Minutes:
Question from County Borough Councillor R. Williams to the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, County Borough Councillor C Leyshon:
Response from County Borough Councillor A. Morgan:
Councillor C Leyshon advised that the Santa Appeal, organised by the Council, is a long-standing appeal that supports families who are known to Children’s services who are not looked after. Where the Council works specifically with one child in a family and there are other siblings in the household, they will also be supported. Councillor Leyshon added that the success of the Appeal is reliant on the generosity of the public, local businesses, as well as the Elected Members and Council staff.
Councillor Leyshon acknowledged that this year has been particularly challenging for families with the Universal Credit uplift ending along with increasing costs of energy and fuel. She thanked Members for their help to ensure that hundreds of children are able to have a gift on Christmas Day. Councillor Leyshon advised that Members can assist by promoting the appeal within their wards via their own social media accounts and to encourage local residents and businesses to become involved in the appeal by pledging to purchase a gift for a child or young person.
There was no supplementary question
“How is the Council supporting our town centres to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, both in the immediate future and over the longer term?”
Response from County Borough Councillor D R Bevan:
Councillor D R Bevan announced that a range of initiatives and measures already introduced will continue and develop in the future such as the £460,000 of direct grant support to help businesses adapt to new trading conditions, such as outdoor spaces, with support from WG. More than 80 businesses have received this support, including smaller town centres such as Abercynon and Treherbert.
Councillor D R Bevan advised that the Council’s own Enterprise Investment Fund has been repurposed to make it more flexible and for businesses to be able to take advantage of the fund during the Covid recovery period. A new £35m business grant support scheme for post Covid recovery launched across Wales yesterday and will be delivered by the Council. He added that work with the RCT BIDs and Chambers of Trade, including a ‘Shop Local’ marketing campaign, has allowed each of the key towns, Pontypridd, Treorchy and Aberdare to help market themselves.
Councillor Bevan explained that a healthy pipeline of projects for town centre properties is coming forward for development including initiatives to increase footfall and local spend in towns, taking advantage of new sources of funding such as the UK Levelling Up Fund. Councillor Bevan referred to the Porth Transport Hub which will allow greater access into the town using bus and the new Metro services.
In conclusion, the Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development and Housing advised that the total support amounts to more than £75 million with a significant amount directed at town centre businesses.
There was no supplementary question
Question from County Borough Councillor D. Williams to the Cabinet Member for Education and Inclusion Services, County Borough Councillor J. Rosser:
“Are you able to provide more information on the recent announcement that the Cabinet has approved further funding for 21st Century Schools improvements, specifically relating to the proposal for Glyncoch?”
Response from County Borough Councillor J Rosser:
Councillor Rosser advised that subject to Cabinet approval a statutory school organisation consultation process will commence in the New Year to create a brand-new primary school for Glyncoch. She added that not all of the other projects within the 21st Century investment programme require a statutory consultation.
Councillor Rosser advised that further updates will be provided as projects are developed and timescales are confirmed, and she anticipated that local residents within the community will be eagerly watching this progress.
Supplementary question from Councillor D Williams:
Councillor Williams welcomed the progress and he added that the community will certainly be looking forward to this. He asked what engagement the Council will be undertaken with staff and pupils in terms of the colour schemes and internal decorations?
Response from County Borough Councillor J Rosser:
Councillor Rosser advised that the development of the proposals involves a number of engagement stages such as:
In conclusion, Councillor Rosser added that all these events are subject to Cabinet approval for a statutory consultation. Business case approval will also be sought to finalise funding arrangements.
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Question from County Borough Councillor S. Pickering to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure and Heritage Services, County Borough Councillor A. Crimmings:
“Can the Cabinet Member of Environment, Leisure and Heritage Services provide an update on the investment in Ynysangharad War Memorial Park outline any future schemes that are planned?”
Councillor Crimmings confirmed that works have progressed throughout 2021 to deliver a £1.2m package of improvements funded from the Council and Welsh Government via the Valleys Regional Park initiative. Improvements have included a full refurbishment of all the main footways, the installation of upgraded LED streetlighting and a new changing facility at the National Lido of Wales, Lido Ponty.
Councillor Crimmings advised of a further £1.9m which has been secured from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Welsh Government for the design and restoration of the sunken garden, bandstand area, rock outcrop area and the provision of a new training/activity centre. Completion of this element of the project is scheduled for early 2023.
There was no supplementary question
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Question from County Borough Councillor P Howe to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure & Heritage Services, County Borough Councillor A Crimmings:
“Could you please give an update on the changing rooms at Ferndale Darren Park?”
Response from Councillor A Crimmings:
Councillor Crimmings confirmed that the replacement of the changing rooms that serve the Astro-turf in Darren Park were approved as part of the 20/21 Parks Capital programme. She added that due to the pandemic, the project has seen a number of setbacks, primarily due to restricted access to the site.
Councillor Crimmings advised that this has culminated in the recent cancellation of the order for a de-mountable which was due for imminent delivery to site and the decision to proceed with a brick building as a replacement. Officers are in the process of finalising designs in readiness for submitting an application for planning permission as soon as possible, hopefully as early as next month.
Supplementary question from Councillor P Howe:
Councillor Howe advised that his supplementary question had already been responded to by the Cabinet Member.
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Question from County Borough Councillor P Jarman to County Borough Councillor L Hooper, Chair of the Democratic Services Committee:
“Please will you make a statement on diversity in Public Life?”
Response from Councillor L Hooper:
Councillor Hooper advised that diversity in public life is vital to ensuring the democratic process is representative of those that Members seek to represent and is in everyone’s interest. Greater diversity results in better decision making and greater engagement with those residents. He added that since becoming Chair of the Democratic Services Committee, much work has gone into making the role of a Councillor more attractive through a variety of ways such as through hybrid meetings to ensure meetings are as accessible as possible for Members and making the care support for Members more accessible regardless of their individual care needs.
Councillor Hooper referred to the IRP report which set out proposals for the remuneration of Council, to which he had responded as Chair of the Democratic Services Committee. He advised of the greater improvements to the Council website to make information more available and engaging and a greater presence on social media. In conclusion, Councillor Hooper stressed that there is always more to achieve in this area, through the Democratic Services Committee, for Elected Members and for all Political Groups.
Supplementary question from Councillor P Jarman:
Councillor Jarman referred to the Council website, which she stated should be a reliable source of public information and lists on the basis of equality and diversity the names and details of all 75 Members who represent this council regardless of their gender or political affiliations. Councillor Jarman advised that however, on the council pages listing the Elected MP’s and MS’s, although it only shows the 3 Labour constituency Members in each case. Councillor Jarman pointed out that it discriminates against those that have been democratically elected as none of the 4 Plaid Cymru or 4 Conservative Senedd Regional Members for South Wales Central or South Wales West are represented, despite two being members of this Council. Other omissions include constituency members are Huw Irranca-Davies, Labour MS for Ogmore and Chris Elmore, Labour MP for Ogmore and who also represents part of RCT. Councillor Jarman asked Councillor Hooper what he will do to rectify the situation.
Response from Councillor L Hooper:
Councillor Hooper reminded Council of his pledge as Chair of the Democratic Services Committee, that Members were welcome to contact him regarding any democratic related query. He added that he would look to update the relevant webpages and request a report to the next Democratic Services Committee.
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Question from County Borough Councillor J. Brencher to the Leader of the Council, County Borough Councillor A. Morgan:
“Can the Council Leader update on the completion and subsequent marketing of Llys Cadwyn in Pontypridd?”
The Leader advised that the project was completed in 2020, in accordance with the agreed programme and since completion numerous tenants have already taken occupation and the development has contributed to an increased footfall within the Town. He explained that a marketing strategy had proved very successful to date and has already resulted in 3 separate organisations taking occupation of 3 Llys Cadwyn, those being Transport for Wales, Bradleys Coffee and Lounges who are all located in the largest of the three buildings. The Council used 1 Llys Cadwyn as a hub during the pandemic and more recently the gym, library and ‘one for all’ service have been operating successfully. Heads of Terms have been agreed for a prospective tenant for the occupation of the ground floor and first floor of 2 Llys Cadwyn and both parties have appointed their legal advisers. In conclusion, the Leader reported that early discussions are underway with prospective tenants for the small retail unit that fronts onto Taff Street.