CABINET

 

 

MINUTES of a meeting held on 25th April, 2007.

 

Present: Councillor Ms. M.E. Alexander (Chairman); Councillor N. Moore (Vice-Chairman), Councillors R.F. Curtis, S.C. Egan, C.P. Franks, N.J. Gibbs, G. John, Mrs. M. Randall, Mrs. M.R. Wilkinson and C.J. Williams.

 

Also Present: Councillor Mrs. V.M. Hartrey.

 

 

C2987                        MINUTES -

 

RESOLVED - T H A T the minutes of the meeting held on 18th April, 2007 be approved as a correct record subject to Minute No. C2980 being amended to read “Clerks of Town / Community Councils” not Committee Councils.

 

 

C2988                        DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST -

 

No declarations were received.

 

 

C2989                        INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY (CX) (SCRUTINY – CORPORATE RESOURCES) –

 

Cabinet’s endorsement was sought for the Council’s proposed Internal Communications Strategy 2007 - 2009 and its associated action plan.  The Council’s previous Internal Communications Strategy had been adopted in April 2003 and had been implemented.  The revised strategy sought to further develop the Council’s internal communications over the next two years. 

 

This matter was for Executive decision.

 

RESOLVED – T H A T the Internal Communications Strategy for 2007 - 2009 and the action plan attached to the report be endorsed.

 

Reason for decision

 

To provide an effective base for the development of the Council’s internal communications activities.

 

 

C2990                        PROGRESS REPORT: EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY (CX) (SCRUTINY – CORPORATE RESOURCES) –

 

The progress report updated Cabinet on the implementation of the Council’s External Communications Strategy.  On 25th October, 2006 Cabinet had considered the External Communications Strategy 2006 - 2009 and had resolved that the strategy be endorsed and a progress report, including the issue of reputation management, be submitted to Cabinet within six months.  The six months progress report provided an update on all the main areas of external communications work, including media relations, community newspaper, website, branding, advertising and consultation.   The report also detailed the current stance on reputation management and areas of improvement.

 

During discussion members raised the need to replace any Vale of Glamorgan signs that required attention, in particular at Jenner Park.  The request was duly noted by the officer present.

 

This matter was for Executive decision.

 

RESOLVED –

 

(1)       T H A T the Progress Report be noted.

 

(2)       T H A T staff involved in the design of the Vale of Glamorgan’s website be congratulated on their achievement.

 

Reason for decision

 

(1)       To provide Cabinet with an overview of the current external communications situation.

 

(2)       To ensure Cabinet’s views are expressed.

 

 

C2991                        COMMUNICATIONS PROTOCOLS: MEDIA RELATIONS, PHOTOGRAPHY AND ADVERTISING (CX) (SCRUTINY – CORPORATE RESOURCES) –

 

The report proposed an introduction of a suite of communications protocols which would cover media relations, photography and advertising.  The management of the Council’s reputation was led by the Communications Unit, based in the Chief Executive’s department.  However the report highlighted that all services had an inherent responsibility for external communications and should endeavour, through their activities, to enhance the Council’s reputation.  The Communications Manager had reviewed the initial protocols and found them to be good basic protocols of a type adopted by councils throughout the UK.  However, some areas had been updated in the light of changes to services, for example, the availability of an advertising agency and emerging issues such as the growing use of digitally enhanced photography. Therefore, in order to provide clear information on the Council’s approach to media relations, advertising and photography, the protocols in each area had been developed.  These were attached as an appendix to the report. 

 

Cabinet further requested that the contact details of the Public Relations Section of the Vale be added to the Council’s Year Book, when available, for Members’ information.

 

This matter was for Executive decision.

 

RESOLVED – T H A T the Protocols for Media Relations, Photography and Advertising be endorsed.

 

Reason for decision

 

In order that the protocols may be adopted as policy.

 

 

C2992                        DYFFRYN GARDENS: HIRE CHARGES (DEER) (SCRUTINY – CORPORATE RESOURCES) –

 

A table of new hire charges for new or refurbished facilities at Dyffryn Gardens for 2007 / 2008 and 2008 / 2009 was attached at Appendix A to the report and was before Cabinet for approval.  In order to maximise income streams to Dyffryn Gardens a variety of secondary activities such as becoming a meeting / conference venue had been investigated.  The report also highlighted that without any marketing the Gardens had been contacted by a range of organisations, including current partners on various initiatives, to also host meetings or seminars.  The summer marquee could hold up to 180 seated persons and was marketed primarily for weddings or large private or charitable functions.  It was also noted that in making facilities available more than one function could occur concurrently.  Block bookings for more than one facility could be taken and the preparation days for occupying the marquee for major events would not have the effect of preventing any other bookings being taken for appropriate groups.  The proposed commercial charges were attached at Appendix A to the report, and for the Vale of Glamorgan Council, community/charity or education use, it was proposed that 50% would be discounted from the commercial rate.  The report also sought Cabinet’s approval for the Director or Head of Service to be granted approval to further reduce or waive rates for partner groups or particular initiatives benefiting the Gardens.  Cabinet was advised that the income generated through the charges supported the operations at Dyffryn Gardens and were essential for the sustainability of the Grade I registered heritage site. 

 

This matter was for Executive decision.

 

RESOLVED –

 

(1)       T H A T the proposed hire charges for 2007 / 2008 and 2008 / 2009 be endorsed.

 

(2)       T H A T the use by the Council and use for community, charitable and education use attract a 50% discount.

 

(3)               T H A T delegated authority be granted to the Director of Environmental and Economic Regeneration and the Head of Economic Development and Leisure Services to reduce or waive hire charges for uses which contributed to the ongoing operation of Dyffryn Gardens.

 

Reasons for decisions

 

(1)       In order to maximise the income to the Gardens.

 

(2) and (3) To allow variation to the hire charges in appropriate cases.

 

 

C2993                        COUNCIL PROPERTY ASSETS (DFICTP) (SCRUTINY – CORPORATE RESOURCES) –

 

Approval was sought to transfer the ownership of all Council land and buildings (excluding Housing Revenue Account Properties) into the remit of the Corporate Property function of the Directorate of Finance ICT and Property.  The report also sought approval to introduce a “Landlords consent” regime, whereby all plans for property transactions, moves, expenditure (over a de-minimis level) etc. must be submitted to the Corporate Property function for consent to proceed.  The Council owned approximately 460 land and property assets (excluding Housing revenue account properties).  The total net book value was circa £327m.  In addition to this, the Council leased a number of buildings for various purposes and historically each of these assets had been owned and managed by various functions / departments of the Council.  In April 2007 the Audit Commission published a report entitled “Hot Property” which required all Local Authorities in Wales to produce an Asset Management Plan.  A corporate approach to asset management was fundamental to the success of the Council’s asset management strategy and it was therefore suggested that the transfer of ownership of all property assets be moved to the Corporate Property function although the day-to-day management responsibility would remain with the current owning departments along with the current revenue budgets.  It was further proposed that the services with management responsibility for property would seek Corporate Landlords’ consent from the Property Section prior to any of the following actions being taken:

 

·                    carrying out of any works / repairs to property assets above a threshold of £50k.

·                    any staff relocations / accommodation moves from one property to another

·                    any sharing of accommodation of any kind with third parties external to the Council

·                    any proposed changes of use to buildings / accommodation.

 

The Landlords’ Consent regime would also be in addition to the usual Contract Standing Orders and Financial regulations applicable. 

 

This matter was for Executive decision.

 

RESOLVED –

 

(1)       T H A T the ownership of all property assets excluding HRA land and property be transferred to the Directorate of Finance ICT and Property

 

(2)               T H A T the Director of Finance ICT and Property be authorised to introduce the Landlords Consent regime and to further investigate options for the Property / Land Review and to report back to Cabinet with the resource implications involved in introducing the same in due course.

 

Reasons for decisions

 

(1)       In order to further the agenda of Corporate Asset Management.

 

(2)               In order to determine the full resource implications associated with the resolution prior to implementing the Land / Property Review.

 

 

C2994                        ASSET RENEWAL BUILDING PROGRAMME (DFICTP) (SCRUTINY – CORPORATE RESOURCES) –

 

The report requested Cabinet’s approval for schemes to be funded from the Council’s Asset Renewal and School Development capital allocations for 2007 / 2008, the 2007 / 2008 Schools Building Improvement Grant and the School Investment Strategy Fund.  The report advised that it had been necessary to draw up a programme of schemes to be funded from the Education Asset Renewal budget, the School Development Budget and the Schools Buildings Improvement Grant.  The prioritised list had been drawn up by officers from the Property Section in consultation with the various departments and the Schools Asset Management Group.  In doing this the following criteria and processes had been adopted:

 

·                    extracting from completed Property Condition Surveys works that had been identified as high priority status

·                    utilising an existing backlog list of prioritised schemes which had been reviewed and updated throughout the year

·                    feedback from regular meetings between officers from both the Property and Building Services sections who had first hand knowledge of many of the properties

·                    feedback from building users who had identified areas of concern as well as utilising the information collated by Education

·                    capital bids received from officers during the 2007 / 2008 capital bidding programme.

 

The proposed programme was attached at Appendix A to the report.  The report also noted that should any significant development occur resulting in the omission of a scheme, the inclusion of an additional scheme or a virement, the Director of Finance, ICT and Property, in consultation with the Leader, had the authority to implement such changes to the programme.   It was also noted that it had come to the attention of Cabinet of rumours that the Jackson Bay public convenience was closed.  This was in fact not the case although the facilities would be scheduled for refurbishment in due course.

 

This matter was for Executive decision.

 

RESOLVED – T H A T the proposed schemes as listed in Appendix A to the report be approved and funded from the Asset Renewal budget, the School Development budget and the School Buildings Improvement grant.

 

Reason for decision

 

To set the programme and enable the procurement process to proceed.

 

 

C2995                        COMMUNITY ACTION SELF HELP (CASH) SCHEME 2007 / 2008 (DFICTP) (SCRUTINY – CORPORATE RESOURCES) –

 

The Community Action Self Help Scheme provided funding to Town and Community Councils to undertake capital schemes of their choice within their own area.  Applications had been invited from Town and Community Councils for return by 30th March, 2007 and those that had been received together with the grants recommended were attached on a schedule at Appendix A to the report and Appendix B to the report, provided details of the scheme’s Conditions and Criteria.  Cabinet was advised that when granting applications they should ensure that the relevant grant criteria was being met and that the purposes for which the grants were awarded were in accordance with the Council’s priorities.  The report highlighted that, in relation to the Memorial Hall Theatre Trust, if a grant was to be made Cabinet would need to relax the conditions and criteria for this scheme.  The amount that had been included in the 2007 / 2008 capital programme for the CASH grant scheme was £70k. and the total value of grants recommended in Appendix A to the report was for £29,100. 

 

This matter was for Executive decision.

 

RESOLVED –

 

(1)       T H A T the Grants as set out in Appendix A to the report be approved

 

(2)               T H A T the scheme’s Conditions and Criteria be relaxed to enable the grant to the Memorial Hall Theatre Trust.

 

Reasons for decisions

 

Having regard to the budget available and sum requested.

 

 

C2996                        COWBRIDGE LAND – COMPULSORY PURCHASE ORDER (DLD) (SCRUTINY – LIFELONG LEARNING) –

 

Approval was sought to formally commence procedures to obtain a compulsory purchase order for land adjacent to the Cowbridge Middle School Site along Aberthin Road.  The report stated that as part of the School Investment Strategy, Cowbridge School would be redeveloped on a single site along Aberthin Road and therefore it had been established that in order for the new school to have sufficient school playing fields, additional land was required.  The area of land in question was in the ownership of at least three separate parties and the Council had previously entered into negotiations with all relevant parties for the acquisition of land by agreement but this had not been successful.  The draft Compulsory Purchase Order had however been supported and approved by the Welsh Assembly Government and the next step was for the Council to formally serve notice of the proposed Compulsory Purchase Order and to invite any objections of the same within a specified time scale of at least 21 days.  The land was currently agricultural land and once purchased would be used solely for school playing fields as per Planning Approval 05/00196/REG3 and as such the costs would reflect this.  Cabinet were further advised that, if a negotiated price was not agreed, the price would ultimately be determined by the Land Tribunal.

 

This matter was for Executive decision.

 

RESOLVED –

 

(1)       T H A T approval be granted for the formal commencement of the procedure to obtain a Compulsory Purchase Order in respect of the identified land adjacent to the Aberthin Road School Site as detailed in the tabled map.

 

(2)               T H A T the Director of Legal, Public Protection and Housing Services be authorised to publish and serve all appropriate notices and to apply to the National Assembly for Wales for and to take all actions considered to be appropriate to secure the confirmation of the CPO.

 

Reasons for decisions

 

(1) and (2) to support the redevelopment of Cowbridge Comprehensive School.

 

 

C2997                        MAJOR REPAIRS ALLOWANCE (DLPPHS) (SCRUTINY – CORPORATE RESOURCES AND COMMUNITY WELLBEING AND SAFETY) –

 

Cabinet was advised of the Major Repairs Allowance funding allocation, and was requested to approve the Major Repairs Allowance funding to be included in the Council’s capital programme.  The Council had, on 5th April, 2006 accepted the 2006 / 2007 MRA allocation in the sum of £2.7m which was in addition to a proposed accumulated carry over of £2.832m. from previous years.  On 9th October, 2006 the Welsh Assembly Government had written a letter requesting a full explanation of why the allocation had not been spent.  The Welsh Assembly Government were advised that the Council spend of MRA was linked to the Housing Investment Report which was due to be considered by Cabinet.  A report was subsequently taken to Cabinet on 21st December, 2006 following which the Cabinet made strong representations to WAG on their commitment to the tenants of the Vale and the achievement of the Welsh Housing Quality Standards.  On 27th February, 2007 the Welsh Assembly Government advised in a letter that:

 

a.                  the MRA under-spend of £2,832,300 at 31st March, 2006 would be recovered unless a satisfactory investment plan was received by the Welsh Assembly Government no later than 30th September, 2007 and,

 

b.                  the MRA indicative allocation of £2,700,000 for 2007-08 would be suspended pending receipt by the Welsh Assembly Government of the satisfactory plan.

 

Further representations had been made by the Leader and Deputy Leader to WAG regarding the importance of the MRA to the Vale’s tenants and of the Council’s ability and intention to utilise the MRA.  Consequently a revised Interim Investment Programme for 2007 / 2008 and 2008 / 2009 was produced and was attached at Appendix 1 to the report.  This was based on a re-assessment of the data from the original stock condition survey together with knowledge and information from property records and officers.  The Chief Executive had exercised his emergency powers in order that it could be submitted to WAG, with the HRA Business Plan, by 31st March, 2007.   On 10th April, 2007 the Welsh Assembly Government confirmed in writing that they had approved £2,832,330 to be carried forward into 2006 / 2007 and 2007 / 2008 and that they agreed to offer a MRA grant of £2,7m. to the authority. Both grants were subject to the usual terms and conditions and the 2007 / 2008 allocation had to be accepted in writing. The Director of Finance, ICT and Property had notified WAG of the acceptance of the grant.  The MRA would be used to fund the Interim Investment Programme and it was proposed that this be included as part of the Council’s Capital Programme.  In order to provide better and more up to date information for the longer term investment, work was currently ongoing to commission a new stock condition survey in early 2007.  It was proposed that a revised specification be considered that would consist of a 10% sample survey and be subject to a future Cabinet report. The stock condition survey would result in the development of evidenced work programmes for the Council’s housing stock in 2008 / 2009 and onwards.  The report noted that the lead Scrutiny Committee was Corporate Resources.

 

This matter was for Executive decision.

 

RESOLVED –

 

(1)       T H A T the acceptance of the 2007 / 2008 Major Repairs Allowance funding be noted.

 

(2)       T H A T approval be granted for the Interim Investment Programme attached at Appendix 1 to the report and that the allocation be added to the Council’s Capital Programme.

 

(3)       T H A T a further report on the proposed stock condition survey be presented to Cabinet.

 

(4)               T H A T all the officers involved in the process be thanked for their hard work and efforts.

 

Reasons for decisions

 

(1)       To commence planned maintenance programmes working towards the Welsh Housing Quality Standards for the Council’s housing stock.

 

(2)       To ensure sufficient resources are made available to implement the Interim Investment Programme.

 

(3)               To provide up to date information on the housing stock to identify the resources required to achieve the Welsh Housing Quality Standard in the Council’s housing stock.

 

(4)       To ensure Cabinet’s appreciation is conveyed.

 

 

C2998                        HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT BUSINESS PLAN (DLPPHS AND DFICTP) (SCRUTINY – CORPORATE RESOURCES) –

 

The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan was presented for approval.  The Council had commissioned Tribal HCH to undertake a review of the Council Housing Investment options in order to meet the Welsh Housing Quality Standard by 2012.  The review had highlighted that the Council could retain its housing stock rather than follow a stock transfer option.  Cabinet on 8th November, 2006 had resolved that a stock retention strategy to enable the Council to meet the Welsh Housing Quality Standards by 2012 be supported but that that resolution be dependent upon the Council agreeing to a number of key issues.  The Welsh Assembly Government had requested that the Council submit its HRA Business Plan by 1st April, 2007.  In order to make the 31st March, 2007 deadline the Chief Executive had agreed to use his Emergency Powers to be able to submit the HRA Business Plan.  The Business Plan financial model had been updated and the assumptions and sensitivities referred to in the original Tribal HCH Stock Retention Financial Analysis report had been considered and revised where appropriate.  The updated financial analysis was part of the HRA Business Plan, which was included at Appendix 1 to the report.  The HRA Business Plan included four financial models, a base model; the base adjusted for a number of actions; the adjusted base model showing the impact of Sensitivity 1; and the adjusted base showing impact of Sensitivity 2.  For the first, a Base Model, which projected the financial position over 30 years based on the existing service, decisions had already been incorporated, e.g. reallocation of costs to General Fund for grounds maintenance, waste and housing strategy totalling approximately £200k; use of Penarth Heights Capital Receipt; and repairs and maintenance costs to rise in line with the Retail Price index (RPI).  It had been assumed that revenue repairs would reduce by 50% after 2012 (target date for achievement of the WHQS).   This last assumption varied from that set out in the Cabinet minute C2743 of 8th November, 2006 and reproduced in paragraph 3 of the report.  The model showed the Council would be unable to achieve the WHQS by 2012.  The base model was consequently adjusted to take account of the effect of a series of actions the Council could take, which were noted as follows:

 

Action 1 – Increase Service Charges by approximately £127k. per annum from 2008 / 2009 (Year 2) onwards.  Cabinet would be presented with the results of a review currently ongoing during the summer of 2007.

 

Action 2 – Achieve a stepped reduction in supervision and management costs of 1.30% every 5 years to reflect the estimated reduction in the housing stock due to Right-to-Buy sales. 

 

Action 3 – Building Maintenance Client to reduce their recharge to the Housing Revenue Account by £200k. from 2008 / 2009 onwards, due to efficiencies being found within the service.

 

Action 4 – The Housing Service to achieve efficiency savings of 1% per annum for 15 years from 2008 / 2009 to 2021 / 2022 on Supervision and Management costs.

 

Action 5 – Achieve HRA Land Asset sales totalling £3m. in 2008 / 2009.  Current financial rules allowed the Council to use 50% of the total value and quotes were due for marketing/valuation advice for the sites originally highlighted in the Tribal report.

 

Action 6 – Undertake Prudential Borrowing totalling £34.780m. over 30 years to achieve, and maintain, housing stock to the WHQS.

 

The report noted that this model demonstrated that the WHQS could be achieved and the Housing Revenue remain viable over the period of the Business Plan and it was suggested that this model form the basis of the Council’s financial strategy to retain its Housing Stock and achieve the WHQS.

 

A number of additional sensitivities to the adjusted base model outlined in the above paragraph had also been analysed and formed the basis of the remaining two models included in the HRA Business Plan :-

 

·                    Sensitivity 1 – Management & Maintenance (M&M) Allowances to increase by 2% plus RPI p.a. until 2012 / 2013 (instead of RPI only).  WAG’s current guidance was that M&M allowances should increase by inflation only, however over, the last few years allowances had increased on average by 2% plus RPI, and for 2007 / 2008 the increase was 5% plus RPI.

 

·                    Sensitivity 2 - Rent increases at 5% plus RPI from 2008 / 2009 to 2013 / 2014.  Rents in the adjusted base model were assumed to increase by RPI plus 1%, which was in line with notional rents in the Subsidy. 

 

The two sensitivities improved the overall financial position however Sensitivity 1 was beyond the control of the Council and Sensitivity 2 required an increase in rent above WAG guidelines.  Consequently, it was not recommended that they be adopted at this stage as part of the strategy.   Attached at Appendix (G) to HRA Business Plan was a risk appraisal for the stock retention model.  The risk appraisal highlighted the key issues that the Council needed to consider to ensure that a stock retention strategy was successful.  It was proposed that the use of prudential borrowing be delayed until at least April 2009, to allow the Council to more fully assess the viability of the Retention Strategy. Until that time the Business Plan proposed to use Major Repair Allowance (MRA) Funding and Capital Receipts.

 

The report also noted that, should Cabinet approve the HRA Business Plan and the actions set out in paragraph 9 to the report, the adjusted base would effectively form the financial strategy for stock retention and it would be against this adjusted base that future monitoring reports would be brought.  The report also highlighted that a decision to support a stock retention strategy was for the Executive and the decision to support a stock transfer strategy was a decision for Full Council.

 

RESOLVED –

 

(1)       T H A T a Housing Stock Retention Strategy to enable the Council to meet the WHQS by 2012 be continued to be supported and that the supporting Housing Revenue Account Business Plan, included in Appendix 1 to the report, be adopted.

 

(2)       T H A T the Financial Strategy as outlined in paragraph 9 and exemplified in the adjusted Base Model included in the HRA Business Plan be agreed and the following Actions be approved:

 

Action 1               Review Service Charges for implementation for 2008 / 2009

Action 2          Reduce supervision and management costs in steps to reflect the reduction in the housing stock due to Right-to-Buy sales. 

Action 3          Reduce by £200,000 the recharge to HRA from Building Maintenance Client from 2008 / 2009 onwards.

Action 4          Housing Service to make Efficiency Savings of 1% per annum for 15 years on Supervision and Management costs. 

Action 5          Identify potential HRA Land Asset sales totalling at least £3 million by 2008 / 2009 and bring a further report for Cabinet to consider. 

Action 6          Approve In principle, Prudential Borrowing of £34.780 million should Stock Retention remain viable from 2009 / 2010.

 

Reasons for decisions

 

(1) and (2)            To ensure that the Council considers all the relevant issues that need to be actioned to support a stock retention strategy.

 

 

C2999                        MATTER WHICH THE CHAIRMAN HAD DECIDED WAS URGENT -

 

RESOLVED - T H A T the following matter which the Chairman had decided was urgent for the reason stated, be considered.

 

 

C3000                        TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE SERVICE (DEER) -

 

Urgent by reason of the request of Cabinet on 18th April, 2007 that a further report be submitted to the next meeting

 

The report provided additional information regarding the future service delivery of the Tourist Information Centre Service.  A report had been presented on the Tourist Information Service to Cabinet on 18th April, 2007 who had resolved:

 

“(1)      T H A T the hours of operation at Penarth TIC be reduced as set out in paragraph 12 of the report.

 

(2)       T H A T further negotiations be carried out with Capital Regional Tourism regarding funding to staff the Cardiff International Airport Tourism and Information Post.

 

(3)       T H A T as the Metrix project for a Defence Training College at St. Athan developed, the future of tourism information in the Western Vale be considered.

 

(4)       T H A T the Director of Environmental and Economic Regeneration submit a further report to the next meeting of Cabinet on the following matters:

 

(a)       The feasibility of operating the Barry Island TIC on the same basis as the revised opening hours of the Penarth TIC.

 

            (b)       The potential involvement of Barry Island Traders in the provision of tourism information literature.

 

            (c)        Options to allow for the utilisation of space within the Barry Island TIC building for alternative leisure uses.

 

(5)       T H A T the Director of Environmental and Economic Regeneration submit a further report in respect of any service delivery issues that may arise as a result of the revised opening arrangements of both Barry Island and Penarth TICs.”

 

The current report noted that with reference to recommendation (4) above, if Barry Island TIC was to be operated on the same reduced hours as Penarth TIC, the hours of opening until the end of the season (end of September) would be as follows:

 

Saturday and Sunday            10.00 am to 5.30 pm

 

Bank Holiday Mondays            10.00 am to 5.30 pm

 

School Holidays                    Daily 10.00 am to 5.30 pm.

 

In order to operate the above service, it would also be necessary to recruit an additional temporary member of staff to cover the hours.

 

Cabinet were further advised that since the report had been compiled, ward member consultation had taken place.

 

This matter was for Executive decision.

 

RESOLVED –

 

(1)         T H A T Barry TIC be opened on a reduced hours basis similar to Penarth.

 

(2)       T H A T consultation takes place with the traders at Barry Island, Penarth and other traders in strategic areas in the Vale, to consider ways of promoting tourism.

 

Reasons for decisions

 

(1)       To continue to provide a tourist information service at Barry Island.

 

(2)       To ensure wider consultation.