Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor J Davies, Councillor L Davies and Councillor L Minett-Vokes.

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 C Jones Declared a Personal Interest in Item 16 – Residential Policies.

Councillor K Gibbs Declared a Personal and Prejudicial Interest in Item 7 – Deferred Payment Arrangement Policy.

To receive a Presentation from Joanne Llewellyn Head of Children’s Services.

The Mayor welcomed Joanne Llewellyn Head of Children’s Services to the Meeting.

Councillor J Jenkins then gave an introduction in relation to Foster Carers Fortnight.

Joanne Llewellyn then gave details to the Council of the Foster Carers Fortnight that was taking place between 13 – 26 May 2024.

The Mayor then thanked Joanne Llewellyn for the Presentation.

To approve and enter into the record 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 20 March 2024 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held 20 March 2024 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Licensing Committee held 27 March 2024 be accepted as a correct record.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Resolved that:

The ‘Statement of Well-being’ and ‘Corporate Wellbeing Plan – Acting Today for a Better Tomorrow’ documents be approved.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Resolved that:

The Medium - Term Financial Plan for 2024/25 – 2026/27 included at Appendix 1 be approved.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Declaration of Interest

Councillor K Gibbs having Declared his Interest in this item left the Meeting for the consideration of this item.

Resolved that:

The Deferred Payment Arrangement Policy as required by the Social Services and Wellbeing Act (2014) be approved.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Resolved that:

The proposal to delegate authority to the Section 151 Officer (in conjunction with the Chief Executive) to utilise Council resources to ensure the successful delivery of Elections, recognising that the costs will be reimbursed by the relevant Government be approved.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Resolved that:

The changes to the Flexible Working Policy detailed at Paragraph 3.3 of the report be approved.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Resolved that:

The changes to the Redeployment Policy at paragraph 3.3 of the report be approved.

To consider report of the Deputy Chief Executive

Resolved that:

The Local Housing Market Assessment (LHMA) be approved.

To consider report of the Deputy Chief Executive

Councillor M Symonds led the Council through the ‘Wellbeing Merthyr Update’ report and moved the recommendations detailed at Paragraphs 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 of the report.

Councillor M Symonds then referred to Paragraph 4.6 of the report and advised that it should read :

‘The Council is continuing to work with an alternative leisure service provider (who cannot be named at this point due to no contract being entered into) to potentially take over provision of leisure services that fall under the current contract’.

Councillor B Carter then proposed a further recommendation that:

2.4    A Special Council to be scheduled with immediate effect if the situation with Aberfan and Merthyr Vale Leisure Centre demands it, be approved.

The Monitoring Officer then gave advice on the proposed additional recommendation.

Councillor M Symonds then advised that she was happy to accept the additional recommendation.

Questions were then raised on the report together with Members making comments on the report.

Resolved subject to the foregoing that:

(a)    Work towards a managed return of the existing contract and assets by the Council in collaboration with Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Trust (MTLT) by 30 April be noted

(b)    The continuation of discussions with Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Trust (MTLT) relating to Aberfan and Merthyr Vale Community Centre be noted

(c)    Officers bring an update report to Full Council in June 2024 be approved

(d)    A Special Council to be scheduled with immediate effect if the situation with Aberfan and Merthyr Vale Leisure Centre demands it, be approved.

To consider report of the Director of Education

Resolved that:

(a)    The progress to date be noted

(b)    The updates to the Raising Aspirations, Raising Standards Strategy 2021-2026 be approved

(c)    The actions in Section 6 of the report be approved.

To consider report of the Director of Social Services

Resolved that:

(a)    Agreement to commit to being Corporate Parents for Children Looked After and Care Leavers in Merthyr Tydfil be approved

(b)    The Portfolio Member attendance at Corporate Parenting Board be approved

(c)    The Terms of Reference for Corporate Parenting Board be approved

(d)    The Corporate Parenting Strategy be approved

(e)    The Corporate Parenting Action Plan be approved

To consider report of the Director of Social Services

Resolved that:

The proposal to treat a care leaver in the same way as a Statutory Protected Characteristic be discussed with a report being brought back to Council with final recommendations be approved.

To consider report of the Director of Social Services

Declaration of Interest

Councillor C Jones having Declared her Interest in this item left the Meeting for the consideration of this item.

Resolved that:

The Policies as outlined in Section 4 of the report to be implemented in April 2024 be approved.

To receive report of the Chief Executive

Resolved that:

The report for Information be received.

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

No Communications were received from Their Worship the Mayor.

In order for the following to be considered in private, it is suggested that the public be excluded from the Meeting on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined under Part 4 of Schedule 12A of Section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972.

Resolved that:

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

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Resolved that:

The recommendations as outlined in Paragraphs 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 of the report be approved.

To consider report of the Deputy Chief Executive

Resolved that:

The recommendations as outlined in Paragraphs 2.1 and 2.2 of the report be approved.

To consider report of the Director of Education

Resolved that:

The recommendation as outlined in Paragraphs 2.1 of the report be approved.