Agenda and minutes

An apology of absence was received from County Borough Councillors A Davies-Jones, M Fidler Jones, H Fychan, J James, K L Jones, M Tegg, R K Turner, J 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, there were no declarations made pertaining to the agenda.

The Deputy Leader moved the suspension of Council Procedure Rule 15.1 which states that a matter would be decided by a simple majority of those Members voting and present in the room at the time the question was put in order to facilitate the smooth running of the virtual meeting.

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

The Service Director Democratic Services & Communications confirmed the political party numbers present at the meeting as:-

Labour Group – 34

Plaid Cymru Group – 12

RCT Independent Group – 4

Conservative Group – 2

a)    To elect a Presiding Officer of the Council.

b)    To elect a Deputy Presiding Officer of the Council.

c)    To receive an address from the Mayor of the Council 2020-2021.

d)    To elect a Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council for the Municipal Year 2021-2022.

(For the Mayor to announce their consort for the Municipal Year 2021-2022)

e)    To appoint a Deputy Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council for the Municipal Year 2021 – 2022.

 (For the Deputy Mayor to announce their consort for the Municipal Year 2021 – 2022.)

f)      To appoint a Leader of the Council.

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

2a. To elect a Presiding Officer of the Council

RESOLVED – that County Borough Councillor S Powderhill be elected as Presiding Officer for the 2021/22 Municipal Year.

County Borough Councillor S Powderhill resumed the Chair following his appointment.

2b. To elect a Deputy Presiding Officer of the Council

RESOLVED – that County Borough Councillor G Hughes be elected as Deputy Presiding Officer for the 2021/22 Municipal Year.

(Note: The Conservative Group abstained from voting on the matter)

2c. To receive an address from the Mayor of the Council 2020-2021.

The retiring Mayor took the opportunity to reflect on her term of office as Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf for the 2020/21 Municipal Year. Councillor Morgans thanked Council for affording her the great honour of serving as Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf, albeit in a very different capacity to previous Mayors. The outgoing Mayor highlighted some of the important events, whilst socially distancing, which had been undertaken during her term such as attending a Remembrance Service last November at Ferndale War Memorial and laid a Wreath honouring our Service men and women, past and present.

With the relaxation of restrictions, the outgoing Mayor was able to make a visit to Ty Nant Care Home to receive a generous donation given to the Mayor’s Charities, by their residents and the Home in lieu of sending Christmas Cards.

The retiring Mayor paid tribute to all those who have lost their lives during the pandemic and paid a personal tribute to the key workers, frontline services and medical professionals and those working with the Vaccination Programme within Rhondda Cynon Taf. She acknowledged the dedication and professionalism of so many people, whose resilience and strength, during this time, has been commendable

The retiring Mayor took the opportunity to wish her successor all the very best and concluded with the words of the late Captain Sir Tom, “tomorrow will be a better day”.

In response Members paid tribute to the retiring Mayor who was commended for her efforts and hard work during what had been an unprecedented year.

2d. To elect a Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council for the Municipal Year 2021-2022.

RESOLVED – to elect County Borough Councillor J Bonetto as Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council for the Municipal Year 2021-2022

RESOLVED – to elect County Borough Councillor J Bonetto as Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council for the Municipal Year 2021-2022

The Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council for the Municipal Year 2021-2022 thanked the retiring Mayor and for the opportunity afforded to her as incoming Mayor. She announced that her consorts will be her husband, Lawrence and daughter, Nicola Charlesworth, and her chosen charities as ‘Help for Heroes’, ‘To Wish Upon A Star’ and ‘AP Cymru’.

Members wished the incoming Mayor well for her forthcoming year.

2e. To appoint a Deputy Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council for the Municipal Year 2021 – 2022.

RESOLVED – to elect County Borough  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

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.

Executive Functions- Leader’s Scheme of Delegation

The Leader of the Council, County Borough Councillor A Morgan, announced that the Leader’s scheme of delegation would be published and circulated to all members during the meeting and to the Council website.

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

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

• County Borough Councillor R. Bevan, Cabinet Member for Enterprise Development & Housing

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

•  County Borough Councillor G. Hopkins, Cabinet Member for Adult Community Services & Welsh Language

• County Borough Councillor M. A. Norris, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services

• County Borough Councillor J. Rosser, Cabinet Member for Education & Inclusion Services

•  County Borough Councillor R. Lewis, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, Well-Being & Cultural Services

• County Borough Councillor C. Leyshon, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services

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

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 which is reported to the Council’s AGM. Members were advised that the Council’s Political Balance reflected the outcome of the two recent By-Elections.

The Service Director highlighted Section 4 of the report which sets out the outcomes of the review undertaken and the available seats which require appointment by the respective political groups and in particular to paragraph 4.2 which sets out the amendments to the current political balance with the Conservative Group gaining representation on the Governance & Audit Committee, the Pension Fund Committee and the Council’s Scrutiny Committees, seats previously held by the RCT Independent Group.

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 –

2.1      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;

2.2       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;

2.3       To note that Members of the Cabinet are not eligible for appointment to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee or Scrutiny Committees;

2.4       To note that at least one Member of the Cabinet can sit on the Governance & Audit and Democratic Services Committees, but the Council Leader is excluded from these positions; and

2.5      That the allocation of Notices of Motion for the 2021-2022 Municipal Year is as follows: -

Labour - 10

Plaid Cymru - 6

RCT Independent Group - 2

Conservatives - 1

Unallocated Member (x1) - 1

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

The Service Director, Democratic Services & Communication set out the proposed amendments to the Council’s Constitution together with ancillary matters as outlined in the joint report which also responded to the requirements of the Local Government & Elections Wales Act 2021. He added that the matters were subject to consideration, and supported by, the Constitution Committee.

The Service Director highlighted some of the key proposals which included moving to the default position of an electronic committee summons but added that it will not preclude any Member from requesting a hard copy in advance of a Committee. The introduction of an indicative agenda item time, which supports the virtual arrangements and supports all Members and political groups to plan their representations in advance of a meeting and the inclusion of a comfort break where appropriate, which he advised was particularly important for longer meetings and formalised the request to extend business where required.

The Service Director referred to the development of the Members Portal, which has been overseen by the Democratic Services Committee and the opportunities it provides for Members to undertake a number of democratic processes. The additional guidance in respect of supplementary questions which clarifies that where the 20-minute time duration has expired, amember will not be permitted to ask and have answered their supplementary question.

In conclusion, the Service Director referred to the change in the title of the of name of

the Audit Committee to the Governance & Audit Committee and that of the Corporate

Governance & Constitution Committee to the ‘Constitution Committee”.

Following discussions, it was RESOLVED to agree the proposed amendments and ancillary matters relating to the Council’s Constitution as set out in the report between 2.1 and 2.21 and as follows:

Amendments to the Council Procedure Rules

Time and Place of Meetings

2.1       For the reasons outlined in paragraphs 4.1 – 4.3 of the report amends Council Procedure Rule 4 to include as follows:

4.1       The time and place of meetings will be determined by the Proper Officer and notified to Members in the summons

4.2       For all purposes of the Constitution the term “meeting” is not limited in meaning to a meeting of persons all of whom, or any of whom, are present in the same place. Any reference to “place” is to be interpreted as where a meeting is held, or to be held, includes reference to more than one place including electronic, digital or virtual locations such as internet locations, web addresses or conference call telephone numbers.

Committee Summons

2.2       For the reasons outlined in paragraphs 4.4 – 4.8 of the report amend Council Procedure Rule 5.1 as follows:

5.1       “The Proper Officer will give notice to the public of the time and place of any meeting, in accordance with the Access to Information Rules. At least three clear days before a meeting, the Proper Officer will send a summons signed by him or her by email to every Member of the Council. The summons will give the date, time and place of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

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

The joint report of the Director of Legal Services, the Director of Finance & Digital Services and the Service Director, Democratic Services & Communication sought Council’s decisions on the posts to be remunerated in line with the determinations of the Thirteenth Annual Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel (‘IRP’) for Wales.

The Service Director advised that, as directed by the IRP, it is important that council avoids the impression that it is determining the levels of remuneration of Members, however, determination is sought in respect of the areas where local discretion is afforded, that being up to a maximum of 19 senior salary posts for this local authority for the 2021-2022 Municipal Year.

It was RESOLVED:

1.     To note the determinations of the IRP as set out in its annual report;

2.     That the following qualifying post holders be paid a Senior Salary, and as set out at Appendix 2 to the report for the 2021 – 2022 Municipal Year:

3.     To confirm the continuation of associated arrangements in respect of salaries and allowances for the 2021 - 22 Municipal year.

To consider the report of the Service Director, Democratic Services & Communication providing recommendations for the appointment of Committees for the 2021-2022 Municipal Year.

The Service Director Democratic Services & Communication presented his report which sought the appointment of the Council’s Committees for the 2021-2022 Municipal Year for the following Committees:

·     Planning and Development Committee (x11 Members)

·     Licensing Committee (x11 Members)

·     Appointments Committee (x5 Members)

·                          Appeals/Employee Appeals/Chief Officer Appeals Committee (x5 Members)

·     Overview and Scrutiny Committee (x14 Members)

·     Finance and Performance Scrutiny Committee (x14 Members)

·     Public Service Delivery, Communities and Prosperity Scrutiny Committee (x14 Members)

·     Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee (x14 Members) plus Statutory Co-optees

·     Health and Well-Being Scrutiny Committee (x14 Members)

·      Governance & Audit Committee (x14 Members) plus 1 Lay Member

·     Democratic Services Committee (x14 Members)

·     Constitution Committee (x8 Members)

·     Pension Fund Committee (x5 Members)

·     Cwm Taf Public Services Board Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee (x5 Members)

·     Cardiff Capital Region City Deal Joint Scrutiny Committee (x2 Members)

RESOLVED to appoint the under-mentioned Committees for the 2021-2022 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)    Finance and Performance Scrutiny Committee (x14 Members)

g)  Public Service Delivery, Communities and Prosperity Scrutiny Committee (x14 Members)

h)   Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee (x14 Members) plus Statutory Co-optees

i)    Health and Well-Being Scrutiny Committee (x14 Members)

j)    Governance & Audit Committee (x14 Members) plus 1 Lay Member

k)   Democratic Services Committee (x14 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)

o)  Cardiff Capital Region City Deal Joint Scrutiny Committee (x2 Members)

To consider the report of the Service Director, Democratic Services & Communication outlining the need to:

a)    Appoint a Chair and Vice-Chair to the Planning and Development Committee

b)    Appoint a Chair and Vice-Chair to the Licensing Committee

c)     Appoint a Chair and Vice-Chair to the Appointments Committee

d)    Appoint a Chair and Vice-Chair to the Appeals/Employee Appeals/Chief Officer Appeals Committees

e)    Appoint a Chair and Vice-Chair to the Pension Fund Committee

f)      Appoint the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Democratic Services Committee

g)    Appoint the Chairs and Vice Chairs to the following Scrutiny Committees:

· Overview and Scrutiny

· Finance and Performance Scrutiny Committee

· Public Service Delivery, Communities & Prosperity Scrutiny Committee

·  Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee

· Health & Well-Being Scrutiny Committee

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 2021-2022, and it was RESOLVED:

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

2.     To appoint County Borough Councillor L Hooper 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 under the requirements of the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011, the Chair of the Governance & Audit Committee is to be appointed by the Governance & Audit Committee;

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 Chairs of the Finance and Performance Scrutiny Committee be allocated to the RCT Independent Group and the Chair of the Children and Young People 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: --

7.     To note the appointment of the Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officer as the Chair and Vice-Chair to the Constitution Committee; and

8.     To note that for Municipal Year 2021-2022 the Chair of the Cwm Taf Public Services Board Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee (‘JOSC’) is to be appointed by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council.

(Note: The RCT Independent Group abstained from voting on the appointment of Chair of the Democratic Services Committee and the Plaid Cymru Group abstained from voting on the appointment of as the Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee)

To consider the report of the Service Director, Democratic Services & Communication outlining the need to appoint members to:

a)   The Local Education Authority Governors (Appointments) Committee (5 Members). (3 Labour, 1 Plaid Cymru and 1 RCT Independent Group)

b)   Voluntary Early Retirement/Redundancy Panel (5 Members)(3 Labour, 1 Plaid Cymru and 1 RCT Independent Group)

c)   Joint Consultative Committee (4 Members)

The Service Director Democratic Services presented his report in respect of appointing Members to the Quasi-Judicial Bodies/Ad Hoc Committees for the 2021-2022 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). (3 Labour, 1 Plaid Cymru and 1 RCT Independent Group):

County Borough Councillors J Rosser, J Brencher, D Owen-Jones; Shelley Rees-Owen and M J Powell;

2.   Voluntary Early Retirement/Redundancy Panel (5 Members)(3 Labour, 1 Plaid Cymru and 1 RCT Independent Group):

County Borough Councillors W Treeby, J Bonetto, M Webber, M Weaver and L Walker;

3.   Joint Consultative Committee (4 Members):

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

(Note: The Plaid Cymru Group abstained from voting on the above-mentioned matter)

a)    Welsh Joint Education Committee (1 representative)

b)    Board of Governors Coleg y Cymoedd (1 Member, 1 Officer)

c)    Joint Council for Wales (1 representative)

d)    Welsh Local Government Association (5 representatives)

e)    Welsh Local Government Association Executive Board (1 rep / 1 sub)

f)      Wales Co-op Centre Board (1 representative)

g)    Edward Thomas Charity (4 representatives)

h)    The Alliance (3 representatives)

i)      Tower Site Liaison Committee (3 representatives)

j)      Reserve Forces & Cadets Association (1 representative)

k)     South Wales Economic Forum (1 representative)

l)      Judges Hall Trust (3 representatives)

m)  Welsh Centre for International Affairs (1 representative)

n)    Allotments Society (1 representative)

o)    Valuation Tribunal Wales – Appointments Panel (1 representative)

p)    Age Concern Cymru (1 representative)

q)    Cynon Valley Indoor Bowls Committee (1 representative)

r)     Trivalis (officer appointment)

Non-Executive Joint Committees

s)    South Wales Fire & Rescue Authority(x4)

t)      Brecon Beacons National Park Authority (x1)

u)    South Wales Police Crime Panel (x2)

v)    Cwm Taf Community Health Council (x3)

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 2021-2022 Municipal Year:-

a)    Welsh Joint Education Committee (1 representative: Councillor G Hopkins)

b)    Board of Governors Coleg y Cymoedd (1 representative and 1 Officer: Councillor J Rosser/Mrs G Davies)

c)     Joint Council for Wales (1 representative: Councillor M Webber)

d)    Welsh Local Government Association (5 representatives: Councillors R Bevan, C Leyshon, R Lewis, M Webber and A Morgan)

e)    Welsh Local Government Association Executive Board (1 representative / 1 sub: Councillor A Morgan and Councillor M Webber respectively)

f)      Wales Co-op Centre Board (1 representative: Councillor R Lewis)

g)    Edward Thomas Charity (4 representatives: Councillors A Fox, E George, R Lewis and S Pickering)

h)    The Alliance (3 representatives: Councillors J Brencher, G Jones and G Thomas)

i)      Tower Site Liaison Committee (3 representatives: Councillors H Boggis, G Thomas and K Morgan)

j)      Reserve Forces & Cadets Association (1 representative: Councillor J Harries)

k)     South Wales Economic Forum (1 representative: Councillor R Bevan)

l)      Judges Hall Trust (3 representatives: Councillors G Hughes, W Lewis and J Rosser)

m)   Welsh Centre for International Affairs (1 representative: Councillor R Lewis)

n)    Allotments Society (1 representative: Councillor S Bradwick)

o)    Valuation Tribunal Wales – Appointments Panel (1 representative: Councillor M Webber)

p)    Age Concern Cymru (1 representative: Councillor G Hopkins)

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

r)      Trivallis (Officer appointment: Ms C Hutcheon)

Non-Executive Joint Committees

s)     South Wales Fire & Rescue Authority (x4: Councillors S Bradwick, S Morgans, A Roberts, and G Holmes)

t)      Brecon Beacons National Park Authority (x1: Councillor G Thomas)

u)    South Wales Police Crime Panel (x2: Councillors R Lewis and G Thomas)

v)     Cwm Taf Community Health Council (x3: Councillors G Caple, G Jones and J Williams)

(Note: The Conservative Group abstained from voting on item q Cynon Valleys Indoor Bowls Committee)

To consider the report of the Service Director, Democratic Services & Communication, relating to the proposed calendar of meetings for the 2021-2022 Municipal Year.

Through his report, the Service Director, Democratic Services & Communication sought the approval of the attached Calendar of Meetings for 2021 – 2022 Municipal Year. In accordance with Section 6(2) of the Local Government (Wales), Measure, 2011, the survey of Members was recently undertaken to assess Members’ preferences regarding the future timing of meetings and a  number of other important, non-statutory matters were also included in the survey to which Members have contributed their views.

The Service Director referred to the element of flexibility within the calendar of meetings to allow Chairs to respond to up and coming matters during the course of the municipal year such as training and development, with specific reference to the Scrutiny Committees. He advised that the approaches to future hybrid meetings are set out, and for Members to note, in section 8 of the report.

Following discussion, it was RESOLVED:

1.       To note the contents of the report; and in doing so note the responses to the Elected Members’ Survey in respect of the Timing of Meetings, as outlined in paragraph 4;

2.         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 2021 - 2022, as attached at Appendix 1 to the report.

4.         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.

To receive the 2020 - 2021 Annual Report for the Overview & Scrutiny Committee - County Borough Councilllor M Adams

Members received County Borough Councillor M Adams (Chair of Overview & Scrutiny Committee) who presented the Overview & Scrutiny Annual report for the 2020/2021 Municipal Year.

Following discussion, and thanks extended from the Chair of the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee and the Public Service Delivery, Communities and Prosperity Scrutiny Committee to Officers and Members of their committee including the Education Co-opted Members, it was RESOLVED to note the contents of the report.