Welcome to the
Vale of Glamorgan Council

CABINET

 

Minutes of a meeting held on 19^th January, 2011.

 

Present:  Councillor T.H. Jarvie (Vice-Chairman in the Chair); 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.

 

 

C1170                        APOLOGY FOR ABSENCE -

 

This was received from Councillor G.C. Kemp (Chairman).

 

 

C1171                        MINUTES -

 

RESOLVED - T H A T the minutes of the meeting held on 5^th January, 2011 be approved as a correct record.

 

 

C1172                        DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST -

 

Councillor H.J.W. James declared an interest in Agenda Item No. 19, Civil Parking Enforcement (Introduction) - non pecuniary - family member.

 

 

C1173                        INITIAL REVENUE BUDGET PROPOSALS 2011/12 (REF) (MIN. NO. 713) -

 

The Scrutiny Committee (Corporate Resources) at its meeting held on 7^th December, 2010 considered the amended budget for 2010/11 and the initial revenue budget proposals for 2011/12 which had been submitted to the various Scrutiny Committees for consultation.  The Head of Service notified Members that the provisional settlement from WAG represented a 1.7% cash reduction for the Vale and 6.7% reduction in real terms for Wales over the next 3 years.  The settlement also referred to a level of protection being afforded to schools and social services although the details as to that protection were currently unknown.  The final settlement would be announced in February 2011.

 

Appendix 1 to the report set out the necessary transfers to the original estimate for 2010/11 which were required to be made and the table shown below compared the amended original budget with the projected outturn for 2010/11:

 

 

 

Further details in respect of the above were contained within the report, particular reference being made to the following:

 

·                    Education and Schools - overall, the Education Budget was projected to outturn with a surplus of £55k. which would be set against a predicted overspend on the Lifelong Learning budget.  Any remaining savings would be available to redirect to the School Investment Strategy or other reserves.

·                    Lifelong Learning - it was projected that the service would outturn with an adverse variance of £55k.

·                    Catering - the service was anticipated to outturn within budget.

·                    Children and Young People’s Services - the year end projected outturn was for an underspend of £135k.  The Service itself was actually projected to outturn on target, but an underspend in the Social Services Strategy Division would reduce the recharge to Children and Young People’s Services and create an underspend.

·                    Adult Services - the year end projected outturn was for an overspend of £135k.  Whilst the service itself was projected outturn £470k. over budget, an underspend in the Social Services Strategy Division would reduce the recharge to Adult Services and therefore reduce the overspend.

·                    Planning and Transportation - the revised estimate showed a favourable probable outturn of £147k.

·                    Economic Development and Leisure - the revised estimate showed an adverse probably outturn of £147k.

·                    Visible Services - the revised estimate equalled the amended original budget.

·                    Building Services - the revised estimate equalled the amended original budget.

·                    Legal, Democratic and Registrars etc. - it was anticipated that income would be £50k. lower than originally estimated, the shortfall being funded from within the Directorate’s existing resources.

·                    Private Sector Housing / Community Safety - the service was anticipated to outturn on target.

·                    Policy - the service showed a balanced budget.

 

It was noted that there was an estimated Council tax surplus for 2010/11 of £900k. which would be transferred to the Council Fund and that General Reserves as at 1^st April 2010 amounted to £7m.  Members were reminded that Cabinet approved the Budget Strategy on 21^st July, 2010 and the Medium Term Financial Plan on 29^th September, 2010.  The summary of the overall base budget for 2011/12 was appended to the report and had been arrived at by adjusting the 2010/11 budget for items such as inflation and unavoidable growth.  The column headed Asset Rents, FRS17 and Recharges reflected charges to services for the use of capital assets, changes to inter-service recharges and adjustments in respect of pensions to comply with accounting standards.  It was noted that an adjustment of £602k. had been made to the 2010/11 base as there had been no pay award for April 2010 (excluding teachers).  A number of budget transfers had also been made to reflect transfers of functions and responsibilities between services, as detailed within the report.  The figure indicated for inflation (£2.633m.) related to general price increases and the part year effect of the teachers’ pay award (2.3%).  No allowance had been included for pay awards for other staff.  Committed Growth totalled £998k. and details relating thereto were contained within the report.  Attention was drawn to the list of 2011/12 cost pressures as identified by Services which was also appended to the report.  Those cost pressures totalled £8.111m. and it was accepted that some would need to be met for some Services.  They excluded the cost of redundancies, the costs of which if required could be significant. 

 

The Scrutiny Committee had subsequently

 

RECOMMENDED -

 

(1)       T H A T the amended budget as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be noted.

 

(2)       T H A T the budget for Planning and Transportation for 2010/11 be amended to £3.114m. and for Economic Development and Leisure to £7.463m.

 

(3)       T H A T, as indicated above and in further detail at Minute No. 717 below, the deliberations of the Scrutiny Committees be noted and forwarded to the Budget Task and Finish Group for further consideration, the attention of all Members of the Committee being drawn to the fact that, should they have further comments to make in respect of the revenue budget proposals, they should pass those comments to the Scrutiny and Committee Services Section for onward transmission to the Task and Finish Group.

 

(4)       T H A T it be noted that Directors would take the necessary steps to ensure a balanced budget for 2010/11 and identify measures to achieve their savings targets for 2011/12.

 

Reasons for recommendations

 

(1&2)  To incorporate changes in projected spending.

 

(3)       In order to allow the comments of the Scrutiny Committees further consideration before making a final proposal on the budget.

 

(4)       To ensure a balanced budget and measures to achieve savings targets.

 

Having considered the above matter it was,

 

RESOLVED - T H A T the Recommendations be referred to the Budget Working Group for consideration.

 

 

Reason for decision

 

To allow for further consideration

 

 

C1174                        INITIAL REVENUE BUDGET PROPOSALS 2011/12 (REF) (MIN. NO. 717) -

 

The Scrutiny Committee (Corporate Resources) at the meeting held on 7^th December, 2010 considered a number of references from the undermentioned Scrutiny Committees on the dates indicated in regard to the Initial Revenue Budget Proposals for the forthcoming financial year which related to the remit of each respective Scrutiny Committee:

 

(i)         Scrutiny Committee (Social Care and Health): 29^th November, 2010

 

(ii)        Scrutiny Committee (Economy and Environment): 30^th November, 2010

 

(iii)       Scrutiny Committee (Housing and Public Protection): 1^st December, 2010

 

(iv)       Scrutiny Committee (Lifelong Learning): 6^th December, 2010.

 

The Scrutiny Committee (Corporate Resources) had subsequently

 

RECOMMENDED - T H A T the references be referred to the Budget Task and Finish Group for further consideration.

 

Reason for recommendation

 

To have regard to the deliberations of the Scrutiny Committees and report back to this Committee.

 

The Cabinet having considered the above Recommendations

 

RESOLVED - T H A T the Recommendations be referred to the Budget Working Group for consideration.

 

Reason for decision

 

To allow for further consideration.

 

 

C1175                        INITIAL CAPITAL PROGRAMME PROPOSALS 2011/12 (REF) (MIN. NO. 714) -

 

The Scrutiny Committee (Corporate Resources) at its meeting held on 7^th December, 2010 was apprised of the revised Capital Programme for 2010/11 and the initial capital proposals for 2011/12.  Financial progress on the Capital Programme as at 30^th September 2010 was appended to the report.  As regards the 2011/12 Capital Programme, the forecasted 41% cut in cash terms had been reflected in the table at Appendix B to the report.  The phasing of the cuts was based upon a forecast received from the WLGA and represented a 25% cut in 2011/12, an additional 6% cut in 2012/13 and a further 10% in 2013/14.  As regards the Major Repairs Allowance (MRA) (the grant that provided capital funding to the Housing Revenue Account), an assumption had been made that grant would continue at the current allocation of £2.7m. in 2011/12.  The Head of Financial Services updated Members by indicating that WAG had now announced that there would be no increase to the capital grant in 2010-11 over that for 2009-10 which, coupled with reductions in the allocation of specific grants resulted in an overall reduction of 14% for 2011/12.  In addition to funding from WAG, it was noted that the Council would finance part of the Capital Programme from its own resources.  Appendix B to the report outlined the proposed Capital Programme.  The following table detailed the General Capital Funding and internal resources required to fund the proposed schemes:

 

Analysis of Net Funding Required for the Indicative 2011/12 Capital Programme	£'000	£'000
General Fund Resources from Welsh Assembly Government
Supported Borrowing (estimated)	4,669
General Capital Grant (estimated)	1,487
		6,156
Council Resources
Capital Receipts	1,126
Reserves/Leasing	5,898
		7,024
Net Capital Resources		13,180

 

Officers had been asked to rebid for those sums which they still required as high priority as part of the 2011/12 bidding round and, as previously, a high number of bids had been received.  The Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG) had identified schemes for which there was particular support or concern.  The Group had also highlighted schemes which, if approved, it would like to be considered in more detail following completion of a sustainable development checklist.  The comments of the Group were summarised in Appendix D to the report.  The Budget Working Group had prioritised bids upon the recommendations of the Corporate Asset Management Group (CAMG) although it was noted that, given the drastic cut in funding available for new capital schemes, the priority for schemes demonstrating good economic sense had been amended from a priority 3 to a priority 2.  It was noted that the amended priority listing would likely be adopted for future years.  In addition to the capital bids shown in Appendix B, Appendix C listed capital bids which were unsuccessful and had not been put forward for inclusion in the 2011/12 Programme.

 

Attention was drawn to the following two schemes for which funding had been reserved but not included in the Capital Programme as yet.  In the event that the Council was successful in attracting grant funding from the Welsh Football Trust, in partnership with Sports Wales, it was proposed that the sum of £60k. was reserved for a new exemplar football pitch at the Colcot Sports Centre.  Should the grant application be successful and minimum grant of £100k. be approved, the £60k. would be allocated to this scheme.  The second reserve scheme was that of the Penarth Learning Community and the Authority’s funding requirement stream for the scheme was as shown below:

           

 

Members noted that the first two items in the above list were already included in Appendix B and that the anticipated capital receipts and Section 106 agreement were not expected to be realised until the scheme was completed.  As such, in the interim, in order to fund the proposed scheme, it was suggested that an additional £5m. be retained as a reserve and would potentially be funded from further prudential borrowing pending receipt of the cash. 

 

The following issues were raised at the meeting:

 

·                    Cowbridge Comprehensive School – the Head of Service agreed to ascertain from the Director of Learning and Development whether there were any future funding implications to the Council in respect of the playing fields and drainage issues

·                    Penarth Marina Escarpment – reference was made to the need to expedite progress with the scheme and for Members to be made aware of the current situation. The Head of Service agreed to chase a response

·                    Llanmaes / Coldbrook Catchment flood risk management – reference was made to the importance of the schemes to local residents and to the fact that the bids related to match funding

·                    Cross Common Road Bridge demolition and junction improvements – given the concerns expressed at the continuing delay in implementing improvements, Members agreed that the scheme should be reprioritised as a priority 3 and that consideration should be given to implementing the necessary improvements as a phased programme

·                    Extra Care / Elderly Mentally Infirm (EMI) – whilst it was accepted that the issue had been raised on various occasions at the appropriate Scrutiny Committee, an explanation for the delay was requested and that the awaited report be expedited ; the Head of Financial Services agreed to chase up the report. Reference was also made to the priority 3 awarded to the bid in respect of extra care (Social Services); the Head of Housing Services indicated that he believed the bid to relate to the second scheme, that he had been working with Social Services and that the view of officers had been that the bid would be premature at this juncture. Members requested a further report.

 

The Scrutiny Committee had subsequently

 

RECOMMENDED - T H A T the initial budget proposals be noted, that the scheme in respect of Cross Common Road be reprioritised as a priority 3 and that all of the above comments be forwarded to Cabinet for further consideration.

 

Reason for recommendation

 

To have regard to the views expressed and to pass those comments to Cabinet for further consideration.

 

The Cabinet, having considered the above matter,

 

RESOLVED - T H A T the Recommendations be referred to the Budget Working Group for consideration.

 

Reason for decision

 

To allow for further consideration.

 

 

C1176                        INITIAL CAPITAL PROGRAMME PROPOSALS 2011/12 (REF) (MIN. NO. 718) -

 

The Scrutiny Committee (Corporate Resources) at its meeting held on 7^th December, 2010 considered a number of references from the undermentioned Scrutiny Committees on the dates indicated in regard to the Initial Capital Programme Proposals for the forthcoming financial year which related to the remit of the respective Scrutiny Committee:

 

(i)         Scrutiny Committee (Social Care and Health): 29^th November, 2010

 

(ii)        Scrutiny Committee (Economy and Environment): 30^th November, 2010

 

(iii)       Scrutiny Committee (Housing and Public Protection): 1^st December, 2010

 

(iv)       Scrutiny Committee (Lifelong Learning): 6^th December, 2010.

 

The Scrutiny Committee (Corporate Resources) had subsequently

 

RECOMMENDED - T H A T the references be referred to the Budget Task and Finish Group for further consideration.

 

Reason for recommendation

 

To have regard to the deliberations of the Scrutiny Committees and report back to this Committee.

 

The Cabinet, having considered the above Recommendations

 

RESOLVED - T H A T the Recommendations be referred to the Budget Working Group for consideration.

 

Reason for decision

 

To allow further consideration.

 

 

C1177                        INITIAL HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT BUDGET PROPOSALS 2011/12 AND REVISED BUDGET 2010/11 (REF) (MIN. NO. 719) -

 

The Scrutiny Committee (Corporate Resources) at its meeting held on 7^th December, 2010 was advised that the Scrutiny Committee (Housing and Public Protection) had, on 1^st December, 2010 considered the above, had noted both the revised budget estimates for 2010/11 and the Initial Budget Proposals for 2011/12, referring the same to the Scrutiny Committee (Corporate Resources) to allow further consideration of the matter prior to Cabinet making final proposals on the budget.  The Scrutiny Committee (Housing and Public Protection) at that time had also requested a further report in respect of the suggested increase for rent and other services once that information became available from WAG.

 

The Scrutiny Committee had subsequently

 

RECOMMENDED - T H A T the position be noted and the reference from the Scrutiny Committee (Housing and Public Protection) be referred to Cabinet.

 

Reason for recommendation

 

To have regard to the deliberations of the Scrutiny Committee (Housing and Public Protection) and to inform Cabinet.

 

Cabinet, having considered the Recommendation

 

RESOLVED - T H A T the Recommendation be referred to the Budget Working Group for consideration.

 

Reason for decision

 

To allow further consideration.

 

 

C1178                        SEX ESTABLISHMENTS - POLICING AND CRIME ACT 2009 (REF) -

 

The Licensing Committee at its meeting on 11^th January, 2011 had given consideration to matters in regard to the adoption of Schedule 3 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, as amended by Section 27 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009.  In effect, this would enable the Council, through delegated powers to its Licensing Committee to regulate sex establishments in the Vale of Glamorgan. 

 

The Licensing Committee having considered all matters in regard to the adoption of Schedule 3 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, as amended by Section 27 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009 subsequently

 

RESOLVED -

 

(1)       T H A T Council be recommended to adopt Schedule 3 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 as amended by Section 27 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009 and that the provisions come into force on 1^st June 2011.

 

(2)       T H A T Council be recommended that the Schedule 3 functions be delegated to the Licensing Committee.

 

(3)       T H A T the report be referred to the Cabinet for information.

 

(4)       T H A T, should the Council support these recommendations, officers develop a Sex Establishment Licensing Policy for consideration by the Licensing Committee.

 

Reasons for decisions

 

(1)       To provide the Council with powers to regulate sex establishments.

 

(2)       To ensure applications for sex establishments are considered and activities are appropriately controlled under the Council’s licensing regime.

 

(3)       To inform the Cabinet.

 

(4)       To set out Council policy in respect of sex establishments.

 

Cabinet, having regard to Resolution (3) above of the Licensing Committee

 

RESOLVED - T H A T the matter be noted.

 

Reason for decision

 

In acknowledgement of the Resolution of Licensing Committee in respect of the above matter.

 

 

C1179                        USE OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S EMERGENCY POWERS (L) (SCRUTINY - ALL) -

 

RESOLVED - T H A T the exercise of the Chief Executive's Emergency Powers as indicated below be noted:

 

(a)       Authority to appoint Cambridge Glasshouse Company Ltd. to enable detailed design to be produced in respect of the reconstruction of the glasshouses at Dyffryn for approval by Cadw as a condition of the listed building consent for the works ahead of commencement on site and to enable the construction programme to be achieved within the amended Heritage Lottery Fund contract period.

 

(Scrutiny - Economy and Environment)

 

(b)       The Home Office had allowed the Safer Vale Partnership to increase its capital allocation to cover the full cost of the Llantwit Major Square CCTV provision and the gating and fencing scheme to secure Belle Vue Way in Cadoxton.

 

(Scrutiny - Corporate Resources)

 

(c)        Authority to publish the Council's Improvement Plan 2010/11 by the due deadline.

 

(Scrutiny - Corporate Resources)

 

(d)       Authority to submit a funding application to WAG for up to a maximum £385k. in respect of Barry Island Station Footbridge and to submit a funding application to WAG for £100k. for gateway improvements at Weston Square Play Area.

 

(Scrutiny - Economy and Environment)

 

(e)       Authority to include this Council in the Official Journal of the European Union notice to establish a four year Framework Agreement for the provision of partners to deliver improved performance and efficiency savings for the Council.

 

(Scrutiny - Corporate Resources)

 

(f)         Authority to include both the WAG grant and Welsh Water contribution totalling £140k. in respect of gateway improvements at Weston Square Play Area.

 

(Scrutiny - Economy and Environment)

 

(g)       Authority to increase the Capital Programme by £84,507.64 in respect of Gibbonsdown Street lighting.

 

(Scrutiny - Housing and Public Protection)

 

(h)        Authority to replace Councillor Mrs. M. Kelly Owen as follows with effect from 10th December 2010 until her return from ill health:

 

                   Scrutiny Committee (Social Care and Health) - to be replaced by Councillor J.F. Fraser

                   Scrutiny Committee (Economy and Environment) - to be replaced by Councillor Miss S.J.C. Williams.

(Scrutiny - Social Care and Health / Economy and Environment)

 

Reason for decision

 

To inform the Cabinet.

 

 

C1180                        APPOINTMENTS TO OUTSIDE BODIES: ST. DONAT'S ART CENTRE - BOARD OF MANAGEMENT (L) (SCRUTINY - CORPORATE RESOURCES) -

 

Approval was sought to a change in the Council's representation on the Board of Management of the St. Donat's Art Centre. 

 

The Conservative Group had indicated its wish that Councillor J. Clifford replace Councillor Mrs. A.J. Preston on the Board of Management of the St. Donat's Art Centre.

 

This was a matter for Executive decision.

 

RESOLVED - T H A T Councillor J. Clifford replace Councillor Mrs. A.J. Preston on the St. Donat's Art Centre - Board of Management.

 

Reason for decision

 

To ensure continuity of representation.

 

 

C1181                        DRAFT INTEGRATED COMMUNITY STRATEGY 2011 - 2021 (L) (SCRUTINY - ALL) -

 

Members’ approval was sought on the draft Community Strategy in order to proceed with a 12 week consultation exercise.  The current Community Strategy 2010 - 2020 had been approved by Council in 2009 and set out a 10 year vision for the Vale of Glamorgan.  The Strategy was structured around the key partnerships in the Vale of Glamorgan and set out the strategic issues and key priorities for the different partnerships.

 

The Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Partnership, Children and Young People's Partnership and Safer Vale Partnership each had to produce a statutory plan by the end of March 2011.  The Regeneration Partnership and the Learning and Skills Partnership also needed to produce a strategy although these were not statutory requirements.  In 2010 the Local Service Board (LSB) considered a report regarding the development of a single delivery plan, bring a number of strategies and plans together into one document.  This was agreed and led to the drafting of an integrated community strategy.  The document would hopefully lead to improvements in the links between organisation and community planning, the removal of unnecessary duplication across partnerships and better services delivering partnerships.  The creation of outcome based priorities were seen as pivotal to the success of the Strategy and were developed at a visioning event with LSB partners. 

 

The Strategy had been drafted with input of the five key partnerships; Children and Young People's Partnership, Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Partnership, Safer Vale, Regeneration Partnership and the Learning and Skills Partnership.  They had each drafted their own chapter within a common format and with the involvement of key partners.  Chapter 2 of the Strategy detailed the priority outcomes which the LSB would be responsible for including input from different partnerships and partners.  The Strategy was attached as an Appendix to the report.

 

It was necessary to conduct a 12 week consultation on the draft Strategy in line with statutory requirements.  This was due to run from 24^th January to 17^th April 2011 and would include a Local Service Forum event, an online questionnaire, consultation activities with Children and Young People and attendance at regular events.  Consultees would include partners, town and community councils, the voluntary sector, Vale Council Members, the local business sector and schools.  The Strategy would also be considered by each of the Council's Scrutiny Committees during the consultation period. 

 

The Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) had been advised that an integrated strategy was being produced and this would include a statutory partnership plan.  A copy of the draft Strategy would be submitted to WAG for 31^st March, 2011 detailing the key issues and activities for partnerships in the Vale of Glamorgan.  Action plans to support the delivery of the new Community Strategy would reflect the activities detailed in the Strategy and would be developed in time for publication with the new Community Strategy in July 2011.  All action plans would need to take full account of available resources which would impact on the scope of activity in timeframes. 

 

Key dates for the development of the Strategy were:

 

 

Date	Activity
9/12/10	Draft Strategy circulated to Cardiff and Vale University Health Board for consideration and comments
15/12/10	Draft Strategy considered by the Corporate Management Team
17/12/10	Draft strategy circulated to partnership co-ordinators to obtain endorsement of the draft for consultation
January - April 2011	Drafting of action plans
11/1/11	Local Service Board to consider draft strategy
19/1/11	Cabinet consider draft strategy
24/1/11	Twelve weeks consultation begins
31/3/11	Draft strategy submitted to WAG in line with deadline for statutory plans
17/4/11	End of consultation
18/4/11 - 30/4/11	Final editorial
May 2011	Partnerships and partners approve strategy and relevant action plans
19 May 2011	Local Service Board considers strategy and action plans
June 2011	Cabinet consider Community Strategy and action plans
June 2011	Council consider Community Strategy and action plans
July 2011	Publish Community Strategy and action plans.

 

The draft Community Strategy had been circulated to partners for comment and endorsement.  Circulated at the meeting was a table (set out below) which detailed the proposed changes which were highlighted in bold.

 

There were other minor changes which would be made to the Strategy which had arisen during further proof reading of the document but which had not been included in the table.

 

Page No.	Change	Reason
Page 2 – contents page	Amend title of chapter two to state Priority Outcomes 1- 5   Include reference to the priority outcome in each chapter heading e.g.  Chapter Three – Children and Young People (Priority Outcome 6)	Change suggested as chapter two only provides details of five of the ten priority outcomes.   To clarify the links to the Priority Outcomes.
Chapter 1, Page 6  - Priority Outcomes	Add sentence in bold to the introductory paragraph.   The Local Service Board held a visioning event to develop ten priority outcomes for the Vale.  How these priority outcomes will be achieved is detailed in the following chapters and will require the input of a range of partners. Specific partnerships have been identified as the leads for certain outcomes but all partnerships will contribute to achieving all outcomes.	To emphasise that all partnerships have a wide remit and work across a number of areas.
Chapter 1, Page 6  - Priority Outcome 8 (first occurrence)	Amend wording to   The underlying causes of deprivation are tackled and the regeneration of the Vale continues, opportunities for individuals and businesses are developed and the quality of the built and natural environment is protected and enhanced.	Change requested as previous wording did not do justice to the full scope of regeneration. Wording would be amended throughout document
Chapter 3 (Children and Young People), Page 22	Add a new action under ‘How we will do it’ ‘Work with arts organisations, individuals and related groups to develop existing and new arts opportunities for children and young people in line with the Arts Strategy’	Additional action to the objective ‘All children and young people have access to play, leisure, sporting and cultural activities’
Chapter 4 (Learning and Skills) Page 28	Add to second introductory paragraph range of training organisations ‘the voluntary sector’	To recognise the voluntary sector role in Training and Skills
Chapter 5 (Regeneration), page 36	Amend sentence to read ‘The area is also benefiting from key strategic development opportunities, for example Barry Waterfront  and promoting St Athan as a site for national defence training’	To provide more detail of the activities to deliver the objective ‘Maximising Opportunities’
Chapter 5 (Regeneration), Page 36	Amend bullet point in ‘How we will do it’ from  ‘Market Nells Point, Barry Island’ to ‘Prepare a Masterplan for Barry Island including Nells Point’	To provide more detail under the objective ‘Maximising Opportunities’

 

Chapter 6 (Community Safety), page 40	Amend last bullet point of partnership achievements to read ‘Improved the commissioning of prevention and intervention services for young people at risk of offending, thereby reducing the number of first time entrants to the youth justice system.’	To provide more detail on the achievement
Chapter 6 (Community Safety), page 40	Amend sentence to read ‘In 2010 there has been a 9% reduction in all crime compared to 2009 and a 76% reduction in first time entrants to the youth justice system.’	To provide more information on the objective ‘Make the Vale of Glamorgan a safe place to live, work and visit. Free from crime and the fear of crime’
Chapter 6 (Community Safety), page 41	Amend outcome from ‘A reduction in incidents of serious sexual offences’ to ‘An increase in the reporting of incidents of serious sexual offences’	To address the issue of under reporting of serious sexual offences
Chapter 6 (Community Safety), page 44	Amend 1st sentence 2nd paragraph in introductory text to read ‘Alcohol is a contributory factor in the offending behaviour of many young people referred to the Youth Offending Service.  ‘	Amended to many young people instead of all young people
Chapter 6 (Community Safety), page 44	Amend 3rd bullet point in ‘What outcomes we want to achieve’ to read ‘People, and young people in particular, have access to prevention and educational information relating to substance misuse’	Inclusion of a specific reference to young people in the outcomes for ‘Reduce the impact of substance misuse in communities’
Chapter 6 (Community safety) page 44	Add a new bullet point  in ‘how we will do it’ to read ‘targeting those who supply controlled drugs to our communities’ under the objective ‘Reduce the impact of Substance Misuse in Communities’	Additional action to support delivering the objective
Chapter 7 (Health, Social Care and Wellbeing) page 52	Move ‘We will embed action to reduce inequity of access to services within organisational and operational/business plans of statutory organisations’  from a bullet point  to be part of the text in the ‘How we will do it box’ in the ’Promote health and reduce health inequities’ objective	Small change in position of sentence.
Page 60 –Appendix 1 Partnership membership	Include membership of the Castleland and Gibbonsdown/ Court Communities First Partnerships	To include Communities First  with details of other partnerships as they are referred to in the draft strategy

 

This was a matter for Executive decision.

 

RESOLVED -

 

(1)       T H A T Cabinet approve the draft Community Strategy for consultation subject to the amendments as set out in the above table being incorporated into the draft Strategy prior to the consultation period commencing.

 

(2)       T H A T a further report on the Community Strategy be presented to Cabinet in June 2011 following the consultation period and consideration of the strategy by the Local Service Board, partners and the key partnerships. 

 

(3)       T H A T the draft Community Strategy be referred to the Council's Scrutiny Committees for consideration.

 

Reasons for decisions

 

(1)       To ensure Cabinet were satisfied with the draft Community Strategy for consultation.

 

(2)       To enable Cabinet to consider the Community Strategy following consultation and prior to consideration by Council.

 

(3)       In the interests of transparency and consideration during the statutory consultation period.

 

 

C1182                        REVENUE MONITORING FOR THE PERIOD 1^ST APRIL, 2010 TO 30^TH NOVEMBER, 2010 (L) (SCRUTINY - ALL) -

 

The projected outturn for the 2010/11 revenue budget was shown in comparison with the amended revenue budget at Appendix 1 to the report.  The forecast was for an estimated balanced Council Revenue Budget.  The Director of Social Services would continue to closely monitor the position for his service and review the savings and efficiencies proposed for the year and report back to Cabinet should amendments be required.

 

The forecast was for an estimated balanced budget on the amended Housing Revenue Account.

 

This was a matter for Executive decision.

 

RESOLVED - T H A T the position with regard to the authority's 2010/11 amended Revenue Budget be noted.

 

Reason for decision

 

That the Members are aware of the projected revenue outturn for 2010/11.

 

 

C1183                        COMMUNITY ACTION SELF HELP (CASH) SCHEME 2010/11 (L) (SCRUTINY - CORPORATE RESOURCES) -

 

Approval was sought on the awarding of further grants under the terms of the above Scheme.  The CASH Scheme provided funding to town and community councils in order to undertake capital schemes of their choice within their own area.  Technical assistance from officers was available to town and community councils during the design and implementation of the schemes. 

 

Set out at Appendix A were applications received during the year and the grants that had been recommended in respect of each.  The conditions and criteria of the scheme were set out at Appendix B. 

 

Grants were limited to a maximum of £15,000 for any one community or town council and satisfactory quotations must be obtained.  In addition, the Council would need to be satisfied that the community/town council was able to meet all future revenue costs.  At the date on which the report had been submitted, it had not been possible for the applicants to fully comply with the need for full details and quotations.  Any grants allocated were 'in principle only'.  Only when conditions were met would final approval be issued for work to begin on a scheme.  Due to the lateness of the applications the schemes in part were unlikely to be completed within the current financial year and therefore funding would probably require to be slipped into 2010/11. 

 

£70,000 had been included in the 2010/11 Capital Programme for the CASH grants scheme over which grants amounting to £58,950 had previously been approved during the year.  The value of grants recommended for approval in the report amounted to £9,650.  The responsibility for approving the allocations had been delegated to the Director of Finance, ICT and Property in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member.

 

This was a matter for Executive decision.

 

RESOLVED - T H A T the grants as set out at Appendix A be approved.

 

 

Reason for decision

 

To progress grants in accordance with the approved scheme.

 

 

C1184                        CAPITAL MONITORING REPORT FOR THE PERIOD 1^ST APRIL TO 30^TH NOVEMBER, 2010 (L) (SCRUTINY - ALL) -

 

Cabinet were advised on the progress of the 2010/11 Capital Programme for the period 1^st April, 2010 to 30^th November, 2010 and, where necessary, considered requests for changes to the programme.

 

Director of Lifelong Learning

 

Ysgol Pen y Garth classroom extension - delays on this £440,000 project, due predominantly to traffic concerns, had meant that no spend would be achieved on a WAG grant of £240,000 approved for the scheme. Works were currently out to tender and, budget permitting, it was now proposed that work would commence with internal funding of £200,000 which will be called upon this year. In order to avoid loss of grant income, a request has been made to WAG to transfer the £240,000 grant to the Cowbridge Comprehensive School re-modelling project in 2010/11. WAG had approved this request on the condition that existing Council funding of £240,000 being released on Cowbridge Comprehensive School be carried forward into 2011/12 to continue the Ysgol Pen y Garth project.  It was requested that the current budget of £440,000 be reduced to a maximum of £200,000. It is further requested that Council approve slippage of the remaining £240,000 budget into 2011/12 to complete the project.

 

Cowbridge Comprehensive School IT lease - additional IT equipment was needed at the newly re-modelled school. The Director of Finance, ICT and Property has delegated authority to purchase and finance school IT equipment via an internal leasing mechanism and it has been agreed that this arrangement be set up to enable the school to repay the Council's initial outlay of £80,000 over a period of 3 years. It was therefore requested that Cabinet approve that the Capital Programme 2010/11 be amended to include this budget. 

 

Social Services

 

Extra Care /Elderly Mental Infirm (EMI) Beds - this £250,000 allocation was to have been the first year of a 4 year scheme to establish an alternative EMI facility for the Vale. However, on-going difficulties with identifying a suitable site have meant that the current budget will not be needed this year and a further bid will be made in future when a more coherent strategy for the future facility is in place. It has been proposed as part of the Initial Capital Programme Proposals for 2011/12 that a feasibility budget of £50,000 be approved next year to proceed with this piece of work. As such it was proposed to reduce this budget to nil.

 

Day Care Re-configuration - Cabinet on 15th December 2010 (minute no. C1157 refers) approved in principle proposals for modernising the Vale's current Day Care facilities. The establishment of a Day Care Re-configuration budget of £185,000 to cover the necessary refurbishment of three centres, namely, Rondel House/Gardenhurst and Hen Goleg was approved. This budget included the transfer of £115,000 from the EMI beds budget, which had been approved by Chief Executive Emergency Powers in order that the 2010/11 Capital Programme could be amended, together with the virement of £70,000 from the 2010/11 Social Services Asset Renewal allocation.  

 

Director of Legal, Public Protection and Housing Services

 

Housing Improvement Programme (HIP) - under delegated authority, the Director of Finance and  the Leader had approved a virement of £100,000 from the non-gas heating installations project to the Central Heating and Boilers project (both within the HIP). The virement was requested as non-gas heating had been put on hold due to the proposed Renewable Heating Initiative which is due to come into force in 2011. This would reduce the need for Council funding for this work.

 

Cadoxton House - problems identified with the stability of the house before the planned refurbishment was due to commence led to the property being deemed unsafe by external structural engineers and unfortunately the building had to be demolished and is to be re-built to match the original. The associated delays had meant that WAG have agreed to slip 50% of this year's budget into next year in order for the works to be completed by June 2011.  As such, it is requested that the 2010/11 capital programme be reduced to £489,000 and that Council approve that the balance of £488,000 be slipped into 2011/12. This action will require Council approval.

 

Barry Regeneration Area - one of the first approvals from WAG's £3m grant allocation for the Barry Regeneration Area grant for 2010/11 was the sum of £84,000 for improved street lighting at Gibbonsdown. The Council's Street Lighting Section would carry out the work before mid-March 2011, which was a condition of the grant offer.  The Chief Executive had exercised his delegated powers to approve the inclusion of this budget in the 2010/11 capital programme.

 

Director of Environmental and Economic Regeneration

 

Murch Road/Cardiff Road Traffic Signals - the Council had recently been awarded grant funding for these works from SEWTA by way of two separate grants - £5,000 design fees from their Preparatory Works Grants plus £65,000 from the Smaller Schemes Programme.  A condition of the award is that the works be completed before the end of March 2011 and it was requested that Cabinet approve the inclusion of the £70,000 budget in the capital programme.

 

Penarth Heights s106 Highways monies - the sum of £260,000 on a s106 agreement has been signed for works at the Penarth Heights development. The agreement stated that this money must be spent on “Highway works” which are defined as “feasibility, design and construction works which may include but shall not be limited to upgrading the road junction to ease traffic congestion at the junction of Cogan Hill and Terra Nova Way and upgrading the road junction of Windsor Road and Plassey Street.  The sum received was part of a larger agreed amount of £165,000 for traffic signals at Cogan Hill / Terra Nova Way roundabout and £95,000 for the signalisation of the Windsor Road / Plassey Street roundabout.  It was intended that the initial £80,000 be used to fund the design / feasibility works for these proposed schemes and as such it was requested that Cabinet approve the inclusion of this sum in the 2010/11 Programme.

 

Safe Routes in Communities 2010/11 - Llantwit Major Beach Access Road - WAG had approved grant funding of £107,520 for a re-designed scheme for a cycleway to the beach at Llantwit Major.  A condition of the grant was that the work could be completed by the end of the financial year.  The Chief Executive had exercised his delegated powers to approve the inclusion of the scheme in the 2010/11 capital programme.  

 

Safe Routes in Communities 2010/11 - 100% WAG grant funding of £356,000 had been awarded earlier in the year for two road safety schemes at Barry Comprehensive School, along Colcot Road. The first, £150,000 for a shared cycleway/footway between Port Road and Barry hospital and a further £206,200 for the provision of a new toucan crossing at Colcot Road.  As the works had commenced it was now apparent that the shared cycleway would cost around £119,000 whilst the toucan crossing costs have risen slightly, due to drainage and road camber issues, to £237,200.  WAG had approved a transfer in funding between the two schemes of £31,000.

 

Matters relating to Ysgol Pen y Garth and Cadoxton House would need to be referred to Council for approval.  All remaining matters were for Executive decision.

 

RESOLVED -

 

(1)       T H A T Council be recommended to adopt the following change to the Capital Programme:

 

·                         Ysgol Pen y Garth classroom extension - reduce the budget to £200,000 (carry forward £240,000 to 2011/12)

·                         Cadoxton House - reduce the budget to £489,000 (carry forward £488,000 to 2011/12)

 

(2)       T H AT the following changes to the Capital Programme be approved:

 

·                         Cowbridge Comprehensive School IT lease - include a budget of £80,000 to be funded from the Computer Fund and reimbursed by the school over a 3 year period via an internal leasing mechanism

·                         Murch Road/Cardiff Road Traffic Signals - include a budget of £70,000 (funded from the South East Wales Transport Alliance (SEWTA) in the 2010/11 capital programme

·                         Penarth S106 highways monies - increase the budget by £80,000 (funded by a developer).

 

Reasons for decisions

 

(1&2)  To allow schemes to be undertaken in this or future financial years.

 

 

C1185                        E-BUSINESS SUITE SYSTEM UPGRADE (L) (SCRUTINY - CORPORATE RESOURCES) -

 

Approval was sought to upgrade the Oracle E-Business Suite.  This was currently used for the main business systems of the Council, namely:

 

·                         Customer Relationship Management(CRM) (December 2006)

·                         Human Resources (December 2006) and Payroll (April 2010)

·                         General Ledger (April 2008)

·                         Procurement and Accounts Payable (April 2008)

·                         Accounts receivable and Advanced Collections (May 2008).

 

The Council implemented the latest version of the system available at the start of the implementation process in 2006.  This was Release 11.5.10.2 (R11.1).  When further modules were implemented they would all have to be on the same release in order to ensure they would all work in harmony, so all the systems were currently at R11.10.  Subsequently Oracle had released updated versions of the system, including a major change to Release 12.  The latest release (December 2010) was Release 12.1.3.

 

A major milestone had been achieved in April 2010 in that the Council's Transformation Programme when the implementation of all its major business systems on Oracle E-Business Suite was achieved.  It was considered at the point that no major implementation work should be undertaken before considering upgrading to a later release.

 

As part of the contract with Oracle the Council paid an annual support charge.  Support service was offered for as long as products were licensed.  As with any software supplier, the support and development arrangements were focused on the latest versions of the system.   Oracle had three levels of support, and these were detailed in the report.

 

Informal meetings have been held with a number of potential suppliers to help clarify the approach to be taken and the consequences of moving to Release 12.1.  In moving to release 12.1 there were two approaches – re-implementation or a technical upgrade.  A re-implementation involved a substantial rebuild of the system.  This approach would be required if it was necessary to make fundamental changes to the system.  As the Council had a recent implementation, no fundamental change was needed and on this basis a technical upgrade was the approach proposed.  Although the technical upgrade was a straightforward approach compared with a re-implementation it would be necessary to engage support from an external partner with expertise in Oracle technical upgrades to assist the Council with this project.  The cost associated with such an upgrade was estimated to be £70k. to £90k.

 

There were a number of potential partners which would be able to support the Council with the technical upgrade. It is proposed to send a pre contract questionnaire to narrow the field to 3 consultancies to provide quotations for this work in accordance with Financial Regulations.

 

This was a matter for Executive decision.

 

RESOLVED -

 

(1)       T H A T the proposal to upgrade to the latest release of the Oracle E-Business Suite be approved.

 

(2)       T H A T the project be funded from E-Government Reserve in line with the approved tender/contract.

 

(3)       T H A T the successful tender be determined by the Director of Finance, ICT and Property in consultation with the Leader.

 

(4)       T H A T The competition be carried out in accordance with the Council's Financial Regulations and should the tender/contract cost exceed £100,000 Contract Standing Order 2.3 be waived.

 

Reasons for decisions

 

(1)       To ensure that the Oracle E-Business Suite supporting major Council services be fully functional, resilient and supported.

 

(2)       To secure funding for the project.

 

(3)       To determine the implementation partner for the project.

 

(4)       To ensure compliance with the procurement rules.

 

 

C1186                        LANGUAGE SKILLS STRATEGY AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK (HRE) (SCRUTINY - CORPORATE RESOURCES) -

 

RESOLVED - T H A T consideration of the revised Strategy be deferred

 

Reason for decision

 

To allow further consideration.

 

 

C1187                        PILOT SCHEME TO INSTALL PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS ON LOCAL AUTHORITY DWELLINGS IN ST. ATHAN (HCS) (SCRUTINY - HOUSING AND PUBLIC PROTECTION) -

 

Cabinet were apprised of a renewable energy scheme that was on offer from EAGA plc who was a national supplier of renewable and energy solutions.  Approval was sought to delegate authority to the Director of Legal, Public Protection and Housing Services in conjunction with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety to agree terms with EAGA for a pilot Photovoltaic Panel Scheme in St. Athan.  A progress report outlining the outcome and way forward would be presented to Cabinet when progress had been made.

 

EAGA were offering to install PV array panels on 50 appropriate Council houses at no installation cost to the Council, with EAGA recovering their investment through the Government Feed Tariff scheme.  EAGA would be paid by energy suppliers for the electricity generated by the system as well as a separate payment for the electricity exported to the grid.

 

The project would be used as a pilot scheme to determine the practicalities of the scheme before any further such schemes were progressed. 

 

The installed cost of PV panels per house would be in the region of £15,000.  The cost for the whole scheme being approximately £750,000.  EAGA were offering to fund this work on the basis that the tenant would get the benefit of the electricity generated by the panels, with approximately £170 per annum, while EAGA recovered their investment from the Feed in Tariff (FiT).  The FiT had become available from 1^st April, 2010.  EAGA would expect to get paid approximately £800 per annum via the FiT for each installation.  EAGA would therefore recoup their investment in the long term while the environment would gain via the reduction in carbon dioxide emissions emitted from a power station.  The Council would gain by improving the energy efficiency of properties.  An outline of the Clean Energy Programme Helping Social Landlords reduce carbon emissions and fuel poverty from EAGA was enclosed as Appendix A to the report. 

 

Where tenants were agreeable the panels would be expected to sit on the roofs of the houses for the next 25 years and therefore a survey would be required to check that the roof was fit for purpose. 

 

EAGA would fund the installation of the PV system and maintain the system at no cost to the Council or tenant.  EAGA would also retain ownership of the PV system and the carbon saving unless they decided otherwise even if the property was sold.  The Council would cover any accidental damage to the system via its own insurance, and would need to arrange for existing and future tenants to sign up to the scheme.  EAGA ownership of the PV system would be built into any Right to Buy or disposal/transfer arrangements.

 

The Council would also need to determine any detailed and practical responsibilities to EAGA prior to progressing the scheme.

 

This was a matter for Executive decision.

 

RESOLVED -

 

(1)       T H A T delegated authority be granted to the Director of Legal, Public Protection and Housing Services in conjunction with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety to negotiate terms with EAGA for the pilot Photovoltaic panel scheme in St. Athan.

 

(2)       T H A T a further report be presented to Cabinet on the progress of negotiations for prior approval of terms and profit sharing arrangements before the implementation of any agreement.

 

(3)       T H A T the report be referred to the Scrutiny Committee (Housing and Public Protection) for information.

 

Reasons for decisions

 

(1)       To maximise the value for money for the Council, help reduce the number of tenants in fuel poverty and minimise carbon reduction.

 

(2)       To keep Cabinet apprised of the progress of the scheme.

 

(3)       To update Scrutiny on the pilot scheme.

 

 

C1188                        CIVIL PARKING ENFORCEMENT (VBS) (SCRUTINY - ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT) -

 

Cabinet were advised of the current position with regard to Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE), presenting a business case and approving the progression of an application to the Welsh Assembly Government to become a Civil Enforcement Authority. 

 

As the local highway authority, the Council as part of its traffic management duties was required to decide where parking and traffic restrictions were required for the safe and efficient use of the road network.  However, the Council had no power to enforce these restrictions, as this currently rested with the South Wales Police (SWP) and their traffic wardens.  Any contraventions were classed as criminal acts with any income from fines passed to central government.

 

The Traffic Management Act 2004 allowed local authorities in Wales to apply to WAG for the powers to enforce parking restrictions.  Under these arrangements parking contraventions become civil offences and income from fines would be retained by the local authority to support the cost of the enforcement operation.  In such cases, the income generated could then be used to off-set the cost of the scheme, with any surpluses being ringfenced under Section 55 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 for certain highway related matters. 

 

A letter had been received on 5^th June, 2009 from David Morris, the then Assistant Chief Constable (Communities and Operations).  The letter gave notice that the SWP had taken the decision to decriminalising parking across the SWP area.  As a consequence of this decision there would be a reduction in the number of traffic wardens carrying out this function.  It was noted, that the police alone did not have the necessary authority to decriminalise parking.  Legislation permitted authorities to apply to become a Civil Enforcement Area.  This decision had already been taken by a number of larger Welsh authorities.  It also allowed WAG to insist that the Council became a Civil Enforcement Area.  However, there had been no indication to date that WAG was likely to pursue this course of action. 

 

On 6^th July, 2009, a meeting had taken place concerning the SWP plans to withdraw the traffic warden service in the Vale of Glamorgan from 1^st April, 2010.  The Chief Executive had expressed concerns regarding their proposals particularly the short timescales suggested for withdrawal.  The outcome of the meeting was that an extension of the timescale would be considered by the SWP and the Council would be provided with the data to enable a decision to be taken on any future role.  A further meeting on 23^rd March, 2010 involving the Head of Visible Services and David Morris resulted with agreement that the deadline for the withdrawal of the traffic warden service being extended to 31^st December, 2010.  This was confirmed in a letter dated 8^th April, 2010.  Consultants RTA Associates had been commissioned to provide a detailed feasibility report on the options available in order to allow the Council to formulate their business case for obtaining CPE powers.  The report was submitted to officers in January 2010 and the executive summary of their report was appended at Appendix C to the report.  A typographical error was noted at paragraph 1.4 of the executive summary, with two traffic wardens operating in the Vale of Glamorgan and not 11 as stated. 

 

A number of Councils in South Wales had already taken on CPE powers including Neath Port Talbot, Swansea and Cardiff.  All other Councils in the SWP area were considering the matter and officers from neighbouring Councils had held regular meetings involving SWP to compare progress, with further collaboration options being considered.  The present position was as follows:

 

·                         Bridgend Council had completed the review of their Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) and were proposing to use an existing local authority back office facility.

·                         Merthyr Tydfil Council already had an off-street car parking enforcement facility which was looking to expand to include CPE; they had not yet progressed their TRO review.

·                         Rhondda Cynon Taff Council was at approximately the same position as the Vale of Glamorgan.

 

The Council had two options.  Firstly to apply to WAG for the appropriate powers and to undertake enforcement or secondly, to continue to rely on the police to enforce stationary traffic offences.  Option 2 was not considered to be appropriate due mostly to concerns of increased congestion and traffic problems caused by limited or no enforcement.  Also WAG could force the Council to accept CPE powers at some time in the future.  The report set out a proposal to apply for the necessary powers for the Council to take on the parking enforcement role including the necessary steps that were required to be taken to being these into being which included the submission of an application to WAG.

 

The report also set out matters in relation to Financial Model and Business Case, Back Office Processing, Appeals and Adjudications.

 

Officers will be looking to collaborate with other Authorities to reduce operational costs wherever possible.  A number of Councils, such as Denbighshire, already have established 'parking enforcement' systems and processes and the possibility of working with Councils who currently use Civil Parking powers is also under consideration.

 

This was a matter for Executive decision.

 

RESOLVED -

 

(1)       T H A T the current position with regard to parking enforcement by the police and the subsequent position with regard to Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) be noted.

 

(2)       T H A T the Business Case and the financial model for the introduction of CPE be approved.

 

(3)       T H A T an application to the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) for an order to designate the whole of the Vale of Glamorgan as a Civil Enforcement Area be approved.

 

(4)       T H A T use of up to £300,000 from Visible Services reserves to fund costs of the application process and make necessary appointments be approved.

 

(5)       T H A T reports be provided to Cabinet at regular intervals specifying options for the delivery of future enforcement and detailing the project position and spend.

 

 

Reasons for decisions

 

(1)       To advise Members.

 

(2)       To progress the CPE process.

 

(3)       To authorise an application to WAG for CPE powers.

 

(4)       To enable the use of Visible Services reserves.

 

(5)       To advise Members of the project progress and spend at the various project milestones and to obtain additional resolutions as necessary to ensure appropriate implementation of the CPE service.

 

 

C1189                        QUEEN ELIZABETH II FIELDS CHALLENGE (VBS) (SCRUTINY - ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT) -

 

Fields in Trust, the operating name of the National Playing Fields Association, was leading an independent charity campaign to protect and improve playing fields.  HRH Prince William of Wales would be leading the campaign as active Patron on the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge. 

 

Queen Elizabeth II Field Challenge was a legacy programme to mark the two significant events taking place in the U.K. in 2012; Her Majesty, The Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympics.  This was the first project to receive official endorsement from the Queen and the aim to protect 2012 playing fields in communities all across the country, with these playing fields to be known as 'Queen Elizabeth II Fields'.  The scheme was a 21^st century version of the popular 'King George V Memorial Field', one of which was in Council ownership at Llandough near Penarth.

 

The aim of the project was to create a sense of public engagement around the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympics, by asking the nation to vote for their favourite local playing field to be protected.  Fields in Trust were therefore looking for support from each local authority to identify a number of possible playing fields in their area that they would be happy to see protected.  A national media campaign was planned to ask the public to vote for their favourite sites with the eventual winners being selected as the 'Queen Elizabeth II Fields'.

 

The Nomination Criteria was that the site had to be in a good state of repair, be officially and properly used and form part of the corporate property of the local authority.  The local authority was required to have full legal and beneficial title and ownership, the land was required to be free from all third party rights and the land and any property should not be subject to any restrictive covenant which may reasonably affect its use for this purpose. 

 

 

Sites proposed for consideration were:

 

·                         Barry - Knap Gardens, Romilly Park, Buttrills Playing Fields

·                         Cowbridge - Poplars Park

·                         Dinas Powys - Park Bryn y Don

·                         Llantwit Major - Windmill Lane Playing Fields

·                         Penarth - Penarth Athletic Field.

 

The above locations represented a cross section of suitable sites throughout the Vale that were known to satisfy the nomination criteria.  If Cabinet were minded to suggest any additional sites it was proposed that such sites be assessed for suitability with delegated authority granted to the Director of Environmental and Economic Regeneration and the Cabinet Member for Visible and Building Services for any additional nominations that were to be made.

 

After receiving the local authority nominations each site would be submitted to a public vote which would be conducted in such manner as may be determined by the Fields in Trust.  The Trust would announce the results of the public vote and which nominated sites had been selected.  The local authority would be bound by the results.  Any work on the Framework Deed for The Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge would use resources from Parks and Grounds Maintenance, Estates and the Legal Section.  Other than a small cost for new signage there would be no increase in revenue costs for the maintenance of the sites nominated.

 

This was a matter for Executive decision.

 

RESOLVED -

 

(1)       T H A T Cabinet approve the following sites to be forwarded to the National Playing Fields Association for dedication as 'Queen Elizabeth II Fields'.

 

·                         Barry – Knap Gardens, Romilly Park, Buttrills Playing Fields.

·                         Cowbridge – Poplars Park.

·                         Dinas Powys – Park Bryn y Don.

·                         Llantwit Major – Windmill Lane Playing Fields.

·                         Penarth – Penarth Athletic Field.

 

(2)       T H A T delegated powers be granted to the Director of Environmental and Economic Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Visible and Building Services, to determine compliance with the dedication conditions for any additional parks or playing fields nominated.

 

(3)       T H A T delegated powers be granted to the Director of Environmental and Economic Regeneration to negotiate Framework Deed/s in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Visible and Building Services.

 

(4)       T H A T the Director of Legal, Public Protection and Housing Services be authorised to sign the Framework Deed/s on behalf of the Council and to register the same.

 

Reasons for decisions

 

(1)       To obtain approval for the dedication of specific sites.

 

(2)       To permit the opportunity to nominate additional sites and to ensure that such sites comply with the dedication conditions before submission.

 

(3)       To provide the necessary authority to agree the Management Agreement.

 

(4)       To ensure the correct execution and completion of the relevant legal documentation.

 

 

C1190                        LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICE PERFORMANCE (ELL) (SCRUTINY - LIFELONG LEARNING) -

 

Cabinet were informed of the improvement and performance of the Library and Information Service in the Vale since the Welsh Public Library Standards were first introduced in 2001.  Visits made to libraries in the Vale had risen from 422,471 in 2001/02 to 782,731 in 2009/10.  This was an increase of 85% in the number of visits to libraries across the Vale.  While visits to the County Library in Barry had more than doubled since opening the new library, other libraries across the Vale had also seen an increase in visits.  Barry had been identified by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy as the busiest library in Wales in 2009/10 in terms of visits, after Cardiff and Swansea. 

 

Further increases were noted in terms of the number of books and other items issued to customers, and the use of on-line services.  As library web pages were improved and extended, and additional online service rolled out, visits to the library pages through the Council's website increased from 40,000 in 2005/06 to over 142,000 in 2009/10.  The introduction of the '24 hour library' was a key element of this and this continued to be developed. 

 

There were presently 62,625 registered library members, with 14,150 of these aged under 16 years.  This meant that just over 50% of the residents of the Vale were library members, including 58% of children in the Vale under 16 years.  A key aim of the service over the next few years increased the proportion of children aged under 16 who were library members.

 

In terms of the library standards the improvement in performance had been affected in the progress made in achieving the standards since 2001.  During the first year of the Welsh Public Library Standards in 2002/03, the Library and Information Service in the Vale of Glamorgan was achieving 6 of the 23 Standards that comprised the First Framework and was amongst the poorest performing services in Wales.  Three years later, in 2004/05, the service was achieving 16 of those Standards and was identified by the Welsh Assembly Government as one of the higher achievers in terms of the Library Standards over that period.

 

The Vale's performance continued to improve over the 3 year period of the Second Framework, with 5 Standards out of a possible 17 achieved in 2005/06 to 12 Standards achieved in 2007/08.  This compared to an average of 9 achieved across Wales in 2007/08.

 

In the current Third Framework, the Service had achieved 8 of the 14 Standards in the first year, 2008/09 and this had increased to 10 of the 14 Standards in 2009/10.  The Service was working towards improving on performance by 2010/11.  By comparison, the average number of Standards achieved across Wales in 2009/10 was 9, the highest being 13 and the lowest being 6.

 

The Annual Return for 2009/10 was attached at Appendix A to the report, and the Welsh Assembly Government Assessment attached at Appendix B.  It was noted that the assessment included some comparative information on the Performance Indicators that underpinned the Standards.  Collection of data for these performance indicators was a recent introduction to the Standards Framework and there was some concern about their reliability at present.  It was therefore advised that they be treated with some caution.

 

A report submitted to Cabinet on 20^th July, 2005 entitled 'Public Library Standards - Annual Report 2004/05' attributed the improvement in performance to a number of factors - the Council's commitment to addressing resource and capacity issues within the service, management actions to address key areas for improvement, the library staff's commitment to delivering high quality services.  These remained key factors influencing performance, but other factors in recent years had been a success in accessing funding and the impact of partnership and collaborative working at local, regional and national level.

 

This was a matter for Executive decision.

 

RESOLVED -

 

(1)       T H A T the current performance of the Library and Information Service and the position in relation to the Welsh Public Libraries Standards Framework be noted.

 

(2)       T H A T the Annual Return 2009/10 submitted to the Welsh Assembly Government be endorsed.

 

Reasons for decisions

 

(1)       To keep Members informed of progress.

 

(2)       To comply with the requirement of the Welsh Assembly Government for formal approval of the Annual Return 2009/10.

 

 

C1191                        THE VALE OF GLAMORGAN JOINT HOUSING LAND AVAILABILITY STUDY APRIL 2010 (PT) (SCRUTINY - ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT) -

 

Cabinet were informed each April, that the Planning and Transportation Policy Team undertook a survey to monitor the annual rate of house building in the Vale of Glamorgan.  This information provided the base line data for the Welsh Assembly Government's (WAG's) monitoring of housing provision in the annual Joint Housing Land Availability Studies (JHLAS) as required in Technical Advice Note (TAN) 1.  The main objective of the study was to monitor the housing land supply within each Local Planning Authority to ensure that it satisfied the WAG's requirement to provide a minimum 5 year land supply (Planning Policy Wales 3^rd Edition 2010, paragraph 9.2.3 refers).

 

The production of the annual JHLAS study was co-ordinated by the WAG with additional input on current and future development rates and market conditions provided by local housing associations, developers and the Home Builders Federation.

 

The production of these studies assisted officers in making decisions on future housing provision within the Vale of Glamorgan, and was of particular importance for the emerging Vale of Glamorgan Local Development Plan (LDP).

 

The current study highlighted that between 1^st April, 2009 and 1^st April, 2010 there were 118 dwelling completions.  This figure represented a market increase on the previous period (1^st April, 2008 to 1^st April, 2009) which only recorded 65 completions.  Despite this increase, dwelling completions were still significantly low due to the current economic conditions. 

 

Of the 118 dwellings completed between 1^st April, 2009 and 1^st April, 2010, 48 were affordable units, all of which were provided directly by Registered Social Landlords.  In addition, a further 70 affordable housing units at Jacksons Quay, Barry Waterfront were currently under construction. 

 

Planning Policy Wales (PPW) (Third Edition 2010) required all local planning authorities to maintain a 5 year readily available land supply.  Accordingly, the JHLAS monitored available land supply and also predicted future build rates for the following 5 years.  To calculate a 5 year land requirement, the JHLAS identified the number of dwellings that should be constructed annually within the Vale of Glamorgan against anticipated build rates which were agreed by a study group.

 

Due to the continued economic slowdown, developers remained less optimistic about future house building rates.  They anticipated that completion rates on existing housing sites over the next 5 years would be in the region of 1859 units, compared with the JHLAS five year calculation of 2836 units.  Based on the residual method, the study identified 3.3 year land supply within the Vale of Glamorgan.  This was lower than the previous JHLAS supply of 4.6 years despite the marginal increase in dwelling completions.  The Council anticipated that the residual method would result in the housing land supply within the Vale of Glamorgan continuing to fall whilst build rates would remain low. 

 

An alternative method for calculating housing land supply was also included in the JHLAS and was based on the previous 5 year annual average build rates.  This was currently 279 units per year and would suggest a housing land supply of 6.7 years.  The Council considered that given the current uncertainties in the housing market and the unprecedented low build rates presently experienced within the Vale of Glamorgan, this alternative method for calculating land supply was more suited to the current economic conditions. 

 

Where the land supply fell below the 5 year requirement, PPW would still require the Council to provide a statement in relation to housing land supply.  This statement should set out the Council's reason for the current housing land supply and outline the measures it would take to address the shortfall.  Accordingly, the Council had provided the following statement to clarify the current land supply, recommending in the interim the annual average build rates were used to calculate land supply until the Council's LDP had been adopted:

 

"A more cautious approach was taken to the scheduled forecasts this year due to the uncertainty by developers about the current and future market for new houses.  There are still two large strategic adopted UDP allocations to come forward – Barry Waterfront (currently 1205 units, but with the potential for up to 2000 units) and a greenfield site at Rhoose (600 units).   Both of these sites are the subject to current planning applications and are partially owned by the WAG.  Therefore there are potentially 2600 units to come forward from these adopted UDP allocations.

 

With only one year of the Plan period remaining, the residual requirement to complete the original UDP housing requirement is 964 units.  The economic decline means that build rates have been low and forecasts nationally and in the Study do not show any change to this situation. Therefore at the current time, it is the Council’s view that the past build rate method of assessing land supply (currently 6.6 years) is more appropriate.   However, this will be reviewed when economic conditions improve and once the LDP is adopted"

 

This was a matter for Executive decision.

 

RESOLVED - T H A T the JHLAS be approved as a factual account of the current land supply for housing within the Vale of Glamorgan to assist the future planning of housing and to inform the determination of planning applications in the Vale of Glamorgan.

 

Reason for decision

 

To allow the survey findings to be used as the Council's official baseline data for planning policy and development control activities.

 

 

C1192                        WELSH ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION: PROPOSED CHANGES TO HOUSEHOLDER PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS (PT) (SCRUTINY - ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT) -

 

The consultation document, published on 23^rd November, 2010 which was attached at Appendix A, sought views on the proposal to amend Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 as amended for Wales.  Responses were invited by 15^th February, 2011. 

 

The proposed consultation exercise stemmed from WAG's wish to provide freedom for householders to make certain improvements and alterations to their homes and surrounding area without the need to make a planning application.  The purpose of the amendments were to allow householders freedom to make more improvements and alterations within their property without planning permission, to set conditions for some permitted development rights so developments were carried out in a way that minimised impact on others, and to take into account flood prevention measures and to place more restrictions on permitted development within World Heritage Sites.

 

The key issue for WAG in undertaking the consultation was whether the General Permitted Development Order 1995 should take a more impact-based approach to determine whether householder development should be granted permission by the Order rather than the volume-based approach that previously existed in England, and currently existed in Wales.  This approach would then give householders greater freedom to extend their properties without needing to apply for planning permission, with various other benefits outlined in the report. 

 

In terms of the response, it was recommended that the comments detailed in Appendix B to the report be forwarded to WAG in response to their consultation.  In brief, concerns amounted to the fact that changes were likely to increase the complexity of the system and introduce additional caveats and conditions.  In turn, this would result in greater involvement in officers in determining whether development is in fact permitted or not, and whether there was compliance with all the suggested conditions.  This was at a time of increasing competition for resources and was therefore regrettable. 

 

This was a matter for Executive decision.

 

 

RESOLVED -

 

(1)       T H A T Cabinet notes the release of the Welsh Assembly Government Consultation.

 

(2)       T H A T, subject to consultation with the Planning Committee, Cabinet approved the response to the consultation on the proposal to amend Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 as amended for Wales.

 

Reasons for decisions

 

(1)       To inform Cabinet of the consultation being undertaken by the Welsh Assembly Government on the proposals to amend Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 as amended for Wales.

 

(2)       To enable Cabinet to respond to the consultation by 15^th February, 2011.

 

 

C1193                        PENARTH PIER PAVILION: PENARTH ARTS AND CRAFTS LTD. (EDR) (SCRUTINY - ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT) -

 

The Council had previously agreed to support the Penarth Arts and Crafts Ltd. (PACL) in their bid to restore and redevelop the Penarth Pier Pavilion building for use as a cinema, cafe, observatory and multi-purpose community area.  In order to achieve this, PACL had submitted a bid to HLF for a first round pass of £2,220,000 with a Development Grant of £107,000.  The Council had previously given PACL grants of £15,000 in January 2010 and £20,000 in April 2009 in support of the project.  Notwithstanding these amounts the Capital Programme allocation had remained at £800,000 as match funding to support the external funding bids that PACL had submitted.

 

PACL had received notification at the beginning of the year that their revised Stage 1 HLF bid had been successful and were awarded £99,000 of Development Grant.  Since that date PACL had also received approval for £30,000 of Big Lottery Community Asset Transfer funding.  HLF Stage 2 main bid would be submitted in February 2011 with the Big Lottery main stage bid following shortly after.  PACL were also hoping to resubmit to the Welsh Assembly Government's Communities and Facilities Grant.

 

PACL were now seeking funding support to enable these further submissions to take place and to continue refining the bid and seeking funding partners.  PACL's letter indicated that the estimated interim consultancy costs over the next few months were advised as £52,000 and additional report costs were in the region of £28,000 (total £80,000).  If proposed, as an interim measure further funding of £15,000 would be drawn down before March 2011.  After that date some draw down of the capital allocation was predicted to occur by agreement.

 

The Council had set aside funding of £100,000 in the draft Capital Programme but PACL's needs were for further funding in this year to meet deadline.  PACL had been successful in gaining pledges to the main scheme costs but these were not being drawn down now as they formed part of the match funding for the main grant.

 

PACL had submitted a breakdown of costs associated with the work together with a programme for them to take forward the work.  Work would be controlled via an appropriate funding agreement and attendance at the project meetings.  The project team would continue to meet to discuss legal, estate and conservation issues. 

 

It was noted that the client, Directorate of Environmental and Economic Regeneration, would not have resources within its revenue account to make provision for the grant and the grant would therefore be funded corporately. 

 

This was a matter for Executive decision.

 

RESOLVED -

 

(1)       T H A T the Council provide grant support of up to £15,000 to Penarth Arts and Crafts Ltd. based upon an appropriate Funding Agreement setting out costs of consultancy, project management and office costs and linked to a programme of work to culminate in a variety of detailed bids to the various funding bodies.

 

(2)       T H A T the Director of Legal, Public Protection and Housing Services in consultation with the Director of Finance, ICT and Property be authorised to prepare, complete and execute the necessary funding Agreement with PACL upon such terms and conditions as they deem appropriate after consultation and agreement with the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration be approved.

 

Reasons for decisions

 

(1)       To ensure that sufficient financial resources are available in support of the bidding processes.

 

(2)       To ensure that the Council's interests are adequately protected.

 

 

C1194                        COMMISSIONING GUIDANCE (SCS) (SCRUTINY - SOCIAL CARE AND HEALTH) -

 

The report outlined new statutory guidance provided by WAG on commissioning social services, setting out the responsibilities of local authorities in this area of work. 

 

In recent years, commissioning had become established as an important process in helping to drive improvements in social care and securing better outcomes for service users.  In this Council, there had been examples of good planning and procurement practice across children's and adult's services.  However, in common with all the other local authorities in Wales, much work was needed to ensure compliance with the new national standards and to meet the key commissioning challenges outlined in the guidance.  It was difficult to see how the new requirements could be met in the current context.  The exceptionally difficult financial climate over the next few years coupled with increasing demand for services were cited as reasons for potential difficulties.  The Vale had given priority to safeguarding core services for residents rather than to increasing capacity in areas such as commissioning.  However, effective use of limited resources became even more important as a means of responding to these challenges.  Clarity was seen as essential with regard to:

 

·                         the needs that could be met

·                         those that could not be met, together with possible consequences

·                         the outcomes that could be achieved.

 

Therefore, successful implementation of the commissioning framework set out in the guidance offered opportunities to demonstrate that the Council was responding to challenges about effective use of resources in a consistent and fair manner.

 

It was seen as essential that greater progress be made with joint commissioning where expertise and capacity could be shared across organisations.  The Vale had been in the forefront of pioneering initiatives for joint commissioning - with the NHS in commissioning substance misuse services and with nine other local authorities in commissioning independent sector placements for looked after children.  It had also helped to establish important mechanisms for taking forward this work more systematically to the Integrating Health and Social Care Programme Board and the South East Wales Improvement Consortium.

 

At the meeting on 29^th September, 2010, Cabinet endorsed the improvement priorities for social services set out in the Director's Annual Report and agreed the formulation of a new three year Change Plan incorporating these improvement priorities.  Details of the plan were set out in the report. 

 

This was a matter for Executive decision.

 

RESOLVED -

 

(1)       T H A T WAG's Commissioning Framework and good practice guidance be noted.

 

(2)       T H A T the Director of Social Services and the Director of Finance, ICT and Property be authorised to:

 

(i)         evaluate how far current commissioning arrangements for social care in the Vale match the standards and meet the challenges set out in the statutory guidance;

 

(ii)        formulate appropriate actions within the new Change Plan for social services that will bring them into compliance with these mandatory requirements as soon as possible and

 

(iii)       to report further to Cabinet on conclusion of that exercise.

 

Reasons for decisions

 

(1)       That Cabinet considers the increased responsibilities placed on the Council because of new statutory guidance.

 

(2)       To ensure that commissioning arrangements for social care comply with the guidance.

 

 

C1195                        THE SOUTH EAST WALES IMPROVEMENT COLLABORATIVE (SEWIC) (SCH) (SCRUTINY - SOCIAL CARE AND HEALTH) -

 

Members were informed of the outcome of a detailed feasibility study undertaken by SEWIC (regarding the potential for further collaboration in the provision and commissioning of social services in the region) and the proposed programme of work. 

 

The South East Wales Improvement Collaborative (SEWIC) had been formed by the 10 Directors of Social Services in each local authority.  Through collaborative working, it was hoped that improvements could be made in the provision and commissioning of social services in the region.  An early, independent evaluation of the newly established regional commissioning unit had indicated considerable success.

 

The ten Directors had now produced a detailed feasibility study, to identify other potential areas of collaboration across and within the SEWIC region - between local authorities and with wider key stakeholders such as NHS partners, housing and the Third Sector.

 

On the basis of the feasibility study, the SEWIC Board had agreed to take forward six new projects and the programme had been endorsed by the South East Wales Regional Board, as outlined within the report.

 

The collaborative programme would help to provide the local authorities with an additional means of delivering service modernisation and cost effectiveness.  It was a very ambitious undertaking and delivery of each component would take between one to three years.  The individual projects were still at an early stage and it was too early to say which of them would be adopted fully.   However, there was a clear commitment by the Directors to work collaboratively wherever possible in all activities where social care services were being commissioned.  Each of them was required to agree to sponsor one of the projects.

 

This was a matter for Executive decision.

 

RESOLVED -

 

(1)       T H A T the outcome of the SEWIC feasibility study and the proposed programme of work be noted.

 

(2)       T H A T the improvement projects set out in the study be endorsed.

 

Reasons for decisions

 

(1)       To ensure that Cabinet has been informed about this important collaborative enterprise.

 

(2)       To ensure that Cabinet endorses the improvement projects set out in the study.

 

 

C1196                        REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION ON SOCIAL SERVICES IN WALES: FROM VISION TO ACTION (SCH) (SCRUTINY - SOCIAL CARE AND HEALTH) -

 

Cabinet was apprised of the findings and recommendations of the Independent Commission on Social Services in Wales.  The role of the Independent Commission was to consider how best social services and social care could meet the needs of the citizens of Wales over the next decade.  In particular, the Commission considered how best to

 

·                         support the further development of professional practice

·                         build inclusive social services based on the contribution of all partners who worked in social care

·                         effect a step change in collaboration between social services and with other key services

·                         ensure integrated social services capable of meeting the needs of children, young people and adults and older people in the most effective way.

 

The Commission published its report on 30^th November and this was attached at Appendix 1 to the report. 

 

It was noted that WAG had deferred further consideration of how to reform the current system of paying for care, following the U.K. Government's decision to establish an Independent Commission in 2010 to consider the various options for reform.  Any major reform would need to be led by the U.K. Government as key areas such as taxation, National Insurance and welfare benefits were within its remit.  The Commission had been asked to report by summer 2011 and to consider implications for the devolved administrations in drawing up recommendations.  This would be linked to a review of the way in which social care and social service were funded. 

 

This was a matter for Executive decision.

 

RESOLVED -

 

(1)       T H A T the report be noted.

 

(2)       T H A T the Cabinet Member for Social and Care Services be authorised to write to the Deputy Minister for Social Services, setting out the Cabinet's response to some of the key issues addressed in the Commission's report.

 

Reasons for decisions

 

(1)       To ensure that Cabinet has an opportunity to consider the recommendations of a major national report.

 

(2)       To influence, where possible, the content of the proposed White Paper.

 

 

C1197                        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 heading.

 

 

C1198                        SALE OF LAND TO OWNERS OF 37 THISTLE CLOSE, BARRY (ELL) (EXEMPT INFORMATION - PARAGRAPH 14) (SCRUTINY - LIFELONG LEARNING) -

 

Cabinet were provided with a report requesting authority to regularise occupation of land within the site of Ysgol Gyfun Bro Morgannwg, Barry.

 

Cabinet had previously considered this matter on 23^rd July, 2008 (Cabinet Min. C95) with additional information provided in the current revised report as requested to allow the decision to be made on the matter.

 

There was also a covenant preventing use of the land for purpose other than as garden land and preventing the building of structures on it.  The Estates Department had confirmed that the price reflected the current market value for this type of land.

 

The sale of the land would generate a capital receipt.  The owners of 37 Thistle Close would be liable for costs of officer time in the Council's Legal Section and Estates Department.

 

This was a matter for Executive decision.

 

RESOLVED -

 

(1)       T H A T land measuring approximately 198m² located adjacent to 37 Thistle Close, Barry (formerly part of the Ysgol Gyfun Bro Morgannwg site) be declared surplus to the Council's requirements.

 

(2)       T H A T the Director of Finance, ICT and Property be authorised to dispose of the land to the owners of 37 Thistle Close, Barry.

 

(3)       T H A T the Director of Legal, Public Protection and Housing Services be authorised to prepare, complete and execute the necessary legal documentation.

 

Reasons for decisions

 

(1)       To allow the sale to proceed.

 

(2)       To enable the transaction to proceed.

 

(3)       To effect completion of the disposal.