CABINET
Minutes of a meeting held on 22nd
April, 2009.
Present: Councillor G.C. Kemp
(Chairman); Councillor T.H. Jarvie (Vice-Chairman); Councillors
Mrs. J.E. Charles, P. Church, G.A. Cox, A.M. Ernest, A.D. Hampton,
H.J.W. James, R.L. Traherne and Mrs. D.M. Turner.
C414
MINUTES -
RESOLVED - T H A T the minutes of the meeting
held on 1st April, 2009 be approved as a correct
record.
C415
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST -
No declarations were received, however the
Leader requested it be noted that in respect of Item 6 (Closure of
Barry Police Station Custody Suites) that he was a Member of the
Police Authority appointed by the Vale of Glamorgan Council.
C416
VALE OF GLAMORGAN LOCAL ACCESS FORUM -
The following minutes of a meeting held on
1st April 2009 were submitted.
Present:Mr. F. Coleman
(Chairman); Mr. G.D. Cubbin, Mr. J.J. Herbert, Mrs. H. March,
Mr. H.S. McMillan, Mr. M. Parry, Ms. A. Phillips, Mrs. L. Stuart,
Mr. R. Traherne and Mrs. V. Warlow.
Mr. J. Wyatt (Secretary), Mr. C. Fray, Mr.
B. Guy and Mrs. S. Thomas (Vale of Glamorgan Council); Ms. S.
Tindal (Countryside Council for Wales)
|
|
Action
|
|
(a)
Apologies for absence -
These were received from Councillor A.M.
Ernest, Mr. N. Moss, Mr. R. Pittard and Mr. R. Simpson
and from Mr. C. Jones -Jenkins.
|
|
|
(b)
Mr. C. Jones-Jenkins -
Mr. C. Fray, the Council's Head of
Economic Development and Leisure informed the Forum that the
Council's Rights of Way Officer, Mr. Chris Jones-Jenkins, had
recently tendered his resignation. Mr. Fray paid tribute
to the support Mr. Jones-Jenkins had provided to the Forum
since its original inception and to his 30 years service in the
Rights of Way area.
AGREED - T H A T the Chairman, on behalf
of the Forum, write to Mr. Jones-Jenkins expressing appreciation
for his contribution and support.
|
Chairman
|
|
(c) Minutes
-
AGREED - T H A T the minutes of the
meetings held on 28th January, 2009 be approved as
a correct record.
|
|
|
(d)
Matters Arising -
(i) Valeways
Service Level Agreement - B. Guy indicated that there was nothing
further to report regarding this matter.
(ii) Launch Event re
Wales Coastal Path Logo - The Chairman indicated that four Members
of the Forum had attended the launch event held in Cardiff on
27th February, 2009. A copy of the logo in its
various formats was circulated to each Member of the
Forum.
(iii)
A discussion ensued as to whether future meetings should all be
held on Wednesday evenings or whether varying days should be
used. It was
AGREED - T H A T the dates agreed at the last meeting would
remain.
|
|
|
(e)
Coastal Access Improvement Programme: Update from Sarah
Tindal, Countryside Council for Wales -
At the last meeting, Ms. Tindal had agreed
to provide a report indicating how the Vale of Glamorgan was likely
to compare with other authorities in Wales and also alluding to the
types of schemes which were likely to attract grant
aid.
Ms. Tindal reiterated the points made at
the previous meeting regarding the need for the Countryside Council
for Wales (CCW) to await Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) decisions
regarding the overall funding available. However, she
indicated that, hopefully, the Vale of Glamorgan Council would be
able to be provided with figures shortly. She referred to the
potential additional European funding (Welsh European Funding
Office (WEFO) funding) which it was envisaged would be made
available. Whilst confident that this funding would be
secured, the exact determination of the process for utilisation was
likely to take some time. Whilst the Vale of Glamorgan was
outside the area eligible for WEFO assistance, a successful bid in
that area would mean a significant increase in the overall funding
available which, in turn, would assist in allocating additional
funding to those authorities outside the WEFO area.
In answer to a specific question, Ms.
Tindal indicated that funding in respect of access to coastal paths
had, in effect, been put on hold. She hoped that the
additional money alluded to above would mean up to £1million extra
funding being available across Wales which, in turn, could provide
for more hinterland improvements.
She confirmed that WAG was extremely
interested / involved in the overall process. Albeit only
recently, confirmation of WAG funding of £2million for 2009/10 had
been received. CCW hoped to confirm grant approvals by the
end of April, despite late bids from some authorities.
Similar issues regarding late notification of funding applied to
the Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP). Confirmation in
respect of that area of funding for 2009/10 had only been received
on 31st March, 2009.
|
|
|
(f) Allocation
of Coastal Access Improvement Plan and Rights of Way Improvement
Plan Monies for 2009/10 -
Mr. Guy indicated that the position in
respect of coastal access was as set out by Ms. S. Tindal
above. With regards to the ROWIP, the proposed works for
2009/10 were as follows:
(i)
Installation of 150 new roadside posts (a continuation of a
programme begun in 2008/09) - estimated cost - £11,000.
(ii) Boardwalks:
Public Right of Way No. 19b, Llanblethian: installation of two
sections of boardwalk - estimated cost - £17,000.
(iii)
Boardwalk - Public Rights of Way No. 17, Llancarfan:
installation of one section of boardwalk -
estimated cost - £8,600.
(iv)
Restricted Byway Improvement, St. Georges - awaiting
costing.
In response to a query, it was agreed
that, notwithstanding the glossary contained in the Rights of Way
Improvement Plan, an overall glossary of terms and acronyms used
would be circulated to Members of the Forum.
During consideration of this item, Mr. R.
Traherne felt there could be a potential problem regarding the
proposal for St. Georges and suggested that Peterston and St.
Georges Community Councils be asked for their views regarding the
proposal.
|
Mr. B. Guy
Mr. B. Guy to write to the Community
Councils concerned.
|
|
(g)
Local Access Forum Footpath Surveys -
Details of the 2008/09 surveys undertaken
were circulated at the meeting. The information covered the
following:
·
survey undertaken by Local Access Forum Volunteer
·
Ramblers' survey
·
combined figure for the above
·
All-Wales figure.
Areas covered were those relating to the
national performance indicator regarding percentage of length of
public right of way that was easy to use and the local performance
indicator regarding the percentage of the number of paths
signposted from the road.
The total survey undertaken met the
required percentage sample of 10% (actual figure - 10.77%).
With regard to ease of use, if the all-Wales figure turned out to
be similar to the previous year then the figure for the Vale of
Glamorgan would be at a similar level. The following specific
figures were presented to the Forum:
Combined
LAF
Ramblers
Waymarking
along the
route 64
%
75%
52%
Bridges
84
%
89%
78%
Stiles / Gates
etc 89
%
86%
91%
Obstructions
69
%
72%
65%
Surface Conditions 90
%
94%
86%
Signposting from
Members of the Forum were encouraged to
again volunteers to partake in the survey which would involve,
ideally, five/six Members each being responsible for surveying
five/six linear kilometres.
|
Forum members to contact
Ms. S. Thomas.
|
|
(h)
Terms of Reference -
Revised Terms of Reference reflecting
views of Members expressed at the last meeting in relation to
coastal access issues, together with a specific addition suggested
by the Chairman, were submitted for consideration.
AGREED - T H A T the following revised
Terms of Reference be adopted (the amendments being shown
highlighted in bold):
Title
1. The Local
Access Forum shall be known as the Vale of Glamorgan Local Access
Forum.
Roles and Responsibilities
2. The function
of the Vale of Glamorgan Local Access Forum is to provide advice to
the relevant local authorities, the Countryside Council for Wales
(CCW) and others as appropriate as to the improvement of public
access to land in the area for the purposes of open-air recreation
and the enjoyment of the area in ways which take account of land
management, social, economic, environmental and educational
interests.
3.
The Vale of Glamorgan Local Access Forum will fulfil this role
by advising on issues of particular local relevance,
including:
4.
The Vale of Glamorgan Local Access Forum will work to:
Membership
5.
The membership will include:
(b) a
minimum of 10 and a maximum of 20 other Members, which must include
a balanced representation of
(i) recreational
access users and
(ii) landowners and occupiers –
together with representation of other interests especially relevant
to the area.
6.
The membership will:
7.
Members will be expected to:
Administration
Secretariat
8.
The Vale of Glamorgan Local Access Forum will have a Secretary
appointed by the appointing authority who will be responsible
for:
(a) providing support to
the Chair of the Forum;
(b) ensuring that the Forum
is set up and run according to the CROW Act, Local Access Forum
regulations and these Terms of Reference;
(c) managing any resources
dedicated to its work;
(d) arranging and promoting
meetings, including arranging the delivery of papers and
information to Forum Members and the public;
(e) producing minutes of
Forum meetings.
Meetings
9. Meetings
will be held at least two times a year, and more frequently as and
when necessary, to be agreed by the LAF and the appointing
authority.
10.
Meetings agendas will be agreed between the Chair, the Deputy Chair
and the Secretary – although any Member may suggest agenda items
for consideration.
11.
Meetings will be advertised in advance and the minutes
published.
12.
The Chair will invite observers / advisors to the meeting when
appropriate.
13.
Observers / advisors will be able to contribute to the proceedings
at the discretion of the Chair.
14.
One representative of each of the Countryside Council for Wales and
the National Assembly for Wales and any officer of the appointing
authority will automatically have observer status.
15.
The LAF will appoint, if desirable, Local Access Forum committees
and / or Sub Groups.
16.
The LAF will appoint the Chairman and agree the Terms of Reference
of committees / sub groups.
17.
All meetings of the LAF will be held in public. However, the
person presiding, following a request from a Member or Members, may
decide that the public should be barred for particular items for
reasons of personal privacy or commercial confidentiality.
18 Should a Member of
the Forum feel he / she might have a conflict of interest relating
to a specific agenda item, such an interest should be
declared.
|
|
|
(i) Appointment
of Member With Experience of Disabled People’s Needs -
The establishment of a Local Access Forum
was governed by the Countryside Access (Local Access Forums)
(Wales) Regulations 2001. Regulation 7(f) stated that an
authority must have regard to the need to ensure, so far as is
reasonably practicable, a fair balance between persons of different
genders, races, ages, disabilities and other
characteristics.
Some years ago, the Forum agreed that
contact be made with the Vale Coalition of Disabled People to
ascertain whether there were any expressions of interest for
someone to join and advise the Forum on issues affecting disabled
people. As a result, a representative, who was already
actively involved in other bodies and was a member of the Council’s
former Equal Opportunities Committee, was approached and
subsequently appointed as a Member of the Forum.
Unfortunately, the individual concerned
felt unable, due to other commitments, to play a part in the work
of the Forum.
Recently, an employee of the Coalition
(Anne Duddridge, Outreach Manager) has volunteered to join the
Forum. The Regulations governing the appointment of
additional members stated:
“Regulation No. 5(1) An AA may at any time
appoint
further members …
5(3) Before an AA exercises its powers under para. (1) … it
must consult the forum …
5(9) Before appointing … the AA must require that person to
provide it with such information … for the purpose of assessing
that person’s suitability …”
AGREED - T H A T Anne Duddridge, Cardiff and Vale Coalition of
Disabled People be appointed as a member of the Forum.
|
J. Wyatt to write to A. Duddridge
accordingly.
|
|
(j) Local
Access Forum Chairmen’s Meeting: 24th February 2009
-
Given that the minutes of the meeting were
not yet available, the Chairman provided a short briefing note
summarising the matters discussed. In general, the meeting
had been held to allow new members to meet, to discuss how LAFs
were evolving, to consider consistency of approach between LAFs, to
elect a national representative onto the National Access Forum and
to establish a formal voice for the combined LAFs.
Certain of the specific issues discussed
at the meeting had been embraced within a questionnaire circulated
to Chairmen. Members of the Forum had, in turn, received a
copy from the Chairman and he thanked them for their responses to
date.
Arising from the meeting, views had been
sought prior to the national conference on:
·
coastal access funding
·
provision of access for disabled people
·
status and provision of multi-use routes
·
co-operation between LAFs.
Members of the Forum considered that,
generally, the identification / sharing of good practice would
benefit LAFs and local authorities. The Chairman indicated
that he had asked officers to instigate reciprocal arrangements
allowing for the provision of agendas / reports with neighbouring
LAFs. He had also mentioned at the above conference to the
Chairman of the Cardiff LAF the possibility of some kind of link up
regarding, for example, coastal issues. He envisaged that
this could initially be progressed through himself and relevant
officers.
A discussion ensued regarding the “wider”
issues surrounding access across land owned by major landowners
such as Associated British Ports. S. Tindal indicated she
would be happy to take up such issues albeit it would probably be a
case of approaching the Welsh Assembly Government direct given the
change in responsibilities for such matters which had
occurred.
In response to a specific question, Ms.
Tindal confirmed that underspending by a particular authority did
allow funding to be redistributed and not lost and that this
occurred quite often amongst authorities.
Referring to an issue raised previously at
the Forum, the Chairman indicated that he had raised the issue of
coastal safety at the National Conference but that the general view
had been that this was more a matter for local
authorities.
|
S. Tindal to clarify the position and
write to J. Wyatt
|
|
(k) National
Access Forum Meeting: 10th March 2009 -
The Forum received a note prepared by J.
Rosenfeld the Local Access Forums representative on the National
Forum.
Discussion on this matter included
reference to the item entitled “Dogs in the Countryside”. B.
Guy confirmed that, traditionally, by-laws had been used to deal
with this issue. There were currently no Dog Control Orders
in place within the Vale of Glamorgan (not least because they were
not deemed to be any more effective than by-laws, which in turn,
would have to be removed to introduce an Order). The general
feeling of the Forum was that there was not necessarily a major
problem within the Vale of Glamorgan and that most dog owners acted
responsibly. A problem, if existing, was more likely to
revolve around unaccompanied dogs.
Reference was made to the fact that Mr. P.
Davies, Slade Farm, had become the first winner of a
national farming award for wildlife conservation which included
creation of wildlife corridors to link up different
habitats.
|
B. Guy to invite R. Hughes, Principal
Environmental Health Officer, Vale of Glamorgan Council to attend
the next meeting
|
|
(l) Dog Control
and Access -
Members of the Forum received a copy of
the presentation of the Kennel Club made at the National Access
Forum on 10th March 2009.
|
|
|
(m) Forward Work
Programme -
A general discussion took place as to the
possibilities for content / format / venues for future
meetings. The Chairman indicated he was keen for the Forum to
be proactive wherever possible. Issues discussed
included:
·
the possibility of 1 / 2 “liaison” members from the Forum being
involved with the Chairman in terms of issues arising between
formal meetings
·
the possibility of younger people being involved in meetings of
the Forum and, for example, footpath surveys
·
the possibility of the Forum being consulted on major
diversions which were considered by the Council’s Public Rights of
Way Sub-Committee
·
replicating a previous exercise whereby members of the Forum
had visited / spoken to Town and Community Councils regarding the
work of the Forum
·
the linking up of various Public Rights of Way Improvements
(e.g. bridleways).
|
(1) B. Guy to provide a list of highway
diversions to Members of the Forum
(2) A task and finish group be established
comprising the Chairman,
Mr. J.J. Herbert, Mr. S. McMillan and Mr.
R. Traherne to consider issues relating to linking up of Public
Rights of Way Improvements.
|
RESOLVED - T H A T the minutes be noted
subject to the Vale of Glamorgan Local Access Forum being
recommended that the word “Chair” in paragraph (h) 12 be amended to
read “Forum”.
C417
CHANGING ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES: SUPPORTING BUSINESSES AND THE
LOCAL ECONOMY (REF) -
The Scrutiny Committee (Economy and
Environment) had on 24th March considered evidence from
stakeholders on the impact of the current economic slowdown.
The meeting had taken place as a direct result of a request for
consideration by Councillor R.F. Curtis and the Committee had
considered that it was essential for evidence to be gathered from
representatives of various bodies e.g. trade councils, chambers of
trade and the South East Wales Chamber of Commerce, in order to
assist the Council in considering ways to mitigate the effects of
the current economic downturn on local businesses. To this
end a number of representatives from local organisations were
invited to attend the meeting and offer their views and suggestions
on how the Council could assist. Committee was advised of the
overheads that were incurred for businesses and queried whether
some form of non-domestic rate relief could be provided. The
suggestion of establishing a Vale-wide forum which would comprise
businesses working together with the Council and local town
councils was considered would be a benefit to all areas and the
Council was also urged to consider developing an entrepreneurship
action plan which would meet local needs.
The Council was also commended with regard to
reducing the payment period to small local suppliers to 10 days and
for the work that had been undertaken in respect of procurement was
applauded. It was, however, suggested that both such
initiatives should be further considered as long term rather than
just temporary measures. Another representative suggested
that in view of the current economic climate and the potential for
domestic tourism to increase, the need for the provision of large
scale accommodation within the Vale to capitalise on this should be
developed. The Council was also requested to maximise the use
of modern apprenticeships to fill existing vacancies and
simultaneously provide training for the future with the suggestion
that the Council develop further work experience / mentoring
opportunities itself. Many present considered the huge
opportunities that could be presented with the Metrix and Aerospace
Business Park developments would require people to have the
necessary skills available locally in order to maximise the
opportunities for the future. The importance of progressing
the Local Development Plan was also suggested as this was an
investment into the future and the way in which to ensure high
quality development could be established within the Vale. The
importance of partnership working was also re-emphasised together
with assistance in local towns to improve e.g. signage, various
access issues and the need to develop tourism to encourage further
visitors to the Vale. Following the presentation of such
evidence the Scrutiny Committee recommended that
(1)
Cabinet be urged:
(a) to increase the work
experience programme within this Council where possible, with a
view to developing a learning culture within the Council in
preparation for the upturn in the economic climate;
(b) to promote a benefit
take-up campaign using Vale Waves and the expertise of the
Council’s internal media team;
(c) to investigate the
setting up of a Vale-wide Entrepreneurship Plan in liaison with the
relevant stakeholders;
(d) to take every opportunity
to continue to work with Metrix to ensure that businesses and local
people would accrue full benefit from the opportunities offered by
the Defence Technical College;
(e) to endorse the
establishment of a forum for debate with local businesses and
stakeholders - either by Cabinet or this Committee, such as had
just taken place, meetings of which should be held annually at a
minimum.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
Having considered the reference, Cabinet
RESOLVED - T H A T the recommendations of the
Scrutiny Committee be accepted.
C418
CLOSURE OF BARRY POLICE STATION CUSTODY SUITE (REF) -
At its meeting on 25th March 2009,
the Community Liaison Committee had received a report from the
Chief Executive which had provided information in respect of the
reorganisation of the South Wales Police and closure of custody
suites. The report outlined that the closure of the cells in
Barry Police Station Custody Suite had been threatened for some
time and strong representations had been made by the Council.
The Chief Executive had met with officers from Barry Magistrates
Court who had also objected to the closure.
It was noted that South Wales Police had not
undertaken any consultation with partners with regard to the
closure which would affect the work of the Vale of Glamorgan
Council, Probation Service and Barry Magistrate’s Court. For
example, the Vale of Glamorgan Council Youth Offending Service
provided Appropriate Adults who accompany as support young people
who had been arrested to ensure that the young person’s interests
were represented and their rights protected. This was due to
the fact that by law all children needed an adult to be present
during Police interviews to improve communication between Police
and the young person. The Youth Offending Service had 8
Appropriate Adult volunteers who could attend Barry Police Station
within 20 minutes of a call out being requested and the Youth
Offending Service paid travelling expenses to volunteers for their
travel costs. The suggested alternative to Barry Custody
Suite being Cardiff Bay could it was reported take up to 45 minutes
or longer for that Appropriate Adult to attend and volunteers had
also expressed their concerns about the additional travelling time
that would be incurred. The Committee had been advised that
from comments that had already been received it was likely that
some volunteers would resign when the Custody Suite in Barry was
closed which would then require more staff time to be spent on
Appropriate Adult duties in addition to travel expenses and parking
charges. To this end an impact assessment of the closure of
the Barry Custody Suite had been undertaken and forwarded to the
South Wales Police prior to the decision to close the
facility.
Chief Superintendent Dando who was present at
the Community Liaison Committee meeting indicated that the closure
of the Custody Suite was a necessary measure by South Wales Police
in order to achieve savings and balance the budget for
2009/10. As a result and as part of the initiatives that had
been introduced by the Chief Constable there was to be a merger of
the Barry and Bridgend Police Divisions although he reassured
members that this would not affect the Police Station in
Barry. The Chief Constable had also approached the Home
Office and Welsh Assembly Government about the poor settlement that
had been received by South Wales Police and the difficult choices
that had to be made to balance the budget. Chief
Superintendent Dando had himself been tasked with looking at issues
relating to the closure of custody suites and would do everything
to ensure that the Vale would not suffer. Members and
representatives of the Town and Community Councils had been
concerned that the proposals to close the Custody Suite at Barry
were not in the best interests of the Vale together with the fact
that the closure would result in additional expenses and the use of
more resources by the Council.
Cabinet was therefore recommended to
consider
(1) the
issues surrounding the closure of the Custody Suite at Barry Police
Station with particular reference to the financial implications for
the Council and likely impact on the way the Youth Offending
Service operates; and
(2)
support for a letter from the Community Liaison Committee to the
First Minister and AMs in support of a bid by South Wales Police
for an additional settlement for 2009/10 to ensure that service
provision within the Vale of Glamorgan would not be adversely
affected.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
Cabinet, having considered the reference
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T Cabinet registers its objections to the South Wales Police in
respect of:
(a) the merger of the Vale
Basic Command Unit (BCU) with Bridgend;
(b) the impending closure of
the Custody Suites at Barry Police Station.
(2) T H A
T the South Wales Police be advised that in the event of the merger
proceeding the base for the new command unit (BCU) be Barry Police
Station.
(3) T H A
T the Scrutiny Committee (Housing and Public Protection) be
recommended to scrutinise all issues relating to 1(a) and (b) above
on behalf of the Council.
(4) T H A
T the Leader, on behalf of the Council, be authorised to write to
the First Minister in respect of the Council’s objections and in
support of a bid by South Wales Police for an additional settlement
to ensure that service provision within the Vale of Glamorgan would
not be adversely affected.
C419
DRAFT CODE OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE (REF) -
The Draft Code of Corporate Governance had
been submitted to the Audit Committee for consideration on
2nd April 2009. Cabinet was informed that the
Draft Code described the Council’s commitment to and understanding
of corporate governance and outlined the arrangements that the
Council had put in place to ensure ongoing effective implementation
and monitoring. The Code also made provision for a joint
commitment by Members and officers to the principles contained
therein as well as a statement of assurance, which had been signed
by the Leader and Chief Executive. It was intended that the
Annual Governance Statement for the Vale of Glamorgan would be
prepared by internal audit in support of the 2008/09 Statement of
Accounts one year in advance of its statutory implementation in
Wales.
The Code also incorporated the draft Making
the Connections governance principles and values as set out by the
Welsh Assembly Government. The Audit Committee had
recommended that the Draft Code of Corporate Governance be approved
in principle and be submitted to Cabinet with a view to its
adoption by Council on 6th May 2009 as part of the
proposed revisions to the Constitution.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
Having considered the report Cabinet
RESOLVED - T H A T the Draft Code of Corporate
Governance be approved in principle and be recommended to Council
on 6th May 2009 for adoption.
Reason for decision
To enable an agreed code of corporate
governance to be incorporated within the Council’s
Constitution.
C420
BRO RADIO (CX) (SCRUTINY - CORPORATE RESOURCES) -
Cabinet was provided with an update on the
developments of Bro Radio and requested to determine that a Deed of
Grant as opposed to a Service Level Agreement be entered into
between the Vale of Glamorgan Broadcasting CIC prior to any Council
funding being released.
Cabinet had previously considered a report
from the Director of Finance, ICT and Property Services at its
meeting on 19th November 2008 at which the following had
been agreed:
·
That grant funding for the Vale of Glamorgan Broadcasting CIC in
the sum of £2,000 per month be agreed, payable monthly in advance
over a period of 36 months from the date of commencement of
broadcasting with a three month break clause.
·
That the above funding be subject to a Service Level Agreement
being entered into with the Vale of Glamorgan Broadcasting CIC
prior to the commencement of funding, the aforementioned SLA being
referred to Cabinet for approval.
·
That the above SLA be negotiated and subsequently monitored through
the Chief Executive’s Department Communications Section.
·
That a progress report on service provision and related matters be
submitted to Cabinet after 12 months broadcasting.
The Scrutiny Committee (Corporate Resources)
had also considered the proposals at its meeting on 16th
December 2008 and had requested further consideration of the then
proposed SLA prior to it being discussed at Cabinet. Bro
Radio had been established as a partnership between Barry YMCA and
the Vale of Glamorgan Broadcasting CIC to operate from the Barry
YMCA premises. The Chief Executive of Barry YMCA was a board
member of the Station and surplus profits made by the Station would
be reinvested in the YMCA’s youth work. Ownership of the
studio and equipment would remain within the YMCA. The
Station planned to operate on a 24/7 basis with content that would
meet the needs and wishes of the local community. Broadcasts
would be a mix of music, talk, information provision and
news. The transmission would range to cover Barry, Dinas
Powys, Wenvoe, Rhoose, Peterston-Super-Ely and Penarth (although it
was unlikely to reach the Marina). Given the nature of the
agreement it had been considered appropriate that a Deed of Grant
be entered into as opposed to an SLA and a copy of the proposed
Deed of Grant was attached at Appendix A to the report.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
Having considered the report Cabinet
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T Minute No. C236 (Cabinet 19th November 2008) and
Minute. No. 680 (Scrutiny Committee (Corporate Resources)
16th December 2008) not be actioned in so far as they
refer to an SLA.
(2) T H A
T the draft Deed of Grant attached to the report at Appendix A be
approved.
(3) T H A
T delegated authority be granted for the Operational Manager for
Corporate Policy and Communications in consultation with the
Director of Legal, Public Protection and Housing Services, the
Director of Finance, ICT and Property and the Leader to negotiate a
Deed of Grant between the Council and the Vale of Glamorgan
Broadcasting CIC based on the draft Deed of Grant attached to the
report.
(4) T H A
T delegated authority be granted to the Director of Legal, Public
Protection and Housing Services to execute the Deed of Grant
between the Council and the Vale of Glamorgan Broadcasting CIC.
(5) T H A
T the report, together with the clarification awaited from Bro
Radio in regard to the balance of public funding to be secured, and
draft Deed of Grant be referred to the Scrutiny Committee
(Corporate Resource) for consideration prior to a final decision
being made by Cabinet.
Reasons for decisions
(1) To
address the reference within the existing authority to the
application being actioned by way of a Service Level Agreement and
to enable the matter to be progressed by means of an alternative
agreement.
(2) To
enable the funding arrangement to be regularised by way of a Deed
of Grant in the form of the draft prepared.
(3) To
enable the Deed of Grant to be negotiated with the applicant on the
basis of the draft Deed of Grant attached to the report.
(4) To
achieve execution of the Deed of Grant.
(5) To
allow further consideration to be given to the grant application by
Members of the Scrutiny Committee (Corporate Resources) in
accordance with Minute No. 680 (Scrutiny Committee (Corporate
Resources), 16th December 2008) and to enable
Members to be apprised of the full extent of public funding to be
obtained in order that informed consideration may be given to the
prudence of the proposed grant funding.
C421
CABINET FORWARD WORK PROGRAMME MAY TO JULY 2009 (CX) (SCRUTINY -
CORPORATE RESOURCES) -
The Cabinet Forward Work Programme for May to
July 2009 was presented together with the previous Forward Work
Programme covering January to April 2009 which detailed reports
that had still not as yet been received. The Cabinet’s
Forward Work Programme was produced in accordance with the
provisions of the Local Government Act 2000 and was an important
element of the Council meeting its corporate service objectives and
maximising consultation with interested parties. The Forward
Work Programme was attached at Appendix A to the report.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T the Forward Work Programme for the period May to July 2009 as
attached at Appendix A to the report together with the publication
of details of availability of the Programme be approved.
(2) T H A
T the reasons supplied by officers for non-submission of items from
the previous Forward Work Programme January to April 2009 as
attached at Appendix B to the report be accepted.
Reasons for decisions
(1&2) To comply with the
requirements of the Local Government Act 2000, subordinate
legislation and the Council’s Constitution.
C422
ONEVALE BUSINESS CASE UPDATE (CX) (SCRUTINY - CORPORATE RESOURCES)
-
The report provided Members with progress on
the OneVale Business Case. Appendix A to the report outlined
the actual costs for 2005/06 to 2007/08 and the projected costs for
2008/09 against a revised Business Case. It was noted that
overall there was a favourable variance of £566k. on
spending. The report further outlined that there had been
significant changes to the OneVale Programme i.e. office
accommodation, the transfer of services into the contact centre and
a different implementation approach for the Oracle e-Business
suite. The forward projections had been reviewed and amended
to take into account the changes. Appendix B to the report
outlined the latest version of the OneVale Business Case and
provided a financial summary of each of the headings which showed a
comparison of the total cost to that which had been outlined
previously. Cabinet was further advised that overall the
Business Case was projected to make net savings of £2.5m. The
programme had commenced on 1st January 2006 and Cabinet
had received a report on 17th September 2008 which
had provided an update on current progress. Since that date
the following progress had also been made:
·
The Oracle i-Procurement system had gone live on 1st
August 2008 as a pilot in the Finance, ICT and Property Services
and Legal Services departments. The system was now being
rolled out across all Council services on a phased approach (Chief
Executive's Department in March 2009, Learning and Development in
June 2009 and Public Protection & Housing by August 2009).
All Council services would be using the system by August
2010.
·
Implementation of Oracle Payroll system - after tendering for
external support to assist the Council in implementing the payroll
system, Oracle Corporation (UK) Ltd. had been the successful
supplier and commenced on site 3rd November 2008. The Go
Live of the new system was programmed for December 2009.
·
Single Number Implementation - the second phase of the single
number implementation had commenced with a view to increasing the
average weekly number of calls from 5,000 to 8,000 by July 2009.
Following the successful opening of C1V during the Christmas period
(1,500 calls received), the opening hours of C1V had been extended
to include all bank holiday periods. This provided additional
flexibility for customers in accessing Council services via
C1V.
·
South Wales Police - agreement had been reached to prioritise
Visible Services service requests by ward in alignment with PACT
(Partnership and Communities Together) priorities.
·
Close Circuit Television - CCTV transferring to C1V from July 2009
which included the upgrading of existing equipment to a digital
environment.
·
Racist Incident Reporting - C1V now handling calls to report
instances of racial abuse and/or harassment within the Vale of
Glamorgan.
·
Implementation of the Trim system (corporate electronic filing
system) - following the successful pilot study in the Chief
Executive's Department, the Trim system was being rolled out across
the Council with the Planning Department and ICT in April 2009.
Other services would then follow.
·
In recognition of the OneVale programme, the Council had recently
received two external awards i.e. a Certificate of Recognition for
the Best Support Team (OneVale BPR and Efficiency Team) of the year
by the Welsh Contact Centre Forum and by the Welsh Local Government
Association, a "Commended" status for "Our Authority - Transforming
Our Organisation" category (this award being presented by Dr. Brian
Gibbons, Minister for Social Justice and Local Government).
This was a matter for Executive decision.
Having considered the report, Cabinet
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T the progress made to date with the OneVale Business Case be
noted.
(2) T H A
T the amended Business Case figures as set out at Appendix B to the
report be agreed.
Reasons for decisions
(1) To
note progress with the OneVale Business Case.
(2) To
update the Business Case in line with recent changes.
C423
RE-INSPECTION OF THE YOUTH OFFENDING SERVICE (CX) (SCRUTINY -
HOUSING AND PUBLIC PROTECTION) -
The Youth Offending Service had been the
subject of an inspection co-ordinated by HM Inspectorate of
Probation in October 2007. At that time the service was based
in Social Services. However, on receipt of the feedback from
Inspectors the Chief Executive as a matter of urgency had brought
the service within the Chief Executive’s Department. He had
also begun chairing the YOS Management Board in November 2007 in
order to provide improved leadership and direction. Following
the original inspection a re-inspection had taken place in December
2008 and the final report of the re-inspection had been issued on
1st April 2009.
Cabinet was advised that within the
re-inspection report the following had been outlined:
“The inspection of the Vale of Glamorgan YOS,
conducted in October 2007 under phase four of the YOT inspection
programme revealed a number of shortcomings. We therefore conducted
a reinspection in December 2008, focusing on the recommendations
contained in the original report.
We were pleased to see that the Management
Board had responded positively to the action plan following the
original inspection. New Terms of Reference had been agreed,
membership had been reviewed and new staff appointed including a
new YOS manager. The Management Board had a better understanding of
its role and responsibilities and the staff team impressed the
inspectors with their enthusiasm, knowledge, skill and overall
commitment. Improvement in the quality of practice was evidenced,
but further work was still required in some key areas of service
delivery, such as the assessment and management of Risk of Harm and
safeguarding.
Although the process of change and progress in
management and practice was still at a formative stage we believe
that the YOS has the foundations in place and the potential to
continue to improve."
Members were also advised that a copy of the
full inspection report was available on the Council’s website
http://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/our_council/achieving_our_vision/improvement.aspx
The overall finding of the re-inspection was
that whilst significant change and massive improvement had occurred
they were at a critical phase and needed to be built upon.
The three year action plan that had been developed in 2008
continued to be challenging and an update of the action plan was
attached at Appendix 1 to the report. Cabinet was further
advised in relation to actions that had slipped, that it must be
noted that the Youth Offending Service had had to deal with several
emergencies during the previous 9 months. For example, in
September 2008 a potential serious case review had been highlighted
which took a considerable period of time to resolve and placed
extra pressure on staff. The case was currently being
reviewed by the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board. In
addition to this, staffing changes in the casework team and
vacancies arising because of this, had meant that managers’ time
had to be focused on ensuring that a quality service was delivered
with staffing vacancies. When the Youth Offending Service had
been transferred from Social Services it had been transferred with
a deficit of £20,000, this deficit had now been reduced and the
service was operating within budget. The Youth Justice Board
had reduced its financial investment in the Youth Offending Service
by £38,500 in 2008/09 but that the Safer Vale Partnership had
contributed a further £86,000 for preventative work to reduce the
number of first time entrants to the youth justice
system.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T the re-inspection report be noted.
(2) T H A
T the staff and Management Board of the Youth Offending Service be
commended for their hard work in turning the service round in such
a short space of time.
Reasons for decisions
(1) To be
aware of the improvements in the Youth Offending Service and note
the continued work that was required.
(2) To
recognise the commitment and hard work that had taken place.
C424
EXTERNAL FUNDING (CX) (SCRUTINY - LIFELONG LEARNING) -
Cabinet approval was sought for the
utilisation of the revenue grant for youth work in Wales and youth
service capital funding for 2009/10 and for authority to enter into
an agreement with the Welsh Assembly Government to deliver Genesis
II activities in the Vale until June 2014.
The report informed Members that it was the
second year of a three year capital funding stream that was
available from the Welsh Assembly Government of £93,458 for 2009/10
which was proposed to be used to support the youth service for:
·
enabling the completion of refurbishments to the mobile youth
provision (bus);
·
providing new equipment for youth service centres;
·
carrying out improvements to Cowbridge Youth Centre, Room 102
Rhoose and Area 41 in Barry;
·
setting up a £30,000 grant fund to be managed by VCVS for the
voluntary sector to support the youth service implement the
National Youth Service Strategy for Wales.
It was also proposed that the majority of the
revenue grant be used to support the development of street based
youth work in the Vale focusing specifically on the new mobile
provision with the remainder of the funding being used to develop
bilingual youth work provision throughout the Vale, the grant
provided being £77,000. Genesis II was a Welsh Assembly
Government pan Wales initiative aimed at raising levels of
employment and economic activity specifically concentrating on
those who are “hardest to reach” to improve their skill levels to
move them closer to the labour market. An initial Genesis
project had run in the Vale from February 2006 until March
2008. The Vale had exceeded the Welsh Assembly Government
targets for the first project with over 300 participants being
supported during the life of the project compared to a target of
150. It was further proposed that the Children and Young
People’s Co-ordinator would manage the Genesis II grant and the
project would be delivered by staff appointed by the Council’s
Lifelong Learning Employment Training Service who would be
responsible for the day to day delivery of the project.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
Having considered the report Cabinet
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T the utilisation of the revenue grant for youth work in Wales and
youth service capital funding for 2009/10 be approved and the
Capital Programme be amended to reflect the approved grant.
(2) T H A
T the Council acts as lead body for the grant allocated by WAG to
the Children and Young People’s Partnership for the delivery of
Genesis II in the Vale and that the service be delivered internally
by the Lifelong Learning Service.
Reasons for decisions
(1) To
maximise external funding available to support youth provision in
the Vale and update the Capital Programme to reflect an increase in
capital funding due to the approval of grant.
(2) To
enable the Council to secure additional resources to help those who
are “hardest to reach” from the labour market to access the support
and skills to re-enter employment.
C425
SEVERN TIDAL POWER PHASE ONE CONSULTATION (DEER) (SCRUTINY -
ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT) -
On 25th February 2009 the Cabinet
had received a report which advised of the current 3 month
consultation exercise into the feasibility of tidal power within
the Severn Estuary. The consultation period was to end on
23rd April 2009 and the current report before Cabinet
was intended to form the basis of the Council’s response.
Details on the proposals and technology that would be utilised in
developing the schemes on the long list including a local
application plan were attached at Appendix 1 to the report.
The schemes that formed the short list were also highlighted in
Appendix 1. Appendix 2 to the report provided an executive
summary to the current consultation and two copies of the full
Severn Tidal Power Phase One Consultation document had been placed
in the Members’ Room for information. The full range of
background topic papers that had been prepared in support of the
feasibility work and the strategic environmental assessment could
be viewed at the website address
http://severntidalpowerconsultation.decc.gov.uk.
Cabinet was advised that the Severn Tidal Power Scheme, in whatever
form it might ultimately take, would result in a range of social,
economic and environmental impacts and benefits. Some of the
main issues that had to date been identified and would be the
subject of further more detailed investigations as part of the next
stages of investigation into tidal power in the Severn Estuary were
detailed as follows:
“Environmental and Social
·
Several of the schemes identified would retain water by holding
back tides and create differences in the current tide levels.
These enforced differences would impact upon the intertidal
habitats that support high numbers of certain bird species, the
presence of which had led to designation as a Special Protection
Area (SPA).
·
All tidal options proposed on the short list would impede the
passage and therefore affect some fish species, including those
that are migratory. This could lead to potentially
significant negative impacts on species such as Sea and River
Lamprey and Twaite Shad: Species that are a primary reason for
designation as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
·
A Severn tidal power scheme whilst removing energy from the Estuary
could potentially cause fundamental changes to the structure of the
Estuary where the deposition of sediments is affected, resulting in
navigation channels and marine and inter tidal habitats being
significantly effected. The presence of these habitats was a
primary reason for designation as a SAC.
·
A Severn tidal power scheme would provide a long term renewable
energy resource and contribute to meeting UK energy targets.
·
Several of the schemes suggested would provide long term flood
protection to areas behind and barrage, by protecting them from
flooding caused by strong storm surges from the sea.
·
Changes to the deposition of sediment could result in potential
benefits through the creation of additional intertidal
habitats.
·
The Severn Estuary together with the Rivers Usk and Wye were
covered by various European and National legal designations aimed
at protecting their nature conservation importance e.g. Special
Protection Area and Special Areas of Conservation, and the
development of any tidal power option would be required to comply
with the requirements of the appropriate designations by providing
mitigation or compensatory measures that would suitably offset an
adverse impacts that might be identified.
Economic
·
The main conclusions of the evidence collected so far suggested
that there will be both gains and losses for Wales and the South
West of England but on balance, a scheme would have positive
regional economic and employment benefits and additional impacts
may also accrue within the UK and internationally.
·
During a construction period of 10 years, a larger scheme (such as
the Lavernock to Weston barrage) would be centrally estimated to
bring an annual average of 1,500 additional jobs and a smaller
scheme (such as the Fleming Lagoon) would be closer to 500 annual
average jobs over 5 years. Operation of the scheme would also
create additional jobs both directly and indirectly.
·
A Severn Tidal power scheme would be extremely expensive to
construct and the recommended shortlist have cost estimates ranging
between £2.1bn to £21bn. Significant further work will be required
to accurately assess the costs and benefits of the schemes over the
lifetime of the project.”
A full list of potentially significant issues
that had been identified from the investigations undertaken to date
were also included within the consultation document and detailed at
Appendix 3 to the report for information.
The report stated that officers were satisfied
that the work undertaken to assess and potentially develop tidal
power in the Severn Estuary was thorough and dealt with all the
relevant material considerations. The opportunity to generate
sustainable renewable energy from the Severn Estuary was supported
in principle.
Out of the five shortlisted options the report
detailed, the Lavernock-Weston Barrage had the potential to
generate considerably more power than all other schemes
(8.64GW). Whilst it was noted that the need for further work
was identified within the feasibility reports, the following
specific areas of concern were also identified:
·
Should the Lavernock - Weston Barrage ultimately prove to be the
preferred tidal power option, there would be considerable impact
upon land at Lavernock Point (including the SSSI and Wildlife Trust
Reserve) both during construction and following completion.
The construction phase itself lasting up to seven years and
involving thousands of workers. Additional concerns were
expressed over the need to transport and accommodate materials and
the impact upon the local highway network is of concern. The
Council would wish to work closely with DECC and the WAG to ensure
that environmental impact in this area was minimised compensated
and enhanced.
·
The economic benefits of a Lavernock-Weston scheme should not be
understated given the employment benefits both during construction
and beyond during operation. The scheme also has the
potential to generate a significant level of tourism and
educational interest.
·
While the generation of renewable power by a tidal barrage was
commendable and would be generally welcomed, linking such a
facility with the National Grid and the transmission of this power
could have significant impacts upon the landscape of the Vale of
Glamorgan. The Council welcomed the intention to investigate
the potential impact of a tidal power scheme on the energy market,
electricity network/grid and in particular the local
environment. In this regard, consideration should also be
given to whether there was potential to include other options as
part of the barrage scheme. By way of example, the potential
for lagoons, reefs and even off-shore wind generation as part of
the scheme should be considered.
·
The development of a Lavernock - Weston barrage could have
significant implications for the port of Barry. In this regard the
port of Barry would be the closest port on the seaward side of the
barrage and there needs to be a careful assessment of the
implications for the port not only during the construction phases
of any barrage, but also longer term. Furthermore the report
on any Marina at Barry also needed to be considered. In terms
of wider impacts, especially with regard to ports upstream from the
barrage, the issue of displacement of shipping traffic would
require detailed consideration as would the need for the provision
of infrastructure to facilitate access to ports such as Cardiff and
Bristol. Such infrastructure to include locks and harbouring
facilities. The potential impact on employment within existing
ports also requires detailed consideration as would the potential
benefits to ports such as Barry on the seaward side of the
barrage.
·
The Vale of Glamorgan currently enjoyed significant tourism
benefits from its attractive and extensive coastline. In the
event that the Lavernock to Weston barrage was the favoured tidal
power option, while accepting that this scheme could have tourism
benefits in its own right, concerns were expressed as to the impact
that such a scheme would have on the wider tourism resource within
the Vale of Glamorgan.
·
The site of the larger barrage proposal was currently indicated to
make landfall on the Welsh side at Lavernock Point in the Vale of
Glamorgan and should be referred to in future as either the
Lavernock to Weston barrage or by reference to the closest major
town, the Penarth or Barry to Weston barrage not Cardiff as is
currently the case.
·
The ecological impacts of the larger Lavernock - Weston barrage are
noted in the reports that have been circulated and it is
acknowledged that considerable work will be required on the impacts
on protected and priority habitats, and species.
·
In the same way, the barrage will be a major piece of
infrastructure and the visual impact of a project of this scale
will be significant and extend over a wide area. Issues of detailed
design will therefore be critical given the potential impact on
this part of the rural Vale of Glamorgan and indeed the wider
region.
·
With increasing sea levels increasing forecast, the role of a
barrage in contributing to flood prevention requires detailed
assessment.
·
A key issue relates to the question of access to the site, not
solely during construction but also for servicing, operations and
dealing with visitors. In this regard there is a clear need
to improve access arrangements to the site not only in the
immediate locality but also from the M4 motorway and other parts of
the strategic highway network. Such impacts must be delivered as an
integral part of such a scheme.
·
The potential use of any Barrage for road and/or rail links also
need to be fully accessed on a wide subregional basis.
·
In progressing the second phase of the Severn Tidal Power
feasibility study this Council considers it essential that full and
detailed contact is maintained with those local authorities that
might be affected by the development of a Severn Tidal power scheme
such as the Lavernock - Weston barrage.”
Cabinet was advised that subject to
endorsement by the Cabinet and the Scrutiny Committee, the report
be forwarded to the Department of Energy and Climate Change as the
Vale of Glamorgan Council’s formal response to the Severn Tidal
Power Phase One Consultation.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
Having considered the report, Cabinet
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T the contents of the report be noted.
(2) T H A
T the report be forwarded to the Department of Energy and Climate
Change by 23rd April 2009 as the Council’s formal
response to the Severn Tidal Power Phase One Consultation.
(3) T H A
T the report be referred to Planning Committee for information.
Reasons for decisions
(1)
To advise Cabinet of the Severn Estuary Tidal Power Feasibility
Study consultation.
(2)
To agree the contents of this report as the Council's formal
response to the Severn Estuary Tidal Power Feasibility consultation
and to comply with the 23rd April 2009 consultation deadline.
(3)
For the information of the Council's Planning Committee.
C426
RHOOSE POINT - UPDATE ON LAND TRANSFERS, DRAINAGE AND HIGHWAY
MATTERS (DEER) (SCRUTINY - ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT) -
The report advised on the current
administrative arrangements at Rhoose Point and of the actions
being taken to progress land transfers, and highway and drainage
adoption issues. The report detailed that land transfers
required under the related planning agreements, foul and surface
water adoption remained outstanding on the development.
Although the technical standards of the highways were sufficient to
permit adoption, with only relatively minor snagging type works
outstanding, officers had however not progressed any land transfers
or adoption of highways hoping that this stance would act as a
lever to the developer progressing foul and surface water drainage
adoption with Dwr Cymru / Welsh Water. Prior to the Cofton
Group Ltd going into administration, the tactic had appeared to be
working and the relative success of this could be evidenced by an
inspection by Dwr Cymru of the highway drains works early in
2009. However, the business affairs of Cofton Group Ltd were
currently under the control of Deloitte, Edinburgh as
Administrators and officers had spoken to the Administrators who
had advised that they did not intend to progress the adoption of
foul and surface water drainage on the development due to the
absence of funds within the Cofton Group Ltd business. The
Administrators had however indicated that they were keen to resolve
all land transfers on the development as soon as possible and had
also given authority to officers to act on all issues in respect of
surface and foul water drainage with Dwr Cymru.
Officers therefore considered that there was
now no purpose in delaying land transfers on the development either
as a catalyst to promote other agreements or to seek a better
financial settlement on any commuted sums etc. The transfer
of land was an officer delegation and work was currently ongoing to
transfer all relevant land on the development into the Council’s
ownership. Officers were also due to meet Dwr Cyrmu at their
offices in Nelson to discuss the current position with the adoption
of foul and surface water drainage and would request a full
inspection of the drainage system and a detailed list of any
remedial work required to progress the adoption. The report
proposed that any work required by the inspection would be arranged
and funded utilising the provisions available within Visible
Services. Cabinet was assured that no physical works would be
undertaken prior to the costs of the works being agreed by Members,
and that the costs of officer time including the costs of arranging
any surveys be funded from existing budgets.
For information the Cabinet Member for Visible
and Building Services advised that he would respond directly to the
e-mail that had been sent to all Members of the Cabinet that day
regarding the matter.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
Having considered the report Cabinet
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T the contents of the report and the actions being taken by
officers under their delegated operational powers to resolve all
outstanding matters on the development be noted and endorsed.
(2) T H A
T a further report be presented to Cabinet when the costs of any
works required to the foul and surface water drainage systems were
known.
Reasons for decisions
(1) To
advise Cabinet of the current position and of actions being taken
to resolve all outstanding matters on the development.
(2) To
permit Cabinet to take a decision on the funding to be allocated to
progress highway and drainage adoption at Rhoose Point.
C427
COLLECTION AND TREATMENT OF HOUSEHOLD KITCHEN FOOD WASTE PILOT -
INTERIM REPORT APRIL 2009 (DEER) (SCRUTINY - ECONOMY AND
ENVIRONMENT) -
Cabinet was advised of the performance of the
pilot that had recently taken place and authority was requested to
permanently change the waste collection arrangements for the pilot
areas and to add a number of properties to each of the current
areas to more accurately reflect the logistics of the refuse
collection rounds.
Cabinet had previously resolved that a weekly
kitchen food waste collection pilot be undertaken with alternative
weekly collection of residual waste and that a further report be
presented to Cabinet on the performance at the end of the
pilot. The report advised that on the whole the pilot project
had been extremely successful with all indicators of performance
being positive. For the first month of operation the
following was reported:
|
WK
|
Total Weight (KG
per property, per week)
|
|
No. 1
|
2.44
|
|
No. 2
|
2.12
|
|
No. 3
|
2.40
|
|
No. 4
|
2.29
|
The report also noted that the amounts
compared favourably with the weight collected by other Welsh Local
Authorities. There had been an overall participation rate to
the pilot of 72% up to week ending 22nd March 2009 and
approximately halfway through the pilot a total of 1,590
questionnaires representing a response rate of 32% had been
received. 93.3% of those that had responded had used the
service with two thirds agreeing that they had no problem with
alternate weekly black bag collection when taking part in the
pilot. Cabinet was also advised that 41% had agreed that
using the kitchen caddies had reduced scavenging animal attacks on
bin bags. Positive feedback had also been obtained from two
Focus Groups held, with the vast majority believing that the
collection scheme should be continued and extended across the
Vale. There was further praise for the way the pilot had been
communicated and both groups commended the Council for its efforts
in implementing kitchen waste recycling to date.
The Cabinet Member for Visible and Building
Services informed the meeting that two responses from Ward Members
on the report had been received which had been positive in respect
of the pilot.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
Having considered the report Cabinet
RESOLVED -
(1) T H AT
the performance of the pilot be noted.
(2) T H A
T the Kitchen Waste Collection Service continue in the pilot areas
post Friday, 1st May 2009.
(3) T H A
T an additional number of approximately 2,000 households be added
to the five pilot collection areas in June 2009.
(4) T H A
T a further report be presented to Cabinet providing the detail of
the full costs of the pilot and proposals to roll out kerbside
kitchen waste collections throughout the entire Vale area.
Reasons for decisions
(1) To
ensure Cabinet was fully informed of the performance of the
pilot.
(2) To
permit the Kitchen Waste Collection Service to continue in the
initial pilot areas post may 2009.
(3) To
ensure that the areas included best suit the existing collection
arrangements and provide most effective service delivery.
(4) To
enable Cabinet to agree the most appropriate service delivery
arrangements and collection areas for expanding the Kitchen Waste
Collection service in the future.
C428
THOMPSON STREET (CASTLELAND) COMMUNITIES FIRST PARTNERSHIP -
OUTCOME OF THE WELSH ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT COMMISSIONED REVIEW
(DFICTP) (SCRUTINY - LIFELONG LEARNING) -
The Welsh Assembly Government had commissioned
a review which had now been finalised and a Statement of
Information had been issued by the Assembly, a copy of which was
attached at Appendix A to the report. The Statement noted
that there had been problems with the Castleland Communities First
Partnership in Barry over the past year which had led to an urgent
independent review being undertaken to inform the Deputy Minister’s
final decision on the future of the Programme. The Statement
proposed that the Assembly Government should continue to fund the
CF Programme in Castleland but that the existing CF Partnership
should cease from 31st March 2009 as it no longer was
seen as an effective mechanism for achieving partnership
working. The Statement also advised that a small task group
should be established to be responsible for putting in place clear
constitution arrangements which would enable the formation of a new
partnership board whose membership would reflect the whole of the
Castleland Communities First area. Furthermore, the
Communities First continuation funding of £157,607 should be
awarded for the period 1st April 2009 to 31st
March 2010 for a core staff team of 3, initially employed by the
Vale of Glamorgan Council, to support the work of the task group in
building a new Communities First Partnership.
Council officers had met with WAG officials
regarding the proposals and, if they were acceptable to the
Council, would continue discussion to help establish terms of
reference and reporting lines for the task group. The Ward
Member representative on the Partnership Board had been consulted
on the report and had also supported the WAG proposals. He
had also requested that the Leader and Chief Executive include him
as the Ward Member in any discussions that the Council has with the
Welsh Assembly Government or other organisations regarding
Communities First in Castleland Ward. For information the
Finance officer present advised that the Statement of Information
had recently been amended by WAG for clarification purposes only
and was available for Members’ information.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
Having considered the report and the appendix,
Cabinet
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T the Statement of Information, including the cessation of the
existing Communities First Partnership in Thompson Street
(Castleland) from 31st March 2009 (as it is no longer an
effective mechanism for partnership working) be noted.
(2) T H A
T the Council’s participation in a small Task Group to enable the
formation of a new Partnership Board whose membership reflects the
whole Castleland Communities First area, the Council’s
representative on which to be decided by the Chief Executive in
consultation with the Leader be approved.
(3) T H A
T Communities First continuation funding of £157,607 for the
2009/10 financial year for a staff team of three, initially
employed by the Council, to support the work of the Task Group in
building a new Communities First Partnership in Castleland be
accepted.
(4) T H A
T a further report be presented to the Cabinet at its meeting
on 24th June 2009 on the progress of the work of the
Task Group prior to any final decision being taken on the Council’s
participation in a new Communities First Partnership Board for
Castleland.
(5) T H A
T, where appropriate, the local Ward Member who is the link member
for Communities First be involved in any discussion the Leader has
with WAG or other organisations regarding Castleland Communities
First.
(6) T H A
T the moratorium on spending imposed by Cabinet under Minute No.
C50 (25 June 2008) be revoked.
Reasons for decisions
(1)
To update Cabinet on the outcome of the Welsh Assembly Government
commissioned review.
(2)
To authorise the Council’s participation in and representation on
the Task Group.
(3)
To formally accept Communities First continuation funding for the
2009/10 financial year to fund support for the Task Group.
(4)
To enable a decision to be made upon the Council’s future
involvement in the Castleland Communities First Partnership.
(5)
To involve the local Ward Member in relevant discussions.
(6)
To progress the matter.
C429
LOCAL AVERAGE INTEREST RATE (DFICTP) (SCRUTINY - CORPORATE
RESOURCES) -
Cabinet was advised that the rate of interest
currently charged on the Council’s mortgages was 5.91%. The
local average interest rate had been calculated at 5.91% and the
Standard National Rate of interest was 3.13%. It was noted
that the change in the standard rate of interest would not have an
impact on the interest charged on Council mortgages. The
Council was legally required to charge borrowers the higher of the
Standard National Rate or the local average rate of interest.
RESOLVED - T H A T an unchanged rate of
interest on all new and existing variable housing loans including
the sale of Council dwellings of 5.91% with effect from
1st April 2009 be approved.
Reason for decision
Interest rate recalculated in accordance with
statutory requirements.
C430
ASSET RENEWAL BUILDING PROGRAMME (DFICTP) (SCRUTINY - CORPORATE
RESOURCES) -
Approval was sought for schemes to be funded
from the Council’s Asset Renewal Budgets and the 2009/10 Schools
Buildings Improvement Programme. A prioritised list of
schemes had been drawn up by officers from the Property Section in
consultation with the various departments and the Schools Asset
Management Group and by adopting the following criteria and
processes:
·
extracting from completed Property Condition Surveys works that
have been identified as high priority status
·
utilising an existing backlog list of prioritised schemes which has
been reviewed and updated throughout the year
·
feedback from regular meetings between officers from both Property
and Building Services sections who have first hand knowledge of
many of the properties
·
feedback from building users who have identified areas of concern
and utilising information collated by Education
·
capital bids received from officers during the 2009/10 capital
bidding round.
The proposed programme was shown at Appendix A
to the report. It was also noted that should any significant
developments 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.
Members requested that the typing errors in
Appendix A re Fairfield, Buttrills and Ty Jenner be amended.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
RESOLVED - T H A T the proposed schemes to be
funded from the Asset Renewal Budget and School Buildings
Improvement Grant as listed at Appendix A to the report be approved
and the typing errors be corrected.
Reason for decision
To set the programme and enable the
procurement process to proceed.
C431
SICKNESS ABSENCE REPORT - YEAR TO DATE 1ST APRIL 2008 -
28TH FEBRUARY 2009 (DFICTP) (SCRUTINY - ALL)
-
It was the Council’s aim to improve the
management of absence and to secure a sustainable reduction in the
levels of sickness absence in order to reduce costs and ensure
service provision. To this end a Sickness Absence Management
Action Plan had been developed and progress against the action plan
could be noted at Appendix A to the report. The report also
highlighted that high awareness levels of the policy were being
maintained with a letter from the Chief Executive being included in
employees’ April pay slips. Management of Attendance meetings
were also taking place which had involved Cabinet Members and
relevant officers. The meetings had proved successful in
prompting complacent service areas to take action and in
highlighting issues specific to each service area. The
detailed information for Directorates / Services / Teams was set
out at Appendix C to the report, set out targets and absences from
April to February, with a breakdown of long and short term sickness
plus full time equivalent and headcount figures.
Members were advised that despite absence
being a cause for concern in certain areas, corporate figures were
well within service plan targets and showed continued reductions in
the percentage of lost time. Appendix B to the report
provided a full breakdown of proposed sickness absence targets.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T the Sickness Absence Management Action Plan be accepted and
approved.
(2) T H A
T the sickness absence targets for 2009/10 attached at Appendix B
to the report be approved.
Reasons for decisions
(1) To
ensure that matters are brought to the attention of Cabinet in line
with corporate aims and objectives.
(2) To
communicate objectives for further significant reduction in
sickness absence levels of the coming year.
C432
CADOXTON HOUSE (DFICTP AND DLPPHS) (SCRUTINY - CORPORATE RESOURCES)
-
Cadoxton House was a Council owned building
that had long been in a state of disrepair with no substantial
funding available for renovation. Local residents were
concerned that without investment Cadoxton House would further
deteriorate. The report provided Cabinet with the most viable
options available to the Council to deal with Cadoxton House e.g.
sell the site on the open market or seek grant funding to redevelop
the site. In respect of seeking grant funding to redevelop
the site, interest had been received from the Safer Vale Community
Partnership who had identified the building as being suitable, once
renovated, as a multi-agency one stop shop for Domestic Abuse and
Substance Misuse advice and services. Safer Vale had advised
that they had also been invited to bid for significant grant aid to
fund the work. In support of this interest, it was noted that
Cadoxton House was in an ideal area for this type of project as it
had good transport links to the rest of the Vale of Glamorgan and
Cardiff and there was easy access to the town centre, pharmacy and
two doctors’ surgeries. The report proposed that the Council
should seek to work with the Safer Vale Partnership and authorise
the Director of Legal, Public Protection and Housing Services to
bid for and accept if successful Welsh Assembly Government
Substance Misuse and Domestic Abuse Capital Grants to establish a
multi-agency one stop shop at the premises.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
Having considered the report Cabinet
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T the contents of the report be noted.
(2) T H A
t the Director of Legal, Public Protection and Housing Services be
authorised to bid for all appropriate Welsh Assembly Government
Grants to establish a multi-agency one stop shop.
(3) T H A
T the Director of Finance, ICT and Property and the Director of
Legal, Public Protection and Housing Services report back to a
future meeting of Cabinet before accepting the bid.
Reasons for decisions
(1) To
enable Cabinet to receive information regarding the options
available for Cadoxton House.
(2&3) To enable the refurbishment of
Cadoxton House and improve multi-agency working and tackle domestic
abuse and substance misuse in the Vale of Glamorgan.
C433
EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC -
RESOLVED - T H A T under Section 100A(4) of the Local
Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the
meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that
they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined
in Part 4 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Act, the relevant
paragraphs of the Schedule being referred to in brackets after the
minute headings.
C434
JENNER PARK PRIMARY USERS 2009/10 (DEER) (SCRUTINY - ECONOMY AND
ENVIRONMENT) (EXEMPT INFORMATION PARAGRAPHS 12, 13, 14 AND 16)
-
The purpose of the report was to appoint
primary users for Jenner Park for season 2009/10.
Cabinet had in March 2008 agreed that the
process for selecting primary users for Jenner Park be repeated for
the 2009/10 season. The process had now been repeated and
only two acceptable bids had been received. These had been
from Barry Football Club and Barry Town AFC Limited, both of whom
had bid the minimum of £250 per fixture required.
In the recommendations contained within the
report, Recommendation (4) sought that delegated powers be granted
to the Director of Environmental and Economic Regeneration in
agreement with the Leader and the Cabinet Member for Tourism and
Leisure. Members however considered that consultation with
the Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure would be sufficient.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
Having considered the report, Cabinet
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T Barry Football Club be appointed as the primary users at Jenner
Park for season 2009/10.
(2) T H A
T Barry Town AFC Limited be appointed as the second primary user at
Jenner Park for season 2009/10.
(3) T H A
T both Clubs be subject to agreeing such terms and conditions as
deemed appropriate by the Director of Legal, Public Protection and
Housing Services in conjunction with the Director of Environmental
and Economic Regeneration and the Director of Finance, ICT and
Property.
(4) T H A
T delegated powers be granted to the Director of
Environmental and Economic Regeneration in agreement with the
Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure to accept other bookings for
the 2009/10 season at Jenner Park upon such terms and conditions as
the said Director deemed appropriate.
(5) T H A
T the process for selecting primary users for Jenner Park be
repeated for season 2010/11 with bids being reported to Cabinet for
consideration.
(6) T H A
T a minimum bid price of £260 be set for selecting primary users
for season 2010/11.
(7) T H A
T as the primary user of Jenner Park no games of Barry Football
Club be allowed to be called off in favour of Barry Town AFC
Limited.
Reasons for decisions
(1-6) To make best use of
Council assets and safeguard the Council’s position.
(7) To
ensure primary user status.