Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Raymond Thomas.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Raymond Thomas.

Members of the Council 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 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.

No Declarations of Interest were made.

Tomas Evans, Student at the University of South Wales presented to the Mayor his Research Findings on ‘How effective is Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council in addressing hate crime amongst adults with disabilities’.

Tomas Evans, Student at the University of South Wales presented to the Mayor his Research Findings on ‘How effective is Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council in addressing hate crime amongst adults with disabilities’.

The Council then viewed a film of Tomas’s journey from his hospitalisation as a child through to receiving a Degree from the University of South Wales in Sociology and Criminology.

The Leader then paid tribute to Tomas and wished him the very best for his future studies.

The Mayor then thanked Tomas for a copy of his research findings and extended his congratulations and best wishes for the future.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Planning, Regulatory and Licensing Committee held 27 May 2015 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Planning, Regulatory and Licensing Committee held 27 May 2015 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held 3 June 2015 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held 3 June 2015 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Licensing Committee held 5 June 2015 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Licensing Committee held 5 June 2015 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Learning and LAESCYP Scrutiny Committee held 15 June 2015 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Learning and LAESCYP Scrutiny Committee held 15 June 2015 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Social Services Scrutiny Committee held 16 June 2015 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Social Services Scrutiny Committee held 16 June 2015 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held 17 June 2015 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held 17 June 2015 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held 17 June 2015 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held 17 June 2015 be accepted as a correct record.

A Member advised that Councillor C Barry and Councillor D Jones Cabinet Members were present at the Meeting.

Resolved subject to the foregoing that:

The Minutes of the Neighbourhood Services and Public Protection Scrutiny Committee held 22 June 2015 be accepted as a correct record.

A Member advised that Councillor C Barry and Councillor D Jones Cabinet Members were present at the Meeting.

Resolved subject to the foregoing that:

The Minutes of the Neighbourhood Services and Public Protection Scrutiny Committee held 22 June 2015 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Licensing Committee held 24 June 2015 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Licensing Committee held 24 June 2015 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Licensing Committee held 24 June 2015 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Licensing Committee held 24 June 2015 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Planning, Regulatory and Licensing Committee held 24 June 2015 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Planning, Regulatory and Licensing Committee held 24 June 2015 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Governance, Performance, Business Change and Corporate Services Committee held 29 June 2015 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Governance, Performance, Business Change and Corporate Services Committee held 29 June 2015 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Regeneration, Planning and Countryside Committee held 30 June 2015 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Regeneration, Planning and Countryside Committee held 30 June 2015 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held 1 July 2015 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held 1 July 2015 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Audit Committee held 6 July 2015 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Audit Committee held 6 July 2015 be accepted as a correct record.

To receive report from the Wales Audit Office.

The report was received.

The Mayor welcomed Colin Davies, Justine Morgan and Jeremy Evans from the Wales Audit Office to the Meeting.

Colin Davies referred the Council to the Annual Improvement Report and made a Presentation referring in detail to the following:

·         Context of the report

·         Corporate Assessment Focus

·         Vision and Strategic Direction

·         Governance and Accountability

·         Use of Resources

·         Collaboration and Partnership

·         Managing Improvement

·         Performance and Outcomes

·         Overall Conclusions

·         Corporate Performance Culture

·         Recommendations

The Leader then thanked Colin Davies for the Presentation and referred to the analysis that had been presented. 

The Leader also thanked all the Members and staff for their assistance to the Wales Audit Office.

The Deputy Leader then referred to the Presentation and in detail to the recommendations.

Colin Davies then responded to the Leader and Deputy Leader.

The Mayor then thanked Colin Davies, Justine Morgan and Jeremy Evans for attending and the Presentation to the Council.

To consider report of the Chief Executive.

The recommendations were accepted.

Resolved that:

(a)   The current Powys, Bridgend and Glamorgan Valleys and Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Coroner Areas be merged into a single combined Coroner Area to cover the six Local Authority areas of Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil, Bridgend, Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan

(b)   The Part-Time Coroner posts which currently cover Powys, Bridgend and Glamorgan Valleys and Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Coroner Areas be made into a single Whole – Time Coroner position for the new Coroner Area following the merger  

(c)   Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council is designated as the Relevant Authority to continue to accommodate the Coroner and continue to provide the existing administrative support functions to the Service

(d)   Costs be apportioned on a population ratio basis (already established within the Powys, Bridgend and The Glamorgan Valleys Coroner Area)

To consider report of Chief Executive.

The recommendation was accepted.

Resolved that:

Delegated authority be given to both the Public Protection and Housing Manager and to the Trading Standards and Licensing Manager in consultation with the Head of Legal and Governance so that either of them separately may determine applications to re-license drivers and vehicles made one day after the expiry of the previous licence.

To consider report of Chief Executive.

The recommendation was accepted.

Resolved that:

The report be received and the contents noted.

To consider report of Corporate Director Place and Transformation.

The recommendation was accepted.

Resolved that:

The petition be received and noted.

To consider report of Corporate Director Place and Transformation.

The recommendations were accepted.

Resolved that:

(a)   The implementation of the Wales Retail Relief scheme in accordance with the rules described in the report be approved

(b)   Sections 47(1)(a) and S47(3) (Discretionary Relief) of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 will apply as regards the hereditaments described in the report in accordance with the rules described in relation to those hereditaments.  It is reasonable for the Council to make this decision having regard to the interests of persons liable to pay Council Tax set by the Council

To consider report of Chief Officer Social Services.

The recommendation was accepted.

Resolved that:

The contents of the report be noted.

The Mayor advised that there was no urgent business or correspondence.

The Mayor advised that there was no urgent business or correspondence.

No communications were received from the Mayor.

No communications were received from the Mayor.