Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor L E Smart and Councillor L Mytton.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor L E Smart and Councillor L Mytton.

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 W R Smith Declared his Interest in Items 29 and 30 – Cyfarthfa Castle and Leisure and Culture Trust as he is the Council’s Representative on the Board for the Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Trust Limited.

Councillor E C Galsworthy Declared his Interest in Items 29 and 30 – Cyfarthfa Castle and Leisure and Culture Trust as he is the Council’s Representative on the Board for the Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Trust Limited.

Councillor B Carter Declared his Interest in Item 26 – Biffa Profit Sharing Scheme as he is the Chair of the Pentrebach Labour Club Football Team.

Councillor L Matthews Declared her Interest in Item 26 – Biffa Profit Sharing Scheme as her son is in the Military.

Councillor D Davies Declared his Interest in Item 26 – Biffa Profit Sharing Scheme as he is an Ex Serviceman.

Councillor W R Smith Declared his Interest in Items 29 and 30 – Cyfarthfa Castle and Leisure and Culture Trust as he is the Council’s Representative on the Board for the Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Trust Limited.

Councillor E C Galsworthy Declared his Interest in Items 29 and 30 – Cyfarthfa Castle and Leisure and Culture Trust as he is the Council’s Representative on the Board for the Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Trust Limited.

Councillor B Carter Declared his Interest in Item 26 – Biffa Profit Sharing Scheme as he is the Chair of the Pentrebach Labour Club Football Team.

Councillor L Matthews Declared her Interest in Item 26 – Biffa Profit Sharing Scheme as her son is in the Military.

Councillor D Davies Declared his Interest in Item 26 – Biffa Profit Sharing Scheme as he is an Ex Serviceman.

To receive a presentation from Dawn Walters from the Alzheimer’s Society.

The Council received a Presentation from Dawn Walters Services Manager South East Wales Alzheimer’s Society.

The Mayor welcomed Dawn Walters Services Manager South East Wales Alzheimer’s Society to the Meeting.

Ms Walters then made a Presentation to the Council that raised awareness of Alzheimers and the help people in society could give to the everyday lives of people living with Dementia.

Ms Walters then outlined the five things that should be known about dementia and circulated literature and a ‘Dementia Friend’ Badge to the Members.

Councillor G Lewis entered the Meeting at 5.52 pm.

A Member then referred to the Dementia Pledge and outlined the actions that the Council were undertaking.

The Mayor then thanked Ms Walters for attending and the Presentation to the Council.

To receive a presentation by Anne Ferris and Denise Moultrie from CSSIW.

Also, to consider a report of the Director of Social Services.

The Council received a Presentation from Anne Ferris and Denise Moultrie of Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW).

The recommendations as contained within the report were accepted.

The Mayor welcomed Anne Ferris from Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) to the Meeting.

Ms Ferris then referred to the report produced by the CSSIW on the Annual Review and Evaluation of Performance 2013 -14 and gave detail to the Council in relation to:

·         Responses to last year’s areas of improvement

·         Shaping Services -

·         Areas of Progress: The Council has

·         Areas for Improvement - The Council should

·         Getting Help –

·         Areas of Progress: The Council has

·         Areas for improvement: The Council should

·         The Services Provided –

·         Areas of Progress: The Council has

·         Areas for improvement: The Council should

·         Effect on People’s Lives –

·         Areas of Progress: The Council has

·         Areas for improvement: The Council should

·         Capacity –

·         Areas of Progress: The Council has

·         Areas for improvement: The Council should

·         Providing Direction –

·         Areas of Progress: The Council has

·         Areas for improvement: The Council should

The Mayor then thanked Ms Ferris for attending and the Presentation to the Council.

The Council then considered the report of the Director of Social Services and it was

Resolved that:

(a)   The Presentation provided by CSSIW and the report of the Director of Social Services be noted

(b)   A copy of the final report once received be circulated to Councillors / Colleagues as appropriate

Councillor G Jones left the Meeting at 6.34 pm and returned at 6.35 pm.

To receive a presentation by the Merthyr Tydfil Recovery Board.

The Council received a Presentation from Gareth Williams Chair Merthyr Tydfil Recovery Board.

The Mayor welcomed Gareth Williams Chair Merthyr Tydfil Recovery Board to the Meeting.

Gareth Williams then made a Presentation to the Council referring in detail to:

·         R1 – Secure better outcomes for learners at all Key Stages and analyse and use performance data to identify and address underperformance

·         Evidence of Progress Presented by the Local Authority

·         Progress made by the Local Authority in concert with the Board

·         R2 – Strengthen the level of challenge to schools and use the full powers available to the Authority to improve leadership and management in schools

·         Evidence of Progress Presented by the Local Authority

·         Progress made by the Local Authority in concert with the Board

·         R3 – Devise and apply better strategies to reduce the number of young people not in education, employment or training and build upon existing strategies to reduce the number excluded from school and improve attendance rates especially in primaries

·         Evidence of Progress Presented by the Local Authority

·         Progress made by the Local Authority in concert with the Board

·         R4 – Develop a robust self-evaluation framework for the work of the Local Authority’s Education Services and introduce appropriate and challenging performance targets that drive improvement

·         Evidence of Progress Presented by the Local Authority

·         Progress made by the Local Authority in concert with the Board

·         R5 – Develop a more rigorous Scrutiny Framework, supported by data analysis to challenge the Education Service

·         Evidence of Progress Presented by the Local Authority

·         Progress made by the Local Authority in concert with the Board

·         R6 – Ensure that data on the needs and attainment of all pupils with additional learning needs and of vulnerable groups is used at a strategic level to identify specific issues and trends that inform service planning

·         Evidence of Progress Presented by the Local Authority

·         Progress made by the Local Authority in concert with the Board

·         R7 – Evaluate the impact of the Youth Service Support Services in order to adjust the provision and rebalance resource allocation where necessary

·         Evidence of Progress Presented by the Local Authority

·         Progress made by the Local Authority in concert with the Board

·         R8 – Develop and implement systems to judge whether initiatives and services have a positive impact upon children and young people and offer good value for money

·         Evidence of Progress Presented by the Local Authority

·         Progress made by the Local Authority in concert with the Board

The Mayor then thanked Mr Williams for the Presentation and update on Self-Evaluation.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Licensing Committee held 10 September 2014 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Licensing Committee held 10 September 2014 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held 10 September 2014 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held 10 September 2014 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Democratic Services Committee held 15 September 2014 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Democratic Services Committee held 15 September 2014 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Licensing Committee held 17 September 2014 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Licensing Committee held 17 September 2014 be accepted as a correct record.

Arising on Minute No 419 a Member advised that it should read Cwm Taf University Health Board and not Community Health Council.

Arising on Minute No 421 a Member advised that it should read:

The Committee were minded to refuse the application.

The reasons for refusal and the name(s) of the representatives who will represent the Authority at any future appeal were requested by the Legal Officer.

Committee requested that Officers draft two reasons for refusal relating to Visual Impact and Cumulative Effect to be presented back to the next Planning and Regulatory Committee to be held on the 15 October 2014 for consideration.

Resolved subject to the foregoing that:

The Minutes of the Planning, Regulatory and Licensing Committee held 17 September 2014 be accepted as a correct record.

Arising on Minute No 419 a Member advised that it should read Cwm Taf University Health Board and not Community Health Council.

Arising on Minute No 421 a Member advised that it should read:

The Committee were minded to refuse the application.

The reasons for refusal and the name(s) of the representatives who will represent the Authority at any future appeal were requested by the Legal Officer.

Committee requested that Officers draft two reasons for refusal relating to Visual Impact and Cumulative Effect to be presented back to the next Planning and Regulatory Committee to be held on the 15 October 2014 for consideration.

Resolved subject to the foregoing that:

The Minutes of the Planning, Regulatory and Licensing Committee held 17 September 2014 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Audit Committee held 22 September 2014 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Audit Committee held 22 September 2014 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Democratic Services Committee held 22 September 2014 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Democratic Services Committee held 22 September 2014 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held 24 September 2014 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held 24 September 2014 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held 24 September 2014 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held 24 September 2014 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held 30 September 2014 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held 30 September 2014 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Schools Scrutiny Committee held 6 October 2014 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Schools Scrutiny Committee held 6 October 2014 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Social Services and Social Regeneration Scrutiny Committee held 7 October 2014 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Social Services and Social Regeneration Scrutiny Committee held 7 October 2014 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held 8 October 2014 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held 8 October 2014 be accepted as a correct record.

Arising on Minute No 521 a Member stated that he wished the sum of £500.00 for the Vaynor Community Forum to be included in the Minutes.

Resolved subject to the foregoing that:

The Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held 8 October 2014 be accepted as a correct record.

Arising on Minute No 521 a Member stated that he wished the sum of £500.00 for the Vaynor Community Forum to be included in the Minutes.

Resolved subject to the foregoing that:

The Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held 8 October 2014 be accepted as a correct record.

Councillor B Mansbridge vacated the Chair and Councillor D Isaac took the Chair.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive.

Resolved that:

The recommendations as contained within the report were accepted.

Councillor H R Jones left the Meeting at 6.56 pm and returned at 6.57 pm.

Resolved that:

·         The content of this report be noted

·         The content of the White Paper ‘Devolution, Democracy and Delivery – Reforming Local Government’ (which can be accessed via the background papers for this report) be noted

·         An ‘exceptional arrangement’ merger is explored with Caerphilly County Borough Council as the preferred option and discussions commence with Caerphilly County Borough Council regarding this

·         Should discussions with Caerphilly County Borough Council fail the right is reserved to enter into discussions with other neighbouring Local Authorities

·         If Council determines to explore merger or if Council is compelled by Welsh Government at a future date to merge, that delegated authority is given to the Leader of the Council and Chief Executive to engage with counterparts in initial discussions about merger

Councillor E C Galsworthy left the Meeting at 7.20 pm.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive.

Resolved that:

(a)   Consultation with the Trade Unions commence with a view to creating a Collective Agreement be approved

(b)   The issuing of a Section 188 letter on the 6 November 2014 (so as to legally protect the Council if there is a need to impose the changes on the workforce or make redundancies) be approved

(c)   Delegated authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader (and in his absence the Deputy Leader) of the Council to consult on and include options that may be raised and agreed with the Trade Unions be approved

The Leader of the Council referred to the report and advised that under 2.3 the reference to Table 2 should be deleted from the report.

Resolved that:

(a)   Consultation with the Trade Unions commence with a view to creating a Collective Agreement be approved

(b)   The issuing of a Section 188 letter on the 6 November 2014 (so as to legally protect the Council if there is a need to impose the changes on the workforce or make redundancies) be approved

(c)   Delegated authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader (and in his absence the Deputy Leader) of the Council to consult on and include options that may be raised and agreed with the Trade Unions be approved

To consider a report of the Chief Executive.

Resolved that:

The Trecatti Landfill Site Profit Share of £111,970.00 be retained centrally to part finance the additional financial pressure within the 2014/15 financial year arising from the 2.2% pay award, effective from 1 January 2015 proposed by the National Employers and Trade Unions.

Resolved that:

The Trecatti Landfill Site Profit Share of £111,970.00 be retained centrally to part finance the additional financial pressure within the 2014/15 financial year arising from the 2.2% pay award, effective from 1 January 2015 proposed by the National Employers and Trade Unions.

Councillor G Davies left the Meeting at 7.35 pm and returned at 7.36 pm.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive.

Resolved that:

The recommendation as contained within the report was accepted.

Resolved that:

The amendments to the Overpayment Recovery Policy for Benefit as set out in paragraph 1.2 of the report be approved.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive.

Resolved that:

The recommendation as contained within the report was accepted.

Resolved that:

Council notes the petition received.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director of Customer Services.

Resolved that:

The budget of up to £172,000 be created from the efficiency reserve to enable the ICT Department to replace all XP devices and upgrade installations of Office 2003 by end of March 2015 be approved.

Resolved that:

The budget of up to £172,000 be created from the efficiency reserve to enable the ICT Department to replace all XP devices and upgrade installations of Office 2003 by end of March 2015 be approved.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director of Customer Services.

Resolved that:

The recommendation as contained within the report was accepted.

Plymouth Electoral Division

£500.00 be awarded to Pentrebach Labour Club Football Section and

Town Electoral Division

£152.00 to Ex Servicesmen’s Club.

Councillor B Carter, Councillor D Davies and Councillor L Matthews having Declared their Interest in this item left the Meeting.

Resolved that:

Plymouth Electoral Division

£500.00 be awarded to Pentrebach Labour Club Football Section

Town Electoral Division

£152.00 be awarded to Ex Servicesmen’s Club

To consider a report of the Director of Social Services. 

Resolved that:

The recommendations as contained within the report were accepted.

Resolved that:

·         A public declaration of intent as set out by the proposed Dublin Declaration be made

·         The thematic network on creating Age Friendly Communities coordinated by the Ageing Well in Wales programme be participated in

·         Further dialogue through the WLGA with the WHO for Wales to contribute to adapting their guidelines for communities using Welsh communities as pilot sites be supported

To receive a report of the Chief Executive. 

Resolved that:

The report was received.

Resolved that:

The report 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 Paragraphs 14,16 and 18 under Part 4 of Schedule 12A of Section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972

To consider a report of the Corporate Director of Customer Services.

Resolved that:

The recommendations as contained within the report were accepted.

Councillor W R Smith having Declared his Interest in this item left the Meeting.

Resolved that:

The submission of a funding application be approved.

Corporate Property will be identified as the holding Department with relevant costs identified.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director of Customer Services.

Resolved that:

The recommendations 6.1 to 6.7 as contained within the report together with a further recommendation were accepted.

Councillor W R Smith having Declared his Interest in this item left the Meeting.

Resolved that:

The recommendations at 6.1 to 6.7 as contained within the report allowing for further progress to be made in exploring this issue be accepted.

A further report will be provided to Council giving the final specifications before transfer.

The Members were advised of the arrangements for the Service for Remembrance Sunday.

The Deputy Mayor advised the Members of the arrangements for the Service for Remembrance Sunday.

There were no communications.

The Deputy Mayor advised that there were no communications.