Agenda and minutes

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

To approve and enter into the record the minutes of the following meetings:

To consider report of the Chief Officer Social Services

Declaration of Interest  

Councillor D Hughes, having declared an interest in this item, left the meeting for the consideration of the item. 

Councillor J Jenkins led the Council through the ‘Fostering Policies’ report. 

The Leader noted the significance of the report and the importance of the fostering service to the children of Merthyr Tydfil. 

Resolved that: 

2.1 The policies, to be implemented in March 2024, be approved. 

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Councillor A Barry provided a summary and background to the report and asked the Chief Finance Officer to provide detail. 

The Chief Finance Officer asked the Council to consider deferring decisions rather than rejecting so that all proposals can be discussed in the upcoming Special Full Council.

Councillor A Barry notified the Monitoring Officer thatany deferments would be accepted. 

Councillor A Barry proceeded by restating the recommendations and noting an amendment to the second bullet point of Paragraph 5.2 which reads:

·         Increasing non-statutory Pre-application enquiry fees (Planning) by between 45% and 95% above inflation.

An amendment was also made to Recommendation 2.2 which reads:

·         Increasing non-statutory Pre-application enquiry fees (Planning) by between 45% and 95% above inflation, be approved.

A question was asked in relation to the protocol of the fees and charges policy. 

Following further discussions, it was agreed that the following recommendations be deferred:

·         Recommendation2.1 - Increasing all Cemeteries fees by an additional 3% above inflation be approved.

·         Recommendation 2.5 - Increasing Lifeline weekly charge by 40% (note this includes the cost of sim card needed for digital switchover) be approved.

Resolved that: 

1.     Increasing non-statutory Pre-application enquiry fees (Planning) by between 45% and 95% above inflation, be approved.  

2.      Increasing some Registrar fees by between 4% and 15% above inflation be approved. 

3.     Increasing some Highways & Engineering fees by up to 200% (note these are not fees incurred by residents) be approved.  

4.     Maintaining Car Park fees and charges at current rates be approved.  

5.     Maintaining Engineering fees and charges for CCTV surveys be approved.  

6.     Maintaining licensing fees and charges at current rates be approved.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Councillor A Barry provided a summary and background to the report and restated the recommendations. 

Resolved that: 

1.     The Treasury Management Outturn Report for 2022/23 be received, noted and approved.  

2.     The actual 2022/23 Treasury Indicators be received, noted and approved.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Councillor A Barry advised that this was the last Full Council Meeting for Adele Lewis and extended very best wishes for the future and thanked her for her work. 

Councillor A Barry provided a summary and background to the report and restated the recommendations. 

Resolved that: 

1.     The Treasury Management Half Year Review Report for 2023/24 be received, noted and approved. 

To consider report of the Deputy Chief Executive

The Chair noted that Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council – Events Policy 2024 be deferred.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Declaration of Interest  

Councillor M Symonds, having declared an interest in this item, left the meeting for the consideration of the item. 

Councillor A Barry provided a summary and background to the report and restated the recommendations. 

Comments were raised regarding the involvement of trade unions during the budget setting process.

Resolved that: 

1.     The growth required for 5 days permanent Trades Unions facility time for both Unison and GMB, be approved.  

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Resolved that: 

The Pay Policy Statement 2023-2024 be approved.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Declaration of Interest  

Councillor M Jones, having declared an interest in this item, left the meeting for the consideration of the item. 

Councillor A Barry provided a summary and background to the report and restated the recommendations.  

Questions were raised relating to the impact on collection rates other authorities, and whether any long-term empty properties have been brought back into use. 

Comments were made in reference to the impact of second homes and the concern of residents. 

Resolved that: 

1.     The charging of a 100% Council Tax Premium on Section 12(A) long-term empty properties, that have been empty 12 months, with effect from 1st April 2023 be approved to continue into the new financial year 2024-2025.  

2.     The charging of a 100% Council Tax Premium on Section 12(B) periodically occupied properties (Second Homes) was approved by Full Council on 8th March 2023 with an effective start date of 1st April 2024 be approved into the new financial year 2024-2025.  

3.     Introduce a local council tax exception Class 8 (see Appendix 1) to assist new owners of properties undergoing renovation and not charge a premium for up to 12 months and in addition not to charge a council tax premium on the domestic element of qualifying composite properties be approved. 

To consider report of the Deputy Chief Executive

Councillor M Symonds provided a summary and background to the report and restated the recommendations. 

Questions were raised regarding PSPOs and whether any other PSPOs were considered.

Questions regarding enforcement were also raised, and what methods would be used to monitor and enforce the orders.  

A further question was asked in relation to the revenue referred to in point 6.3 of the report and whether the money could be used for dog waste prevention. 

Resolved that: 

1.     A statutory and public consultation be undertaken on the proposal to introduce a County Borough Wide PSPO to reduce dog waste nuisance in the County Borough of Merthyr Tydfil, be approved. 

To receive report of the 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 under Part 4 of Schedule 12A of Section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Councillor A Barry provided a summary and background to the report and read out the recommendations.

Resolved that:

(a) The recommendations as detailed in Paragraphs 2.1 and 2.2 be approved.

To consider report of the Deputy Chief Executive

Declaration of Interest

Councillor L Davies having declared an interest in this item, left the meeting for the consideration of the item.

Councillor M Symonds provided a summary and background to the report and read out the recommendations.

Resolved that:

1.    The recommendations as detailed in Paragraphs 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5 in the report be approved.

2.    The amendment made to 2.6 be approved.

3.    A further recommendation at 2.7 be approved.