Agenda and minutes

The Council observed a Minutes Silence for Mr John Reddy former Mayor and Councillor who had recently passed away.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor H Barrett, Councillor K Moran, Councillor L E Smart and Councillor S Williams.

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. 

Councillor D Jones, Councillor J McCarthy, Councillor D Roberts, Councillor Raymond Thomas and Councillor C Tovey Declared their Interest under the Additional Item – Trade Waste Enforcement – Removal of Discretionary Early Payment Discount as each Councillor owned a Business in the County Borough.

To consider report of the Chief Executive.

Councillor B Toomey Leader of the Council circulated to the Council a copy of his Leader’s report for 2016 and advised that the Report would be available on the Website.

The Leader then gave an overview of the achievements of the Departments of the Council and thanked the staff and Councillors for their invaluable contribution.

Resolved that:

(a)  The Council Tax increase of 3.5% for 2016/17 (‘Band D’ of £1,400.07) for the County Borough Council be approved

(b)  The Budget Requirement of £114.245 million for 2016/17 (net revenue budget) be approved

(c)  The revisions to the Medium Term Financial Plan 2016/17 to 2019/20 be approved

(d)  The Corporate Budget Strategy and Transformational Change Programme in addressing the Medium Term Financial Plan projected budget deficits be noted

(e)  The Minister for Public Services’ direction in respect of flexible use of Capital Receipts to finance Revenue Costs of Service Reform be noted

(f)   The Minimum Revenue Provision Statement for 2016/17 be approved on the following basis (whilst subject to review)

(i)            Regulatory Method – Historical debt liability at 31 March 2007

(ii)          Asset Life Method – Capital expenditure financed by borrowing from 1 April 2007

(g)  The Chief Finance Officer’s comments relating to the robustness of the estimates and adequacy of reserves be noted

(h)  The proposed reporting of the Medium Term Financial Plan 2016/17 to 2019/20 (incorporating the Capital Programme and Prudential Indicators) to Council on 23 March 2016 be noted

To consider report of the Chief Executive.

Resolved that:

(a)  The formal Statutory Council Tax resolutions 2016/17 as outlined in Appendix 1, and summarised in Paragraph 5.1 of the report be noted and approved

(b)  The South Wales Police Authority approved precept for 2016/17 of £3,719,760 for the Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council area be noted

(c)  The Bedlinog Community Council approved precept for 2016/17 of £20,500 for the Community Council area be noted

(d)  The Welsh Government 2016/17 Non Domestic Rate for Wales of 48.6 pence in the £ be noted

To consider report of Corporate Director People and Performance.

Resolved that:

(a)  The School Admissions Policy 2017/18 attached at Appendix A be approved in line with the Statutory requirement to determine the Policy by 15 April 2016

(b)  The proposed changes to catchment areas of Caedraw Primary/Twynyrodyn Primary with effect for school admissions from September 2017 be approved

To consider a report of the Corporate Director (Place and Transformation).

Councillor D Jones, Councillor J McCarthy, Councillor D Roberts, Councillor Raymond Thomas and Councillor C Tovey having Declared their Interest in this item left the Meeting for the consideration of this item.

Councillor C Barry led the Council through the report and recommended an addition to the recommendation.

Resolved that:

In order to maximise the deterrent of businesses not complying with their duty of care in respect of Waste and failing to produce documents to include Waste Transfer notes the discretionary early payment discount be removed from Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN’S) issued pursuant to S34A of the Environmental Protection Act 1090 with immediate effect.

The Mayor advised that there was no business deemed urgent.

No Communications were received.