Agenda and minutes

An apology of absence was received from County Borough Councillors J R Davies, A Davies-Jones, K Jones, L Jones, K Morgan, M Tegg, M Weaver, G D Williams and C Willis.

Introductions were made by the Group Leaders present:-

County Borough Councillor M Webber (In the Group Leader’s absence -Deputy Leader of the Labour Group)

County Borough Councillor P Jarman (Plaid Cymru Group)

County Borough Councillor M Powell (RCT Independent Group)

County Borough Councillor L Hooper (In the Group Leader’s absence- Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group)

County Borough Councillor S Belzak (Independent Member)

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, a number of declarations were made later on in the meeting pertaining to the agenda as follows:-

In respect of Agenda Item 6 - Update in respect of the Coronavirus in Rhondda Cynon Taf

Ø  County Borough Councillor R Lewis – “My partner works for the Public Health Wales Vaccination Team”

Ø  County Borough Councillor R Lewis – “ I am a registered volunteer for the Merthyr Trussel Food Bank”

Ø  County Borough Councillor S Powderhill – “My business may be eligible for a business grant”

Ø  County Borough Councillor M Fidler Jones – “I was the lead on Tenovus Cancer Care’s work highlighting the impact of lockdown on cancer diagnosis”

Ø  County Borough Councillor G R Davies – “I have received a Covid-19 grant for my business

Ø  County Borough Councillor G R Davies – “ I am a member of the Tennis Club which has also been in receipt of a Covid-19 grant”

Ø  County Borough Councillor G R Davies – “I volunteer for the Rhondda Foodbank and I made an application for the café in the Chapel”

Ø  County Borough Councillor A Chapman – “I have received a Covid-19 grant for my business, ‘The Wonder Stuff’ in Treorchy”

Ø  County Borough Councillor W Owen – “I have received a Covid-19 grant for my Licensed Premises”

Ø  County Borough Councillor G Jones – “ I am Chair of the Library”

Ø  County Borough Councillor E George – “I am a registered volunteer for the Merthyr Trussel Food Bank”

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

To approve as an accurate record, the minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 23^rd September 2020.

The Council RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 23^rd September 2020 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

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.)

Question from County Borough Councillor G Hughes to Cllr Powell, Chair of the Finance and Performance Scrutiny Committee:

“What considerations is the Finance & Performance Scrutiny Committee giving to the likely financial consequences of a potential no-deal Brexit later this year?”

Response from Councillor M Powell:

Councillor Powell advised that given the uncertainty of Brexit it is difficult to forecast the potential financial implications with any accuracy and the effects may not be felt immediately for example the cost of supplies may increase if we experience world trade organisation tariffs. The impact on this council is also difficult to assess as some suppliers may not pass the full cost of any tariffs to the council and consumers. There may be positive or negative fluctuations in the value of sterling which may be difficult to predict. There is a possibility that one cost may offset the other or there could be a double impact effect with tariffs being introduced and the value of sterling falling. As a result this could lead to a double digit increase in the cost of imported goods from the EU and could probably have an impact on low paid workers or families who pay the greatest proportion of their income on food and supplies.

The council keeps a close eye on all Brexit related matters and is a member of the WLGA’s Brexit Working Group. The wider implications the council is communicating with as many businesses as possible to share clear guidance from WG and updated the council website.

Councillor Powell advised that he would share the detail of his statement and relevant hyperlinks. A social media campaign will also be launched this week and will focus on raising awareness for businesses and also the EU Settle Status Scheme. A report will also be considered by Cabinet at its meeting on 17^th November 2020 and will provide an update on the work that is being undertaken across the Council to prepare for Brexit”

Supplementary question from Councillor G Hughes:

“It is evident that in your role as Chair of the F&P Scrutiny Committee you see a considerable negative impact to RCT from a no deal Brexit. I share your concerns over the detrimental and damaging impacts a no deal Brexit could have on our economy. I wonder how you can reconcile your views as Chair of the F&P Scrutiny Committee with your role as Leader of the RCT Independent Group that includes a signed up member of the Brexit Party and another who is openly pro Brexit”

Response from Councillor Powell:

Councillor Powell stated that individuals are individuals and he would not dictate the views his members hold and there is a broad range of views within the Group. The Group has a good understanding of the effects that decisions will have upon residents in the Borough which is disseminated from the F&P Scrutiny Committee to members of the RCT Independent Group.

Councillor Powell referenced the impact  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

The Service Director Democratic Services provided an update in respect of the Council Work Programme 2020/21. He advised that it is proposed to hold the Leader’s Annual Debate early in the New Year to afford the next meeting on the 25^th November to consider a number of other important matters. Details of the Winter Planning session have been circulated in advance of the meeting. In conclusion, the Service Director confirmed that the Health Board would attend the December Council meeting on the 16^th.

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

The Leader advised that an update on Covid has been provided at every Council meeting for the past two and a half months. On the 25^th November a further update will be provided. He confirmed that discussions are ongoing with WG regarding the possibility of mass testing to determine if it is a viable way forward. The local authority is in discussions with the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board regarding a vaccination programme are also ongoing with military planners. The Leader confirmed that the local authority would provide whatever resources are necessary to set up vaccination centres and services would be changed or closed to enable a vaccination programme if it was decided to be the most viable way forward. This would be an absolute priority for the local authority to support the Military and Health Board.

The Leader emphasised the public health message which still needs to be followed following the two week firebreak period, wearing face masks, washing hands and social distancing and urged Members to use their influence through social media to remind residents to keep contact with others to a minimum, reduce their journeys and stay local. There has been a significant impact on the numbers of positive cases following the firebreak but potentially the numbers will rise again.

The Leader advised that regrettably he had to announce the passing of another member of staff due to covid-19 and on behalf of all members he extended his condolences to the family.

The Leader confirmed that the business support grants are continuing to be paid through the Council’s finance section who have been issuing the grants as quickly as possible. £3m has been paid out to date although recently, there has been some confusion over which grants can be applied for. He urged local businesses to follow the guidance on the council website for the relevant information regarding the differences between the grants and which are relevant to them. Additional support has also been provided to the Food Banks over the firebreak period, to the value of £15,000 and the council has commissioned £10,000 to mental health support.

The Director of Public Health, Protection and Community Services by means of a number of slides showed the lower super output areas which demonstrated the ‘hot spots’ of Coronavirus cases and also showed the location of the mobile testing units, located as close to the areas of greatest positivity rates to improve access and encourage testing if residents become unwell. The sites are regularly reviewed and relocated as approriate.

Another slide demonstrated the daily new confirmed cases over the last 2 weeks in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg area and broken down by the local authority areas. The slide showed a downward trend at the moment following the Firebreak period and in the past week, the number of new cases has started to flatten out and indicates a decline.

The next slide showed the positivity rates over the same period which represents the proportion of people who have  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.

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

The Service Director Democratic Services & Communications presented his report to advise Members of the change to the RCT Independent Group representation on the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee. He requested that Members note that County Borough Councillor L Walker is to be nominated in place of County Borough Councillor W Jones on the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee with immediate effect.

Following consideration of the report it was RESOLVED to note the change to the RCT Independent Group representation on the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee as previously set out.