Agenda a Chofnodion

Derbyn datganiadau o fuddiannau personol gan Aelodau, yn unol â gofynion y Cod Ymddygiad.

Nodyn:

1.    Mae gofyn i Aelodau ddatgan rhif a phwnc yr agendwm mae eu buddiant yn ymwneud ag ef a mynegi natur y buddiant personol hwnnw; a

2.   Lle bo Aelodau'n ymneilltuo o'r cyfarfod o ganlyniad i ddatgelu buddiant sy'n rhagfarnu, rhaid iddyn nhw roi gwybod i'r Cadeirydd pan fyddan nhw'n gadael.

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

Apologies of absence were received from County Borough Councillors M. Diamond, A. Davies-Jones and J. Williams.

Derbyn cofnodion o gyfarfod blaenorol y Pwyllgor Craffu - Cyllid a Chyflawniad a gafodd ei gynnal 26 Medi 2019.

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 26^th September as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

Ystyried gwybodaeth mewn perthynas â'r materion y mae'r Pwyllgor yma wedi craffu arnyn nhw - Adroddiad Monitro Blynyddol Ardoll Seilwaith Cymunedol y Cyngor.

The Service Director of Democratic Services & Communications provided the Committee with the decision of Cabinet following the pre scrutiny opportunity undertaken by the Finance & Performance Scrutiny Committee in respect of the Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (‘CIL’) Annual Monitoring Report.

Members were reminded that by receiving the Cabinet Decision Notice Members are able to view the feedback of the Cabinet to the pre scrutiny opportunity, which will further strengthen the scrutiny process. The Service Director emphasised that the two way process fosters greater engagement between Scrutiny and the Cabinet, therefore enabling Scrutiny to see the benefits of its pre scrutiny opportunities on the key policy decisions of the Council.

Following discussion, Members RESOLVED to acknowledge the content of the Cabinet Decision Notice in response to the pre scrutiny work undertaken by the Finance & Performance Scrutiny Committee in respect of the Council’s Community Infrastructure (‘CIL’) Levy Annual Monitoring Report.  

Pob Aelod Etholedig i gael cyfle i gael hyfforddiant mewn perthynas â'r Ardoll Seilwaith Cymunedol.  

Members were provided with the opportunity to receive training in respect of the Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (‘CIL’) policy.

The Director of Prosperity & Development advised Members that CIL is a relatively new levy that local authorities in Wales and England can choose to charge on new developments in their area.

Members were informed that CIL can be charged in the following circumstances:-

·         On gross internal floor space per square metre of any new building; or,

·         An extension to an existing building if it has at least 100 square metre gross internal floor space; or,

·         If it involves the creation of a dwelling even when below 100 square metres (including changes of use).

Members were provided with the CIL Charging Schedule and were reminded that the CIL regulations require CIL charges to be index linked to the Building Cost Information Services (BCIS) All-in Tender Price Index.

The Director advised Members that the Council has introduced an instalments policy to spread the payments of the CIL charge. For payments up to £50,000 there will be two instalments: 50% within 90 days of commencement and 50% within 180 days. The instalments increase up to 5 instalments for charges in excess of £1,000,000.

In respect of CIL relief, Members were advised that relief from CIL may be available in a number of specific instances, including:-

·         Charitable Relief;

·         Social Housing Relief;

·         Exceptional Circumstances Relief; (although the Council is not currently offering this relief); and,

·         Exemption for self-build houses

Members were advised that CIL revenue is split, where 80% will go into the CIL pot, 15% to community council (or if no community council, to be spent in that area on local infrastructure) and 5% will be spent on administration costs.

Discussions continued and Councillor Norris sought clarification in respect of the exemption for self-build houses. The Director confirmed that builders will have to apply for the exemption, however, the Council provides assistance throughout the administrative process. Councillor Holmes commented that CIL charges will be passed on from the developer to the buyer by increasing the purchase price. The Director noted that, unfortunately, this has always been the case. However, it was noted that the property market has become more self-policing in recent years.

In respect of the 15% of CIL spending that goes to Community Councils, Councillor Thomas commented that the greater proportion of areas are not being charged. The Director of Prosperity and Development agreed that it is difficult to know how to proceed in areas that don’t have Community Councils. The Director explained that at present, CIL spending is done in consultation with the local area, however, the Director acknowledged that it is problematic in an area where there is no Community Council. Members were advised that Community Councillors get more leave way as to how they spend the CIL money, however, it was emphasised that Community Councillors are encouraged to adapt their own regulation 123 list.  

Discussions continued and Members were referred to the Council’s Regulation 123 list. CIL revenue will be  ...  view the full Cofnodion text for item 24.

Darparu trosolwg o Gyllideb Refeniw'r Cyngor ar gyfer 2019/20 a'r Rhaglen Gyfalaf 3 blynedd. 

Members were provided with an overview of the Council’s 2019/20 Revenue Budget and 3-year Capital Programme.

In respect of Education & Inclusion Services, Members received an overview from the Head of Finance: Education and Financial Reporting. Members were provided with the individual school budgets and a breakdown of the budget per service area. The Head of Finance: Education and Financial Reporting emphasised that if there is a deficit in the individual school budget then the school itself has to make up that deficit. Members were also reminded of the financial pressures that schools are under, particularly in terms of a reliance on supply teachers and increased teachers’ pension costs. However, the Head of Finance: Education and Financial Reporting also emphasised that during the course of the 2019/20 Municipal year, the Council has increased the school budget by 3.5%.

Following the presentation, discussions ensued and Members were provided with an opportunity to scrutinise the information.

Councillor S. Rees-Owen queried the attendance figures on Attendance & Wellbeing and commented that the attendance figures are not improving. The Member requested the Attendance & Wellbeing figures for the past two years. The Head of Finance: Education and Financial Reporting confirmed that the figures will be sent out via the Graduate Scrutiny Research Officer. The Chair requested that the same information be passed to Members in respect of other service areas, such as music and educational improvement grants. The Head of Finance: Education and Financial Reporting confirmed that the Budget Book is on the Council website and that a link will be sent out to Committee Members via the Scrutiny Officer.

Discussions continued and the Voting Elected Parent / Governor Representative queried whether the ‘Additional Learning Needs’ model was still fit for purpose. The Voting Elected Parent / Governor Representative noted the huge trend in the financial pressure being placed on the ‘Additional Learning Needs’ budget and commented that the ‘Additional Learning Needs’ model is still not meeting the needs of learners. The Head of Finance: Education and Financial Reporting advised Members that the ‘Additional Learning Needs’ model was considered in the 2019/20 budget and was reviewed in the School Budget Forum. The Council changed the model based on the WMD index and the ‘Additional Learning Needs’ model has been delayed for a further 12 months to ensure that the Council has enough time to consider user feedback. Councillor S. Rees-Owen confirmed that this issue is being considered as part of the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee forward work programme.

Following discussion, Members received a presentation from the Head of Financial Services – Community & Children’s Services. Members were provided with a budget breakdown in respect of adult services, children’s services, leisure, PHP & Housing and transformation. Each service area was broken down further and Members received the budget per service provision. Discussions ensued and Councillor S. Bradwick queried what contributions were received into the service from Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. The Head of Financial Services – Community & Children’s Services confirmed that there is currently a pool budget arrangement  ...  view the full Cofnodion text for item 25.

Trafod Adroddiad Cyflawniad Chwarter 1 y Cyngor 2019/20. 

The Service Director - Performance and Improvement presented the Council’s     Quarter 1 (to 30^th June 2019) Performance Report to Committee.

The Service Director explained that the Quarter 1 Report was presented to Cabinet on the 24^th September and contains revenue and capital budget performance; Treasury Management prudential indicators; Organisational Health information, including staff turnover; sickness and Council strategic risks; corporate plan priority action plan updates; other national measures; and target setting.

The Service Director - Performance & Improvement went on to provide Members with an update on progress made across the Council‘s Corporate Plan priorities and indicated that out of 98 performance indicators reported with a target in Quarter 1, 21 were ‘on target‘, 8 were ‘within 5% of the target‘ and

10 were ‘not on target‘.

Following the overview by the Service Director, Members scrutinised the report and put forward their questions.

Councillor Cullwick queried whether there were any risks in respect of the Council’s aim to become carbon neutral by 2023. The Service Director advised Member that the Quarter 1 Performance Report gives the operational performance position as at the 30^th June 2019. The Leader made a statement in respect of the Council’s carbon neutral policy in full Council in June 2019, therefore the Quarter 1 performance report does not include the policy’s financial impact.

(Note: At this point in the meeting, the Chair, County Borough Councillor M. Powell left the meeting due to a family emergency, therefore the Vice Chair, County Borough Councillor G. Thomas took the Chair)

Following discussion, Members RESOLVED to endorse the Council’s financial and operational performance position as at 30^th June 2019 (Quarter 1).

Derbyn adborth gan yr Aelodau yngl?n â'r weledigaeth, y blaenoriaethau a'r deilliannau sydd wedi'u nodi yn y strategaeth ddrafft, a derbyn adborth gan yr Aelodau yngl?n â chynnwys y Cynllun Gweithredu drafft.

Members were afforded with the opportunity to undertake pre-scrutiny of the RCT Draft Employment Strategy and Action Plan 2019/21.

The Service Director Community Services informed Members that developing a strategy is important for several reasons. It will:-

·         Focus limited resources and support on those most in need so that they can improve their own and their families’ future;

·         Consolidate the link between learning/training provision and local and regional labour market needs;

·         Ensure that the Council services and partners are clear about the direction of travel and the outcome that we will be working to achieve;

·         Identify any gaps in provision so that they can be addressed;

·         Help us to jointly prepare for the introduction of new national initiatives and the ending of some current funding sources so that there is a smooth transition for the benefit of communities and individuals.

The Service Director reminded Members that the strategy has been developed by themes identified by the Welsh Government in their strategic documents and also informed by regional priorities, as identified by the Regional Skills Partnership and Cardiff City Deal developments. It was also emphasised that the strategic priorities contribute to the Council’s 3 themes of Prosperity, People and Place, as outlined in the Corporate Plan 2016-20.

To conclude, the Service Director advised Members that the strategy has been agreed by the Strategic Employment Group, subject to feedback from Scrutiny. The action plan will be regularly monitored by the Strategic Employment Group and reports on progress can be provided to Members as required.

Members were subsequently provided with the opportunity to scrutinise the strategy and to put forward their questions.

Discussions ensued and Councillor Cullwick referred the Committee to page 171 of the report and noted that the Strategic Employment Group does not include representatives from the private sector. The service Director advised Members that it has been difficult to get private sector representatives onto the group, however, the Service Director also emphasised that some partner organisations actively work with private sector employers and subsequently feedback their comments to the Group. The Service Director stressed that the Strategic Employment Group would welcome representatives from the private sector.

Councillor G. Thomas queried what resources are available to focus on upskilling. It was noted that residents will travel for work and will need high end skills to do that. The Service Director informed Members that the Council has limited resources in this area and that most of the funding is external. Grants from the Welsh Government focus on level 1 and 2 skills. However, the Service Director reminded Members about the Education, Employment and Training Service located within the Council’s HR department. The Service Director highlighted the Council’s successful Apprenticeship and Graduate Schemes as well as the implementation of Job Support Wales. The Service Director advised Members that developments in relation to skills and training at a national level will be introduced over the next two years and it is recognised that the Action Plan will need to be flexible to accommodate these  ...  view the full Cofnodion text for item 27.

Derbyn Rhaglen Waith y Pwyllgor Craffu – Cyllid a Chyflawniad ar gyfer Blwyddyn y Cyngor 2019/20.

The Service Director of Democratic Services & Communications gave an overview to Members in respect of the Finance & Performance Scrutiny Forward Work Programme 2019/20.

It was highlighted that following a number of changes to the Scrutiny arrangements in RCT, one of the improvements have included the development of a more streamlined forward work programme, which contains less items for consideration at each committee meeting to allow for more in depth review of topics and potential referrals from Council, Audit Committee and other sources.

Members were reminded that the forward work programme has been developed from current business identified and matters relating to the Council’s Corporate Performance themes and priorities. Reference was also made to the Cabinet/Scrutiny engagement sessions, which were held throughout October between the Scrutiny Chairs, Vice Chairs, respective Cabinet Members and Senior Leadership Officers, which support the Scrutiny arrangements going forward and also informed the respective forward work programme. 

In respect of training, Members were reminded about the training session that was arranged for all RCT Scrutiny Members on Friday, 25^th October 2019, facilitated by Dr Dave McKenna. The Service Director highlighted the importance of engaging in the training opportunities provided to support Members in their respective scrutiny roles.

Discussions continued and the Service Director noted that further enhancements are underway to provide better access for the public to the business of scrutiny online. This includes providing more user friendly information to support the public engagement process.

Following discussion, Members RESOLVED to agree the Finance and Performance Scrutiny Committee Work Programme for the Municipal Year 2019/20, subject to the previous request made by Councillor G. Thomas in respect of reviewing the correlation between employment and its effect on the wider economy.

Gwybodaeth mewn perthynas ag ymgynghoriadau perthnasol i'w ystyried gan y Pwyllgor.

The Vice Chair referenced the consultation links, which were available through the ‘RCT Scrutiny’ website.  The Vice Chair reminded Members that Information is provided in respect of relevant consultations for consideration by the Committee, which are circulated on a monthly basis by the Graduate Scrutiny Research Officer