Agenda and minutes

No apologies for absence were received.

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 Tovey Declared his Interest in Item 10 –High Street and Retail Rates Relief Scheme 2019-20 as he has a Shop

Councillor D Jones Declared his Interest in Item 10 –High Street and Retail Rates Relief Scheme 2019-20 as he pays Business Rates

Councillor M Colbran Declared his Interest in Item 10 –High Street and Retail Rates Relief Scheme 2019-20 as he has a Shop and Item 7 – Delegation of Powers under the Explosives Regulations 2014 as he holds a Fireworks Licence

Councillor D Sammon Declared his Interest in Item 17 – Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Trust Pricing Structure Proposals as he is a Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Trust Board Member and has Dispensation to Speak and Vote

Councillor G Thomas Declared his Interest in Item 17 – Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Trust Pricing Structure Proposals as he is a former Trustee of the Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Trust and Item 11 – Ffos Y Fran Small Grant Scheme / Cyfarthfa Ward Allocation 2018/19 as he is a Cyfarthfa Ward Councillor

Councillor D Chaplin Declared his Interest in Item 11 – Ffos Y Fran Small Grant Scheme / Cyfarthfa Ward Allocation 2018/19 as he is a Cyfarthfa Ward Councillor

Councillor J Thomas Declared his Interest in Item 13 – Home to School Transport as he is a Taxi Proprietor

Councillor A Barry Declared his Interest in Item 13 – Home to School Transport as he is a Taxi Proprietor

Councillor D Roberts Declared his Interest in Item 6 – 2019/2020 Pay Structure as his wife works for the Local Authority

The Mayor referred the Council to the Notice of Question that had been submitted by Mr Rob Thomson in relation to the Active Travel (Wales) Act and invited Mr Thomson to ask his questions.

Mr Thompson then asked the three questions in relation to the Active Travel (Wales) Act that were detailed in the report.

Councillor G Thomas Cabinet Portfolio Member for Regeneration and Public Protection then responded in detail to the questions submitted by Mr Thomson.

Mr Thompson then advised that he had no further questions.

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 20 February 2019 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held 20 February 2019 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Audit Meeting held 11 February 2019 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Audit Committee held 18 February 2019 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Joint Scrutiny Committee held 18 February 2019 be accepted as a correct record.

Arising on Minute Number 594 a Member advised that for explanation it should read ‘Football and Rugby Pitch Fees’.

Resolved subject to the foregoing that:

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

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Resolved that:

The amended Medium Term Financial Plan 2019/20 to 2022/23 be noted.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Councillor D Roberts having Declared his Interest in this item left the Chamber for the consideration of this item.

Resolved that:

(a)  Adoption of the new/additional SCP’s 10, 13, 16, 18 and 21 as recommended by the NJC for an ‘Equal Step’ between the grades as a localised amendment be approved

(b)  Reduction to the SCP’s in Grade 1 and Grade 2 in order to become single point grades as a localised amendment be approved

(c)  That staff are incremented on the 2018 Pay Structure then assimilated across on the 2019 Pay Scale as of 1 April 2019.  This is detailed as ‘Approach B’ in the NJC Circular be approved

(d)  Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council enter into a collective agreement with the Trade Unions GMB, Unison and Unite in order to implement the new Pay Structure and a localised amendment into Staff Terms and Conditions be approved

(e)  The new Pay Structure and all localised amendments be implemented for Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council as of the 1 April 2019 be approved

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Councillor M Colbran having Declared his Interest in this item left the Chamber for the consideration of this item.

Resolved that:

(a)  The power to exercise Licensing and Regulatory functions as specified in Part C of Schedule 1 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Functions and Responsibilities) (Wales) Regulations 2007, as amended to include the Explosive Regulations 2014 be given to the Planning Regulatory and Licensing Committee

(b)  The power to hear and determine applications and to deal with all detailed matters applicable thereto (including the Transfer, Modification, Variation, Suspension and Revocation of Licences) relating to the Explosive Regulations made pursuant to s15 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 be given to the Licensing Sub Committee

(c)  The Constitution be amended to reflect the aforementioned delegated powers

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Resolved that:

The change of the title of the Learning and LAESCYP Scrutiny Committee to Learning and LGES (Local Government Education Services) Scrutiny Committee be agreed.

To consider report of the Deputy Chief Executive

Resolved that:

To continue the scheme as operated in 2018/19 by providing financial support up to a maximum of £50 per qualifying claim.

Councillor L Mytton left the Meeting at 6.00 pm.

To consider report of the Deputy Chief Executive

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

Chair

Due to Councillor C Tovey Declaring his Interest in this item and leaving the Chamber the Deputy Mayor Councillor H Barrett took the Chair for this item.

Resolved that:

(a)  The implementation of the High Street and Retail Rates Relief Scheme in accordance with the rules described in this 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 be noted

To consider report of the Deputy Chief Executive

Chair

Councillor C Tovey re-took the Chair.

Councillor D Chaplin and Councillor G Thomas having Declared their Interest in this item left the Chamber for the consideration of this item.

Resolved that:

The placement of remaining funds for Cyfarthfa Ward’s allocation of Ffos Y Fran Small Grant Scheme 2018-19 in abeyance until the election of the new Cyfarthfa Ward Councillor be approved.

To consider report of the Chief Officer Community Regeneration

Resolved that:

The Regeneration and Public Protection Services Compliance and Enforcement Policy be approved.

To consider report of the Chief Officer Education

Councillor A Barry and Councillor J Thomas having Declared their Interest in this item left the Chamber for the consideration of this item.

Councillor G Thomas referred to the ‘Home to School Transport’ report and moved the recommendation as contained within the report and the motion was seconded.

Questions were then raised by the Members on the report and were responded to in detail by the Officers.

Councillor D Roberts then moved an amendment to the recommendation that Option 1 and not Option 2 be accepted and this motion was seconded.

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

Therefore, it was

Resolved that:

Option 1 – The Service remains as is be accepted.

To consider report of the Chief Officer Education

This item was deferred.

To receive report of the Deputy Chief Executive

Resolved that:

The report for Information be received.

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

To consider report of the Chief Officer Community Regeneration

Resolved that:

The content of the report be approved.

The Mayor advised that there was no business deemed urgent.

No Communications were received from His Worship the Mayor.