• Agenda and minutes
  • Agenda and minutes

    Venue: Virtual

    Contact: Sarah Daniel - 07385 086 169 

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    Items
    No. Item

    37.

    Declarations of Interest

    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.

    Minutes:

    None received

    38.

    Minutes pdf icon PDF 258 KB

    To receive for approval the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on the 29 November 2022

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:  To approve the minutes of the meeting held on the 29 November 2022

    39.

    Consultation Links

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

    Minutes:

    The Principal Scrutiny Officer advised members of the open consultations available for them to feed into.  She further advised if members had any queries to contact the Scrutiny Team

    40.

    Audit Wales: Public Sector Readiness For Net Zero Carbon By 2030 pdf icon PDF 200 KB

    To receive a report from the service director Democratic Services and Communications to provide Members with the latest Audit Wales (AW) National report and to provide the opportunity for Members to review the recommendations in the context our work and the Council’s response.  Also, to note the position of the report in the wider context of Audit Wales 2021/22 work programme, which will be reflected in its Audit Summary published later this year.

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    The Service Director Democratic Services and Communication presented the report to provide Members with the latest Audit Wales (AW)

    National report and to provide the opportunity for Members to review the

    Recommendations in the context of our work and the Council’s response.

    Also, to note the position of the report in the wider context of Audit

    Wales 2021/22 work programme, which will be reflected in its Audit

    Summary published later this year.

     

    Feedback was provided around the risk of not reaching the very ambitious target for 2030 and Members emphasised that we need collaboration across all organisations, particularly in large organisations, where departments may work in silo and plans/ policies/ strategies may not be cross referenced.  It was noted that this could be improved upon.  For example, the decision made by Cabinet on moving to 3-weekly refuse collections and the contribution this will have in achieving net zero carbon targets.  A Member questioned if the Authority will be monitoring increased journeys to the recycling centres as a result of the above decision being implemented. 

     

    The Service Director Democratic Services advised that Scrutiny can undertake a piece of work monitoring the impact of decisions and added that much of this is already detailed in performance reports presented to Scrutiny.  The Service Director also noted that the Council’s Carbon Reduction Strategy will also be scrutinised by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The Authority has also been looking at a toolkit that has been developed by Manchester University, which scores all decisions in terms of Climate Change, this is being adopted by Welsh Government and we are looking to become the first local authority in Wales to see how we can implement this and how this can support the Scrutiny process.

     

    A Member recommended the five Calls to Action and the questions “Senior leaders and those who scrutinise them may want to ask” be referred to Overview and Scrutiny as part of the Carbon Reduction Strategy report.

     

    In response to a question around how the Authority works with other organisations who are all trying to achieve the same goal, the Service Director Democratic Services and Communication advised that collaboration is detailed throughout the report and is an important consideration for the public sector as a whole.  He added that the Cwm Taf PSB Joint Overview and Scrutiny had met recently and provided challenge in respect of medium and longer term decisions in areas such as Climate Change.  The Carbon Reduction Strategy will include how we will work with other organisations and if all are keeping pace. This will include a more detailed action plan and data to include milestones.

     

    A Member asked if the Council’s supply chains are also considered as part of the Strategy.  The Service Director Democratic Services and Communication advised the Committee that the Carbon Reduction Strategy does consider our supply chains and whilst there are many benefits of bringing supplies closer to home, such as reducing our Carbon Footprint, Value for Money also needs to be a consideration.

     

    The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

    41.

    Council Progress Update - Audit Wales Equality Impact Assessments: more than a tick box exercise? pdf icon PDF 178 KB

    To receive a report from the Service Director Democratic Services and Communications which provides Members with the latest Audit Wales (AW) National report and to provide the opportunity for Members to review the recommendations in the context of our work and the Council’s response. 

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    The Service Director Democratic Services and Communication presented the report to provide Members with the latest Audit Wales (AW) National report and to provide the opportunity for Members to review the recommendations in the context of our work and the Council’s response.  Also, to note the position of the report in the wider context of the Audit Wales 2021/22 work programme, which will be reflected in its Audit Summary published in March 2023.

     

     

    Members discussed that they see so many action plans, strategies and targets that there is a huge risk of the Impact Assessments being a “tick box exercise” not just in the Council but across lots of organisations.  They asked if they do have concerns about negative impacts where a decision is being taken where can they find the monitoring for the decisions

     

    The Service Director Democratic Services and Communication advised that there is a comprehensive review process in place to support robust decision making and added that we will challenge ourselves through review arrangements to ensure it is not a tick box exercise.  The Service Director noted that the Council’s approach will be kept under on-going review and will be subject to scrutiny.

     

    In response to a query regarding the collection of data, the Service Director Democratic Services and Communication advised that the Authority has appointed a dedicated officer to provide the RCT specific data to support decisions and the impact they may have on RCT, for example,  Census data will be brought forward through scrutiny to consider how this can support Members in scrutinising decisions in the future. 

     

     

    Members discussed that many residents feel that their consultation responses and comments they make on social media are not taken notice of and what the Council can do to demonstrate that feedback is taken account of. The Service Director Democratic Services and Communication advised that the Participation Strategy will include a “you said, we did” section. He added that it is always  challenging when difficult decisions are being considered, with the need for the Council to continue its open and honest approach when consulting  with the public.

     

    Following discussion it was RESOLVED to

     

     

    1.  Note the report of Audit Wales in respect of, ‘Equality Impact Assessments: more than a tick box exercise?’ seen at Appendix 1.

     

     

    1. Review and agree the response to the ‘Recommendations’ and Improvement Areas as set out in the Action Plan at Appendix 2, providing regular up-dates of progress, determine whether further information and/or further progress updates are required.

    42.

    Budget Consultation 2023-24 (Phase 2) pdf icon PDF 76 KB

    Minutes:

    The Service Director Democratic Services and Communication presented the report to Members and advised that under their Terms of Reference the Committee is a formal consultee of the Council’s annual budget consultation process.

     

    With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, the Service Director – Finance & Improvement Services provided Members with an overview of the Budget Consultation 2023/24 (Phase 2) and updated the Committee on the following areas: Introduction – 2023/24 Draft Revenue Budget Strategy; The Council’s Current Financial Position (2022/23); Phase 1 Budget Consultation – Headlines; Provisional Local Government Settlement 2023/24 – Headlines/Implications for Rhondda Cynon Taf; Cabinet Proposed Budget Strategy 2023/24; and Next steps and key dates.

     

    Further to the Service Director’s overview of the Cabinet’s proposed Budget Strategy for 2023/24, a Member sought feedback on what opportunities are available to review the methodology for the allocation of funding from UK Government to Welsh Government and thereafter to local authorities, linked to Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s provisional settlement of +6.6% compared to the all Wales average local authority settlement of +7.9%. The Service Director fed back that with regard to the process for the allocation of funding from Welsh Government to local authorities across Wales, a designated group is in place comprising Welsh Government and local government representatives to ensure the basis for the allocation of funding is representative of need and that the data sets underpinning the allocations are appropriate and accurate. The Service Director provided assurance that Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is part of these arrangements to inform and challenge data sets and the basis for the allocation of funding.

     

    The Service Director then invited Members to provide feedback on the following areas of the Cabinet’s proposed Budget Strategy for 2023/24.

     

    Council Tax – 3.5% proposed increase

    ·           Taken into consideration the Council’s approach to setting Council Tax levels in recent times, Rhondda Cynon Taf being the lowest average Band D increase in Wales for 3 out of the past 4 years, the majority of Members agreed the proposed increase is a pragmatic and sensible approach.

    ·           A Member fed back that the proposed percentage increase of 3.5% is likely to be on the lower end when compared with other local authorities in Wales; however, the Council knew budget challenges have been present but still set Council Tax at a 1% increase for 2022/23 compared to a proposed 3.5% increase for 2023/24.

     

    Schools Budget

    ·           A Member fed back that it is an inevitable requirement for schools to review their budget and the amount they hold in reserves to support financial planning due to the challenging funding position, and noted that the level of reserves will be different across schools linked to the plans schools have in place for the utilisation of such reserves.

     

    ·           Another Member fed back that it is important the message is conveyed to schools that they will not be fully funded for 2023/24. The Service Director fed back that the proposed Budget Strategy allocated funding in full to cover school costs, with the requirement for schools  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

    43.

    Urgent Items

    To consider any items, which the Chairman, by reason of special circumstances, is of the opinion should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

    Minutes:

    None

    44.

    Chairs Review and Close

    Minutes:

    The Chair thanked all Members and officers for attending and for their feedback, particularly into the Budget Consultation