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.)

Members were advised that apologies of absence had been received from Councillor G Jones and that question 6 would not be put to the Chair of the Finance & Performance Scrutiny Committee.

 

 

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

 

“Can the Leader please give an update on the improvement works to the culverts in Ynyshir, particularly above Heath Terrace?”

 

Response from the Leader:

 

The Leader advised that following a survey of the culvert, open watercourse and the enclosed culvert lines, there did show significant damage above Standard View. Over £110,000 worth of structural lining work has been carried out in the summer of 2021. Additional manholes were also installed. Work to the two watercourses above Heath Terrace commenced in late Autumn but inclement weather delayed the work. The Leader confirmed that the work would be completed by March 2022. A current programme shows investment in the region of between £175,000-£200,000 to rectify the problems in the area which has been fully funded by Welsh Government following Storm Dennis.

 

There was no supplementary question

 

2. Question from County Borough Councillor L. Walker to the Cabinet member for Education & Inclusion Services, County Borough Councillor J. Rosser:

 

“Can the Cabinet Member for Education & Inclusion Services outline the progress made in the proposed site for the new Special school provision in RCT and what steps have been taken, if any, as regards funding and eventually building it given the chronic overcapacity in special schools”

 

Response from Councillor J Rosser:

 

Councillor Rosser commented that this would be her last question as Cabinet Member and she is proud of her record in delivering investment in special school facilities and in securing funding for a new school site to be developed. Band B of the Council’s 21^st Century Schools Strategic Outline Programme has been approved by Welsh Government and a new special school is part of that programme and funding is included within the current wave of investment subject to the necessary business case approval process and scrutiny by Welsh Government. Councillor Rosser confirmed that the Council is at feasibility stage and progress is in line with current Band B investment programme timescales.

 

Supplementary question from County Borough Councillor L Walker:

 

“Can the Cabinet Member give any indications where we are with timescales and what consultations have taken place with the school staff regarding this new building?”

 

Response from Councillor J Rosser:

 

Councillor Rosser advised that Officers within the Education Directorate are managing demand for school places, in line with the School Admissions Code 2013 and the Additional Learning Needs and Educational Tribunal Wales Act 2018 and Officers work closely with all the Head Teachers in this regard. Projects to increase accommodation are in progress in two schools, Ysgol Hen Felin and Ysgol Ty Coch and internal modifications were recently completed in Ysgol Ty Coch and Park Lane Special School to manage known, current and forecasted placements. Councillor Rosser confirmed there is no chronic over subscriptions within the Council’s special schools and the Council continually promotes high educational standards locally to ensure fair access to education as demonstrated by the level of investments earmarked for the new and exciting school proposals.

 

 

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

 

“Will the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Highways please give an update on the latest position with regards to the Llanharan Footbridge?”

 

Response from the Leader:

 

The Leader advised that the bridge was closed in September 2021 due to identified safety defects. It was planned to remove the pedestrian footbridge over the Christmas holiday period; however, the crane broke down on site and Network Rail had to recover it. The work to advance this scheme has continued and the Leader announced that the crane will be set up on site tomorrow night and using Sunday night closure, the bridge will be lifted overnight, moved to the land adjacent, dismantled and broken down. The Leader advised that a new contractor has been appointed to take forward the new bridge which is due to be in place and completed by July 2022 depending on a number of critical factors.

 

There was no supplementary question

 

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

 

“Can the Leader provide an overview of the works completed to date to help protect residents of Bronallt Terrace in Abercwmboi from flooding, and can the Leader also outline whether further measures can be taken?”

 

Response from the Leader:

 

The Leader confirmed that 42 properties in Bronallt Terrace have been offered property flood resistance measures e.g. flood gates, sandbags and emergency flood sacks. Of the 42 properties, 24 accepted in full and Officers are now in the process of discussing the options with other residents as some may be concerned with the impact on their properties. The Leader advised that work to the upper debris catcher on the one main culvert has cost £40,000, work in Bronallt Terrace has been carried out to enlarge the culvert inlet and renew the underground pipe which cost £160,000, work is due to start on the inlet at Mostyn Terrace at the cost of between £95-100,000 and work is ongoing to identify further schemes for the area.

 

There was no supplementary question

 

5. Question from County Borough Councillor H. Boggis to the Deputy Leader of the Council, County Borough Councillor M. Webber:

 

“Will the Deputy Leader provide an update on the progress to implement a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for Armed Forces Veterans, following the decision of Cabinet?”

 

Response of the Deputy Leader:

 

The Deputy Leader advised that Cabinet gave its approval to progress and implement the guaranteed interview scheme at its meeting on the 4^th October 2021. From the 1^st January 2022 the scheme is fully implementational for reservists and veterans. The additional commitment demonstrates the Council’s support for the Armed Forces community and honours the spirit of the Armed Forces covenant of which the Council is a signatory. The Council also holds the Gold Standard Award for the level of work and continued commitment with the Armed Forces.

 

The Deputy Leader explained that the guaranteed interview scheme ensures that where veterans and reservists meet the essential criteria of an advertised job, they are guaranteed an interview. It has been recognised that members of the Armed Forces can bring valuable, transferrable skills and qualities to the workforce. In addition to the guaranteed interview scheme, the Council has committed to advertise relevant jobs to the Armed Forces Community through the Career Transition Partnership which is in addition to the normal advertising process. In conclusion, the Deputy Leader gave assurance that the Local Authority is committed to the Armed Forces covenant and will continue its work with Armed Forces families throughout the whole of the county borough. 

 

There was no supplementary question

 

6. Question from County Borough Councillor W. Jones to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure and Heritage Services, County Borough Councillor A. Crimmings:

 

“Can the Cabinet Member provide an update on the Blaenrhondda Park Pavilion”

 

Response of Councillor A Crimmings:

 

Councillor Crimmings responded that the Blaenrhondda Park Pavilion is in poor condition and acknowledged the value of the pavilion to the community. The replacement pavilion was approved through the 2021 Parks Capital Programme but due to the limited access, the original plan to put the demountable in place had to be abandoned. Councillor Crimmings gave assurances that this will be a priority subject to approval for the Capital Investment Programme for 2022/23.

 

Supplementary question from County Borough Councillor W Jones:

 

“Replacing this facility is important to the community as it is for other places such as Darren Park. It’s not the community’s fault that access to the park is limited so can you give a date as to when work will be completed as its not only used for sport but also for bowls, the community and old aged pensioners”

 

Response of Councillor A Crimmings:

 

Councillor Crimmings acknowledged the value of the park to the residents and advised that regular updates would be provided to the community however, she was unable to provide a date for completion at this stage. Councillor Crimmings gave assurances that the Council continues to work closely with sports clubs across the county borough and acknowledged their importance.

 

 

7. Question from County Borough Councillor W. Treeby to the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, County Borough Councillor C. Leyshon:

 

“Can the Cabinet Member provide an update on the Santa Appeal and the huge generosity shown by residents and businesses?”

 

Response from Councillor C Leyshon:

 

Councillor Leyshon advised that the Santa Appeal timescales were extended in December due to the challenges associated with the Covid Pandemic, to maximise the time for people to pledge and drop off gifts. As a result, every child on the list was allocated a present for Christmas. Due to the pandemic a number of organisations missed out on donating to the appeal such as the University of Glamorgan, South Wales Students Union who had collected and distributed over 1,500 presents in the last ten years. This year 50 bags of presents were collected form them. There were approximately 1,862 pledges and some of the larger donors included the Welsh Blood Service, Bethel Bush Church, Royal Mint, The International Baccalaureate, The Network Recruitment for Wales, Coleg Y Cymoedd, HM Prison & Probation Services, Hirwaun Primary School, Cardiff & Vale UHB and Pontypridd Town AFC for Girls.

 

Councillor Leyshon thanked the staff from across the local authority and from all services and all those that took part and helped the appeal in particular the individual residents and families from RCT for their donations who, during the Covid-19 pandemic, were often struggling themselves.