CABINET - 14 JULY 2009
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE CABINET HELD IN COMMITTEE ROOMS 1/2/3, CIVIC
OFFICES, ANGEL STREET, BRIDGEND, ON TUESDAY, 14 JULY 2009 AT 2:30PM
Present: Councillor M E J Nott - Leader and Chairperson
Councillors
D Sage
H J David
A E Davies
-
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member - Cross Cutting Issues
Cabinet Member - Resources
Cabinet Member - Children and Young People
H Anthony
A Harris
P A Jolley
-
S Pryce
A Phillips
B Davies
H Hammond
M A Galvin
-
Corporate Director - Children
Corporate Director - Wellbeing
Assistant Chief Executive – Legal and Regulatory Services and
Monitoring Officer
Head of Regeneration and Development
Head of Property and Finance
Customer Service Manager
Policy and Performance Management Officer (Partnerships)
Senior Cabinet and Committee Officer
Officers
Invitee
Councillor K S Hunt - Chairperson, Community and Renewal and Environmental Overview
and Scrutiny Committee (for Agenda Item 4).
251
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
RESOLVED:
That the minutes of the following meetings of Cabinet held
on the undermentioned dates be approved:26 May 2009
16 June 2009
252
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from the following Members and Officers:Councillor J C Spanswick
Councillor L C Morgan
Dr J Farrar
L Fradd
253
-
Holiday
Holiday
Annual Leave
Annual Leave
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None.
254
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND ROAD SAFERY SCHEME PRIORITISATION
The Community Renewal and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee
submitted a report, which presented to Cabinet the Committee’s recommendations
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CABINET - 14 JULY 2009
in relation to the proposed revision of the policy governing how Traffic Management
and Road Safety Schemes are prioritised.
The Chairperson of the above Scrutiny Committee presented the report and the
Committee’s recommendations as outlined in Paragraph 4.1 of the same.
He stated that the Committee welcomed the draft policy, and the opportunity it
represents to allow the Authority to be more responsive to the concerns of the
Authority’s communities.
The Chairperson of the Community Renewal and Environment Overview and
Scrutiny Committee, felt that the recommendations would enhance what was
already a good policy, adding that he hoped the Cabinet agreed with this view.
The Deputy Leader in the absence of the Cabinet Member - Communities advised
that the report had been the subject of positive debate at a recent meeting of the
Town and Community Council Forum, and that the recommendations so made by
the Overview and Scrutiny Committee would have a positive impact on the delivery
of the scheme, with a maximum of three prioritised Traffic Management and Road
Safety Schemes being submitted by Members in each of the Wards that comprise
the County Borough.
The Cabinet Member - Resources added that there were no extra resources set
aside for these schemes, which would be resourced within budget, and therefore
though schemes may be submitted they may not all ultimately be implemented.
RESOLVED:
255
Cabinet considered and agreed the recommendations of the
Community Renewal and Environment Overview and
Scrutiny Committee, as outlined in paragraph 4.1 of the
report.
COMMUNITY STRATEGY
The Corporate Director - Wellbeing on behalf of the Chief Executive, presented a
report, for Cabinet to consider the final draft of the Community Strategy prior to its
presentation to Council.
The Corporate Director - Wellbeing advised that the Community Strategy following
its approval, would become the overarching plan setting out the priorities for
Bridgend, and its aims and objectives would be to establish long term vision and
key strategic priorities for each area that comprises the County Borough. Its main
purpose was to strengthen and enhance the life of local communities.
The Strategy was required to be produced by local authorities in accordance with
legislation, and it was a document produced with key partner organisations.
The first Community Strategy was published by the Council in 2004, though WAG
required local authorities to introduce revised Community Strategies to be in place
by April 2010, which were to be reviewed and updated on a three to four year cycle.
The Local Service Board (LSB) had developed the Community Strategy and, in
keeping with guidance given, the Strategy should have five key components. In
terms of Bridgend, these were outlined in 3.4.4 of the report.
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The final draft of the Community Strategy was appended to the report, and, in its
development the LSB had carried out some important preparation relating to the
vision of the Strategy including areas of partnership working to achieve its priorities.
The document had also been subject to a citizen’s consultation, focus groups and
others to engage the public and obtain community feedback on the required
priorities and themes of the Strategy.
The Community Strategy fitted in with other key strategies and plans produced by
the Authority added the Corporate Director - Wellbeing. The Corporate Director Wellbeing further added that the Strategy would be supported by a number of action
plans, so as to fully support its delivery.
A précied version of the Strategy highlighting its key components would also be
produced for the public as an easy reading document.
The Leader confirmed that he together with the Chief Executive had been involved
in a number of discussions at previous LSB meetings on the introduction of the
Community Strategy which he commended.
RESOLVED:
256
Cabinet noted the draft Community Strategy which is to be
presented to Council on 15 July 2009.
CUSTOMER SERVICES STRATEGY
The Customer Services Manager on behalf of the Chief Executive presented the
Customer Services Strategy 2009-2012 to Cabinet for their consideration.
The Customer Services Strategy had been compiled in response to a
recommendation from the Peer Review carried out at the beginning of the year, which
recommended that the Strategy be developed to provide a clear ‘vision’ and
consistency for customer services, across all services and locations; articulates a
clear direction for future developments and that the Strategy be communicated to all
staff and Members.
The Customer Services Strategy’s driving principle, was to deliver cost effective and
consistently high quality customer services regardless of when, where and how the
customer interacts with the Council.
The Strategy outlined key objectives and a series of Commitments; the Strategy
Definition, the Customer Care Programme, proposals in relation to developing staff
and customer service skills, a Customer feedback loop and a process of Review and
Evaluation of the Strategy.
The Customer Services Manager confirmed that the aim of the Authority via the
Strategy, was to endeavour to provide the best local authority Customer Services in
Wales.
She added the importance of training for all staff and not just those who work in the
Customer Service Section, to fulfil the aims and objectives of the Strategy and its
subsequent delivery.
The Customer Care Programme would be delivered via a Cross Directorate Business
Change Management Group, involving representation from all Directorates, while
customer feedback would be collated and reviewed and evaluated by the Programme
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CABINET - 14 JULY 2009
Management Board, and be included as part of the Quarterly Business Review (QBR)
process.
The Cabinet Member - Resources congratulated the Customer Service Centre for the
progress it had made in the last twelve months.
He concluded by stressing the need for the Strategy to be shared throughout all
areas of the Authority and not just frontline Reception Staff.
RESOLVED:
257
Cabinet agreed to:
(1)
Approve the Customer Services Strategy 2009 - 2012.
(2)
Receive an annual report outlining the progress and delivery
of the Customer Services Strategy during the above period.
SCHOOL MODERNISATION PROGRAMME: ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT OFFER
The Corporate Director - Children, presented a report seeking the approval of
Cabinet for the acceptance of a grant of £7.15 million from the Welsh Assembly
Government as part of the transitional funding arrangements towards implementing
the 21st Century School Programme, and to approve entering into the necessary
formal agreements in respect of the grant Terms and Conditions.
The background to the report reminded that the Council had planned a programme
for re-organising and modernising schools and that the Welsh Assembly
Government’s School Building Improvement Grant scheme (SBIG), the main source
of funding in the past, was being phased out to allow for a new system whereby
bids would be evaluated by WAG against new criteria set out in their recently
introduced five case business model.
The report went on to confirm that the Council was successful in obtaining funding
for school improvements for four Projects, which would contribute toward the
completion of certain works at schools in Brackla and Oldcastle, YGG Llangynwyd
and the Gateway to the Valleys Strategic Programme.
The grant would be allocated over a three year period.
The remainder of the report outlined certain legal and financial implications that
require consideration in relation to the acceptance of the grant offer.
The Cabinet Member - Children and Young People commended the report.
RESOLVED:
Cabinet agreed to:
(1)
accept, subject to 8.2 of the report, the grant offer from the
Welsh Assembly Government for £7.15 million as a
contribution towards the completion of works in respect of
the extension/refurbishments at Brackla Primary and
Oldcastle Primary, the Gateway to the Valleys strategic
programme and the upgrading of facilities at YGG
Llangynwyd.
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CABINET - 14 JULY 2009
258
(2)
enter into the appropriate agreement with the Welsh
Assembly Government, subject to the terms and conditions
of the grant and the formal agreement being approved by the
Corporate Director - Children in consultation with the
Corporate Director - Resources and the Assistant Chief
Executive Legal and Regulatory Services.
(3)
enter into an agreement with the Archdiocese of Cardiff,
subject to the signing of the formal agreement with the Welsh
Assembly Government, as to the funding arrangement for
the new Archbishop McGrath School, such terms of the
agreement to be approved by the Corporate Director Children in consultation with the Corporate Director Resources and the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and
Regulatory Services
SCHOOL MODERNISATION PROGRAMME: PHASE 1
3 - 11 LEARNING PROVISION IN THE PENCOED AREA
The Corporate Director - Children submitted a report the purpose of which was to:

Advise Cabinet on the outcome of the feasibility work on the development of a
replacement 3 - 11 school for Pencoed Primary and seek approval to proceed
with further development work in readiness should funding become available to
commence the build;

Seek approval to plan for a two form entry school; and

Advise on the situation regarding Heol y Cyw Primary in relation to the Pencoed
Project.
The background to the report confirmed that the Pencoed Primary School buildings
were not fit for purpose and, the fact that buildings that comprised the school, were
presently situated on a split site bisected by a main road.
Paragraph 4 of the report outlined some technical issues and advised that a feasibility
study had been undertaken to ascertain whether a replacement school for Pencoed
Primary could be located on the larger of the two sites either side of the main road (Site
‘B’).
The report then proceeded to advise of a summary of the key aspects of the findings
from the feasibility study, including findings from an associated technical study, the
requirements for an amalgamated school should it be decided at some stage to make
provision in the new school for pupils who, under current arrangements, would attend
Heol y Cyw, a Community Campus, certain other issues relating to the Pencoed Site,
funding conclusions, and the proposed next steps.
The Corporate Director - Children gave a brief résumé upon each of these areas of the
report.
The Cabinet Member - Children and Young People supported the provisions of the
report, adding that she was particularly pleased to see the progression of the new
school in Pencoed.
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CABINET - 14 JULY 2009
She further added that decisions would be required in the future regarding the Heol y
Cyw school.
She finally advised that it was important that the Authority is effective and efficient
when providing resources and support to the young people of the County Borough.
RESOLVED:
259
Cabinet agreed to:
1.
note the outcome of the feasibility work on the development
of a replacement 3-11 school for Pencoed Primary and
approve further development and design work for a two form
entry school in readiness should funding become available to
commence the build;
2.
receive a further report to advise on the availability of funding
for the new school;
3.
receive a further report to advise on the future of Heol y Cyw
Primary School.
INDUSTRIAL ESTATES IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME - AWARD A GRANT
The Corporate Director - Communities submitted a report, which was presented by the
Head of Regeneration and Development, seeking to obtain Cabinet approval for an
award of a grant of £50,935 to TTB Ltd, Pontycymmer, via the Physical Regeneration
Fund.
The report had been submitted to Cabinet to progress, as it could not be considered
under delegated powers as the grant was above the threshold sum of £35k.
The Deputy Leader advised that the condition of Industrial Estate areas of the County
Borough such as those contained in the Garw Valley, should continue to be looked at in
terms of attracting businesses and economic growth to the area.
RESOLVED:
260
Cabinet agreed that a grant of £50,935 be awarded to TTB Ltd,
Pontycymmer, subject to the grants being given in accordance
with the requirements relating to State Aid and that Building
Regulation consent is obtained.
UNDERAGE SALES
The Assistant Chief Executive - Legal and Regulatory Services presented a report, which
provided the statutory annual review of the enforcement action undertaken by the
Trading Standards Section for 2008/09 in relation to legislation intended to control the
sale of age restricted products and to advise the Cabinet:

Of the outcome of the enforcement programme in relation to age restricted
products for 2009/09; and

Of the proposed enforcement programme in relation to age restricted products
2009/10.
A question was asked as to who obtains the fee (£80) for Penalty Notices issued in
respect of underage sales.
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CABINET - 14 JULY 2009
The Assistant Chief Executive - Legal and Regulatory Services advised that the scheme
was run through the South Wales Police and that he would look into this point and in turn
advise Cabinet Members accordingly.
The Leader advised that a major problem was that persons over the age of 18 do
continue to purchase alcohol for persons under the age of 18 to consume.
The Assistant Chief Executive - Legal and Regulatory Services stressed the importance
of the local authority working in conjunction with the Police in campaigning against
Underage Sales and undertaking necessary survey’s and enforcement procedures, etc.,
to strive to eliminate this occurring.
The Deputy Leader stated that the report outcomes justified the considerable work that
Trading Standards were putting into this problem.
RESOLVED:
261
Cabinet endorsed the activities undertaken by the Trading
Standards Section to control age related sales in 2008/09 and the
level of activities proposed for 2009/10.
REPRESENTATION ON JOINT COMMITTEES AND OUTSIDE BODIES
The Assistant Chief Executive - Legal and Regulatory Services and Monitoring Officer
presented a report, nominating Members as representatives to Joint Committees and
outside bodies, in addition to those already nominated by Cabinet at its meeting in May
2009.
The appointments and nominations were in respect of the Bridgend College, WLGA
Council, South West Wales Regional Waste Management Committee and Coychurch
Crematorium Joint Committee.
RESOLVED:
262
Cabinet agreed to:
1.
nominate Councillor A E Davies and Councillor H J David as
representatives to the Bridgend College Corporation for a
term of one year except where earlier revocation is
appropriate.
2.
appoint Councillor M E J Nott, Councillor D Sage and
Councillor C A Green as representatives to the WLGA
Council for a term of one year and allocate votes as one
person, one vote.
3.
appoint Councillor H M Williams as a Member on the South
West Wales Regional Waste Management Committee.
4.
appoint Councillor M Gregory as a Member on the
Coychurch Crematorium Joint Committee (i.e. in place of
Councillor R Shepherd).
AMENDMENTS TO THE SCHEMES OF DELEGATION OF FUNCTIONS
The Monitoring Officer reported upon proposed amendments to the Schemes of
Delegation of Functions.
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CABINET - 14 JULY 2009
He advised that the current Schemes of Delegation of Functions came into force on the 1
June 2007, but that a review of the schemes had been undertaken, in order to ensure
they were at this time fit for purpose.
Corporate Directors and Heads of Service, the Monitoring Officer confirmed, had been
consulted as part of this review process.
The proposed amendment to the schemes were outlined in Paragraph 4.1 of the report
and the Monitoring Officer went through each of these in turn for the purpose of
explanation.
RESOLVED:
263
Cabinet approved the proposed amendments to the scheme of
delegation of functions as set out in paragraph 4 of the report.
INFORMATION REPORTS AND MINUTES FOR NOTING
The Assistant Chief Executive - Legal and Regulatory Services submitted a report,
which informed Cabinet of the information reports and minutes of Joint Committees
that have been published since its last scheduled meeting, details of which were
included in Paragraph 4.2 and 4.4 of the report.
RESOLVED:
264
Cabinet acknowledged the publication of the documents
listed in the report.
EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC
RESOLVED:
That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act
1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the
following item of business because of the likelihood that, if
members of the public are present during this item there will
be disclosure to them of exempt information of the
description specified in Paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule
12A of the said Act:Minute No.
265
Summary of Item:
To receive for approval the confidential
Minutes of Cabinet dated 26 May 2009.
149