Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor P Brown, Councillor B E Mansbridge, Councillor K Moran, Councillor P Williams and Councillor S Williams.

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

Councillor T Chaplin Declared his Interest in the Additional Item – Biffa Profit Sharing Scheme as his daughter works for Wales and West Housing.

To approve as accurate the Minutes of the following Meetings:

The Council approved as accurate (subject to any amendments) the Minutes of the following Meetings.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Joint Scrutiny / Audit Committee held 18 January 2017 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Audit / Joint Scrutiny Committee held 18 January 2017 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Learning and LAESCYP Scrutiny Committee held 23 January 2017 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Social Services Scrutiny Committee held 24 January 2017 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held 25 January 2017 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held 25 January 2017 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Neighbourhood Services and Public Protection Scrutiny Committee held 30 January 2017 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Governance, Performance, Business Change and Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee held 31 January 2017 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Planning, Regulatory and Licensing Committee held 1 February 2017 be accepted as a correct record.

The Mayor advised that Item 7 – Update on the Cwm Taf Population Needs Assessment would be considered as the next Item on the agenda.

To consider report of the Chief Officer Social Services

The Mayor welcomed Nicola Davies Cwm Taf University Health Board and Ray Baker Partnership Analyst to the Meeting.

Nicola Davies led the Council in detail through the ‘Update on Cwm Taf Population Needs Assessment’ report.

Resolved that:

(a)  The Progress made be noted

(b)  The current stage of engagement and consultation as part of the various governance and approval processes be noted

(c)  The final draft assessment and briefing documents which are available via the background papers link be approved and any comments to inform the final versions be considered

The Mayor then thanked Nicola Davies and Ray Baker for attending and the Presentation to the Council.

Notice of Motion

The Leader Councillor B Toomey referred the Council to the Notice of Motion in relation to ‘Resolution to Revive the title ‘Honorary Recorder of Merthyr Tydfil’.

Resolved that:

The following Notice of Motion be accepted:

That in pursuance of Paragraph 4.01.16 (A) of the Council’s Constitution concerning previous decisions of the Council we the undersigned (Councillors D Roberts, W R Smith, Raymond Thomas, J McCarthy, S Slater and P Williams) seek to rescind a resolution of Full Council dated 2 November 2016 entitled ‘Resolution to revive the title ‘Honorary Recorder of Merthyr Tydfil and to appoint the Resident Judge of Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court’ and to seek an amended resolution as detailed in agenda item 10 of the Full Council agenda of the 25 January 2017.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

The Leader referred the Council to the ‘Resolution to Revive the Title ‘Honorary Recorder of Merthyr Tydfil’ report and advised that under Paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 it was not proposed to provide Chains of Office or a major celebration and that transport to Ceremonies would be with the Mayor.

Resolved that:

(a)  The resolution dated 2 November 2016 entitled ‘Resolution to revive the title ‘Honorary Recorder of Merthyr Tydfil and to appoint the Resident Judge of Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court’ be revoked

(b)  The amended resolution to restore the civic position of Honorary Recorder of Merthyr Tydfil and that a nominated Judge of the Crown Court sitting at Merthyr Tydfil be invited to accept the role be approved

(c)  The role should be expressly limited to the duration of his or her tenure as a Judge of the Crown Court sitting in Merthyr Tydfil with any subsequent appointee to the role of Honorary Recorder of Merthyr Tydfil requiring the approval of the Council and Senior Presiding Judge for England and Wales

(d)  A Ceremony to involve Members of the Council and representatives of the Judiciary to formally present the nominated Judge with a scroll of admission as ‘Honorary Recorder of Merthyr Tydfil’ be approved.

To consider report of the Deputy Chief Executive

Resolved that:

The Social Media Policy be approved and the Information Governance Forum be authorised to update and amend the Policy as necessary.

To consider report of the Chief Officer Neighbourhood Services

The Leader led the Council in detail through the ‘Child Burial Fees / Registration Fees’ report.

The Leader also recommended an amendment to recommendation 2.1 to read ’The proposal to waive the fees in relation to child burial including all associated costs be approved’ together with a further recommendation ‘That these proposals to take place with immediate effect.

A Member then asked if this included Cremation as well as Burial.

The Council were advised that Rhondda Cynon Taf provided this Service and not this Authority and that clarification would be sought and the Members advised.

Resolved subject to the foregoing that:

(a)   The proposal to waive the fees in relation to child burial including all associated costs be approved

(b)  The proposal to waive the fee for Death Certificates be approved

(c)  The proposal to waive fees for the provision of Full Certificates be approved

(d)  These proposals to take place with immediate effect

To consider report of the Deputy Chief Executive

Extra Item

Councillor T Chaplin having Declared his Interest in this item left the Meeting for the consideration of this item.

Resolved that:

Biffa Monies be allocated as follows:

Cyfarthfa Electoral Division

Wales and West Housing Association - £16,200.00

The Mayor advised that there was no business deemed urgent.

No Communications were received from Her Worship the Mayor.