Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor J Scriven, Councillor K Gibbs and Councillor M Colbran.

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

Declarations of interest were received from:

·      Councillor David Hughes – Care Experience – has a personal interest and would leave the meeting when the item was discussed.

·      Councillor Michelle Jones - Council Tax Premiums on Long Term Vacant and Periodically Occupied Dwellings – has a personal and prejudicial interest and would leave the meeting when the item was discussed.

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 Standards Committee held 15 March 2024 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Regeneration and Public Protection Scrutiny Committee held 9 April 2024 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Planning, Regulatory and Licensing Committee held 10 April 2024 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Licensing Committee held 11 April 2024 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Governance and Audit Committee held 15 April 2024 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Social Services Scrutiny Committee held 16 April 2024 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held 17 April 2024 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held 17 April 2024 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Learning and LGES Scrutiny Committee held 22 April 2024 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Licensing Committee held 24 April 2024 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Licensing Committee held 24 April 2024 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Neighbourhood Services, Countryside and Planning Scrutiny Committee held 29 April 2024 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Planning, Regulatory and Licensing Committee held 8 May 2024 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Regeneration and Public Protection Scrutiny Committee held 14 May 2024 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held 15 May 2024 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting and Mayor's Installation held 15 May 2024 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Governance and Audit Committee held 3 June 2024 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Licensing Committee held 5 June 2024 be accepted as a correct record.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Planning, Regulatory and Licensing Committee held 5 June 2024 be accepted as a correct record.

To consider report of the Director of Social Services

Declaration of Interest  

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

Resolved that: 

The proposal to treat being care experienced in the same way as a statutory protected characteristic and in accordance with the matters set out in para 3.12 be discussed and 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 led the Council through the Council Tax Premiums on Long Term Vacant and Periodically Occupied Dwellingsreport. 

Questions were then raised by the Members regarding collection rates and the number of properties brought back into use. 

Comments were made regarding the importance of bringing empty properties back into use. 

Resolved that: 

The Local Authority to consult with the residents of Merthyr Tydfil on the proposed changes to vary the council tax premium levels for Section 12(A) Long Term Empty properties based on how long a property has remained empty be approved. 

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Councillor A Barry led the Council through the Section 151 Cover - Interim Arrangements report. 

Questions were asked regarding the Section 151 cover and whether they would be able to attend Council meetings. 

Councillor G Thomas gave his thanks to members at Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council and noted that it shows great collaboration between neighbouring authorities. 

Resolved that: 

(a)  The appointment of Barrie Davies as Interim Section 151 Officer for a period of 4 months, effective from 18th July 2024 be approved.  

(b)  The appointment of Stephanie Davies as Interim Deputy Section 151 Officer for a period of 4 months, effective from 18th July 2024 be noted.  

(c)  The additional budget associated with the above appointments, detailed in Section 5, be approved. 

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Councillor A Barry led the Council through the New Constitution report. 

Questions were raised in relation to the format of the report. 

A number of Councillors thanked the Officers and Councillors involved in the new constitution for their contributions. 

Resolved that: 

The adoption of the draft model constitution as the Constitution for Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council be approved.  

To consider report of the Chief Executive

The Chair noted that Directors Remuneration be deferred. 

To consider report of the Deputy Chief Executive

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

Questions regarding legislation and the impact on the poverty agenda were raised. 

Resolved that: 

The Socially Responsible Procurement Strategy commencing 1st September 2024 be approved. 

To receive report of the Chief Executive

Resolved that: 

The report for Information be received. 

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.

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.

Resolved 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

Resolved that: 

The recommendations as detailed in Paragraph 2.1 of the report be approved.