Agenda and minutes

The Presiding Member welcomed all Members to the hybrid Council meeting at the later start time of 5.15pm. He explained that the extra ordinary Council meeting had overrun slightly in order to afford Members the opportunity to put their questions to Trivallis.

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 and a declaration in relation to agenda item 5 was declared later in the meeting (Minute 31 refers):

Agenda item 7-Revised Local Development Plan (RLDP) 2022 - 2037- Update on National and Regional Planning Matters And Approval For A Delivery Agreement And Timetable Amendment For The Continued Preparation Of The RLDP

County Borough Councillor W Lewis declared a personal interest –“My employer Hafod Housing Association is mentioned in the report and also the Scout Association,of which I am a member”.

Agenda Item 10-Urgent Notice of Motion

County Borough Councillor W Hughes declared a personal and prejudicial interest (I will leave the meeting for the duration of this item) -“My wife manages homecare”.

County Borough Councillor G Hughes declared a personal and prejudicial interest (I will leave the meeting for the duration of this item and vacate the Chair for County Borough Councillor B Stephens, the Deputy Presiding Member, to take the item) – “My mother works for the homecare service”.

To approve as an accurate record, the minutes of the hybrid Council Meeting held on 14^th June 2023.

The Council RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the hybrid Council meeting held on the 14^th June 2023 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

Ø  The Leader announced the sad passing of former Group Director, Mr George Jones. He described Mr Jones as an excellent Officer, polite and friendly and a ‘gentle giant.’ Sadly, Mr Jones had retired a few years earlier due to ill health. The Leader, on behalf of the Council expressed his sorrow and wished to extend his condolences to the family of Mr George Jones.

Ø  On behalf of Councillor S Morgans, County Borough Councillor J Smith wished to congratulate years 1 and 2 of Maerdy Primary School for their success in winning the 2023 Welsh Heritage Schools Initiative nationwide competition at foundation phase. From 6,000 entries, Years 1 and 2 won the annual heritage project competition with their presentation entitled ‘Made and Moulded in Maerdy’.

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, County Borough Councillor A Morgan OBE advised that he has requested the Group Director – Finance, Digital & Frontline Services, as part of his mid-year review of the Council’s position in respect of its underspends and reserves, to bring forward any available packages of funding to support residents and the 3^rd sector ahead of the forthcoming winter months. He added that if available, he would like to see the Council bring forward a multi-million package of funding to assist residents and families in any way possible with the cost-of-living crisis and the subsequent impact on child poverty.

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 J. Brencher to the Leader of the Council, County Borough Councillor A. Morgan OBE:

“Will the Leader update on the commitment to fund 10 PCSOs in RCT and provide an overview of how the Community Wardens service is benefitting our communities?”

Response from County Borough Councillor A. Morgan OBE:

The Leader advised that the 10 PCSO’s and are working well in with the fourteen community wardens in support of South Wales Police. He added that they will not replace the role of the Police as they provide a visible and reassuring presence in key locations across the communities such as town centres and parks. Public feedback has been extremely positive to date and reports from businesses and local residents commenting that their presence is having a positive effect on perceptions of community safety.

The Leader commented that they help to uphold the Council’s PSPOs, such as helping to secure compliance with the ban on dogs on marked sports pitches and the alcohol related PSPO’s in Pontypridd and Aberdare Town Centres. However, their role is one of assurance. Currently there are 14 Wardens in total – including 2 Senior Wardens – and they work up to 7 days a week in shifts with the service running between 14/15 hours per day.

The Leader urged Members to report any issues relating to anti-social behaviour through the usual channels, via the Members Services inbox and the Community Safety teams or via the Police. In conclusion, the Leader commented that it was one of the core manifesto commitments of the RCT Labour Group which has been implemented.

There was no supplementary question

2. Question from County Borough Councillor D. Parkin to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Leisure, County Borough Councillor A. Crimmings:

“Will the Cabinet Member please provide an update on the progress of play area improvements across the County Borough?”

Response from County Borough Councillor A. Crimmings:

Councillor Crimmings was pleased to confirm that the Council’s programme of play area upgrades and improvements has picked up from where it left off and continued over the start of the new Council term. She explained that every year since 2015 the Council has delivered significant investment programmes in this area – in recognition of the immense benefits that outdoor play opportunities afford our young people in encouraging their development and imagination.

Councillor Crimmings advised that 166 of the 217 play areas have been invested in over that period - which equates to 76.5% of the stock - so over 3/4s of the play facilities have received improvements through an overall investment programme of £6m. Some of these facilities have had “Phase 2” works undertaken due to partial investments or kit needing to be replaced at later dates, so there have been 186 total projects undertaken.

In conclusion, Councillor Crimmings advised that for this current 2023/24 financial year, 10 projects have been identified for a total of £341,000 of investment to include  the Tyn-Y-Bryn play area in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

The Service Director Democratic Services & Communications confirmed that this would be the last scheduled Council meeting ahead of the summer recess with the next Full Council meeting to be held on the 20^th September 2023 at 5pm. He added that as there are a considerable number of business items scheduled at that meeting, there may be a need to reflect on the proposed flow of business items across the council meetings throughout the autumn, which will be done in consultation with the Group Leaders as appropriate.

The Service Director advised that following recent notification of the Members development and training opportunities, the training sessions would be implemented at an opportune time and in response to Members’ feedback.

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

To consider the report of the Director of Prosperity & Development.

The Director of Prosperity and Development presented the report which set out

the ongoing national and regional planning matters that are having an influence

over the preparation of the Revised Local Development Plan 2022 - 2037

(RLDP).

The Director drew Members’ attention to section 3 of the report which set out the

positive progress to date in the preparation of the RLDP. It also explained the

factors contributing to the proposal to extend the agreed timetable for the

reparation of the RLDP. The Director proposed that, the strategy is presented to

Full Council in November 2023 ahead of the formal 6 weeks Preferred

Strategy consultation.

Whilst referencing the matters impacting on the progress of the RLDP,

the Director of Prosperity and Development referred to issues such as the

consultation on a new version of Technical Advice Note 15 (TAN 15) for Flood

risk which in effect creates specific rules for the allocation of land in the RLDP

and subsequent planning applications. He alluded to the difficulties in

determining growth options to date and the need for clarity from the new version

of the TAN due to be published in the New Year, amongst other outstanding

issues.

In conclusion, the Director of Prosperity and Development drew Members’

attention to section 5 of the report which demonstrated the proposed

amendments to the timetable. For clarity, the previously agreed dates are

shown, and the proposed new dates inserted.

The Chair of the Members RLDP Steering Group, Councillor L Tomkinson,

commented on the involvement and engagement of the cross-party Members’

Steering Group to date on all stages and content of the plan to ensure there is

appropriate consideration. She thanked Members for their positive contributions

to this important forum.

Following consideration of the report it was RESOLVED to:

1.         Acknowledge the matters, as set out, that are affecting the preparation of the RLDP in accordance with its approved timetable.

2.         Approve a proposed amendment to the RLDP Delivery Agreement timetable to incorporate an extension period for its preparation. This is set out in the following report in section 5 and in the proposed new Delivery Agreement which is attached as Appendix 1. 

3.         Seek necessary Welsh Government agreement to the Delivery Agreement changes.

4.         Authorise the Director of Prosperity & Development to make minor changes to the timetable in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Development and Prosperity. To request that the RLDP Steering Group are sighted upon any such amendments made by the Director of Prosperity & Development.

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

The Service Director Democratic Services & Communication advised of the

changes to the Labour Group’s nominated representation on the Alliance for the

2023/24 Municipal Year.

Following consideration of the report it was RESOLVED to note that:

1.     The Authority’s nominated representative on the Alliance going forward will be County Borough Councillor J Smith; and

2.     Correspondence be sent to the Alliance advising them of the change to the Authority’s nominated representative.

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

The Service Director, Democratic Services & Communications advised that in accordance with Procedural Rule 10.5, the Presiding Member had granted permission for Full Council to determine whether this Urgent Motion should be:

• Discussed at the meeting; or

• Deferred until the next meeting to consider with the benefit of written Officer advice;

or

• Referred for consideration and decision to the Executive or a Committee.

It was RESOLVED to discuss the Urgent Notice of Motion at the meeting.

(Note: The Presiding Member, County Borough Councillor G Hughes and County Borough Councillor W Hughes left the meeting for the duration of the item having both declared a personal and prejudicial interest (Minute No.27 refers).

In the absence of the Presiding Member, the Deputy Presiding Member, County Borough Councillor B Stephens, took the chair for agenda item 10.

In accordance with Procedural Rule 10.5, the Presiding Member has granted permission for Full Council to determine whether this Urgent Motion should be:

• Discussed at the meeting; or

• Deferred until the next meeting to consider with the benefit of written Officer advice; or

• Referred for consideration and decision to the Executive or a Committee.

To consider the following Urgent Notice of Motion standing in the names of County Borough Councillors A O Rogers; D Wood, K Morgan, S Evans, D Grehan, H Gronow, P Evans and A Ellis.

Despite the email from the Chief Executive sent to Members at 1326 hrs yesterday, this Council regrets that it had no prior information of plans to discontinue the inhouse provision of the night mobile homecare service.  All Members were made aware of this proposal via an email sent two days ago by staff working in the service who were summoned to attend a meeting with officers and unions last week to be told that it was intended to outsource the service to other providers in the private/independent sector.

This flies in the face of the Council's commitment to retain directly provided services where the staff are paid on National Terms and Conditions.  It is unforgiveable that such a change to a much valued and necessary service, was being considered, until yesterday, by management under an unpublished operational delegated decision.

The Cabinet Work Programme had also been varied, whereby both the Annual Director of Social Services report and the draft Adult Services Strategy which were to be considered in July, are now rescheduled to be considered in October 2023.   Should these reports have been considered in July as planned then members would at least have had some information about the proposal to discontinue the night service.

The Operational Delegated decision now being published goes some way to answer the concerns of Members about due process, however what it doesn't do is authorise the officer decision in March to not take referrals, thus deliberately running down the service creating the statement in the CEO email that " the current arrangements no longer presents the most effective means of providing this care and support. ".  

Under these circumstances it is important to establish how officers can use operational authority to reduce a service, with the ultimate aim of removing it, without the knowledge and consent of Members.

This Council therefore requests that the CEO make a statement today, before recess, as to:

-          Why the service was deliberately run down in March and no delegated decision notice was published announcing that change. 

-          How the removal of a service is allowed to be defined as an operational decision as opposed to a Cabinet/Full Council decision.

Following consideration, it was RESOLVED to adopt the Urgent Notice of Motion and the Chief Executive provided the following statement:

“Members will recall the budget strategy agreed by Council on 8^th March 2023, at which time the Council agreed a budget strategy that closed an unprecedented budget gap of £38 million. The budget strategy was subject to a comprehensive consultation exercise and in advance of the provisional settlement from Welsh Government, the Council had already started consultation on several key service changes that had wide ranging implications across our communities, including those to waste services and community meals.

The review of the support at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.