Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from County Borough Councillors S Belzak, G R Davies, J Davies, L De Vet, M Forey, H Fychan MS,  J Harries, G Holmes, J James MS, A Davies-Jones, Martin Fidler Jones, D Owen-Jones, S Pickering, M J Powell, S Rees-Owen, M Tegg and R Turner.

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 made pertaining to the agenda:

Agenda item 6: ANNUAL Treasury Management Review 2020/21agenda Agenda item 7: CHIEF OFFICER VER & REDUNDANCY PACKAGES

Agenda Item 8 – Review of the Council’s Pay and Grading Structure &

Agenda Item 10 - The Council’s Senior Management Structure

County Borough Councillor P Jarman’s dispensation granted by the Standards Committee on 27th November 2020 providing the member “dispensation to speak and vote on all matters for the duration and adoption of the 2021-22 Budget process in her capacity as Leader of the Opposition”

Agenda Item 8 – Review of the Council’s Pay and Grading Structure &

Agenda Item 10 - The Council’s Senior Management Structure

County Borough Councillor D R Bevan declared a personal and prejudicial interest and advised that he would leave the meeting when the items are discussed and he referred to his dispensation received by the Standards Committee on the 27^th November 2020 to speak and vote on all matters relating to the Community & Children’s Services Group, save for any specific matters that directly affect his daughter who is employed by the Council in the Community and Children’s Services Group.

Agenda item 10 – The Council’s Senior Management Structure

The Director of Legal services:

“I wish to declare a Personal and Pecuniary interest on behalf of myself and all Chief Officers present in relation to Agenda Item 10 as our posts are referenced in the report.  All Chief Officers will leave the meeting for this item save for the Chief Executive, as the author and presenter of the report and the Director of Human Resources who will remain in the meeting to address any Member queries. Whilst I will leave the meeting during its discussion, I shall be available should any legal or constitutional queries arise during discussion of the item.  “

County Borough Councillor D Grehan

Councillor Grehan wished to congratulate pupils in the class of Mr & Ms Hughes at Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Tonyrefail for undertaking research as part of the initiative ‘Let’s Count’. Students researched and compared the number of welsh speakers in 1901 and in 2011 by giving special attention to their own community. The purpose of the research was to raise information for the 2021 Census. Out of 250 applications the school won first prize in Wales and second prize in Wales & England. This means the school will receive and play a key role in the providing the results of the Census next Autumn.

To approve as an accurate record, the minutes of the Extraordinary Council Meeting held on the 30^th June (4pm).

The Council RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the Extra Ordinary Council Meeting held on the 30^th June at 4pm as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

In accordance with Open Government Council Meeting Procedure Rule 2, to receive any statements from the Leader of the Council and/or statements from Cabinet Portfolio Holders:

The Leader of the Council provided an update on the recent figures for cases of Covid-19 across Cwm Taf Morgannwg. The Leader advised the number of positive cases in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg region as 143.5 cases per 100,000 which represents a significant increase over recent weeks. In Wales the positivity rate has increased to 7.6%, in RCT the positivity rate is 7.5%. The highest rate of positivity remains with younger people, particularly in those aged 25 years and under. In recognition of this, the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board is encouraging this age group to come forward and have the vaccine which does help reduce the spread of the virus. The Leader advised that unfortunately, the number of deaths may increase within the next few weeks as the number of positive cases increase.

From the 17^th July Wales will move to Alert Level 1 but the Leader advised caution as the country moves into this stage of alert level. Residents are encouraged to wear masks where necessary and to take personal responsibility for the safety of everyone around them. In conclusion, the Leader advised that a more detailed review of the changes would be circulated following the meeting to all Members, so they are aware of the changes following the 17^th July, the 19^th July and the 7^th August.

In a further statement, the Leader commented that there would be a flood alleviation update to Full Council in September to reflect the progress to date and ahead of the winter months. Press releases will also be published regularly to keep residents updated on the work to culverts and pumping stations ahead of the winter months.

The Leader advised that he and the Deputy Leader had visited the new emergency control room which will operate in the event of any type of emergency. It houses the appropriate equipment to enable Officers and Members to make strategic decisions effectively such as monitored alarm systems at culvert inlets and pumphouses to remotely alert the council of any problems and access to the Council’s CCTV system.

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 provided an update in respect of the adopted and published Council Work Programme for the Municipal Year 2021/22. He advised that the Freedom of the Borough report had been deferred to allow for discussions in respect of the nominations by the Freedom of the Borough Working Group to be confirmed.

In respect of the reported outcomes of the Notices of Motions to Scrutiny such as the Motor Neurone Disease, Autism and the Development of the Rail Infrastructure, these would be reported to Council in the near future collectively. There would be an update on the Broadcasting of Meetings to Council following the hybrid meeting of the Cabinet and further familiarisation meetings over the next few weeks.

To receive the report of the Director of Finance & Digital Services.

·     The Council’s Treasury Management activity during 2020/21; and

·     The actual Prudential and Treasury Indicators for 2020/21.

Following a discussion, it was RESOLVED to approve the content of the

report.

To consider the joint report of the Chief Executive and the Director, Human Resources.

Following a recommendation from the Council’s Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) Panel the Director of Human Resources sought Members’ approval of the Chief Officer severance package (as detailed in the report) in accordance with the Council’s approved 2021/22 Pay Policy statement.

The Director of Human Resources advised that the ‘strain’ or capitalised cost on the pension fund is a payment that the Council is required to make pursuant to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) Regulations 2013 (30(7) and 68(2)) into the pension fund itself and any further explanation would be provided to the individual Member as appropriate.

Following discussion, it was RESOLVED to approve a Chief Officer severance package (as detailed at Appendix 1 of the report) in accordance with the Council’s approved 2021/22 Pay Policy statement.

To consider the joint report of the Chief Executive and the Director, Human Resources.

The Director of Human Resources presented his report which sought Council’s approval in respect of a review of the Council’s Pay and Grading Structure.

     The Director of Human Resources provided clarification at point 7.1 of the report

which should refer to the current grading structure not to the ‘amendments to

the Council’s senior management structure’. In response to a query regarding

              whether there is a Welsh Language evaluation process for the 1-18 grades, the   Director advised that each job and person specification has a particular level of welsh proficiency requirement attached to it.

Following responses to queries and further consideration of the report it was RESOLVED to agree an extension to the current pay and grading system of Grades 1 to 15, so as to now incorporate an expanded pay and grading system of Grades 16, 17 and 18 (as is detailed in the report), in relation to all staff employed under NJC for Local Government terms and conditions.

(Note: As referenced within minute No.39 County Borough Councillor D R Bevan left the meeting when the matter was discussed and voted upon).

“That the press and public be excluded from the meeting under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act (as amended) for the following item 9 of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of the exempt information as defined in paragraph 12 and 13 of Part 4 of the Schedule 12A of the Act”.

It was RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 12 and 13 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

To receive the joint report of the Chief Executive and Director of Human Resources.

The Director of Human Resources provided Members with an overview of his report which contained exempt information.

Following consideration of the report it was RESOLVED :

To note that:

1.          Cabinet approved the revised directorate structures shown at Appendices 2(i), 2(ii) and 2 (iii) will be implemented from the 1^st August 2021 and structure at 2(iv) be implemented from the 1^st October 2021. Furthermore, the structure shown at Appendix 3(i), will be implemented from the 1^st May 2022. This will provide an overall estimated reduction in annual management costs at the Senior and Associated Management grade levels of £250,000 (inclusive of on-costs).

2.       Emanating from the revised directorate structures outlined in 2.1.1, Cabinet authorised the amendment of the following posts:

i)            the amendment of the post Director – Corporate Estates (Director Level 2) to Director – Corporate Estates (Director Level 1);

ii)          the amendment of the post of Head of Corporate & Management Accounting (Head of Service Level 1) to Service Director – Corporate & Management Accounting (Service Director Level 2);

iii)         the amendment of the post of Head of Education & Financial Reporting (Head of Service Level 1) to Service Director – Education & Financial Reporting (Service Director Level 2);

iv)         the amendment of the post of Head of Community & Children’s Services Finance (Head of Service Level 1) to Service Director – Community & Children’s Services Finance (Service Director Level 2);

v)          the amendment of the post of Head of Organisational Development (Head of Service Level 1) to Service Director – Organisational Development (Service Director Level 2);

vi)         the amendment of the post of Head of Employee Relations (Head of Service Level 2) to Head of Employee Relations (Head of Service Level 1);

vii)        the amendment of the post of Service Director – Pensions, Procurement & Transactional Services (Service Director Level 2) to Service Director – Pensions, Procurement & Transactional Services (Service Director Level 1);

viii)      the amendment of the post of Head of Revenues & Benefits (Head of Service Level 2) to Head of Revenues & Benefits (Head of Service Level 1);

ix)         the amendment of the post of Head of Accommodation Services (Head of Service Level 2) to Head of Accommodation Services (Head of Service Level 1);

x)          the amendment of the post of Director – Education & Inclusion Services (Director Level 2) to Director – Education & Inclusion Services (Director Level 1);

xi)         the amendment of the post of Head of 21^st Century Schools (Head of Service Level 1) to Service Director- 21^st Century Schools & Transformation Services (Service Director Level 1);

xii)        the amendment of the post of Head of Transformation & Education Information (Head of Service Level 2) to Head of Transformation, Admissions and Governance (Head of Service Level 1);

xiii)      the amendment of the post of Head of Achievement Secondary (0.5) (soulbury grade) to Head of Secondary Achievement & Wellbeing (soulbury grade);

xiv)      the amendment of the post of Head of School Advisory Support (soulbury grade) to Head of Primary Achievement (soulbury grade);  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.