Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor B Carter, Councillor L Davies, Councillor E C Galsworthy and Councillor H R Jones.

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 K O’Neill Declared his Interest in Item 7 – Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Trust – Additional Contribution 2017/18 as he was a former Board Member of the Leisure Trust.

Councillor G Thomas Declared his Interest in Item 7 – Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Trust – Additional Contribution 2017/18 as he is the Council representative on the Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Trust.

Councillor D Sammon Declared his Interest in Item 7 – Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Trust – Additional Contribution 2017/18 as he is the Council representative on the Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Trust.

The Monitoring Officer advised that Councillor G Thomas and Councillor D Sammon had Dispensation as the Council’s Representatives on the Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Trust.

To approve as accurate the Minutes of the following Meetings:

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

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held 27 September 2017 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held 27 September 2017 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Licensing Committee held 20 September 2017 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Audit Committee held 18 September 2017 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Standards Committee held 18 September 2017 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Rights of Way Committee held 25 September 2017 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Neighbourhood Services, Planning and Countryside Scrutiny Committee held 24 July 2017 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Neighbourhood Services, Planning and Countryside Scrutiny Committee held 11 September 2017 be accepted as a correct record.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

The Mayor welcomed Colin Davies and Justine Morgan of the Wales Audit Office to the Meeting.

Colin Davies referred the Council to the Wales Audit Office – Annual Improvement Report 2016-17 – Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and responded in detail to the following questions raised by the Members:

·         How did the report compare to reports presented to other Local Authorities

·         As a new Council was there anything to draw to the Council’s attention over and above what had been said

·         In relation to previous reports to the Council was this report positive or not

Councillor K O’Neill Leader of the Council then thanked Colin Davies and Justine Morgan for their Presentation to the Council.

The Leader further stated that he felt this was a positive report and was pleased that there were no formal recommendations in the report.  There were proposals for improvement arising from various Audit and Inspection Reports referred to and the implementation of these continued to be monitored by both the Corporate Management Team and the Audit Committee.  There were clearly challenges for the Council and all Councils going forward not least the continued financial pressures the Council faced.  However, by working together the Council would meet and overcome these challenges and continue to make improvements for the benefit of the people who lived in and visited Merthyr Tydfil.

Resolved that:

The Auditor General’s Annual Improvement Report be received.

To consider report of the Chief Officer Social Services

Resolved that:

The proposal to change the dates of the Term of Office of the Youth Mayor role be agreed.

To receive report of the Chief Officer Community Regeneration

Resolved that:

The report for Information be received.

Resolved that:

The public be excluded from the Meeting on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 14 under Part 4 of Schedule 12A Section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Councillor K O’Neill having Declared his Interest in this item left the Meeting.

Resolved that:

This item be withdrawn.

Sgt John Collins VC, DCM

A Member referred to an e-mail that had been received from Mr T Collins concerning his grandfather Sgt John Collins from Merthyr Tydfil who whilst serving with the 4^th Australian Light Horse took part in one of the last great Cavalry charges at the Third Battle of Gaza on 31 October 1917.  Such was the courage of Sgt Collins that day he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

With the centenary of this battle approaching the Member enquired if the Council had made any arrangements to commemorate the heroism of Sgt Collins.

Councillor A Barry then gave details of the Battle and the actions of Sgt Collins and further advised that on Tuesday 31 October 2017 the Local Authority would be holding a Remembrance Service to re-dedicate the Memorial of Sgt John Collins VC, DCM which was located in the Memorial Garden at St Tydfil’s Old Parish Church at 11.00 am.

Family members, the Military and the Royal British Legion had been informed and all Council Members were invited to attend.

No Communications were received from His Worship the Mayor.