interim Governing Body for the new Ysgol Afon Wen”

Agenda item 11 – The Council’s Pay Policy Statement 2024/2025

The Director of Legal & Democratic Services wished to make a declaration on behalf of all Council Officers present in relation to Agenda Item 11:

“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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 100.

To approve as an accurate record, the minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 7^th February 2024.

The Council RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the virtual Council meeting held on the 7^th February 2024 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

The following announcements were made:

 Ø     Councillor Sera Evans wished to extend her sympathy to the Plaid Cymru Group Leader, Councillor Karen Morgan and her family following the sad passing of her husband, Gareth, to severe and prolonged illness. Councillor Evans wished to extend her deepest condolences to Councillor Morgan, her family and children at this very sad and difficult time.

Ø    Councillor Sheryl Evans paid tribute to the late and former Councillor Linda De Vet who sadly passed away on the 7^th February 2024. Former Cllr De Vet represented the then ward of Aberaman North and was elected as Mayoress for the Municipal Year 2019-2020 . She stood down as Councillor in the 2022 Elections but Councillor Evans spoke fondly of her friendship with her friend Linda De Vet.

Ø     Councillor A Morgan OBE also wished to pay tribute to former Councillor Simon Lloyd who had recently passed away. He was elected to represent the ward of Mountain Ash West in a bi election in 2005 and stood again in both the 2008 and 2012 Local Elections but stood down in 2017. He served as Mayor for RCTCBC in 2010/2011, a position he thoroughly enjoyed and he was also a former member of Mid Glamorgan County Council. The Leader extended his condolences to Simon’s family at this sad time.

The Presiding Member led the Council in a Minute’s silence in memory of the three aforementioned residents.

The Presiding Member led the Council in a Minute’s silence in memory of the three aforementioned residents who had recently passed away.

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.)

1)  Question from County Borough Councillor R. Evans to the Leader of the Council, County Borough Councillor A. Morgan OBE:

“Will the Cabinet Member provide an update on the scheme to upgrade the culvert on the industrial estate in Porth?”

Response from County Borough Councillor A. Morgan OBE:

The Leader advised that the works have now been completed to the culvert at Llwyncelyn Industrial Estate, Porth which was funded through the Welsh Government’s Resilient Roads Fund.  He added that the work has involved a complete upgrade to the culvert inlet, with overflow devices built in and with 24/7 CCTV monitoring already in place at the site which is linked to the Council’s emergency control room. Any future storms of yellow or amber magnitude will mean that the control room will be staffed and monitored.

The Leader commented on the investment which has totalled £150K and how the responses from local businesses to the investment and work have already been positive.

There was no supplementary question

2)  Question from County Borough Councillor D. Williams to the Leader of the Council, County Borough Councillor A. Morgan OBE:

“Can the Leader provide an update on the preparations underway in advance of RCT welcoming the Eisteddfod in the summer?”

Response from County Borough Councillor A. Morgan OBE:

The Leader commented that work on finalising the Spatial Plan has progressed at pace and proposed locations for park and ride facilities, a caravan park and other camping facilities is being considered by the Council’s Eisteddfod Committee next week. The Leader added that an announcement would be made in the coming days with further positive news relating to the Eisteddfod.

The Leader advised that there had been a recent positive meeting with all local Members in the vicinity of Pontypridd which heralded the start of ongoing, proactive engagement and liaison with Members on the Eisteddfod infrastructure arrangements. He added that there is an expectation that in excess of 160,000 visitors will come to the town over the eight day period. The Leader commented that there will be no reason to drive through Pontypridd during the Eisteddfod as Officers continue to work closely with the Eisteddfod Committee and Transport for Wales to develop a Traffic Management plan with enhanced train provision and fleets of buses transporting people and residents as part of the park and ride arrangements.

The Leader explained that there has been significant fundraising so far with continued support for local appeal committees to raise money for the National Eisteddfod. The Leader was keen to stress that the Eisteddfod is open to all residents, and engagement with all young people across the county borough is crucial.

The Leader commented that the benefits of the Eisteddfod will be felt right across the county borough and not just in Pontypridd town and therefore the Town Centre team continue to work with, not only Pontypridd but also Aberdare and Treorchy BIDs to promote the Eisteddfod far and wide amongst visitors and residents.

There was no supplementary question

3)      Question  ...  view the full minutes text for item 103.

The Service Director Democratic Services & Communication presented the Council Work Programme for the 2023/24 Municipal Year and as previously advised, the Cwm Taf University Health Board will attend the next Council meeting and also the Leader’s Annual Debate, which was originally scheduled for the Council meeting in February, would now also form part of April’s Council meeting which will be the last regular meeting of this municipal year.

The Service Director also stated that in addition, at the next meeting, Members would receive the Council’s Corporate Plan, the Review of the Community Boundaries and a report on the Political Balance of the Council. In conclusion, the Service Director added that, through the Group Leaders, an update would be provided regarding the demands of council business between now and the Annual General Meeting (AGM) before the updated work programme is published.

To receive the report of the Deputy Chief Executive & Group Director – Finance, Digital & Frontline Services.

The Group Director of Finance, Digital and Frontline Services presented the Cabinet’s proposed Revenue Budget Strategy for the next financial year 2024/25 which is now being recommended to Full Council.

The Group Director explained that the initial draft strategy was agreed by Cabinet on the 24^th January and has been subject to a second phase of consultation which was held between the 24^th January and the 9^th February. All feedback from the second phase of consultation has been considered by Cabinet and is attached to the report. The Group Director added that the feedback included the consultation report, the minutes of the meetings of the Council’s Overview & Scrutiny Committee, the School Budget Forum and the Joint Consultative Committee. The Group Director advised that the strategy, which was subsequently agreed by Cabinet on the 21^st February, is set out in the report.

The Group Director advised that the Council’s initial budget gap, as set out in the last Medium Term Financial Plan, was forecast at £36M for next year. Against this position, a number of early budget reduction measures, which have previously been reported and determined have been offset, leaving a remaining gap of £25.9M and it is this position against which the budget strategy has been formulated. He added that the Council has now received the final local government settlement which is also reflected. He added that the final settlement confirmed an increase in funding at an all Wales level of 3.3% and 3% for this Council. The settlement levels across Wales range from 2.3% to 5% with a funding floor in place at the lower level of settlement. He added that there were three transfers into the revenue support grant at final settlement, however, these do not have a net impact on the budget position.

The Group Director advised of the key components of the budget strategy which are set out from section 7 of the report, which deal with the remaining £25.9M budget gap:

Ø    The proposed council tax increase for next year is 4.99% which will provide an additional income of £1.122M over and above the 3.9% which was originally modelled. This equates to an increase of £1.03p per week for a Band A property or £1.55p for a Band D property. An element of the council tax increase has been set aside to support public transport provision across the county borough;

Ø  The Council’s schools have been protected for many years with their budgets increasing by 34% over the last ten years, during which other council services have seen increases of only half of that level. School reserves amounted to £15M at the end of the last financial year, which is at a historically high level, compared to the 31^st  March 2020 when school reserves amounted to £2.4M. It is proposed that the council fully funds schools for all pay pressures next year plus provide them with a further £1M of recurring funding plus a further £0.5M of one off funding.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 105.

To receive the report of the Deputy Chief Executive & Group Director – Finance, Digital & Frontline Services.

The Group Director Finance, Digital and Frontline Services advised that in line with the agreed Budget Strategy, this report represents the formal and legal requirement for Council to agree the council tax resolution, including details of the council tax to be levied in respect of the Community Councils and the Police and Crime Commissioner.

He reported that the council tax levels for next year, in line with decision made in the Budget strategy, will be £1694.65. The Police & Crime Commissioner has notified the council of their precept rise for next year with a resultant increase in the level of their  council tax of 8.69% taking the level of their council tax to £352.67 which will bring the combined effect of the council plus the Police increase to an aggregate increase of 5.61% for those Band D properties who do not also have to pay a community council charge. The Group Director added that the level of the Community & Town Council precept charges have been notified and they have also been set out at Appendix 1 of the report.

In conclusion, the Group Director advised that he has a duty to report to Council on the robustness of the estimates made and on the adequacy of the proposed financial reserves which are set out at section 9 of the report.

Following consideration of the report it was RESOLVED to:-

i)           Note the level of the precept from the Police & Crime Commissioner for South Wales;

ii)          Note the level of the Community / Town Council Precepts, as detailed in Appendix 1;

iii)        Pass the formal Council Tax resolutions for the financial year ending 31^st March 2025, as contained in Appendix 2; and

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

To receive the report of the Deputy Chief Executive & Group Director – Finance, Digital & Frontline Services.

The Group Director Finance, Digital & Frontline Services presented the report which set out the Council's proposed three-year Capital Programme for 2024/25 to 2026/27 for Council’s consideration which amounts to a total of £165.6M over the next three years.

The Group Director commented that this represents a core programme of £42.5M, specific grants of £42M borrowing to support the school investments programme of £13M, over £33M of additional resources already set aside to fund priority investment areas and an additional  and further new investment identified of over £19M (which is set out in section 6 of the report) which is proposed across the areas of highways maintenance, unadopted roads, highways structures, Rhigos Mountain Road rock netting, flood alleviation work, Streetcare bins, park structures, parks and green spaces, country parks investment, play areas, multi-use games areas, Coed Ely Solar Farm, Hawthorn hockey pitch and Leisure fitness equipment, a total of £19.292M of additional investment. The Group Director added that the new programme also includes allocations for next year of £15.9M for regeneration activities, £11.5M for private sector housing, £42M for frontline services, including highways, strategic projects, Storm Dennis recovery work, parks, waste and fleet, £39M of investment across Education & Inclusion Services and £13M in Community & Childrens Services.

The Group Director concluded by adding that notwithstanding the ongoing funding challenges which the Council continues to face with its revenue budget, the Council is able to propose a significant and ambitious capital investment programme which builds upon the current year’s investment which is projected at £220M at quarter two.

Following a discussion whereby the Group Director responded to a number of queries,  it was RESOLVED to:

1.     Note the detail of the final 2024/25 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 21st Century Schools);

·       Capital grants for specific schemes;

·       Third party contributions; and

·       The investment priorities detailed in paragraph 6.2. 

To receive the report of the Deputy Chief Executive & Group Director – Finance, Digital & Frontline Services.

The Group Director – Finance, Digital & Frontline Services presented the annual report advising that the Treasury Management borrowing and investment activities are highly regulated and carried out in line with the relevant professional Codes of Practice. He added that agreeing a Treasury Management strategy before the beginning of the new financial year is a specific requirement as is a formal mid-year review and a year-end backward review.

The Group Director advised that, as set out in the report, the Council has £287.2M of borrowing at an average interest rate of 3.15% with a borrowing requirement for next year of £19M to fund the now agreed capital programme and will supplement this by fixing in longer term debt if the economic environment and interest rate projections dictate. This being in line with the Council’s under borrowed position, which the Council has continue to hold for a number of years and from which the council continues to be rewarded with lower net capital financing cost.

The Group Director advised that in terms of the Council’s investment strategy, the Council continues to lend to public sector and Government backed organisations only recognising the priority of security and liquidity over yield.

The Group Director referred Members to paragraph 16 for the Council’s Treasury Management indicators and limits and the MRP Policy set out at section 17 which continues to write off the Council’s supported borrowing on a straight-line basis over 40 years. During the year, notification was received from Welsh Government that they wished to recall the interest free loan in respect of Transport Infrastructure.

Following discussion of the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy, it was

RESOLVED to approve the Treasury Management Strategy, Investment

Strategy, Treasury Indicators, and the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP)

Policy statement as set out in the report.

To receive the report of the Deputy Chief Executive & Group Director – Finance, Digital & Frontline Services.

The Deputy Chief Executive & Group Director of Finance, Digital & Frontline Services presented the annual statutory Capital Strategy Report 2024/25 incorporating the Councils prudential indicators. Our agreed capital expenditure and how it is financed is set out at section 6 of the report which includes the Council’s capital financing requirements (CFR) which is the underlying need to borrow to fund the Council’s historic and current capital spending plans. As referenced previously, the Group Director advised that this shows a significantly under borrowed position, a strategy which the council has adopted over a number of years. This is shown clearly at indicator four.

The Group Director commented that the Council’s limits to borrowing activities, including the Council’s authorised limit of £588M are also set out along with the general approach to commercialisation and asset management and disposal.

The Group Director advised that both the Treasury Management Strategy and the Capital Strategy statement will be presented to the Governance & Audit Committee for specific review and scrutiny in line with the relevant codes of practice.

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

To receive the Joint Report of the Director of Human Resources and Director of Legal & Democratic 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 2024/2025 Pay Policy Statement. The Director referred Members to paragraphs 3.1 to 3.2 which set out the legal context for the need for the pay policy and paragraphs 4.1-4.10 which references the background to the pay policy, the need for Full Council approval and refers to the Pay Policy Statement at Appendix A to the report.

Following consideration of the report the Director of Human Resources responded to a query regarding the Council’s actions to address the gender pay gap. He advised that the Council has introduced a number of measures in recent years such as the  introduction of the Real Living Wage and from April 2022 the Council increased the value of the lower grades (Grades 1-5) by introducing a minimum payment of £10 per hour in addition to the current Real Living Wage rate of pay. He added that the last two pay awards in particular have supported those employees on lower grades.

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