CABINET
Minutes of a meeting held on 16th
March, 2011.
Present: Councillor G.C. Kemp
(Chairman); Councillors Mrs. J.E. Charles, P. Church, G.A.
Cox, A.M. Ernest, A.D. Hampton, H.J.W. James, R.L. Traherne
and Mrs. D.M. Turner.
C1239
APOLOGY FOR ABSENCE -
This was received from Councillor T.H.
Jarvie.
C1240
MINUTES -
RESOLVED - T H A T the minutes of the meeting
held on 21st February, 2011 be approved as a correct
record.
C1241
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST -
Councillor G.A. Cox declared an interest in
Agenda Item No. 20 in that his wife was on the Cowbridge Food and
Drink Festival Committee. Councillor Cox left the meeting
whilst this item was under consideration.
C1242
JOINT CONSULTATIVE FORUM -
The following minutes of a meeting held on
14th January, 2011 were submitted:
Present: Councillor Mrs.
J.E. Charles (Chairman); Councillors Mrs. M.E.J. Birch,
Mrs. V.L. Ellis, A.D. Hampton, Mrs. M. Randall,
R.L. Traherne and M.R. Wilson.
Representatives of the Trade
Unions: Mr. K. Archard (NASUWT);
Mr. G. Beaudette (NUT); Mr. P. Carter, Mr. G. Moseley and
Ms. G. Southby (UNISON); Mr. T. Greaves, Mr. N. Stokes and Mr. A.
Unsworth (GMB).
Also present: Mr. J-M.
Alter (NASUWT) (Observer).
(a)
Apologies for absence -
These were received from Mr. T. Cox
(NASUWT), Mr. N. Hart and Ms. K. Tyre (UNISON) and
Mr. G. Lewis (GMB).
At that juncture Mr. Carter indicated that
Ms. G. Southby would be appointed Vice-Chairman for the
meeting.
(b)
Show Racism the Red Card - Presentation -
The Chairman welcomed Simon Richards from
the educational charity “Show Racism the Red Card” (SRtRC),
commenting that the campaign offered children and young people the
opportunity to engage actively in combating racism and that the
Council’s sponsorship represented excellent value for money to the
community. Mr. Richards indicated that the campaign had
commenced in 1996 and that funding came primarily from the National
Lottery. Funding also came from this Council together with a
variety of other bodies including UNISON and NUT Cymru.
Activities undertaken by SRtRC included workshops in schools,
anti-racism events with football / rugby clubs, a Fortnight of
Action, schools competitions, and teacher training. He
referred in particular to the Fortnight of Action in Cardiff
attracting a great deal of publicity and to a teacher training
event held within the Vale of Glamorgan on 14th February
2010. SRtRC was currently working with young people who were
outside mainstream education given that it was key that young
people on the periphery of society were fully engaged. Within
the Vale, workshops had been held in every primary school and over
3,000 young people had been engaged in the area together with eight
youth clubs. As regards the schools competition, he referred
to the fact that 8.4% of registrations came from the Vale, 21% of
entries came from the area also and that 30% of the schools that
would have prize winners were also within the area. Every
workshop was evaluated and re-evaluated. Teacher feedback had
been very positive and 100% of children had been actively
engaged.
Mr. Richards concluded his presentation
with a brief video which helped to illustrate the interactivity
referred to above. In addition to the Annual Review for 2010,
the written comments from children who had attended the workshops
were also tabled which again served to illustrate how much those
children who had attended had enjoyed and benefited from the
experience.
In response to a question from Mr. Carter
as to the take-up of the Somali community in respect of the work
undertaken by SRtRC on social inclusion, Mr. Richards indicated
that a lot of coaching / workshops were held within the Somali
community and that the level of take-up was relatively high.
The aim of such interaction was to try to create role models within
the community who would then go back and spread the word. The
Director of Learning and Development indicated that the Vale housed
the fourth highest ethnic student population in Wales and that a
specific officer within the Council was also helping to disseminate
the message. He concluded by stating that schools within the
Vale were very grateful for the input from SRtRC.
Mr. Richards then thanked the Council for being the first
Council partnership formed with SRtRC indicating that that
sponsorship had greatly aided work within the Vale.
(c) Minutes and
Matters Arising -
The following matters were referred to
under “matters arising”:
·
Facility time - Mr. Archard drew attention to the fact that the
report on facility time had not been yet been submitted to Cabinet
and that Mr. Cox would consequently be submitting a paper for
the consideration of the JCF. The Director of Learning and
Development referred to efforts that had been made to date in
granting facility time and to the increasingly difficult times
ahead. He indicated that he had already discussed the issue
with the President of the NASUWT and that he would request NASUWT
to contribute to the content of his Cabinet report by setting out
the union’s case. Mr. Carter then referred to the need for
adequate facility time being available given the prevailing
circumstances. The Head of Human Resources referred to the
fact that facility time for UNISON had been reviewed last year and
that he had agreed to a further review being undertaken which would
include other recognised trade unions.
·
Discrimination - Mr. Carter stated that he had met with the
Head of Human Resources and given him a list of incidents of
discrimination by managers (6 at present). The Head of Human
Resources responded that he had recently had a useful meeting with
the Regional UNISON officer and that the incidents referred to
above were allegations only at this stage but would be
investigated.
·
Consultation - the Head of Human Resources notified the JCF
that a Council wide Change Forum comprising, inter alia, UNISON,
UNITE and GMB, had been established to meet with the Director of
Finance, ICT and Property on a bi-weekly basis to discuss
inter-departmental matters. Meetings of the Forum had been
scheduled throughout 2011 and would ensure ongoing
consultation. He additionally referred to the process adopted
in respect of reminding all Chief Officers of the way consultation
should be undertaken by indicating that, rather contact them in
writing, all managers/Operational Managers and Heads of Service had
been invited to attend a training session.
·
Health Fairs - the Corporate Health and Safety Officer notified
the JCF that the next Health Fair in the Alps Depot would be held
on 26th May, 2011 and that the immunisation of various
staff would take place on 19th/20th January,
the immunisation programme then being rolled out to other staff as
appropriate. She further indicated that the take up of flu
injections had been very good and that it had been offered to all
staff within the Council through Staffnet and a poster campaign.
All managers had also been informed. Mr. Carter expressed
concerns that not all members had been notified, referring in
particular to those members of staff living and working in the
rural Vale who were not located at the Alps Depot. Mr. Carter
stated that the notification of staff of such campaigns was a
management responsibility and the Head of Building Services asked
that he be furnished with a list of those who had been
unaware. The Chairman suggested that the list be given also
to the Corporate Health and Safety Officer.
The scheme had been operating for some 5
years. It was accepted that publicity of the scheme should be
improved. Consequently, in addition to details being
published on Staffnet, posters being displayed in Council offices,
e-mails being sent to managers in order that they could notify
their staff and the scheme publicised through the Health Fairs, it
was agreed that the relevant information should be included in the
corporate induction.
·
Handling organisational change - the Director of Learning and
Development updated the JCF in respect of the protocol in relation
to change management in schools by indicating that whilst the
matter was being progressed, WAG approval was required prior to
formal consultation taking place.
·
Redeployment / redundancy pack - in response to a question from
Mr. Carter as to progress in respect of the above, the Head of
Human Resources confirmed that the matter had been raised at the
Change Forum and that a pack was being formulated. He
anticipated that the pack would be submitted to the Change Forum
for consideration within the next few weeks.
AGREED - T H A T the minutes of the
meeting held on 8th October, 2010 be approved as a
correct record and the matters arising referred to above either
actioned as indicated or noted.
(d)
Equalities Act 2010 -
The Operational Manager (Human Resources)
took the JCF through the briefing note prepared by the Corporate
Equalities Officers as attached to the agenda. The 5 main
changes related to
·
Recruitment
·
New public sector equality duty
·
Extension of third party harassment
·
Combined (dual) discrimination
·
Positive action in recruitment.
Questions ensued in relation to the
above. Whilst some elements of the Act were already in place
and senior managers had received a briefing from the WLGA, guidance
was awaited from WAG. The Operational Manager anticipated
that when that guidance was received, details would be reported to
the appropriate bodies. He indicated that, in respect of
recruitment, the necessary forms had been amended to reflect the
requirements of the Act. He explained that the reference to
“third party” referred to anyone in the community and that, should
staff experience harassment, each incident should be reported to
their manager. In respect of “positive action”, the
Operational Manager confirmed that the Council currently undertook
the same as regards recruitment. Following a request as to
what constituted “protected characteristics”, the Equality
Co-ordinator detailed the criteria which were referred to under the
heading of direct discrimination.
The thrust of the Act was to bring
together all aspects of equality and, where required, policies
would be developed to facilitate implementation. The
Head of Human Resources expressed confidence that the requirements
of the Act would be satisfactorily progressed.
(e)
Minutes of Directorate Consultative Groups -
(i)
Learning and Development: 9th September,
2010.
The Director of Learning and Development
indicated that good progress was being made with the exception of
the issue on facility time. In response to a question from
Mr. Archard as to school holiday dates and the forthcoming
royal wedding, the Director confirmed that the matter would be
discussed at the next meeting with the Teaching Associations and,
thereafter, would be forwarded to the JCF. Mr. Carter also
raised the issue of pay rates for those employees in work on the
day of the royal wedding. The Head of Human Resources stated
that Corporate Management Team and the Terms and Conditions Group
would be considering the matter.
Mr. Archard then drew attention to an
issue relating to 21st Century Schools and to a draft
report concerning which NASUWT had not been consulted upon which he
felt contained an unsubstantiated and derogatory remark about a
primary school. The Director of Learning and Development
indicated that the statement in question had been deleted prior to
the report being made public and that an apology for the error
given.
(ii) Social Services:
2nd August, 2010.
The Head of Business Management and
Innovation indicated that meetings with trade union representatives
would take place within Social Services on a monthly basis when
updates in respect of developments within the directorate would
given and other matters of mutual interest could be raised.
In response to Mr. Carter’s view that monthly meetings should be
held in all directorates, the Chairman suggested that an approach
on those lines be made to the remaining directorates.
AGREED - T H A T the minutes of the above
meetings, as appended to the report, be accepted.
(f)
Workforce Planning Update -
The Head of Human Resources opened
discussion on the above matter by stressing the importance of
introducing a more robust workforce planning process which would
bring together strategic service, financial and human resource
issue planning. Given the challenging times anticipated in
the next few years, it was critical that workforce planning was
undertaken over a minimum of 3 years and would reflect the services
the Council would be delivering. A Workforce Planning Group
comprising various Heads of Service (including the Head of Human
Resources) had been established to drive the process forward.
As a 1st stage, the Training and Development Manager
would be discussing the process with all Heads of Service;
directorate action plans would then be framed and then a corporate
action plan drawn up as a 3rd stage which would feed
into a comprehensive Human Resource Strategy. Although not
contained within the report before the JCF, the Head of Human
Resources fully accepted points made by Councillor Wilson that
workforce planning needed to take account of the new Equalities
Act, equal impact assessments and other external
factors.
Mr. Carter suggested that the inference in
the report was that the workforce was not currently working
efficiently and effectively. The Head of Human Resources
indicated that the report and the plans for more robust workforce
planning were intended as positive steps given that there would
necessarily be changes affecting the services currently offered and
the workforce delivering those services. The point in
relation to the need to communicate positively and effectively with
staff was accepted, reinforcing the determination of the Council to
manage the process well and thereby mitigate the impact on staff
and services where possible. Councillor Mrs. Ellis stressed
that staff needed to be assured that there no criticism of current
performance but that effective forward planning to meet the coming
changes was essential. Staff also needed to be assured that
the processes and the resulting strategy would be constantly
reviewed to take account of changing circumstances.
Mr. Carter referred in the course of the
above discussion to his understanding on issues relating to the
remuneration received by a senior officer and elected members,
comparing those with the fact that most employees of the Council
had suffered a pay freeze for several years, and his further
understanding that “we were all in this together”. Whilst the
remuneration issues referred to above were not matters for the JCF,
Councillor Mrs. Birch made the point that such topics would likely
be in people’s minds and that the whole Council was necessarily
involved in the change process.
The Chairman indicated that sizeable cuts
were not envisaged and that she was obliged for the points
raised.
(g)
Job Evaluation Update -
The Head of Human Resources outlined the
position to date in respect of the significant progress made on job
evaluation, commenting that, in addition to UNISON, GMB and UNITE
had now agreed to ballot their members on the draft agreement at
the end of March/beginning of April. The report would be
submitted to the Scrutiny Committee (Corporate Resources) prior to
its consideration by Council. Widespread consultation with
Heads of Service, Head Teachers, the Chairs of Governing Bodies,
Trade Union representatives and elected Members would have taken
place by the date of the Council meeting. Subject to Council
approval, all staff would be invited to roadshows Valewide prior to
the ballot taking place.
If there was a positive vote in the
ballot, implementation was anticipated in June, 2011. If
there was a negative vote, the Head of Human Resources indicated
that renewed discussions would commence with the trade
unions. He continued by stressing, however, that the status
quo could not be maintained indefinitely and that the Council would
ultimately have no option but to introduce a revised pay
structure. He explained that in accordance with the
collective agreement with UNISON, GMB and UNITE only trade union
members could be balloted. Mr. Carter indicated that
membership of UNISON has increased substantially over the last 12
months. Whilst the ballot would be open to roughly only 40%
of the workforce, the briefing sessions would be open to
all.
In response to a question as to the extent
of the trade union consultation referred to above, the Head of
Human Resources clarified that it was for trade union
representatives and senior shop stewards only. Mr. Carter
then asked if trade union representatives could sit in on the
briefing sessions for Members. Councillor Wilson indicated
that he had made that request in order to safeguard the Council’s
interests (and that by trade union representation he had meant at
regional level) to ensure that a consistent approach to the
consultation process was being taken and that the process was seen
to be transparent. The Head of Human Resources stated that he
had felt that the briefing sessions should be tailored to meet the
needs and responsibilities of the various groups and that that
approach had recently been accepted by the 3 Regional Officers he
had recently met with. The briefing sessions for staff would
however include trade union and management
representatives.
Councillor Mrs. Ellis again emphasised the
need for the clear communication of the message to each respective
audience and to the importance of any queries raised being
addressed to the satisfaction of the questioner.
(h)
Feedback on Policy Development -
The Operational Manager (Human Resources)
updated the Forum on the latest developments. Mr. Archard
expressed concern that the Teaching Unions had not been involved in
the consultation on any of the policies mentioned within the
report, commenting that teaching unions should be involved in the
process at an early stage. Mr. Carter indicated that he was
aware that teaching unions wished to be involved but that the
teaching unions’ representative (Mr. T. Cox) could not attend the
meetings of the Terms and Conditions Group because of its
timetabling. The Operational Manager indicated that the
matter of the scheduling of meetings could be discussed at the next
Terms and Conditions Group if required. Mr. Archard then
reverted to the issue raised regarding the early involvement of the
teaching unions not yet having been addressed given that within
those teaching associations there were staff who were corporately
based. Mr. Beaudette raised the point that the policies
referred to in the report were intended to cover all staff.
He suggested that different policies were needed in respect of
teachers since teachers were employed under different terms and
conditions from other Council employees. The Operational
Manager accepted that that was a point well made and that schools
had their own policies. He stressed that the focus was on
corporate policies and that once formulated these were referred to
the teacher associations who often used the Council’s corporate
policy as a basis. In response to a question from Mr. Carter
in relation to the policy relating to Violence and Aggression at
Work, the Corporate Health and Safety Officer confirmed that the
policy did include Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) in
schools.
---------------
RESOLVED - T H A T the minutes be noted.
Reason for decision
To take account of the views of the JCF.
C1243
RECYCLING INITIATIVES - REWARD SCHEMES (REF) (MINUTE NO. 877)
-
The Scrutiny Committee (Economy and
Environment) had, on 8th February 2011, considered a
request for consideration of the above matter by Councillor R.F.
Curtis in order to “investigate the options and initiatives
available to increase recycling rates in the Vale of Glamorgan
which would include investigating the introduction of a monthly
recycling lottery….”
Councillor Curtis had stated at the Committee
that his main aim was to ensure that residents recycle as much as
possible of their domestic waste. The Head of Service
indicated that there was currently no legislation in Wales imposing
a duty on residents to recycle domestic waste and that it was
highly unlikely that any such legislation would be introduced in
the near future. It was accepted, therefore, that it was the
responsibility of the Council to ensure that it achieved its
recycling targets and there was a clear need to encourage greater
participation in recycling services. He referred to a Cabinet
decision in relation to the introduction of a weekly co-mingled dry
recycling service which officers believed would greatly improve
participation while also reducing operational costs; the views of
WAG were currently being sought on that proposal. He further
suggested that, in order to the allow the settling in of both the
kitchen waste and possibly co-mingled recycling, no further scheme
be considered until 1st October 2011 at the
earliest. He suggested that a report could be presented to
Cabinet detailing both an award based and an appropriate suitable
lottery style scheme with implementation on or after
1st October 2011.
Further consideration was given to the above.
An objection to such a scheme was raised particularly in
relation to those living in flats and those areas where waste was
assembled in communal piles before being collected together with
the need to remind residents who might compost food waste rather
than recycle of the need for the Council to meet WAG targets.
Members recommended that -
·
recycling incentive schemes be introduced on a trial basis for 12
months commencing on 1st October 2011
·
that all Members be involved in awareness raising throughout their
Wards
·
that the above recommendations be referred to Cabinet for
consideration.
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T the recommendations of the Scrutiny Committee (Economy and
Environment), 8th February 2011 be noted.
(2) T H A
T recycling incentive schemes be introduced on a trial basis for 12
months commencing 1st October 2011.
(3) T H A
T all Members be involved in awareness raising throughout their
Wards.
(4) T H A
T a further report be submitted to Cabinet following the conclusion
of the trial period.
Reasons for decisions
(1) In
acknowledgement of the Scrutiny Committee’s consideration of the
matter.
(2&3) To promote recycling
throughout the Vale of Glamorgan in the light of the need to meet
Welsh Assembly Government targets and improve the environment.
(4) To
apprise Cabinet of the outcome of the trial.
C1244
DRAFT PARTNERSHIP GUIDANCE AND COUNCILLOR CALL FOR ACTION (CCfA)
PROTOCOLS (REF) (MINUTE NO. 890) -
The Scrutiny Committee (Housing and Public
Protection) had, on 9th February, 2011 approved the
draft Partnership Guidance and CCfA Protocol (following
approval by the Safer Vale Partnership) and submitted the same to
Cabinet for endorsement / approval.
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T the recommendations of the Scrutiny Committee (Housing and Public
Protection) of 19th February 2011 be noted.
(2) T H A
T the draft Partnership Guidance and CCfA Protocol be approved.
Reasons for decisions
(1) In
acknowledgement of the Scrutiny Committee’s consideration of the
matter.
(2) In
order to assist the facilitation of the undertaking of Crime and
Disorder scrutiny.
C1245
LEISURE CHARGES 2011/12 (REF) -
The Scrutiny Committee (Economy and
Environment) had, on 8th March, 2011 considered an
increase in leisure charges from 1st April 2011 to
31st March 2012 of 3.75%. In considering the
report, some Members had raised concerns as to the increase,
suggesting the same to be counter productive as many people could
cease to use the facilities as a consequence. Members
subsequently recommended:
·
that the increase proposed in the report and the Appendices to the
report of 3.75% be amended to 3.5% from 1st April 2011
and all prices rounded up to 5 pence
·
that the Director of Environmental and Economic Regeneration in
consultation with the Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure set or
increase prices for sports and play development courses, saleables,
communal bookings, some additional leisure activities and food and
beverage charges as appropriate
·
that all leisure charges set be maximum costs with officers having
the ability to reduce prices if appropriate for promotions or
market force reasons in consultation with the Cabinet Member for
Tourism and Leisure
·
that all the above recommendations be referred to Cabinet.
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T the recommendations of the Scrutiny Committee (Economy and
Environment) of 8th March 2011 be noted.
(2) T H A
T all leisure charges including Lifestyle Fees be increased by
3.75% from 1st April 2011 and all prices to be rounded
up to 5 pence.
(3) T H A
T the Director of Environmental and Economic Regeneration, in
consultation with the Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure, set
or increase prices for sports and play development courses,
saleables, communal bookings, some additional leisure activities
and food and beverage charges as appropriate.
(4) T H A
T all leisure charges set the maximum cost with officers having the
ability to reduce prices if appropriate for promotions or market
force reasons in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Tourism
and Leisure.
Reasons for decisions
(1) In
acknowledgement of the Scrutiny Committee’s consideration of the
matter.
(2) To
increase prices in line with inflation and changes to VAT.
(3) To
enable charges to these services to reflect particular market
conditions.
(4) To
allow prices to be used as a marketing tool where applicable and to
reflect market conditions.
C1246
VISIBLE SERVICES: PROPOSED FEES AND CHARGES FOR 2011/12 (REF)
-
The Scrutiny Committee (Economy and
Environment) had, on 8th March, 2011 considered the
above. The Head of Service indicated that, with the exception
of commercial and slipway charges, it was generally proposed to
increase charges by 3.75%. In respect of charges for Waste
Management and Cleansing, the Head of Service indicated that due to
ongoing increases in landfill charges, it was proposed to increase
commercial waste charges by 10%. In referring to the
Council’s continued initiative to increase kerbside recycling, it
was proposed that there should be no increase in the cost of
reusable green bags or for biodegradable sacks. As part of
the continued Waste Awareness Campaign and the wish to limit the
future use of plastic carrier bags, it was proposed to maintain the
cost of the jute reusable shopping bags at 50p each. It was
also proposed to continue to provide the large caddy liners at a
charge of £1.50 per roll of 12 sacks and the small kitchen caddy
biodegradable sacks free of charge. It was noted that the
Council was no longer able to provide subsidised (and in some cases
free) home composting bins, as the bins provided by WAG some time
ago had now all been issued. It was suggested that slipway
permit prices be increased by 20% to assist in funding the cost of
enforcement.
In considering the report, some Members raised
concerns that many people could cease to use the facilities as a
consequence of certain of the proposed increases. Members
recommended:
·
that the increase in charges referred to in the report of 3.75% be
amended to 3.5% but that the remaining fees and charges as detailed
in the report and the revised Appendices 1, 2, 3 and 4 be
accepted
·
that the above recommendation be referred to Cabinet.
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T the recommendations of the Scrutiny Committee (Economy and
Environment) of 8th March 2011 be noted.
(2) T H A
T the increase in charges referred to in the report of 3.75% be
approved with the remaining fees and charges as detailed in the
report and the revised Appendices 1, 2, 3 and 4 be accepted from
1st April 2011.
Reasons for decisions
(1) In
acknowledgement of the Scrutiny Committee’s consideration of the
matter.
(2) To
increase prices in line with inflation and changes to VAT.
C1247
CAPITAL MONITORING: 1ST APRIL, 2010 TO 31ST
JANUARY, 2011 (L) (SCRUTINY - ALL) -
Details as to the financial progress on the
Capital Programme as at 31st January 2011 were
appended to the report. Particular reference was made within
the report in relation to three schemes falling under the Director
of Environmental and Economic Regeneration, as follows:
·
Local Road Network Refurbishment Grant - the Chief Executive’s
emergency powers had been exercised to include the recent WAG grant
of £283,835 “for the purpose of improving the fabric of the local
road infrastructure, with the objective of extending the life of
the asset”, a condition of the grant offer being that it was
expended by 31st March 2011.
·
Coldbrook Catchment Area Flooding - the Council had accepted a
grant from the Welsh European Funding Office of £449,946 towards
works to alleviate flooding at Coldbrook, Barry. In addition
to that grant, a further £82,058 had been reserved from Council
funds as well as potential grant funding of £464,996 from
WAG. The WAG monies would be requested on a phased basis and,
since the first application was currently being prepared, nothing
had been formally approved as yet. As it had, however, been
necessary to incur fees during the current financial year, Cabinet
and Council were requested to include a budget of £40,000 in the
2010/11 Capital Programme to cover that expenditure. As a
consequence, that sum required to be deducted from the existing
2011/12 capital approval.
·
Pumphouse Enveloping - as Cabinet had been previously advised, the
programme had slipped for a variety of reasons. It was now
estimated that a maximum of £808,000 could be spend by the end of
March, necessitating the remaining budget of £890,000 being slipped
into 2011/12.
It was noted too that expenditure on the
grants regime in respect of the Penarth Renewal Area had currently
fallen behind profile although it was anticipated that a full spend
would be achieved in the current financial year. Appendix 2
to the report provided non-financial information on capital schemes
with a budget of over £100,000.
RECOMMENDED - T H A T Council be requested to
approve the following changes to the Capital Programme:
·
Coldbrook Catchment Area Flooding - increase the Capital Programme
by £40,000 for 2010/11, the same sum being deducted from the
2011/12 Capital Programme
·
Pumphouse Enveloping - reduce the budget to £808,000 (carry forward
£890,000 into 2011/12).
Reason for recommendation
To allow schemes to be undertaken in this or
future financial years.
C1248
REVENUE MONITORING: 1ST APRIL, 2010 TO
31ST JANUARY, 2011 (L) (SCRUTINY - ALL)
-
The projected outturn for the 2010/11 Revenue
Budget showed an estimated favourable variance of £1.190m.
Further details were contained within the report as outlined
below:
·
Education and Schools - overall the Education Budget was projected
to outturn with a surplus of £55,000 which would be set against a
predicted overspend on the Lifelong Learning budget.
·
Lifelong Learning - the service currently showed an overspend of
£55,000 in respect of the Community Enterprise Service.
·
Children and Young People’s Services - the variance to the end of
January showed an underspend of £112,000. Whilst the service
itself was currently underspending by £62,000, an underspend in the
Social Services Strategy Division was reducing the recharge to
Children and Young People’s Services and thus increasing the
underspend. Particular reference was made in the report to
the volatility of that budget.
·
Adult Services - the variance to the end of January showed an
overspend of £113,000. As above, whilst the service itself
was actually currently underspending by £350,000, an underspend in
the Social Services Strategy Division was reducing the recharge to
Adult Services and therefore reducing the overspend.
Attention was again drawn to the volatility of that budget.
·
Planning and Transportation - there was currently a small adverse
variance of £1,000 to the profiled revised budget and it was
anticipated that the Division would outturn on budget.
·
Economic Development and Leisure - there was currently a small
adverse variance of £2,000 and it was anticipated that the Division
would outturn on budget.
·
Visible Services - overall it was anticipated that the Division
would outturn on budget.
·
Visible Services Engineering - there was currently a £44,000
adverse variance to the profiled budget and it was anticipated that
the budget would outturn on target.
·
Visible Services Waste Management - there was currently a £30,000
favourable variance to the profiled budget.
·
Visible Services Grounds Maintenance - there was currently a
£27,000 adverse variance to the profiled budget although it was
anticipated that the budget would outturn on target.
·
Visible Services Support - there was currently a favourable
variance of £133,000 to the profiled budget which would be used for
any cost pressures within Visible Services throughout the financial
year. It was anticipated that the budget for the Division
would outturn on target.
·
Visible Services Highways - there was currently a £73,000
favourable variance to the profiled budget and it was anticipated
that the Division would outturn on target.
·
Private Sector Housing / Community Safety - Cabinet had previously
approved the transfer of the projected underspend on that service
to reserves. Whilst the profiled bed and breakfast budget was
currently showing an underspend it was anticipated to be fully
expended by the end of the financial year.
·
Policy - Cabinet had previously approved the use of the projected
underspend for winter maintenance and Visible Services.
·
YOS - the service was anticipated to have a favourable variance of
£60,000 which it was proposed to transfer to the YOS reserve.
·
The forecast was for a 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 Council’s 2010/11 amended Revenue Budget be noted.
Reason for decision
To be aware of the projected revenue outturn
for 2010/11.
C1249
REVIEW OF CORPORATE COMPLAINT POLICY AND PROCESS AND UNREASONABLE
COMPLAINANT BEHAVIOUR POLICY AND PROCESS (L) (SCRUTINY - CORPORATE
RESOURCES) -
Authority was sought for proposed amendments
to the Corporate Complaint Policy and Process as detailed within
the report and appended thereto. A guidance note had been
produced for and circulated to Chief Officers which gave the
process to be followed when a request for a complainant to be
designated as “unreasonable” under the Unreasonable Complainant
Behaviour Policy and Process was received, as appended to the
report.
The Unreasonable Complainant Behaviour Policy
had been operating since November 2009 and only one person had been
designated as “unreasonable” in that period. That decision
had been reviewed six months later, extended for a further six
months, and subsequently lifted in December 2010.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T the Corporate Complaint Policy and Process, as appended to the
report, be approved.
(2) T H A
T no changes be made to the Unreasonable Complainant Behaviour
Policy and Process which would be reviewed again in March 2012.
(3) T H A
T the guidance note for Chief Officers, as appended to the report,
be noted.
Reasons for decisions
(1) To
review the policy following its approval by Cabinet on
11th June 2008.
(2) The
Unreasonable Complainant Behaviour Policy and Process was approved
in November 2009 when it was agreed that it should be reviewed in
November 2010.
(3) To
support operation of the Unreasonable Complainant Behaviour
Policy.
C1250
XCHANGEWALES PROGRAMME (L) (SCRUTINY - CORPORATE RESOURCES)
-
The purpose of the report was to inform
Cabinet of this Council’s participation in the WAG xchangewales
Programme. The programme itself was a collection of
electronic tools and secure web based services designed to support
and enhance the complete procurement process. The intention
was to enable public sector organisations across Wales to be able
to source, order and pay for goods and services online which should
make the service faster, easier and less expensive for suppliers to
trade with their public sector customers and help speed up payments
to suppliers.
The programme was split into the two strands
of eSourcing and eTrading. Specific details as to those two
strands were contained within the report. The elements of the
programme used within the Vale of Glamorgan Council were also
detailed within the report as was the proposed timetable for the
implementation / review of the remainder of the xchangewales
Programme.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T the involvement and progress of the Vale of Glamorgan Council in
the WAG xchangewales Programme be endorsed.
(2) T H A
T the Director of Finance, ICT and Property be authorised to sign
the Memorandum of Understanding with WAG.
Reason for decisions
(1&2) To inform Cabinet of the
collaboration between this Council, WAG and other local
authorities.
C1251
USE OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S EMERGENCY POWERS (L) (SCRUTINY - AS
INDICATED BELOW) -
RESOLVED - T H A T the exercise of the Chief
Executive’s emergency powers as indicated below be noted:
(a)
Authority to include the transfer of £115k. from the EMI Beds
budget to a new scheme for Day Care Service Reconfiguration in the
2010/11 Capital Programme.
(Scrutiny - Corporate Resources)
(b)
Authority to increase the Capital Programme for 2010/11 to take
account of WAG grant approval of £107,520k for Safe Routes in
Communities.
(Scrutiny - Corporate Resources)
(c)
To agree termination of employment on the grounds of redundancy and
a redundancy payment due to the reconfiguration of the Pupil
Referral Unit.
(Scrutiny - Corporate Resources)
(d)
Authority to replace Councillor Mrs. M. Kelly Owen with Councillor
R.L. Traherne on the Joint Consultative Forum until her return
from ill health.
(Scrutiny - Corporate Resources)
(e)
Authority to accept WAG Barry Regeneration Area grant as detailed
within the report in order to maximise the draw down of grant in
2010 and, where applicable, 2011/12, and for the associated budgets
to be included in the Capital Programme.
(Scrutiny - Economy and Environment and
Housing and Public Protection)
(f) Authority to
replace Councillor Mrs. M. Kelly Owen with Councillor
J. Clifford on the Planning Committee until her return from
ill health.
(Scrutiny - Corporate Resources)
(g)
Authority to allow the recently allocated Local Roads Network
Refurbishment Grant from WAG to be added to the Capital Programme
for 2010/11.
(Scrutiny - Economy and Environment)
(h)
Authority to enter into the Stage 1 Contract for works at Barry
Docks Station, Barry and to amend the Capital Programme as
indicated in the request.
(Scrutiny - Economy and Environment)
(i) Authority to
replace Councillor Mrs. M. Kelly Owen with Councillor
G.C. Kemp on the Early Retirement/Redundancy Committee with
effect from 7th February, 2011 until her return from ill
health.
(Scrutiny - Corporate Resources)
(j) Authority to
instruct the main contractor in relation to the Pumphouse
Enveloping works contract to action urgently the work items
detailed in the memorandum appended to the request affected by the
increase costs associated with the removal of contaminated ground
material and to approve the payment of increased costs associated
with additional scaffold hire charges.
(Scrutiny - Economy and Environment)
(k)
Authority to commit to accepting the anticipated 2011-13
funding offer in respect of the Coastal Access Improvement
Programme 2011/12 and the 2011/12 match funding currently
identified but not confirmed in the 2011/12 Capital Programme.
(Scrutiny - Economy and Environment).
Reason for decision
To be aware of the exercise of emergency
powers.
C1252
REPRESENTATION ON CARDIFF AND VALE COMMUNITY HEALTH COUNCIL (L)
(SCRUTINY - CORPORATE RESOURCES) -
Consideration was given to the appointment of
a representative to the above body following the resignation of one
of the Council’s existing representatives.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
RESOLVED - T H A T no appointment be made at
this time to replace Councillor Mrs. S.M. Bagstaff and that the
Chief Executive be requested to write to the relevant Assembly
Minister highlighting the difficulties Elected Members were facing
in balancing their Council and Constituency commitments with the
duties expected as being a Member of the Community Health
Council.
Reason for decision
To highlight concerns of Elected Members of
this Council.
C1253
APPOINTMENT OF PUBLIC / AGRICULTURAL ANALYST (LPP) (SCRUTINY -
HOUSING AND PUBLIC PROTECTION) -
The Council had been notified that due to the
retirement of the previous Public / Agricultural Analyst at Cardiff
Scientific Services, Dr. Alastair Low had been appointed. In
order for the new Public / Agricultural Analyst to act on the
Council’s behalf, it was necessary that he be formally accepted for
that position.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
RESOLVED - T H A T Alastair Low of Cardiff
Scientific Services be appointed as the Council’s Public /
Agricultural Analyst under Section 27 of the Food Safety Act 1990
and Agriculture Analyst under Section 67 of the Agriculture Act
1970.
Reason for decision
To ensure the Council’s continued compliance
with Section 27 of the Food Safety Act 1990 and Section 67 of the
Agriculture Act 1970.
C1254
TACKLING ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR (HCS) (SCRUTINY - HOUSING AND PUBLIC
PROTECTION) -
The Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Policy
emphasised the need for collaborative working to resolve issues at
an early informal stage and was appended to the report. The
procedure guidance for staff was also attached as an
appendix. Both WAG and Central Government had issued guidance
to local authorities and other partners outlining those issues ASB
Policy should address. It was noted that the Policy and
Procedure needed to ensure that it was compatible with existing
legislation. In the Summer of 2008, the Council had
commissioned Simon Inkson Associates to undertake a review of a
number of key policies including the ASB Policy. As part of
that commission, the Safer Vale Partnership and the Public
Protection Department had been consulted.
The Council had been criticised in a recent
report by the Local Authority Ombudsman who recommended a number of
enhancements to the Policy as shown below:
·
introduce a more detailed step by step procedure for dealing with
ASB cases
·
ensure that all complaints were dealt with property and
objectively
·
detail arrangements for the referral and sharing of information
with other organisations and internal departments
·
introduce recording, decision making and monitoring regime for all
ASB complaints
·
review the training provided to all staff.
The Procedure contained a stringent guide for
both the investigation of the complaint and ensuring that
comprehensive joint working with other departments and agencies
took place and was properly documented. Training for all
relevant staff members had been arranged through the Chartered
Institute of Housing. The Local Authority Ombudsman had
responded positively to the amendments and associated detailed
procedure as amended. The Council was also required to
evidence compliance with or being seen to be working towards seven
commitments in order to sign up to the WAG “The Wales Housing
Management Standard for Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour”. It
was noted that the new procedure was compatible with the Standard
and was supportive of a number of other new Housing Department
policies.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
RESOLVED - T H A T the draft amended
Anti-Social Behaviour Procedure as appended to the report be
approved.
Reason for decision
To ensure that all views are considered in the
development of the ASB Policy.
C1255
YOUTH OFFENDING SERVICE PERFORMANCE (HCS) (SCRUTINY - HOUSING AND
PUBLIC PROTECTION) -
The Youth Offending Service (YOS) had been
established in 1998. The YOS had been inspected by HMI
Probation in October 2007, December 2008 and June 2010. In
addition, the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales (YJB) had
undertaken a Capacity and Capability inspection in May 2010.
The YJB monitored YOS performance quarterly and regular updates on
performance were reported to the YOS Management Board. In
January 2011, the YOS reported its best performance in recent
years, details of particular examples of that performance being
included in the report as summarised below:
·
the Vale had seen the largest decrease in Wales in the number of
first time entrants to the Youth Justice system (with a 75.6%
reduction)
·
reoffending by convicted young offenders had also reduced by
17.4%
·
custodial sentences at 5.6% were below the South Wales and Wales
averages (8% and 5.9% respectively)
·
engagement in education, training and employment also continued on
a positive trend although it was recognised that performance
remained below the Wales and South Wales averages which showed that
further work was necessary
·
access to appropriate accommodation increased 1.6% for community
sentences and 16.7% for young people released from custody
·
100% of young people requiring specialist assessment and treatment
for drug misuse commenced treatment within 10 days of referral.
Reference was also made to the fact that
prevention work had been particularly effective. Further
details in respect of the above were appended to the report.
Attention was drawn to the fact that as a
multi-agency partnership, the YOS was experiencing financial
reductions from most partners and that external grants were also
being curtailed. Reductions had been proposed in staffing,
services provided to the Courts and the Police, along with reduced
support services which, it was considered, could raise the risk of
offending to the community. The additional burden of the
closure of Barry Magistrates Court would also have a severe
financial implication for staff time and travel costs.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T staff be commended on the excellent performance of the YOS over
recent months be commended.
(2) T H A
T the implications of the impending financial reductions be
noted.
Reasons for decisions
(1) So
that staff in the YOS are aware that the Council appreciates their
hard work and efforts.
(2) To
keep Cabinet apprised.
C1256
BARRY DOCKS LINK ROAD - HIGHWAY SAFETY PROPOSALS (VBS) (SCRUTINY -
ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT) -
As a consequence of previous discussions both
by the Scrutiny Committee (Economy and Environment) and Cabinet,
consultants had been commissioned to identify the favoured solution
in respect of the above. Two options had been identified,
namely a roundabout option and a traffic signals option.
Details were contained within the report as to the relevant issues
in relation to each, the favoured option by both Atkins and by
Council officers being identified as the Traffic Signal
Option. The reasons for that choice were:
·
the option better addressed future capacity needs due to
anticipated traffic growth
·
the option addressed the problems experienced at both Coldbrook
Road East and at Argae Lane
·
the construction of the option could be contained within the area
controlled by the Highway Authority thereby avoiding the need for
additional land acquisition
·
the option could be constructed with less impact on the existing
network, minimising the disruption to the road user and
demonstrating the Council’s Network Management
responsibilities.
It was noted that the total estimated cost of
the favoured option was £500k. It was proposed that a capital
funding bid of £550k. inclusive of a 10% contingency be submitted
to WAG and / or SEWTA to progress the detailed design, construction
and project management of the traffic signal solution.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T the results of the junction improvement options considered by the
Engineering Consultants and the additional comments made by Council
officers be noted.
(2) T H A
T the Traffic Signal Option be supported as the most appropriate
long term scheme to take forward to address the highway safety
concerns.
(3) T H A
T an application to WAG and SEWTA for capital funds to undertake
the detailed design and construction phases of the scheme be
approved.
(4) T H A
T the report be referred to the Scrutiny Committee (Economy and
Environment).
Reasons for decisions
(1&4) For information.
(2) To
confirm support for the favoured scheme.
(3) To
allow the scheme to progress.
C1257
TRINITY STREETAND ROMILLY ROAD, BARRY - PROPOSED
EXPERIMENTAL TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER (VBS) (SCRUTINY - ECONOMY AND
ENVIRONMENT) -
Concerns had been raised by residents of
Trinity Street over a number of years regarding the difficulties
they were experiencing in respect of the volume and speed of
traffic using Trinity Street, damage to parked cars and the
likelihood of personal injury to pedestrians. More recently,
concerns had been raised by residents in Romilly Road regarding
parking and congestion issues.
Following a site meeting with residents of
Trinity Street, consultation had taken place with residents and
other stakeholders in respect of a number of options. Of the
three options identified, the majority of residents had expressed a
preference for Option 1. Option 1 would involve closing
Trinity Street at its junction with Jenner Road, closing Montgomery
Road at its junction with Trinity Street and also making Gadlys
Road West a one way street. Option 2 would involve making
Trinity Street a one way street downhill from its junction with
Jenner Road to its junction with Montgomery Road with a road
closure at the southern kerb line of Montgomery Road. It
would also include a proposal to close Island Road at its junction
with Porthkerry Road and to introduce a section of one way order on
Princes Street. Option 3 would promote two one way systems on
Trinity Street. Under all three options it was noted that it
would be proposed that the existing road narrowings and associated
priority orders would be removed as site observations had revealed
that they served no purpose due to the amount of on street
parking.
In the time that had elapsed while the Trinity
Street issues had been investigated and options considered,
additional concerns had been raised by residents in Romilly Road
regarding on street parking opportunities, the possibility of
introducing a one way system and other traffic management
issues. As Romilly Road was close to Trinity Street, it was
agreed that the proposed study area would also include that part of
the network. Since it was impossible to predict where any
displaced traffic would choose to go, it was considered that an
Experimental Order would give officers opportunity to assess the
impact of the proposals and introduce mitigation as
appropriate.
Following completion of the necessary studies
which provided base data on vehicle speeds, volumes and turning
movements, it was therefore proposed that an Experimental Traffic
Regulation Order be made to enable Option 1 to be progressed.
That Order would also include the creation of a one way street on
Romilly Road with travel being permitted from north to south (one
way downhill). Objections could be received during the first
six months of the Order which would remain in place for 18
months. Following that period, the Order either had to be
withdrawn or made permanent. It was further noted that there
was no budget allocation currently available to progress the
necessary Experimental Traffic Regulation Order and physical works
proposed. The cost estimate of £40k. had been determined to
implement Option 1 and the one way street on Romilly Road as an
Experimental Order with an additional £40k. required to make that
permanent in due course. As no work could be programmed in
the current financial year, the initial £40k. for implementation
would be required from 2011/12 budgets.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T the contents of the report be noted and the proposed actions
approved.
(2) T H A
T a report be presented to the Planning Committee in due course for
the introduction of an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order as
described in the report.
(3) T H A
T the use of £40k. from the Visible Services Asset Renewal budget
2011/12 be approved to progress the proposals identified in the
report.
(4) T H A
T the report and the resolutions of Cabinet be presented to the
Scrutiny Committee (Economy and Environment) in due course.
(5) T H A
T a further report be presented to Cabinet three months post the
introduction of the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order.
Reasons for decisions
(1) For
information and to allow the proposed actions to be progressed.
(2) To
comply with the requirements of the Road Traffic Regulation Act
1984.
(3) To
ensure that sufficient funds are identified for the proposals to be
progressed.
(4) To
ensure that the Scrutiny Committee (Economy and Environment) has an
involvement in any proposals.
(5) To
allow the Cabinet to assess the success of the Order.
C1258
PROPOSED EVENTS PROGRAMME 2011-2012 (TL) (SCRUTINY - ECONOMY AND
ENVIRONMENT) -
The Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure, in
supporting the recommendations contained within the report,
reminded his Cabinet colleagues and officers of the need to ensure
that the Council’s presence at the events to be supported were
adequate and sufficient pre / post the event taking place and that
the presence at the events should be coupled with additional
publicity within the media, promoting the Council’s interest and
support in the same.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T the proposed events and associated costs for the financial year
2011/12, as appended to the report, be approved.
(2) T H A
T the Director of Environmental and Economic Regeneration, in
consultation with the Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure and
the Leader, be authorised to approve additional expenditure of up
to £10,000.
Reasons for decisions
(1) To
inform Cabinet of the proposed events programme and sources of
funding.
(2) To
authorise additional expenditure if required.
C1259
PORTHKERRY COUNTRY PARK: CAFÉ (TL) (SCRUTINY - ECONOMY AND
ENVIRONMENT) -
In February 2011, Cabinet had considered a
report in which authority had been sought to vary the existing
lease arrangements for the café at Porthkerry Country Park by
extending the demise and varying the rent. Officers had been
working with the new leaseholder to improve the overall facility
and the operator sought to lease additional land from the Council
for the purposes set out in the report. The Director of
Legal, Public Protection and Housing Services had subsequently been
authorised to sign a new lease for land adjacent to the Porthkerry
Country Park Café subject to no objections being received. A
number of objections had subsequently been received and were
appended to the report. It was noted that the objections
focused on the “loss” of public open space within the Country Park,
however the proposal to let the area to the café operator was
specifically for the purpose of improving the public open space and
the Country Park as a whole. It was further noted that users
of the park currently had a very limited offer in terms of catering
and that the new operator of the café was working with the Council
to improve that previously offered. The operator was willing
to install decking and provide tables and seating for customers,
including a covered area for inclement weather. The Council
was also currently installing a substantially improved and enlarged
children’s play area in the Country Park which lay directly
adjacent to the café / car park which would, it was anticipated,
undoubtedly attract more visitors. It was considered that the
catering facilities should be improved in parallel with the play
area and that together those investments would achieve a laudable
improvement to the Country Park as a high quality public open
space. In terms of the long term security of the public open
space, it was considered that the lease was relatively short (to
August 2019) and would not restrict the Council in terms of longer
term proposals in due course. Use of the Chief Executive’s
Emergency Powers was sought in order for the proposals to be
completed prior to the Easter period and to allow the option of a
joint launching of the facility with that of the improved play area
at an appropriate time.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T the Director of Legal, Public Protection and Housing Services be
authorised to sign a new lease for land adjacent to the Porthkerry
Country Park Café.
(2) T H A
T the Director of Legal, Public Protection and Housing Services, in
consultation with the Cabinet Members for Legal and Public
Protection and Tourism and Leisure, be authorised to prepare,
complete and execute the aforementioned lease.
(3) T H A
T the Chief Executive’s Emergency Powers be used to grant the
lease.
Reasons for decisions
(1&2) In order to facilitate
improvements to the Country Park.
(3) In
order to ensure the improvements to the Country Park take place
prior to the busy Easter holiday period.
C1260
BUTE COTTAGE NURSERY SCHOOL - ENCLOSURE OF ADJACENT LAND WITHIN
SCHOOL SITE (ELL) (SCRUTINY - LIFELONG LEARNING) -
Authority was sought to increase the external
play area of Bute Cottage Nursery School by enclosing adjoining
land which was currently open to the public. The land in
question was adjacent to the Nursery and fell under the remit of
Learning and Development but, since it had been open to the public
from at least 1961, could therefore be considered to be informal
open space. The School proposed to source external grant
funding to develop the area including “forest school” type
activities which might be opened up to other schools and local
residents during the day. As the land in question was not
being disposed of or appropriated by the Local Authority, it was
noted that a statutory public consultation under the Local
Government Act 1972 did not need to be completed before it could be
enclosed and developed. Due to the fact that the land had
been open for a substantial time, however, notice of the intention
to dispose of the land was recommended to ensure that local
residents were informed of the proposal and given the opportunity
to object. It was noted that the School had agreed to pay all
reasonable fees incurred in undertaking the consultation process to
enclose the land and to fund the erection and maintenance of a
perimeter fence, the upkeep of the enclosed area, the development
of the same and the future grounds maintenance costs.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
RESOLVED - T H A T the Director of Legal,
Public Protection and Housing Services be authorised to give notice
of the Council’s intention to enclose the informal open space
adjacent to Bute Cottage Nursery School and currently within the
remit of Learning and Development for the purpose of extending the
play area at the Nursery and, if necessary and as appropriate, to
give consideration to any objections received in connection with
the enclosure of the land.
Reason for decision
To have regard to the fact that despite the
land in question being within the remit of Learning and
Development, it is used as informal open space by local
residents.
C1261
VOLUNTARY EARLY RETIREMENT / REDUNDANCY SCHEME FOR SCHOOLS (ELL)
(SCRUTINY - LIFELONG LEARNING) -
Authority was sought to implement a Voluntary
Early Retirement / Redundancy Scheme for Schools as appended to the
report which would enable Governing Bodies to manage their
resources better.
In light of the Revenue Settlement, all
services, including schools, were being asked to make efficiency
savings and, since the largest proportion of the schools’ budget
related to staff, that was where the greatest savings would need to
be made. In order to assist schools and the Council in
resource management, it was considered appropriate to introduce a
scheme whereby staff could volunteer for early retirement or
redundancy thereby saving the need for compulsory redundancy.
To do nothing would result in compulsory redundancies which would
be inconsistent with Council policies to seek to avoid the
same. Each application under the scheme would be considered
on its own merits, taking into account the potential cost, saving
and effect on the teaching, learning and management of the
school. Should there be no volunteers, then the only other
option would be for a school to seek compulsory redundancy.
In such cases the scheme provided for “bumping” whereby a member of
staff under threat of redundancy could, with the agreement of
schools, be redeployed. The costs arising from any member of
school staff requesting early retirement / redundancy would be
shared between the Council and the school, the Council’s
contribution being not greater than 50%. The Schools Invest
to Save Reserve would be used to allow schools to spread any such
payments over 3-5 years. The Council’s contribution would be
made from existing resources within the Learning and Development
budget, a set budget being fixed for the Council’s contribution
which would be allocated to approved applications on a priority
basis. It was emphasised that no guarantees of early
retirement are being given and that the applications from schools
would be considered on the basis of the business case and available
funding.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T the proposed Voluntary Early Retirement / Redundancy Scheme be
implemented with effect from 1st April 2011 and reviewed
annually.
(2) T H A
T the Director of Learning and Development be authorised to assess
each application under the proposed scheme taking potential costs,
savings and effects on the delivery of the national curriculum into
account.
(3) T H A
T the Director of Learning and Development be authorised to
determine school proposals in consultation with the Cabinet Member
for Education and Lifelong Learning and the Director of Finance,
ICT and Property.
Reasons for decisions
(1) To
ensure the scheme is in place in readiness for the 2011/12
financial year.
(2) To
support schools to manage their resources effectively.
(3) To
ensure an audit trail and consistent consideration of
applications.
C1262
REVIEW OF SUPPORTED LOCAL BUS SERVICES 2011 (PT) (SCRUTINY -
ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT) -
Details were submitted of the intended review
of Council supported local bus service provision, the review
process, consultees and consultation methodology.
By way of background it was explained that
supported local bus services 87, 88 and 89 had been originally
introduced in November 2002 following a review carried out by
Cardiff Bus which had attempted to fill gaps in service
provision. First Cymru Buses Ltd. was awarded the existing
contracts in July 2008. Those services were timetabled in
March 2010 to provide more direct service provision, improve
reliability and frequencies, especially on services 88 and
89. However, reliability continued to be a problem on service
88 which resulted in a further revision to service 88 and enabled a
further revision to service 87 at the same time. EST Bus Ltd.
had been awarded the existing contract to provide Council supported
local bus services 145 and 146 in December 2007. First Cymru
Buses Ltd. had approached the Council at the end of January 2011
indicating that they wished to terminate the contract agreements
for services 87 and 88/89 as the company was making a significant
loss due to very low demand, especially on service 87. A
meeting was then held between officers and a representative of
First Cymru Buses Ltd. when it was further proposed that the
contract agreement for supported local bus service 87 only was
terminated, retaining the contract agreement for the more viable
services 88 and 89 but with a financial increment to enable the
company to break even and run the service through to the full term
of the contract agreement. As regards services 145 and 146,
EST Bus Ltd. had requested the Council to consider a revision of
the current schedule with a view to a reduction in frequencies in
order to reduce operational costs and maintain service
provision. Authority was therefore sought to renegotiate the
existing schedule with a view to a reduction in service frequency
and cost and to implement any agreed decision.
It was noted that services 87, 89, 145 and 146
were currently funded by the Local Transport Services Grant
provided by WAG. Service 88 was currently funded by Section
106 planning obligation funds received from the Hayes Point
Development (former Sully Hospital) to improve local bus service
provision which would be fully utilised from May 2011. The
overall budget implication in addition to existing expenditure
would amount to £18,640 which could be met to cover the short term
period. Members were asked to note that one aspect of the
forthcoming review of Council supported local bus service provision
would be to ensure that future service provision remained within
budget.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T a review of Council supported local bus service provision take
place during the first half of 2011, that the process, consultees
and consultation methodology as contained within the report be
approved and that a further report be presented to Cabinet on
completion of the review.
(2) T H A
T the withdrawal of Council supported local bus service 87 and its
existing contract arrangement with First Cymru Buses Ltd. for the
provision of the service be approved without prejudice to future
tender submissions.
(3) T H A
T a revision to alternate journeys on Council supported local bus
service 89 to run alternate journeys as far as Llandough along
certain sections of the route that were otherwise provided by
service 87 be approved.
(4) T H A
T an increment in the daily operational rate to First Cymru Buses
Ltd. for the provision of local bus services 88 and 89 from £506 to
£570 per operational day be approved.
(5) T H A
T a renegotiation of the existing contract and service schedule for
Council supported local bus services 145 and 146 with the
contracted service provider, EST Bus Ltd., be approved in order to
provide continued service provision until the end of the current
contract term (3rd September 2011.)
(6) T H A
T the Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation, in
consultation with the Director of Environmental and Economic
Regeneration, be authorised to amend the list of proposed
consultees in respect of the review.
Reasons for decisions
(1&2) To apprise Cabinet of action
being taken in order to ensure that the Council is providing
supported local bus service provision that best meets with customer
needs and expectations, with regard to available budget and current
commercial service provision, which is constantly evolving.
The report also advises on the intended review process, consultees
and consultation methodology in order to ensure transparency and
take on any recommendations that Cabinet may have prior to
commencement of the review.
(3)
Service provider, First Cymru Buses Ltd., has requested the
withdrawal of service 87 (Dinas Powys - Penarth) as it is not
viable for them to provide, even with the current financial subsidy
of £139.50 per operational day. Whilst it is recognised that
the Council generally attempts to provide supported service
provision where and when there is low demand and its commercially
unviable, this service has failed to generate satisfactory
demand. Indeed, the patronage experienced on this route (i.e.
an average of 96 individual passenger trips per week in January
2011) equates to a subsidy of £8.72 per passenger journey.
The operator has since submitted notice of cancellation with effect
from Monday, 18th April, 2011.
(4) To
enable the contracted service provider, First Cymru Buses Ltd., to
continue service provision on supported local bus services 88 and
89 (incorporating a revised service 87) until the contract has run
its full term (i.e. until after operations on Sunday,
4th September 2011). This will be at an additional
charge of £64 per day, which means that the combined contract price
per day will be £570 per operational day. Otherwise notice
will be given by First Cymru Buses Ltd. to terminate the contract
early.
(5) The
contracted service provider, EST Bus Ltd., has written to the
Council to request a reduction in frequency on services 145 / 149
due to increasing fuel costs. Without renegotiation with the
service provider, EST Bus Ltd., an early surrender of the current
service contract is likely and necessary to re-tender.
(6) To
allow additional consultees to be added.
C1263
NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD 2012 - VALE OF GLAMORGAN (EDR)
(SCRUTINY - ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT) -
The Officer Working Party, established to
progress arrangements in respect of the above and chaired by the
Director of Environmental and Economic Regeneration, had now
produced an Action Plan (as appended to the report) specifying the
main activities to which the Council would either contribute or
take the lead as agreed with the Eisteddfod organisers. The
main issues included:
·
co-operating with the Eisteddfod organisers in arranging a
Proclamation Ceremony to be held on 25th June 2011 in
either Cowbridge or Barry
·
having a presence at the Wrexham 2011 Eisteddfod in order to
publicise the Vale
·
developing a transport and access strategy for the site
·
working with the Eisteddfod to promote and utilise the
accommodation base in the area and to promote attractions and other
events
·
utilising the Council’s Events Panel so that detailed arrangements
could be co-ordinated, not only within the Council but with other
relevant partners
·
considering the sponsorship by the Council of certain events /
competitions at the Eisteddfod
·
liaising with schools
·
assisting in ensuring that local companies took full advantage of
the opportunities arising from the holding of the Eisteddfod.
Also appended to the report were maps
illustrating the indicative layout of the site and its location
within the Vale.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
RESOLVED - T H A T the Eisteddfod 2012 Action
Plan be noted subject to the following amendment to the Action Plan
attached at Appendix B to the report:
*
Council’s flag - 12’ x 9’ printed two sided i.e. light enough to
fly properly.
Reason for decision
To inform Members of the issues involved.
C1264
SUSTAINABLE SOCIAL SERVICES FOR WALES: A FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION (SCS)
(SCRUTINY - SOCIAL CARE AND HEALTH) -
In February 2011 the WAG Deputy Minister for
Social Services had announced a new strategic plan for putting
social services on a sustainable footing, a copy of the plan being
appended to the report. It was noted that the paper contained
a number of messages similar to those set out in the report of the
Independent Commission for Social Services. In setting the
overall policy direction, “Sustainable Social Services for Wales -
A Framework for Action” acknowledged the considerable gains and
sustained progress made in recent years in areas such as improved
leadership within Councils, a better workforce with skills that
enabled them to work across organisational boundaries etc., and
emphasised that Local Government would continue to be accountable
for service delivery, identifying needs and determining service
priorities. However, according to the paper, WAG intended to
oversee some changes in government’s arrangement for social
services, taking on greater responsibility for driving the
direction of services within a new framework of national
outcomes. It “will ensure that everything is not done 22
times”, and there would be clear expectations that more services
would be planned, commissioned and delivered on a regional or even
a national basis. The number of partnerships would be greatly
reduced. By the end of 2011, Local Government would be
required to present outline proposals for the way in which those
expectations could be met. It was stressed that the Vale had
already embarked on a considerable programme of change to increase
the scale of partnership working by Social Services through the
South East Wales Improvement Collaborative (SEWIC) and the
Memorandum of Understanding with Bridgend County Borough
Council. Further details in relation to both the SEWIC and
the partnership with Bridged County Borough Council were contained
within the report as outlined below:
SEWIC
With the support of Leaders and Chief
Executives in each Local Authority, ten Directors of Social
Services in South East Wales had formed the SEWIC, including this,
Bridgend and Cardiff Councils. A pioneering Regional
Commissioning Unit had been established to negotiate with
independent providers of fostering and residential placements for
children in respect of fees and service quality. An early
independent evaluation of the Unit indicated considerable
success. A feasibility study had now been produced between
Local Authorities and with wider key stakeholders such as NHS
partners, Housing and the Third Sector. As a result, the
SEWIC Board had agreed to take forward the following six new
projects:
·
reviewing and negotiating high cost adult care packages
·
developing a regional high cost adult procurement hub or brokerage
point
·
collaborate extension of Shared Lives / Adult Placements
schemes
·
realising current investment plans for supported and extra care
housing and the development of additional capacity
·
implementing Assistive Technology (including Telecare) and the
regional commissioning of such technology
·
regional commissioning of adoption and fostering services.
Partnership with Bridgend County Borough
Council
There had been early discussions about how
both Social Services Departments could benefit from joint staff
appointments, the sharing of specialist skill, joint commissioning
and shared services. Potential areas for collaboration had
been proposed including family support services, the adult
placement service, commissioning and training.
Whilst the Vale appeared to be well placed to
deliver WAG’s broader agenda for collaborative working, there were
a few areas within the WAG Framework for Action where there was
some cause for concern. It was considered, for example, that
using the “footprint” of the Local Health Boards where a regional
approach was necessary required some debate given that the LHB
framework for NHS services was new and already encountering
problems in some areas. Additionally, plans to introduce
portable assessments might require WAG to resolve fundamental
issues about the use of different eligibility criteria by Local
Authorities and discrepancies in the resources made available to
them for the provision of Social Services. It was also
difficult to reconcile the wish to introduce more elements of a
national social care scheme and the emphasis upon greater corporate
working within Local Authorities to promote wellbeing and social
inclusion.
The paper proposed that WAG would prioritise
integrated services, in particular for families with complex needs,
looked after children, transition to adulthood and frail older
people. It was considered that the work of the Integrating
Health and Social Care Improvement Board placed this Council in a
good position for responding positively to increased emphasis on
implementing new service models. Similarly, the agenda for
change in respect of other priority areas set out within the
Framework for Action was congruent with the direction established
for the Vale in last year’s annual report of the Director of Social
Services. Cabinet had already endorsed proposals contained in
the annual report as the basis for a new change plan, an
overarching framework for sustained improvements and a coherent
direction for Social Services in Wales.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T the document “Sustainable Social Services for Wales - A Framework
for Action” be noted.
(2) T H A
T the report be referred to the Scrutiny Committee (Social Care and
Health).
Reasons for decisions
(1) To
ensure that Cabinet has an opportunity to consider this major
policy statement by WAG outlining the programme of change that it
proposes to pursue in respect of Social Services.
(2) To
ensure that the Scrutiny Committee is able to exercise effective
oversight of the way in which Social Services respond to the
priorities set out in the paper.
C1265
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 item of business on the grounds
that it involves 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.
C1266
PROPOSED LETTING OF 21 TENNYSON ROAD, PENARTH (L) (EXEMPT
INFORMATION - PARAGRAPHS 12 AND 14) (SCRUTINY - CORPORATE
RESOURCES) -
The property had been occupied by The Paper
Shop until it had been vacated in early 2010. Only one
expression of interest had been received to the advertisement of
its availability in local press for a lease of five
years.
This was a matter for Executive decision.
RESOLVED -
(1) T H A
T the Director of Finance, ICT and Property be authorised to
proceed with the letting of 21 Tennyson Road, Penarth to GG.
(2) T H A
T the Director of Legal, Public Protection and Housing Services be
authorised to complete all necessary documentation to complete the
lease.
Reasons for decisions
(1) To
accept GG’s proposal for the property which would not require a
change of planning consent and will provide the community of
Penarth with a newsagents.
(2) In
order to complete the lease.