Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

Venue: The Council Chamber, Llys Cadwyn, 2 Taff Street, Pontypridd CF37 4TH

Contact: Julia Nicholls - Democratic Services  01443 424098

Note: Extra Ordinary Council Meeting 

Media

Items
No. Item

65.

Declaration of Interest

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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, there were no declarations made pertaining to the agenda.

 

66.

THE WELSH LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

To receive the Chief Executive, Mr Chris Llewelyn, from the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) to provide Members with an update on the WLGA key priorities, how it represents the collective interests of local government in Wales and supports individual Local Authorities.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Presiding Member introduced and welcomed the Chief Executive of the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) who provided Members with an update on the work and range of services it provides to Local Authorities across Wales, current priorities and objectives as well as an opportunity for questions.

 

Through the aid of PowerPoint slides an overview of key matters under the following headings were presented:

 

Part 1: Your WLGA

 

-An Introduction

-Our Principles

-Our Funding

-Our Work and Teams

-Grant Funded Programmes

 

Part 2: Lobbying and Influencing

 

-Influencing the Welsh Government

-Senedd Lobbying and Influencing

-Current Term Achievements – Funding

-Policy Change Examples

-Challenges and Areas for Improvement

 

Part 3: Current Priorities and Objectives

 

-Current Priorities

-Current Priorities 2

-Corporate Plan Objectives

 

Part 4: Open Discussion/Q&A

 

 

The Leader of the Council, Councillor A Morgan OBE, thanked the Chief Executive of the WLGA for attending Full Council and presenting to all Members. He spoke of his time as Leader of the WLGA and being spokesperson for a number of different areas such as the Environment, Transport and Waste. He referred to the exemplary work undertaken by all officers of the WLGA, particularly the volume of briefings and regular updates they provide and the research they undertake on behalf of local authorities (for example the Social Care Provision) He felt fortunate to be supported by Officers of the WLGA such as Naiomi Alleyne, the Deputy Chief Executive of the WLGA particularly during difficult times such as Covid.

 

The Leader of the Council described Local Government as having a collective voice and stronger with the WLGA onside which supports opportunities to lobby Welsh Government around the pressures that local government faces such as with the budget and the funding formula. He spoke of his support of the WLGA and of the collective voice and networking opportunities it provides.

 

Councillor G Hughes raised a concern regarding the lack of training offered by the WLGA for back bench councillors which it had been able to provide in the past via the WLGA Officer Sarah Titcombe. He added that in addition to training, an opportunity to organise a pan Wales, cross party meeting would be welcome.

 

The Chief Executive of the WLGA  agreed that this point has been raised by other local authorities and it was definitely an area for the WLGA to improve through establishing a network for back bench councillors similar to the existing network for Cabinet Members. He also acknowledged the need to undertake more visits of this nature to local authorities in the future, combining a formal and less formal session with an opportunity for Members to engage with the WLGA team.

 

A query regarding better promotion of the WLGA information and events to Elected Members was raised by Councillor C Lisles as she felt this was currently lacking. She also commented that details of how to join and attend the forthcoming WLGA Conference were not as clear as others such as the LGA Conference in Harrogate and asked if better promotion  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.