Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor J Davies and Councillor C Jones.

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.

A Member proposed the Suspension of Standing Orders in order that Item 12 – Housing Support Grant 2023-24 Update report be considered as a Council report and not a report for Information to afford Members the opportunity to ask questions on the report.

The Deputy Chief Executive advised that the report was agendered for the Regeneration and Public Protection Scrutiny Committee next week.

The Monitoring Officer also gave advice in relation to the proposal.

The Deputy Chief Executive then suggested that a Full Committee Report be agendered for the Council Meeting scheduled for 8 February 2023 which would be after the Scrutiny Committee Meeting and this suggestion was accepted.

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 2022 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held 7 December 2022 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Planning, Regulatory and Licensing Committee held 14 December 2022 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Licensing Committee held 2 December 2022 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Corporate Support and Resources Scrutiny Committee held 20 December 2022 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Learning and LGES Scrutiny Committee held 5 December 2022 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Neighbourhood Services, Countryside and Planning Scrutiny Committee held 7 November 2022 be accepted as a correct record.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Resolved that:

(a)   The implications of the Provisional Local Government Settlement for 2023/24 outlined in Section 5 of the report and Appendices 1 to 3 be noted

(b)   The net ‘Additional Demands’ outlines in Section 5 of the report and Appendix 4 be noted

(c)    The ‘Real Living Wage for Care Workers’ additional costs outlined in Section 5 of the report and Appendix 5 be noted

(d)   The ‘Inflationary Impact’ outlined in Section 5 of the report and Appendix 6 be noted

(e)   The revised budget deficit of £11.035 Million for 2023/24 be noted

Councillor L Mytton entered the Meeting at 6.10 pm.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Councillor A Barry referred to the ‘New Constitution’ report and referred to the need for change and the need to be engaged in the process and was therefore minded to defer this item.

The Monitoring Officer then gave advice in relation to this.

Another Member then supported deferral of the item and that further discussion take place with the Monitoring Officer and Political Leaders together with Training and Workshops for all Members.

After consideration by Members it was agreed that a Meeting with the Monitoring Officer be arranged together with further Training Sessions and Workshops for Members and that until these events have taken place that the item be deferred.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Resolved that:

The adoption of a Council Tax Reduction Scheme to commence in April 2023 under the requirements of the Prescribed Requirements Regulations for the 2023/24 financial year be approved.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Resolved that:

(a)    Consultation with the recognised Trades Unions be approved

(b)    The issuing of a Section 188 letter on 11^th January 2023 which is attached at Appendix 1 of the report (so as to legally protect the Council) be approved

(c)    The notification of the Secretary of State (for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy) on Form HR1 of the potential 100 Voluntary Redundancies/ Compulsory Redundancies be approved

To consider report of the Deputy Chief Executive

Resolved that:

The proposed amendments to the Renewals Policy be implemented with immediate effect and that any new approvals be undertaken in line with the Policy Revisions be approved.

To consider report of the Chief Officer Neighbourhood Services

The Mayor referred to the ‘Code of Action’ Handbook that had been circulated to all Members.

Resolved that:

The Biodiversity and Resilience of Ecosystems Duty Report for 2022 be approved.

To consider report of the Chief Officer Social Services

Resolved that:

(a)    The expansion proposals set out in 5.7 and 5.8 of the report be approved and the expansion plan required by Welsh Government (Appendix D) be submitted

(b)    The outline Capital Development Priorities for Childcare submitted to Welsh Government with full proposals being brought back to Council for approval in partnership with Education

To receive report of the Chief Executive

Resolved that:

The report for Information be received.

To receive report of the Deputy Chief Executive

Resolved that:

The report for Information be received.

To receive report of the Deputy Chief Executive

Resolved that:

The report for Information be received.

Bereavement

The Mayor extended condolences to Councillor C Jones on the death of her husband.

No Communications were received from Their Worship the Mayor.