Agenda and minutes

No apologies for absence were received as all Members were present.

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

No Declarations of Interest were made.

To receive a Presentation.

The Mayor welcomed Mr Paul Mears Chief Executive, Mr Greg Dix Director of Nursing and Midwifery and Mr Richard Morgan Evans of CwmTafMorgannwg University Health Board to the Meeting.

Paul Mears and Greg Dix then made the following Presentation to the Council:

·         Our Health / Our Future

·         Four Strategic Goals – Creating Health, Improving Care, Sustaining our Future, Inspiring People

·         Introduction and Scope of Presentation

·         Covid Response – Test, Trace, Protect

·         Covid Response – Vaccinations

·         Price Charles Hospital Emergency Department Improvement Programme

·         Elective Recovery Programme – Key Components

·         Mental Health Update – Merthyr and Cynon Focus

·         Mental Health Update – Ty Enfys

·         Partnership Working with Local Authorities

·         Maternity and Neonatal Service Update

Questions were then raised by Members on the Presentation and were responded to in detail by Paul Mears and Greg Dix.

The Leader of the Council and the Mayor then thanked Paul Mears, Greg Dix and Richard Morgan Evans for attending and the Presentation to the Council.

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 7 December 2021 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held 5 January 2022 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held 5 January 2022 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Social Services Scrutiny Committee held 4 January 2022 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Governance and Audit Committee held 10 January 2022 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Learning and LGES Scrutiny Committee held 24 January 2022 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Licensing Committee held 19 January 2022 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of SACRE held 9 November 2021 be accepted as a correct record.

Councillor J Amos referred the Council to the Notice of Motion and read out the Motion in full and moved that the Council permanently fly the Flag of Palestine outside the Civic Centre and this proposal was seconded by Councillor T Skinner.

Councillor G Lewis then proposed an amendment to the Notice of Motion and stated that oppression and inequality based on religion, race, beliefs, history or simply who you are was not limited to Palestine.

People across the world are subjected to harsh and authoritarian treatment where human rights are suppressed.

In unity with those facing injustices and oppression, and in recognition of the work of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Labour Group calls on this Council to raise the internationally recognised flag of Amnesty International annually on Amnesty International Day - 28 May.

This amendment was then seconded by Councillor C Jones.

Debate then ensued on the amendment.

A vote was then taken on the amendment - That this Council raise the internationally recognised flag of Amnesty International annually on Amnesty International Day - 28 May.

The amendment was passed and therefore the original Notice of Motion fell away.

Resolved that:

This Council raises the internationally recognised flag of Amnesty International annually on Amnesty International Day - 28 May.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Councillor C Davies led the Council through the ‘Revenue Budget 2022/23 and Medium Term Financial Plan Update’ report.

The Chief Finance Officer then referred the Council to Paragraph 5.7 of the report and advised that discussions with Welsh Government officials had indicated that the Covid-19 Hardship Fund would not cover all of the pre-booked temporary accommodation costs for those individuals presenting themselves as homeless.

The Chief Finance Officer estimated that potentially £600,000 would need to be financed from the Council’s projected surplus revenue outturn for 2021/22 to replace the loss of Hardship Fund monies.

Resolved that:

(a)  The implications of the Provisional Local Government Settlement for 2022/23 outlined in Section 5 and Appendices 1 and 2 of the report be noted and accepted

(b)  The net ‘Additional Demands’ (where not already approved) outlined in Section 5 and Appendix 3 of the report be approved

(c)  The ‘Efficiency Proposals’ (where not already approved) outlined in Section 5 and Appendix 4 of the report be approved

(d)  The ‘Pay Award Projection’ outlined in Section 5 and Appendix 5 of the report be approved

(e)  The ‘Real Living Wage for Care Workers’ impact in Section 5 of the report be approved

To consider report of the Deputy Chief Executive

Resolved that:

The Empty Property Strategy 2022-2026 be approved.

To consider report of the Deputy Chief Executive

Resolved that:

(a)  The removal of means testing with immediate effect be approved

(b)  The return of any contribution by successful applicants made from the 1^st April 2022 be approved.

To receive report of the Chief Executive

Resolved that:

The report for Information be received.

The Mayor advised that there was no business deemed urgent.

No Communications were received from His Worship the Mayor.