THE VALE OF GLAMORGAN COUNCIL
MINUTES of a meeting held on 6th
December, 2006.
Present: Councillor N.P. Hodges
(Mayor); Councillors Ms. M.E. Alexander, R.J. Bertin, Ms. R.M.
Birch, Ms. L. Burnett, Mrs. J.E. Charles, P. Church, Mrs. C.V.L.
Clay, J. Clifford, Miss J. Cole, G.A. Cox, R.F. Curtis, A.D.
Dobbinson, S.C. Egan, A.M. Ernest, C.P. Franks, N.J. Gibbs, E.
Hacker, A.D. Hampton, Mrs. V.M. Hartrey, M.R. Harvey, H.J.W. James,
T.H. Jarvie, G. John, F.T. Johnson, Mrs. M. Kelly Owen, G.C. Kemp,
Mrs. A.J. Moore, N. Moore, C.L. Osborne, A.G. Powell, Mrs. A.J.
Preston, Mrs. M. Randall, A.J. Readman, Mrs. S.I. Sharpe, B.I.
Shaw, K.R. Stockdale, J.W. Thomas, W.C. Vaughan, S.T. Wiliam, Mrs.
M.R. Wilkinson, A.C. Williams, A.J. Williams, C.J. Williams, E.T.
Williams and M.R. Wilson.
602
APOLOGY FOR ASBENCE -
This was received from Councillor Mrs. M.E.J.
Birch.
603
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST -
The Members whose names appear in the schedule
to the minutes declared an interest in the matters indicated
against their names.
604
MINUTES -
RESOLVED - T H A T the minutes of the meeting
of the Council held on 4th October, 2006 and the
extraordinary meeting of the Council held on 22nd
November, 2006 be approved as a correct record.
605
ANNOUNCEMENTS -
The newly appointed Leader formally informed
the existing Members of the Cabinet of her intention to form a new
Cabinet and, as a result, that their appointments would come to an
end.
606
PETITIONS -
The following petitions were submitted and
passed to the relevant Director:
(i)
Petition from residents and parents of children attending Barry
Comprehensive School requesting the installation of a pedestrian
crossing on Colcot Road in the vicinity of Winston Road, Barry
(submitted by Councillor B.I. Shaw).
(ii)
Petition from Cowbridge and Llanblethian Residents’ Group opposing
the disposal of the Cowbridge Cattle Market site and requesting its
retention for car parking.
607
QUESTIONS PURSUANT TO COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULE 8.2 -
Due notice had been given of the following
questions:
1.
Question from Councillor A.J. Readman
VALE BUSINESS CLUB
What was the cost to this Council, i.e. to the
Vale Council Tax payers, of the Guest Speaker at the meeting of the
Vale Business Club at the Vale of Glamorgan Show in August ?
Reply by the
Leader
As I have only just become Leader, I am unable
to answer at such short notice. I will ensure a written reply
is sent to the Member and that a copy is forwarded to all
Members.
2.
Question from Councillor G. John
TWINNING WEEKEND 27th - 29th
OCTOBER 2006
Could you please advise the Members of this
Council of the expenditure incurred as follows :
1. Cost of Transport
2. Cost of Meals &
Drinks
3. Cost and details of any
other expenditure.
Reply by the
Leader
As I have only just become Leader, I am unable
to answer at such short notice. I will ensure a written reply
is sent to the Member and that a copy is forwarded to all
Members.
3.
Question from Councillor B.I. Shaw
VALE WAVES COMMUNITY
NEWSPAPER
I have recently received my copy of the Winter
2006 edition of the above which is very informative for the
residents of the Vale of Glamorgan. There are many pictures
of The Leader and various Cabinet Members, but nothing about our
Mayor. This has been apparent for the last two years.
Why is
this ? Are we not proud of our
Mayor? Who is responsible for the editorial content of this
newspaper ? Will this be readdressed in future editions ?
Reply by the
Leader
In endorsing the Member’s comments, again I
will ensure that a written reply is sent.
4.
Question from Councillor A.J. Readman
PENSIONS FOR
COUNCILLORS
Further to my notice question at Council on
3rd May 2006, to which an incomplete answer was given:
(a) How many
Councillors are currently eligible to join this scheme (i.e. are
aged over 75) ?
(b) How many
have joined to date ?
(c) What
is the resultant annual monetary cost to this Council, i.e.
to the Vale’s Council Taxpayers, in employer’s superannuation
contributions ?
Reply by the
Leader
As I have only just become Leader, I am unable
to answer at such short notice. I will ensure a written reply
is sent to the Member and that a copy is forwarded to all
Members.
5.
Question from Councillor R.J. Bertin
THE RICHARD TAYLOR MEMORIAL SKATE
PARK
Will the Cabinet Member please give this
Council an update on the proposed skate park in memory of the
skater, Richard Taylor ?
In particular I would like to know:
· Is
this Council still committed to supporting this project ?
·
Has the Council kept the family informed of all progress ?
·
And finally, when are we likely to see it opened and fully
operational ?
Reply by the Cabinet Member for
Visible Services
1. Yes, Cabinet has
allocated £25,000 for this project from the 2006/2007 Visible
Services Asset Renewal Budget, but required a further report to be
submitted on the suitability of the current Knap Skateboard site
and possible alternatives for its relocation. I am advised by
Officers that this report will be tabled at Cabinet in January
2007.
2. The Operational
Manager Parks and Grounds Maintenance has been in regular
communication with the family representatives of the Richard Taylor
Memorial Fund and discussions are ongoing as to the technical
details and procurement method for the delivery of this
project. The Leader wrote to Mrs Taylor earlier this week
providing her with an update of the current position.
3.
Cabinet will need to consider the report and make a decision on the
merits of the proposed refurbishment at the Knap Lake Gardens. The
technical details and procurement mechanisms also need to be
resolved. I would hope that the process can be concluded
before the end of this financial year with a view to the site being
operational in April/May 2007. I assume Councillor
Bertin and, indeed, the new administration will be equally
supportive.
6.
Question from Councillor B.I. Shaw
COMMUNICATION
BREAKDOWN
Recently, trees were cut down on Ffordd Y
Mileniwm, Barry without notifying the public or elected
members. Furthermore, staff cut these down over the weekend
when this could have been done during the working week. Not
only did this incur an unnecessary overtime payment, but it meant I
could not contact any Officers of the Vale of Glamorgan Council at
this time. Even though I have had a reply why this had to be
done, but not why this work was done at a weekend. I bring it
to this forum for an explanation.
I have raised “Communication Breakdown”
previously on numerous occasions and am not convinced that there
has been any improvement since as this Council is continually
breaking it’s own “Standards of Service Agreement”. If I am
not answered, what hope is there for the general public?
Reply by the Cabinet Member for
Visible Services
Regarding the removal of willow trees on
Ffordd Y Mileniwm , Councillor Shaw has been fully advised by the
Operational Manager for Parks and Grounds Maintenance of the
reasons why this work was necessary. Regrettably, with such a
small arboricultural team it is necessary to undertake some works
during the weekend. On occasions the sheer volume of work
required exceeds the available normal working hours of the skilled
arboricultural team, and this was the reason the work was
undertaken on this particular occasion on the weekend. It is
now accepted that local Members should have been informed prior to
this work being undertaken due to the interest generated amongst
nearby residents. The OM for P&G M is aware of this and
will use his best endeavours to ensure that communications are
improved in future.
As regards out of hours availability, the
mobile telephone numbers for Operational Managers and the Head of
Visible Services are available in the Council Year Book and I would
suggest to all Members that they use this information when
necessary in an emergency.
Supplemental
Councillor Shaw acknowledged that a reply had
been received but pointed out that officers had not got back to him
within the time limit provided for under service standards.
Reply
The Cabinet Member, in pointing out that a
written response had been sent, suggested that Councillor Shaw
probably submitted more e-mails to officers than all other Members
combined.
608
CHANGE TO MEMBERSHIP OF APPEALS COMMITTEE (CX) -
The Plaid Cymru Group had requested that
Councillor C.P. Franks be replaced on the Appeals Committee by
Councillor Mrs. M. Randall.
RESOLVED - T H A T Councillor Mrs. M. Randall
replace Councillor C.P. Franks on the Appeals Committee.
609
CAPITAL MONITORING FOR THE PERIOD 1ST APRIL, 2006 -
31ST AUGUST, 2006 (CMT) -
RESOLVED - T H A T the proposals of the
Cabinet, as set out in Cabinet Minute No. C2685, 4th
October, 2006, be approved.
610
PENARTH HEIGHTS: POST CONTRACT (DEER) -
RESOLVED - T H A T the proposals of the
Cabinet, as set out in Cabinet Minute No. C2715, 18th
October, 2006, be approved.
611
INITIAL CAPITAL PROGRAMME PROPOSALS 2007/08 (DFICTP) -
RESOLVED - T H A T the proposals of the
Cabinet, as set out in Cabinet Minute No. C2763, 22nd
November, 2006, be approved.
612
PROHIBITING THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL IN PUBLIC PLACES (DLRS)
-
RESOLVED - T H A T the proposals of the
Cabinet, as set out in Cabinet Minute No. C2787, 29th
November, 2006, be approved.
613
GAMBLING ACT 2005 (DLRS) -
RESOLVED - T H A T the proposals of the
Cabinet, as set out in Cabinet Minute No. C2788, 29th
November, 2006, be approved.
614
DYFFRYN HOUSE: POTENTIAL FUTURE USE (DEER) -
RESOLVED - T H A T the proposals of the
Cabinet, as set out in Cabinet Minute No. C2789, 29th
November, 2006, be approved.
615
SOCIAL SERVICES BUDGET ACTION PLAN (REF) -
In addition to receiving a reference from the
Scrutiny Committee (Community Wellbeing and Safety):
23rd October, 2006 (reconvened on 27th
October, 2006), Council also received the subsequent responses of
Cabinet and the Audit Committee. Given the latest
consideration by Cabinet of this matter, which had included
instructing the Chief Executive to deliver by Christmas a revised
Action Plan, it was
RESOLVED - T H A T the current position be
noted.
616
OFFICE ACCOMMODATION: PROVINCIAL HOUSE (DFICTP)
RESOLVED - T H A T the use of the Urgent
Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute No. C2644, 20th
September, 2006), set out in Article 13.09(a)(ii) of the
Constitution, in order to achieve full occupation of the property
as soon as possible, be noted.
617
SCHOOL INVESTMENT STRATEGY: UPDATE (DLD) -
RESOLVED - T H A T the use of the Urgent
Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute No. C2646, 20th
September, 2006), set out in Article 13.09(a)(ii) of the
Constitution, in order to ensure progression of the Strategy, be
noted.
618
CHANGES TO THE FINANCE/HR FUNCTION (DFICTP/DLD) -
RESOLVED - T H A T the use of the Urgent
Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute No. C2658, 20th
September, 2006), set out in Article 13.09(a)(ii) of the
Constitution, in order to meet the scheduled “go live” date for the
Oracle Solution, be noted.
619
WELSH ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT: ACTIVE LIFESTYLES COMMUNITY CAPITAL
PROGRAMME (DEER) -
RESOLVED - T H A T the use of the Urgent
Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute No. C2677, 4th
October, 2006), set out in Article 13.09(a)(ii) of the
Constitution, in order to meet the closing date for applications,
13th October, 2006, be noted.
________________
SCHEDULE OF DECLARATIONS
OF INTEREST
|
Councillor R.F. Curtis
Councillors N.P. Hodges, Mrs. A.J. Moore and
N. Moore
Councillor J.W. Thomas
|
Agenda Item 7(c) in capacity as a governor of
Oakfield Primary School.
Agenda Item 7(c) in capacity as a governor of
Ysgol Gwaun-y-Nant.
Agenda Item 7(c) in capacity as a governor of
St. Athan Primary School.
|