Agenda and minutes

The Reverend David Powell opened the Meeting in Prayer.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor E C Galsworthy and Councillor K Gibbs.

Members are reminded of their personal responsibility to declare any personal and prejudicial interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government and Finance Act 1992 relating to Council Tax, the Local Government Act 2000, the Council’s Constitution and the Members Code of Conduct

Note:

(a)  Members are reminded that they must identify the item number and subject matter that their interest relates to and signify the nature of the personal interest and

(b)  Where Members withdraw from a Meeting as a consequence of the disclosure of a prejudicial interest they must notify the Chair when they leave

No Declarations of Interest were made.

·         Retiring Mayor’s Address.

·         Presentation of the Past Mayor’s Medallion to the Outgoing Mayor of the Council.

Councillor A Barry proposed Councillor J Thomas as Mayor for the Municipal Year 2024/2025 and was seconded by Councillor J Jenkins.

Resolved unanimously that:

Councillor J Thomas be elected as Mayor for the Municipal Year 2024/2025.

The retiring Mayor Councillor M Colbran then addressed the Council and Presented a bouquet to the Mayor’s Secretary.

The Senior Solicitor then presented the past Mayor’s Medalion to Councillor M Colbran.

The Senior Solicitor also presented the Mayor’s Consort Mrs Nicola Bridges with the past Consort’s Pendant.

·         The Civic Party will retire for the exchange of Regalia and Chains of Office.

·         The Civic Party will re-enter the Council Chamber and the Oaths of Office will be administered to the incoming Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

·         The incoming Mayor will address the Council in thanks for their election to the Office of Mayor and will propose a vote of thanks to the outgoing Mayor.

Councillor L Mytton proposed Councillor P Layton as Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2024/2025 and was seconded by Councillor C Jones.

Resolved unanimously that:

Councillor P Layton be elected as Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2024/2025.

The Civic Party then exchanged Regalia and Chains of Office.

The Declarations of Acceptance of Office were administered to the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor by the Senior Solicitor.

The Mayor Councillor J Thomas then addressed the Council.

Bouquets were presented to the Deputy Mayor, the Outgoing Consort Mrs Nicola Bridges and the incoming Mayoress Mrs Debbie Thomas.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Councillor A Barry led the Council through the ‘Appointment to Committees for the Municipal Year 2024-2025’ report and advised of the following amendments to the report:

Paragraph 5.4 – Learning and LGES Scrutiny Committee should read:       

Jeff Beard (Public, non-voting)

Jacob Bridges – (Merthyr Tydfil Borough Wide Youth Forum, non-voting)

Natalie Jones (Parent Governor Primary School, voting)

Karen Lewis – (Diocesan Representative, Catholic Diocesan, voting)

Laurence Matuszcyk (Merthyr Tydfil Association of School Governors,

non-voting)

Hannah O’Neill – (public, non-voting)

Paul Phillips (Parent Governor Secondary/Special School, voting)

Vacant (Voluntary Sector, non-voting)

Paragraphs 9.1 and 9.3 - Planning, Regulatory and Licensing and   Statutory Licensing Committee should read:

Councillor D Isaac not Councillor K Gibbs

All amendments and changes will be contained in the updated report.

Resolved subject to the foregoing that:

(a)  The appointment of Members to Cabinet be noted

(b)  The appointment of Members to Committees as contained within the report be accepted

(c)  The granting of delegated authority to the Political Leaders to amend Membership of Committees in line with the politically balanced rules in the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and these amendments be updated on the Councils Website be approved.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Councillor A Barry led the Council through the ‘Committee Meeting Cycle for the Municipal Year 2024-2025’ report.

Resolved that:

(a)  The Committee Cycle for the 2024/2025 Municipal Year be approved

(b)  A further report be brought back to Full Council with a provisional Committee Cycle for the 2025/2026 Municipal Year following completion of the Welsh Government Consultation on School Term dates.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Councillor A Barry led the Committee through the ‘Representatives to Other Bodis for the Municipal Year 2024-2025’ report.

Arising on Paragraph 5.5 - School Governing Bodies – Greenfield Special School it should read:

Councillor A Williams-Price not Councillor L Minett-Vokes

Resolved subject to the foregoing that:

(a)  The Representation set out in Paragraph 6.0 of the report be accepted

(b)  Delegated authority be granted to the Political Leaders to nominate replacement Representative(s) to any vacant / unfilled Post and the agreed nomination(s) be supplied to the Chief Executive be approved.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Liam Hull left the Meeting for the consideration of this item.

Councillor A Barry led the Council through the ‘Director of Finance’ report and moved the following amendments to the recommendations detailed in the report and was seconded by Councillor G Thomas:

2.1 – The creation of the Director of Finance and subsequent deletion from the Organisational Structure of the Chief Finance Officer role be approved

2.2 – The advertising of the New Director of Finance Post at Salary Level Band B when appropriate be approved

2.3 – The granting of delegated authority to the Chief Executive to determine the recruitment timetable and any changes that may be required to be made to the interview panels in consultation with the Leader be approved

2.4 – The relevant adjustments to the Constitution be approved

Resolved subject to the foregoing that:

(a) The creation of the Director of Finance and subsequent deletion from    the Organisational Structure of the Chief Finance Officer role be approved

(b) The advertising of the New Director of Finance Post at Salary Level Band B when appropriate be approved

(c)  The granting of delegated authority to the Chief Executive to determine the recruitment timetable and any changes that may be required to be made to the interview panels in consultation with the Leader be approved

(d) The relevant adjustments to the Constitution be approved

To receive report of the Chief Executive

Resolved that:

The report for Information be received.

Retirement

Councillor G Thomas Leader of the Council on behalf of the Council thanked Mair Morgan Democratic Services Officer for her service to the Authority.

Bereavement

Councillor A Barry advised that former Councillor Mark Elliott had passed away and extend condolences to his family and friends.

No Communications were received from Their Worship the Mayor.

The Mayor’s Chaplain Reverend David Powell closed the Meeting in Prayer.