Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from County Borough Councillor T Williams.

To receive disclosures of personal interest from Members in accordance with the Code of Conduct

Note:

1.     Members are requested to identify the item number and subject matter 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 a prejudicial interest they must notify the Chairman when they leave.

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, the following declarations of personal interest were made:

·       County Borough Councillor W Owen – Agenda item 5 “I have been in receipt of a business grant during the covid pandemic”

·       County Borough Councillor J Edwards – Agenda Item 5 “I previously worked in Ynysangharad War Memorial Park”

To receive the minutes of the previous meeting of the Finance and Performance Scrutiny Committee held on the 16^th November 2020.

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 16^TH November 2020 as an accurate reflection of the meeting, subject to the inclusion of County Borough Councillor S Evans attendance being recorded at the meeting.

The Service Director Finance & Improvement Services provided Members with the following updates in relation to queries highlighted during Members discussion at the previous meeting:

Minute 18 – Medium Term Financial Plan:

a)    Reimbursement to schools for additional expenditure incurred as a result of COVID 19 – Members were advised that £330k had been  received from Welsh Government for school expenditure incurred up to September 2020,  with £43k paid  to schools and £290k in the process of being actioned.  In relation to the October 2020 expenditure claim, the Service Director advised that the Council would distribute the payments to schools in the New Year further to receipt of the funding from Welsh Government.  The Co-opted Member queried when the £290k would be paid to schools and the Service Director advised that arrangements were currently being progressed for the payments to be processed.

b)    Central approach to the provision of agency cover where school-based staff are required to self-isolate – The Service Director advised that the Council’s Procurement Service had engaged with the National Procurement Service and a framework was available for Schools to utilise, with access to around 20 agency providers.  The Service Director went on to indicate that there have been periods during the on-going pandemic where demand has outweighed supply, with this position also applying to other local authority areas. The Service Director added that Council officers are continuing to work closely with schools in this area.

 Minute 19 - 2021/22 Revenue Budget Strategy Consultation

c)    Setting of the Police and Crime Commissioner Budget – Members were advised that an online consultation had been undertaken by the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales which ended on the 8^th December 2020.  Going forward the Service Director advised that, where possible, notification would be provided to Members of any future budget consultations by the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales.

d)  Council Tax information by Community Area – The Service Director advised that due to the need to prioritise resources as a result of the on-going COVID 19 pandemic, this information had not yet been collated. The Service Director indicated that the information would be compiled and circulated in due course.

Information is provided in respect of relevant consultations for consideration by the Committee.

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

To consider the Quarter 2 Performance Report (2020/21).

The Service Director- Finance and Improvement Services provided Members with the Quarter 2 Council Performance Report (to 30^th September 2020).

The Service Director referred Members to Appendix 1 of the report which contained the Council’s Quarter 2 Performance Report that was presented to Cabinet on the 17^th of November 2020.

Members were reminded that as reported during scrutiny of the Quarter 1 Performance Report, the COVID 19 pandemic has caused unprecedented and widespread challenges in the delivery of Council Services alongside significant additional cost and income losses that have, to date, been funded by Welsh Government.

The Service Director continued his report by advising on the revenue and capital budget performance; treasury Management prudential indicators; Organisational Health information including staff turnover, sickness and Council strategic risks; and Corporate Plan priority action plan updates including investment updates.

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

The Vice Chair paid compliments to Council Services for their work and maintaining performance during these extraordinary times and referenced the forecasted additional expenditure and loss of income associated with COVID 19 for the current year of £37million as set out in the report.  The Vice Chair also took the opportunity to thank Welsh Government for the financial support received to date and queried whether there was indication that this support would continue beyond the current financial year.

The Service Director referenced the UK Government’s Spending Review announced in November 2020 that indicated additional resources for the Welsh Government 2021/22 budget of £1.3Billion, comprising of core funding and also funding in relation to COVID 19.  The Officer went on to indicate that the Council works closely with Welsh Government as part of the Hardship Fund claims process, to ensure all additional COVID 19 expenditure and income losses incurred by the Council are claimed for, and  Welsh Government will confirm the position for 2021/22 as part of its budget setting arrangements.

County Borough Councillor S Evans took the opportunity to reference the reduction in staff turnover, as contained within the report, and commented that this is a positive direction of travel.

Mr J Fish, Co-opted Member drew Members attention to Risk Item 25 within the Strategic Risk Register and enquired whether the financial implications associated with COVID 19 should be included within this risk area. The Service Director referred Members to the ‘Living Within Our Means’ risk within the Strategy Risk Register and indicated that the financial monitoring and claim arrangements associated with COVID 19 are set out within this area. The Service Director added that this can also be referenced under Risk Item 25 to provide a more complete picture of risk and the arrangements in place to manage this area.

County Borough Councillor S Bradwick referenced the ongoing work by the Council’s grass cutting service and also took the opportunity to place on record his thanks to those staff that have been re-purposed to assist Track Trace Protect arrangements.  The Service Director added that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

TheDirector of Prosperity and Developmentprovided Members with an update in respect of the draft Tourism Strategy in light of the recent COVID 19 pandemic.

Members were reminded of the scrutiny undertaken by the Finance & Performance Scrutiny Committee in July 2019, where the Committee supported the proposed direction of the draft Strategy. The Director advised that in March 2020 a Delegated Decision was taken to pass the draft Tourism Strategy for public consultation. However, it was included that any form of consultation would only commence when it was deemed appropriate in light of the situation posed by COVID 19.  The Director commented that throughout the pandemic the tourism and hospitality sector was one of the worst to be hit, with partners within the tourism sector holding a pessimistic view on the future of the industry and it had been assessed that it would be beneficial to delay any consultation until perceptions improve to avoid a negative bias response.

Going forward, the Director provided an update in relation to attractions within the County Borough, highlighting the improvements within Dare Valley Country Park (DVCP) and Ynysangharad War Memorial Park.  Members were also advised of the work to date with the Zip World Tower site and accommodation across the County Borough.

To conclude his update Members were advised of the joint working of the Regeneration and Tourism Services during the COVID 19 pandemic, providing businesses with regular and up-to-date information, advice and guidance on a variety of national and local funding opportunities available to them.

County Borough Councillor Bradwick sought further clarity on the rollercoaster attraction at the Zip World Tower Site to which the Director responded advising of the unique features of the attraction including the renovation of the ‘Lamp Room’ which formed part of the attraction.

County Borough Councillor Caple raised concerns in respect of the availability of accommodation across the County Borough and queried whether current businesses were being supported during the pandemic and also queried on the long term proposals in respect of phases 3 and 4, working with the Brecon Beacons and heritage links with the Coal Industry to maintain, protect and expand on the attractions within the County Borough and nearing areas.

The Director agreed with the Members comments and commented on the two key features to the success of the tourism industry within the County Borough, highlighting the need to ensure the suitability and number of local attractions to attract visitors and to ensure suitable accommodation provision, through existing and future business adventures, which in turn would lead to spend being brought back into the local economy.  Members were advised of work undertaken with the development of a toolkit and bringing vacant spaces back into use, with an example provided of vacant rooms above public houses.  Members were also advised of the discussions taken forward with DWP in respect of future roadshows to assist businesses and entrepreneurs coming forward in this area. 

The Vice Chair also commented on the need to maximise on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

To reflect on the meeting and actions to be taken forward.

The Chair thanked Members for attending and for their contributions during the meeting.  The Chair wished all Members a safe and happy Christmas.