Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor C Davies and Councillor G Lewis.

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 J Thomas Declared his Interest in Item 12 – Post – 16 Home to School Transport and Item 13 – Taxi Licensing – Application Policy as he is a Taxi Proprietor and Taxi Driver.

Councillor A Barry Declared his Interest in Item 12 – Post – 16 Home to School Transport and Item 13 – Taxi Licensing – Application Policy as he works in the Industry.

Councillor B Carter Declared his Interest in Item 4 –Relocation of the Merthyr Tydfil DWP Offices as he is an employee of the Department of Work and Pensions in Merthyr Tydfil.

Councillor M Colbran Declared his Interest in Item 8 – High Street Rate Relief Scheme 2018-19 as he owns a High Street Business.

Councillor C Tovey Declared his Interest in Item 8 – High Street Rate Relief Scheme 2018-19 as he owns a High Street Business.

Councillor D Jones Declared his Interest in Item 8 – High Street Rate Relief Scheme 2018-19 as he owns a Business in Merthyr Tydfil.

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 6 June 2018 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held 6 June 2018 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Audit Committee held 14 May 2018 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Governance, Performance, Business Change and Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee held 29 May 2018 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Neighbourhood Services, Planning and Countryside Scrutiny Committee held 9 April 2018 be accepted as a correct record.

Notice of Motion

Councillor B Carter having Declared his Interest in this item left the Meeting for the consideration of this item.

Councillor D Roberts referred the Council to the Motion – Relocation of the Merthyr Tydfil DWP Offices.

Councillor T Rogers then recommended an addition to the Motion that liaison be undertaken with the Trade Unions and the matter taken further and to find out what the Council could do.

Councillor D Roberts indicated that he would be happy with this addition to the Motion.

Resolved subject to the foregoing that:

This Council disagrees with the decision to relocate the Merthyr Tydfil DWP Offices and strongly urges the UK Government to reconsider the relocation of the Offices and to enter into meaningful discussions with the PCS Trade Union.

The Council further request that the Welsh Government supports the PCS’s position

That liaison be continued with the Trade Unions and to find out what the Council can do.

Notice of Question

Councillor C Barry referred the Council to the question addressed to Councillor K O’Neill in relation to the Merthyr / Abernant Tunnel.

Councillor O’Neill then responded to the question and advised that it was an opportunity for development and that he would keep the Council updated.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Resolved that:

The Organisation Development Strategy and Workforce Plan be approved.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Resolved that:

The decision to amend the Council’s Discretionary Relief Policy to exempt Care Leavers from Council Tax Payments be approved.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Councillors C Tovey, M Colbran and D Jones having Declared their Interest in this item left the Chamber for the consideration of this item.

Chair

Due to the Chair Councillor C Tovey vacating the Chamber Councillor H Barrett Vice Chair took the Chair for this item.

Resolved that:

(a)  The implementation of the High Street 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 shall apply as regards the hereditaments described above 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 the Chief Executive

Resolved that:

(a)  Councillors, Directors and Managers are to familiarise themselves with the requirements of the Council’s Workplace Stress Policy and take appropriate action as required

(b)  Teams which have exceeded one or more trigger points to receive additional guidance from the Council’s Health and Safety Team

(c)  The Workplace Stress Survey should be repeated annually to enable comparisons to be made over time

To consider report of the Deputy Chief Executive

Resolved that:

The report be noted.

To consider report of the Chief Officer Neighbourhood Services

Resolved that:

The objections to the proposals be noted but discounted as they do not specifically relate to the land appropriation.

To consider report of the Chief Officer Community Regeneration and Chief Officer for Learning.

Resolved that:

This item be deferred.

To consider report of the Chief Officer Community Regeneration

Councillors A Barry and J Thomas having Declared their Interest in this item left the Meeting for this item.

Resolved that:

(a)    The Taxi Licensing Application Policy be amended with the introduction of a knowledge test and changes as outlined in Paragraph 1.2 of the report be approved

(b)   That delegated authority be given to the Trading Standards, Licensing and Transport Manager to review the knowledge test and update, as appropriate, where changes to legislation and best practice arise and review current fees in conjunction with Tydfil Training

Councillor C Tovey vacated the Chair as he had to leave the Meeting.

Councillor Tovey also referred to Julie Collyer, Howard Jones and Judith Williams who were retiring from the Authority and wished them the best for the future.

Councillor H Barrett Vice Chair took the Chair for the remaining items on the agenda.

To consider report of the Chief Officer Community Regeneration

Councillor G Thomas referred the Council to the ‘Approval of Air Quality Management Area Action Plan’ report and moved the recommendations as contained within the report.

Councillor D Jones then moved an amendment to the recommendation that every six months after implementation a report be brought back to Council giving an update on the Air Quality in the AQMA.

Sue Gow then responded in detail to the amendment and advised that at least twelve months of data was required.

Councillor D Jones then advised that he would amend his proposal to every twelve months.

A vote was then taken on the amendment and the vote was carried.

Resolved subject to the foregoing that:

(a)  The Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) be approved which recommends the implementation of Option 1a, to provide an alternative northbound route for vehicles using the roundabout outside Tesco, and agrees to it being submitted to Welsh Government by 31 July 2018 for inspection and agreement.  Failure to submit the AQAP by the deadline will result in interventions by Welsh Government.

(b)  That a report be made to Full Council to update on the first twelve months data that is available  on the date when that data is available

To receive report of the Chief Executive

Resolved that:

The report for Information be received.

The Chair advised that there was no business deemed urgent.

No Communications were received from the Chair.