• Agenda item
  • Agenda item

    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.)

    Minutes:

    Members’ Questions

     

    Members were advised that apologies of absence had been received from the Cabinet Member for Education & Inclusion Services, County Borough Councillor J Rosser, the Cabinet Member for Adult Services and the Welsh Language, County Borough Councillor G. Hopkins and the Chair of the Licensing Committee County Borough Councillor A S Fox and therefore written responses in respect of questions 4, 7, 8 and 10 would be circulated to all Members following the meeting.

     

    Members were also asked to note that questions 5 and 18 would fall due to apologies offered on behalf of County Borough Councillors S M Powell and P Howe.

     

     

    1.   Question from County Borough Councillor R. Yeo to the Leader of the Council, County Borough Councillor A. Morgan:

     

    “Can the Council Leader make a statement on the plans to develop the North West Transport Corridor?”

     

    Response from County Borough Councillor A. Morgan:

     

    The Leader advised that the initial phase of work had been commissioned by Transport for Wales, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, Cardiff City Council and Welsh Government and produced a transport study on the North West Corridor which aims to improve travel connectivity between communities in RCT and north west Cardiff.

     

    The Leader highlighted some of the specific plans which have been identified to improve walking, cycling and transport links along the Corridor by 2025 such as Increasing the number of services on the City Line to at least four trains an hour between Cardiff Central and Radyr with a new station at Ely Mill, improvements to the Treforest Industrial Estate train station and a strategic bus park and ride service at Junction 33 of the M4. These packages of measures represent a more equitable way of travel.

     

    Supplementary question from County Borough Councillor R Yeo:

     

    I welcome the Beddau Spur Transport project, what does the Leader think the broader scheme will bring with it?

     

    Response from County Borough Councillor A. Morgan:

     

    The Leader stated that it is a significant project which will bring with it many benefits for the local residents and those who commute along the A4119 which is heavily congested, and he hoped it would bring with it a package of measures that would help bring with it a sustainable alternative to the increasingly pressurised road network.

     

     

    2.   Question from County Borough Councillor E George to the Leader of the Council, County Borough Councillor A. Morgan:

     

    “Can the Leader of the Council outline what discussions are ongoing through the WLGA or directly through RCT in relation to next year’s Budget settlement?”

     

    Response from County Borough Councillor A. Morgan:

     

    The Leader advised that all 22 Council Leaders meet regularly with the Local Government and Finance Minister Rebecca Evans and the Leader had met with the Finance subgroup with Welsh Government recently. All discussions have been positive to date. He advised that next year Welsh Government will see a substantial increase in their budget partly from the increase in National Insurance however on the 27th October 2021 the comprehensive spending review will be announced.

     

    The Leader added that for Local Government across Wales, between £47-50m of any additional funding received will go back to UK Government Treasury due to the National Insurance increase. There has been substantial extra in year investment this year from Welsh Government to support the pressures on social care and there is likely be further funding for social care going forward.

     

    The Leader advised that although the in-year funding is substantial and welcome it is indicative of the pressures felt by this particular sector and will have less impact his year due to social care baseline costs. The Leader advised that lobbying of both UK and Welsh Government ahead of the 27th October will take place to ensure that the additional funding is passported to local government.

     

    In conclusion, the Leader stated that there will be a 3year indicative settlement this year from Welsh Government which will help with forward planning.

     

    Supplementary question from County Borough Councillor E George:

     

    “What are the Leader’s priorities for next year?”

     

    Response from County Borough Councillor A. Morgan:

     

    The Leader advised that social care will be the biggest priority of the Council next year and will be the biggest winner in terms of any additional funding.  Schools have always been protected even at a time when the Council had its budgets cut. Last year a substantial amount was used to bolster support services such as Public Health Services and additional funding into Youth Services previously. A draft Budget will be prepared to bring forward before Members and to consult with members of the public.

     

     

    3.       Question from County Borough Councillor L. M. Adams to the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, County Borough Councillor M. A. Norris:

     

    “Will the Cabinet Member provide an update on the Council’s Free Town Centre Wi-Fi rollout?”

     

    Response from County Borough Councillor M. Norris:

     

    Councillor Norris confirmed that the scheme forms part of the Council’s wider support for the regeneration of town centres. It supports traders to operate digitally and helps increase their online presence to contact a larger customer base. It also provides additional incentives for residents to shop locally. The service has been fully accredited by the friendly Wi-Fi service, which is a government scheme which means a wide range of inappropriate web pages and content identified by the Internet Watch Foundation is blocked from appearing online when using the Council’s Wi-Fi service. This provides confidence to residents that the service can be enjoyed and used safely.

     

    Councillor Norris advised that recently free Wi-Fi was rolled out to Tonypandy town centre and by the end of the month it is anticipated that the last town centre, Pontypridd, will also be completed. The target completion date for Pontypridd has slipped slightly due to complexities of connecting the Council’s broadband service in Sardis House to the system, however, final testing of the signals is underway before the live launch.

     

    In conclusion, Councillor Norris stated that the original pledge during the last Election was to pilot free Wi-Fi in 7 principal town centres and was one of 12 core pledges made and Pontypridd town centre will be the last one to be completed.

     

    There was no supplementary question

     

     

    4.   Question from County Borough Councillor J. Bonetto to the Leader of the Council, County Borough Councillor A. Morgan:

     

    “Can the Council Leader provide an update on what discussions have been held with Transport for Wales on the South Wales Metro plans and how far advanced is the preparation works for the electrification of the Valleys lines?”

     

    Response from County Borough Councillor A Morgan:

     

    The Leader explained that in his role as Leader of the Council, of the WLGA, and as Lead Spokesperson for Transport in Wales he holds regular discussions with Transport for Wales. Progress in some areas, as with all industries, has been delayed due to covid, but the piling works in the Valleys for the overhead stanchions has commenced. He advised that although the rotary piling is quiet work, unfortunately, the majority of the work is hammer piles which can be more disruptive. Once work is completed in the Cynon Valley it will progress into the Rhondda Valley next year. Transport for Wales has indicated that the project has a 3–6-month delay but they are committed to the full electrification of the Valley line with new trains on order and the Depot work in Taffs Well underway.

     

    Supplementary question from County Borough Councillor J Bonetto:

     

    “Can the Leader provide information on the quality and some of the extra features the new trains will have?

     

    Response from County Borough Councillor A Morgan:

     

    The Leader advised that he had recently had the opportunity to visit the new mock trains to see first-hand the improved quality and comfort and features such as WI-FI, phone chargers at every seat with three pinned plugs for laptops. There are also dedicated spaces for cycles for members of the public who want to use active travel and cycle to the train station.

     

    The Leader explained that the new trains are quieter which will be of benefit to those residents who reside near the rail lines. Trains will operate later into the night, more frequently and offer a more efficient service on the weekends. He added that the new trains are faster, the service from Aberdare to Cardiff is approximately 14 minutes quicker than the existing service, likewise the service from Treherbert to Cardiff and the new trains will offer a more viable and attractive public service for commuters.

     

    5.     Question from County Borough Councillor G. P. Thomas to the Leader of the Council, County Borough Councillor A. Morgan:

     

    “Can the Council Leader provide an update on the Zip World attraction in terms of jobs created visitor numbers to the attraction so far and the potential economic boost to the County?”

     

    The Leader commented that Zip World has been a success to date and visitor numbers are 49,656 (participants taking part on the zip lines or the coaster ride) with 14,897 (spectators) which equates to almost 65,000 visitors in total since it opened. In terms of employment, 150 employees in total have been employed through Zip World with 105 currently employed (the drop in numbers being attributed to seasonal work and entering into the winter season). The turnover to date is £2.5 million. In terms of the forecasting, the local spend is approximately £16 ¼ million across the region (with restrictions affecting visitor numbers) which includes caterers, accommodation such as Airbnb, bus/travel providers and further investments may develop as a result of Zip World.

     

    The Leader wished to put on record his thanks to several officers of the Council who have helped to drive the project forward.

    Supporting documents: