Agenda and minutes

Apologies of absence were received from County Borough Councillors S Belzak, A Davies-Jones, Sera Evans, E George, M Griffiths, K Jones, S Pickering, M Tegg, R K Turner, M Weaver, L Walker, G Williams and C Willis.

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 personal interest were made:

Agenda item 2 - Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board

·         County Borough Councillor J Davies – “I work for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board”

·         County Borough Councillor K Morgan – “I work for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, I won’t take part in the discussion”

·         County Borough Councillor G Caple – “My son is a doctor and works in Bridgend and for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board”

·         County Borough Councillor G Caple – “I am a member of the Community Health Council”

·         County Borough Councillor S Evans – “I work for the NHS”

·         County Borough Councillor M Forey – “I am a former Elected Member representative on the Health Board”

·         County Borough Councillor P Jarman – “I am a former member of the Cwm Taf LHB”

·         County Borough Councillor R Yeo – “My wife is employed by Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board”

·         County Borough Councillor G Jones – “I am a member of the Community Health Council”

Agenda item 8 - Medium Term Financial Plan Update

·         County Borough Councillor P Jarman – “Dispensation to speak and vote on all matters for the duration and adoption of the 2020-21 Budget process in my capacity as Leader of the Opposition”

(Note : A further declaration of personal interest was made later in the meeting (Minute No.36 refers)

·         County Borough Councillor E Griffiths – “ I am a trustee of Evan James’s Cylch Meithrin (Nursery Group) in Pontypridd”

The Leader of the Council, County Borough Councillor A Morgan announced that it was the 54^th Anniversary of the Aberfan disaster and Members were asked to reflect on the anniversary by observing a minute’s silence.

To receive a presentation from the Chair of the Independent Maternity Services Oversight Panel

 Council received Mr Mick Giannasi, Chair of the Independent Maternity Services Oversight Panel, who delivered a Power Point presentation which addressed the following areas:-

• Purpose of the briefing
• Progress timeline – Headlines
• September 2020 Progress Report
• Evidence of Further Progress against Maternity Improvement Plan
• Sustaining Improvements Longer Term – Other Developments
• Assessment of Progress Against IPAAF
• Key Priorities for next period
• Consequences of Covid-19
• Independent Clinical Review Programme
• Clinical Review Feedback – Risks and Opportunities
• Summary of key messages

The Leader of the Council thanked the Chair of the Independent Maternity Services Oversight Panel for his presentation which had delivered an update relating to the specific matters and showed that significant progress has been made. He also acknowledged the frankness shown by the Health Board through discussions and presentations and the progress which has been demonstrated through the independent panel.

With regard to previous concerns around recruitment, staff morale and continuity of staff, the Leader asked whether staffing issues are being managed and maintained appropriately. He also acknowledged the importance that staff have the time, care and attention to dedicate to families.

Mr Giannasi advised that there are two broad issues to address, the culture of the organisation, which is changing slowly, and how the organisation responds to adversity. He added that the significant improvements have been evidenced and supported by independent reviews such as those undertaken by the Community Health Council and Care Inspectorate Wales. Aside from staff behaviour, Mr Giannasi added that management behaviour has also changed from that previously reported but change would continue to take time. The Health Board has recently launched its Values and Behaviours Programme and leadership change programmes are in place and complaints and feedback from women and families continue to be monitored carefully.

Mr Giannasi raised concern regarding how those long standing situations where individuals and families have suffered loss are resolved, where the impact on individuals and on the reputation of the Health Board can be significant. Albeit there are a small number of these cases, measures are in place to encourage the Health Board to move beyond litigation into mediation and to consider new ways of helping people to find closure.

Council was advised that Birth Rate Plus is the standard by which Health Boards are assessed in terms of their level of staffing. The report was published in October 2019 which demonstrated then that the Health Board was slightly ahead of the necessary level.

Mr Giannasi confirmed that there is a regime of daily, weekly and monthly monitoring of staffing levels by the Health Board and it is held to account on these issues by the Welsh Government. The Health Board has been asked to produce a long term work force planning strategy to ensure it is safe, manageable and fit for purpose and tackles the key issues such as overtime and bank nursing. Mr Giannasi advised that staffing levels are appropriate and that mechanisms are in place to ensure they are maintained.

Councillor P Jarman (Plaid Cymru Group)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

The Deputy Leader made a statement in respect of moving the suspension of Council Procedure Rule 15.1 and advised that in order to facilitate the smooth running of the Council meeting through Zoom, Group Leaders have agreed in advance that where a vote is taken on any item, the individual Group Leader will exercise the vote on behalf of all their Members present for the item in question.

In order to implement the revised voting procedures the Deputy Leader moved the suspension of Council Procedure Rule 15.1, which states that a matter will be decided by a simple majority of those Members voting and present in the room at the time the question was put.

Following consideration of the matter it was RESOLVED to suspend Council Procedure Rule 15.1

Based on the numbers of Members logged into the virtual Council meeting the Service Director Democratic Services & Communications advised the numbers of Elected Members present by Group:-

Labour – 38

Plaid – 15

Conservative – 1

RCT Independent Group - 5

·         The Presiding Officer acknowledged receipt of a petition from County Borough Councillor D Owen-Jones on behalf of residents in Coedely objecting to Proposal T2020/191/1 - Prohibition of Waiting at any Time Restrictions between Ely Valley Road and Tylcha Fach Terrace.

·         The Leader congratulated Mr Nigel Wheeler, Group Director – Prosperity, Development & Frontline Services for his award for the British Empire’s Medal (BEM) on the Queen’s honour’s List. He referred to Mr Wheeler’s long history of working for the council and for his hard work and recognition in promoting the Council’s recycling initiatives such as Bryn Pica and Enviro Park.

·         The Leader of the Opposition praised the unsung heroes and volunteers in RCT following the floods and covid-19. She hoped the council would recognise their work through the ‘Good Citizen Award’ from the Mayor. Councillor Jarman congratulated the recipients of the BEM, Mr Wheeler and Julie Cook, a community champion in support of those vulnerable groups.

·         Councillor G Hughes congratulated Elizabeth Buffy Williams from Pentre who was awarded with the BEM who did her utmost to assist the community during the Covid-19 pandemic.

·         Councillor T Williams congratulated James and Dylan Piper from Aderdare on getting through to the finals of Britain’s Got Talent and representing RCT.

To approve as an accurate record, the minutes of the Council Meeting held on:-

1. 10^th September 2020

2.  16^th September 2020

The Council RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 10^th and 16^th September 2020 as an accurate reflection of the meetings.

The Service Director Democratic Services & Communications provided an update on the action requested by Members following the Notice of Motion at the last council meeting on the 7^th October 2020. He advised that SLT colleagues are compiling the content of the agreed briefing note which will be shared with Members in the coming week which will reflect the new restrictions that will be in place.

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 & Communications advised that following the recent work of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, the Scrutiny Inquiry Session would be held after Half Term and the themes to also be considered at the council meeting on the 25^th November 2020.

To receive a position statement in respect of the Coronavirus in the County Borough.

The Leader of the Council provided an update in respect of the Coronavirus in Rhondda Cynon Taf including the forthcoming ‘firebreak’ which will come into effect from 6pm on Friday, 23^rd October.

The Leader confirmed that there are still significant number of cases coming through the Track and Trace process, the numbers are approximately 150-200 per day and he paid tribute to the continued hard work of the teams who are on the front line and chasing contacts. He advised that the recent local lockdown certainly reduced and flattened off the incline in numbers and for three or four days there was a slight decline. The local measures were not enough to curb the growth.

The Leader was supportive of the approaching measures but acknowledged the difficulty for all those residents on the job retention/furlough schemes because they will now only receive 67% under the new scheme from the 1^st December 2020. He stated that the council has lobbied the welsh government to top up a proportion of the current furlough scheme but that has been unsuccessful.

The Leader advised that there are on average 1,000 new cases per day in Wales at the moment, these new cases could potentially escalate up until Christmas so the expediential growth that is referred to now could be dwarfed in January and February following the festive Christmas period. Intervention is needed.

Local government will be administering the £300m business support packages, £280m of which is based on the last package of support offered. Businesses who previously received grants to the value of between £10,000 and £25,000 based on their rateable value, will be able to claim if they are forced to close.

The maximum grant is £5,000, with a £1,000 base payment. There are payments of £500 for those on benefits or low income should they need to self-isolate. Over £11m has been secured to pay for free school meals which will now continue to be paid over the half term holiday and the Christmas school holidays and plans for next year. The payment to the value of £19.50 per week will be of substantial benefit to many families during this difficult time. There have been over 1,000 additional applications for Free School meals during the pandemic.

The Leader advised that during the firebreak community recycling centres and libraries will close, public toilets will have reduced hours from 10-4pm to attract residents into the town centres to support the town centre businesses. Community centres will close and there will be no large gatherings but single individuals can join to form a bubble with another household. The message is clear, stay at home from 6pm on Friday for two weeks.

The Leader confirmed that all Primary Schools will remain open and in Secondary Schools only years 7and 8 will attend School, years 9, 10, 11 and 12 will receive remote learning. Flying start and nurseries will remain open. More information will be forthcoming and guidance will be issued, details around what is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

The Director of Finance & Digital Services presented his report to provide Members with an update on the Medium Term Financial Plan for 2020/21 to 2023/24, based on current modelling assumptions in advance of formulating the detailed budget strategy proposals for 2021/22 during the autumn.

Members were informed that the national economic position remains uncertain with the forthcoming budget now deferred and the comprehensive spending review now likely to be for one year only and not for the three years as originally planned. Welsh Government continues to support the additional cost implications to arise from the pandemic including lost income and additional costs which the council continues to incur outside its core budget.

The Director explained that some of the key assumptions which have been factored into the financial plan includes settlement levels which have been modelled on a range of planning scenarios and compiled based on Welsh Government funding being at +2%, +3% and +4% per year for financial years 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24. The variability of the potential level of the Settlement from Welsh Government has a significant impact on the budget gap, at £3.9M per 1% as illustrated the outcome of the range of modelling assumptions currently applied.

In conclusion, the Director advised that the Council would identify options which will help address the range of potential budget gaps but in doing so the council will ensure it maintains its critical services. The report would be available to the Finance & Performance Committee as consultees to the Council’s budget for next year.

The Director of Finance & Digital Services responded to a query in respect of Schools budget which is modelled to cover, in full, pay and non-pay inflation in the context of the projected range of local government settlement levels and also in respect of the allocation of funding towards the period poverty grant.

Following consideration of the report it was RESOLVED to note the current position modelled in respect of the ‘Medium Term Financial Plan 2020/21 to 2023/24’ and receive further updates in the autumn as part of the annual budget setting process.

To provide Members with the Council’s Corporate Performance Report.

 The Service Director, Performance and Improvement presented the report of the Chief Executive which outlined Rhondda Cynon Taf’s draft Corporate Performance Report (CPR) which contains progress for 2019/20 and plans for 2020/21 in respect of the Council’s strategic priorities. It also sets out how the CPR enables the Council to meet its statutory reporting requirements.

The Service Director advised that the document has been reviewed by senior officers to ensure it is evidence based and balanced in itsassessment. It was reported to Cabinet on the 13^th October 2020 and endorsed with a recommendation for its approval to Council.

The report has been set within the context of the unprecedented events of Storm Dennis and the Coronavirus pandemic but performance and progress during 2019/20 is noted as being positive.

The proposed actions plans across the refreshed priorities of People, Places and Prosperity focus on key areas for the current year and will form part of the Quarterly Performance Reports which will be considered by Cabinet and to the Finance & Performance Scrutiny Committee this year. Audit Wales has a statutory duty to audit the corporate performance reports which will be reported to Council in due course.

A number of queries were raised in respect of the draft corporate performance report which the Service Director Performance and Improvement addressed, some of which are as follows:-

The Service Director confirmed that the draft corporate performance report before Members was the final version for consideration and sign off. He also confirmed that the document is comprehensive and council services will consider all the information and input necessary actions with a view to addressing areas where there the council needs to make further improvements.

With regards to contributing to the local Development Plan (LDP), the CPR has no remit to making observations from a technical perspective but would reference it from a factual assessment point of view.

A specific query was raised in respect of the definition of ‘good progress’ with regards to the Welsh medium provision, which would be responded to following the meeting by the service area

The Service Director clarified that the information presented the Finance & Performance Scrutiny Committee is a more holistic overview of performance across all the scrutiny committees but there is an opportunity for scrutiny to request further detailed information and to add items to their work programmes subject to there being a clear rationale and outcome.

Following consideration of the report it was RESOLVED to approve the draft CPR (as set out at Appendix 1) taking into account the feedback from Cabinet at its meeting on 13th October 2020.

(Note: County Borough Councillor E Griffiths declared a personal interest in section 17 of the Corporate Performance Report – “ I am a trustee of Evan James’s Cylch Meithrin (Nursery Group) in Pontypridd”)

At this juncture in the proceedings the Deputy Presiding Officer took the chair for the remainder of the meeting.

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

Through his report the Director of Finance & Digital Services provided Members with the opportunity to review the level of Council Tax discount for prescribed classes of dwellings within the County Borough and to review, amend or reaffirm the level prescribed. 

Members were referred to section 3 of the report which outlined the requirements of the Council in respect of the Council Tax discount provision, with the Director advising that  the Council has discretion to award up to 50% discount in respect of  two prescribed classes of dwellings (usually described as second homes and holiday homes), i.e. Class A and Class B.  Members were further advised of Class C dwellings and the Director confirmed that the Council had previously determined not to allow a discount in respect of Class A, B and C properties.

Following discussions and questions which were responded to by the Director of Finance & Digital Services it was RESOLVED:

1.To agree the continuation of no Council Tax discount in respect of Class A, B and C properties.

To receive the Cabinet response in respect of the Notice of Motion made to Council on the 27^th November 2019.

The Service Director, Democratic Services & Communications provided Members with an update in respect of the Notice of Motion considered by the Council at its meeting on the 27^th November 2019 and the RSPCA campaign calling for greater controls. He referred to the outcome of the decision taken by Cabinet at its meeting of the 13^th October, following consideration of the recommendations and the attached Cabinet Decision Notice.

Following discussion and an amendment to the motion that the Council writes to its Parliamentary representatives for Rhondda Cynon Taf to help drive forward progress on the U.K. Government’s response to the recommendations of the Select Committee report on this issue it was RESOLVED

1.         To note the recommendations of the Director of Public Health, Protection and Community Services in conjunction with the relevant portfolio holder, as set out in the attached Cabinet report (Appendix 1);

2.         To note the outcome of the decision taken by Cabinet at its meeting on the 13^th October, following consideration of the recommendations; and

3.          That the Council writes to its Parliamentary representatives for Rhondda Cynon Taf to help drive forward progress on the U.K. Government’s response to the recommendations of the Select Committee report on this issue

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

In accordance with the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules 17.2(a), the Service Director of Democratic Services and Communications reported on the urgent decisions that were taken forward through key delegated decision during the period July – September 2020 and it was RESOLVED  to note the information contained within the report.

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

In accordance with the decision taken by of the Council meeting held on the 16th September, 2020 the Service Director Democratic Services & Communication reported that he had received notification from the Plaid Cymru group of the following changes in membership:

·         A change to its membership for the Licensing Committee in that County Borough Councillor A Cox is to be nominated in place of County Borough Councillor E Webster; and

·         A change to its membership for the Audit Committee in that County Borough Councillor E Webster is to be nominated in place of County Borough Councillor A Cox.

It was RESOLVED to note:

1. That County Borough Councillor A Cox is to be replaced by County Borough Councillor E Webster on the Licensing Committee; and

2. That County Borough Councillor E Webster is to be replaced by County Borough Councillor A Cox

To consider any items which the Chair, by reason of special circumstances, is of the opinion should be considered as a matter ofurgency.