Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor K Gibbs and Councillor L Minett Vokes

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 consider report of the Chief Executive

The Chair welcomed Councillor A Barry Cabinet Member, Lorna Townsend and Clare Williams to the Meeting.

Councillor A Barry referred the Committee to the ‘Draft Annual Equality Report 2021-2022’ report.

Lorna Townsend then led the Committee in detail through the report and together with Councillor A Barry responded in detail to the following questions and comments raised on the report:

·        Commend the Team on the report and the achievements – Why is this performance not being shouted out – The importance of the Council being recognised – Has this been done

·        Paragraph 4.5 – Are all opportunities being taken to ensure all the Community is represented – Pride and support – If there was a Pride event in Merthyr Tydfil what support would be given by MTCBC

·        Community Cohesion Objective – MTCBC granted White Ribbon Status – Why was there no awareness event by MTCBC this year – Why was this event not included in the Plan – This is something that should be included and a request made to include this event in the Plan

·        (Lorna Townsend advised that it would be useful if Members could pin point specific days for the event calendar)

·        The support of Partner Agencies in this area  

·        Paragraph 5.3 – ‘Recite Me’ – What was the cost of purchase – Has it been value for money

·        Paragraph 6.3 – Is there Training for Staff – Have Officers received Training on Impact Assessment – How are Officers supported

·        Paragraph 6.4 – How is this reviewed and evaluated – Internal or external evaluation

·        Community Engagement – Is there feedback from the public in relation to days and events

·        Digital Accessibility – How are people supported who do not have access to the Internet

·        English as First Language – What support is being provided to staff who’s first language is not English

·        What has been done to increase confidence in the public to use the system again if previously they had been unable to access on line

·        Public Health Wales Report – Percentage of Mobile Phones that can not access the Internet – What other things can be done to get information to this group – Are any other ways and means being looked at in relation to communicating with people who have no access to the Internet

·        Overarching report – What are the Strategies below – What is the Participation Strategy and to feed out to the public

The Chair then thanked Councillor A Barry and the Officers for attending and the detailed update and responses to the Committee.                                                  

To consider the attached report

The Chair referred the Committee to the Forward Work Programme and advised that the item in relation to ‘Participation Strategy’ had not been available for inclusion on the agenda and that he had requested reasons from the Officers for this.

The Committee then considered the Forward Work Programme and were advised that two of the reports scheduled for the next Committee Meeting namely Corporate Well-being Plan and Scrutiny Improvement Programme would not be considered at this Meeting and therefore the Participation Strategy could be considered at this Meeting.

The Committee then agreed that the Chair write to the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive and the Head of Corporate Communications in relation to the Participation Strategy and that if the Strategy was not available for the next Committee Meeting that the appropriate Officers be invited to attend this Committee Meeting to give a Progress report, Presentation and Update on this Strategy.

There were no Scrutiny Referrals.

Did we address the recommendations in each report and how have we added value?

The Chair and the Committee referred to the report that had been considered and the detailed responses that had been given from the questions and comments raised.

Any outstanding actions?  Feedback from workshops / task and finish groups / enquiry days, etc.

The Chair advised that there were no referrals.

The Chair advised that there was no other business deemed urgent.