Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor J Davies and Councillor I Thomas.

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 M Jones Declared a non prejudicial Interest in Item 5 – Adoption of Council Tax Reduction Scheme for the Financial Year 2024/24.

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 27 November 2023 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held 6 December 2023 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held 6 December 2023 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Governance and Audit Committee held 27 November 2023 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Governance and Audit Committee held 4 December 2023 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Standards Committee held 1 December 2023 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Planning, Regulatory and Licensing Committee held 13 December 2023 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Licensing Committee held 4 December 2023 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Social Services Scrutiny Committee held 5 December 2023 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Learning and LGES Scrutiny Committee held 11 December 2023 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Neighbourhood Services, Countryside and Planning Committee held 18 December 2023 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Corporate Support and Resources Scrutiny Committee held 19 December 2023 be accepted as a correct record.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Resolved that:

The appointment of the Section 151 Officer be approved.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Resolved that:

The adoption of a Council Tax Reduction Scheme to commence in April 2024 under the requirements of the Prescribed Requirements Regulations for the 2024/25 financial year be approved.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Resolved that:

(a)    The changes to the Disclosure and Barring Service Policy be approved

(b)    Delegated authority be given to the Head of Human Resources for any future amendments to the Disclosure and Barring Service Policy in consultation with the Portfolio Member be approved.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Councillor A Barry led the Council through the Local Government Settlement 2024/25 report.

Questions were then raised by the Members on the report with a question being raised for the Education Portfolio Member in relation to the impact on the Education Department and Schools.

Declaration of Interest

Councillor M Jones Portfolio Cabinet Member for Education then Declared her Interest in the item.

The Monitoring Officer then gave advice in relation to the question raised and the Declaration of Interest made by Councillor M Jones.

Councillor M Jones then left the Meeting for the duration of this item.

Further questions and comments were then made by the Councillors and after consideration it was

Resolved that:

(a)    The implications of the Provisional Local Government Settlement for 2024/25 outlined in Section 5 of the report and Appendices 1 and 2 be noted

(b)    The revised budget deficit of £13.024 million for 2024/25 be noted.

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 17 January 2024 (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 receive report of the Chief Executive

Resolved that:

The report for Information be received.

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

No Communications were received from Their Worship the Mayor.