Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Board held on the 26^th March 2018 be signed as a correct record.

The Chair advised that no questions on notice had been submitted by members.

The Chair advised that no public questions on notice had been received.

The Executive Board considered a proposed Digital Technology Strategy 2018-2021 setting out the Authority’s digital technology priorities and aspirations over the next 3 years. Its purpose was to identify the key technologies and initiatives that would facilitate and underpin the vision and delivery of the organization’s existing and overarching Digital Transformation Strategy. The Authority would make use of appropriate emerging and existing technologies to facilitate and underpin service transformation, improvement and e?ciencies.

Councillor D. Cundy, in accordance with CPR 11.1, referred to the Authority’s Computer (and Cloud) Disaster Recovery Plan and enquired as to what services would be affected in a continued “blackout” scenario, approximately how many people would be disadvantaged and how the Authority could provide a service.

The Executive Board Member - Deputy Leader – reassured Councillor Cundy that the Authority’s ICT Division had a robust disaster recovery plan in place and that tests were scheduled annually. Both the data centres in County Hall and 3 Spilman Street had back-up power generators on site with capacity to power the data centre fully in the event of a power failure. The last test had been held on the 1^st September 2017 which had been successful. The length of time services could be maintained in the event of a power outage would extend well beyond the 24 hours provided there was enough fuel to top-up the generators which was no doubt the case. The Data Centres also had uninterrupted power supply [UPS] units which would ensure that the transition from main power to generator was seamless and that there was no loss or downtime to critical systems and services. Both the UPSs and generators were tested biannually by the ICT services and the next one was due on the 1^st June 2018. Councillor Cundy was also assured that when the Authority was working with the Cloud Microsoft’s Data Centre in Cardiff also had resilient power supplies, the UPS and generators and each of those had a back-up so there was definite contingency  should one fail. The likelihood of Microsoft having that power failure would, Councillor Stephens suggested, be very minimal because of the issues she had referred to. Also, with the greater use of agile technology, staff could maintain normal service and no one could be disadvantaged by the continued ‘blackout’ scenario. She hoped, therefore, that Councillor Cundy was reassured that the Authority had everything under control.      

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Digital Technology Strategy 2018-2021 be approved. 

The Executive Board considered the first ever Digital Schools Strategy for Carmarthenshire in which was set out the Authority’s vision, underpinned by overarching principles and key priorities areas, for the provision of ICT Services to Schools.

The schools’ use of technology promoted innovative learning by digitally confident students, inspired by skilled and creative teaching. This three year Digital Schools Strategy outlined where the Authority intended to take the ICT provision within schools over the coming years, to ensure that schools had the appropriate technology to deliver the Digital Competence Framework.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the content of the Digital Schools Strategy 2018-2021 be approved. 

The Executive Board considered a proposed policy to govern how the Council provided its computers with internet access to members of the public. The policy specified that acceptance of the Terms & Conditions and proof of ID must be provided before access was granted to use a public access computer. This was to ensure that the identity of the user could be tracked should a subject access request be received from the Police or there is a breach of the Terms & Conditions.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED to endorse the usage policy for public access computers.

The Executive Boardconsidered the Draft Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) on Wind and Solar Energy prepared to support and elaborate on the policies and provisions of the adopted Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan (LDP) with a view to authorising it for public consultation prior to its formal adoption which would reflect the commitment set out within the LDP.

Members spoke of the need to ensure that communities derived benefits from the exploitation of natural resources for energy in the county possibly by establishing arms-length companies.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL  

9.1 that the Draft Supplementary Planning Guidance set out within the report be approved for formal public consultation for 6 weeks;

9.2 that the publication of the Cumulative Impact of Wind Turbines on Landscape and Visual Amenity Guidance and the Landscape Capacity and Sensitivity Studies be approved as supporting documentation to the SPG and the forthcoming Revised LDP;

9.3 to authorise the Head of Planning authority to correct typographical, cartographical or grammatical errors, and to make amendments in order to enhance accuracy and clarity of meaning.

(NOTE: Councillor G. Davies had earlier declared an interest in this item)

The Executive Board considered a report detailing requests from the clerks of Quarter Bach Community Council and Trelech Community Council to change the names to Cwarter Bach Community Council and Trelech a’r Betws Community Council respectively. If the change of name for both Community Councils was approved, notice of this change was required to be sent to the National Assembly for Wales, to the Director General of the Ordance Survey and to the Registrar General for England and Wales. It must also be published in each respective Community area. It was noted that a change of name of the Community Council would not affect any rights or obligations of the Community nor render defective any legal proceedings which may be commenced or continued as if there had been no change of name.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCILthat it approves the change of names for Quarter Bach Community Council to Cwarter Bach Community Council and Trelech Community Council to Trelech a’r Betws.

The Executive Board considered a report detailing a request from Cwmamman AFC for assistance towards the shortfall in the region of £43k in regards to a project to upgrade its ground estimated at £136,228. The local community was supportive of the improvements to the ground and facilities as were local council members, assembly members and a member of parliament.  The project was also fully supported by the Football Association of Wales which had awarded the Club a financial contribution of £41,250.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED to approve financial assistance to Cwmamman AFC to the value of up to £45k