Agenda and draft minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings of the Executive Board held on the 26^th July 2016 and 19^th September 2016 be signed as correct records.

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 report detailing proposals to introduce a new chargeable fortnightly collection system for garden/green waste, based on the provision of 240 litre wheeled plastic bins, thereby replacing the existing chargeable collection service that is based on the provision of compostable bags.

The change in the collection system was considered necessary for the following reasons:

• The configuration and design of the new vehicle fleet that would be introduced in October 2016 did not allow grass to be collected by means of the current bag system. The new configuration would address some practical difficulties with the existing vehicles;

• The potential future change in the form of food waste treatment if the Authority decided to switch to Welsh Government’s preferred method of food treatment by means of anaerobic digestion. This would mean a move away from the current practice of co-mingling grass with food waste. This would allow a degree of future proofing, thereby providing more flexibility to choose the most appropriate form of food treatment in future.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED

6.1 That the proposals for introducing a new chargeable system of garden/green waste collection at the kerbside, utilising plastic wheeled bins as receptacles be endorsed;

6.2 that the recommended level of charges to be applied, as outlined in the report, be approved;

6.3 to approve the implementation of the recommended system/charges from Monday 3^rd April 2017 [this will include the Easter holiday period in 2017].

[NOTE:  Councillor H.A.L. Evans, having earlier declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item, left the meeting prior to the consideration and determination thereof.]

The Executive Board considered a report which outlined the Phase 1 development programme for new build Council and Housing Association affordable homes and detailed how the Council would maximise the funding opportunities available over the next two years and deliver over 200 new build homes, with a total investment of over £15m. The report also confirmed the sites available to develop, the specification for new build Council homes and the procurement options available.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL

7.1 to confirm that the Council new build programme will begin by developing 61 affordable homes at the four highest priority sites as identified in the report (Dylan Llwynhendy, Garreglwyd Pembrey, Maespiode Llandybie and Pantycelyn Llandovery);

7.2  to confirm that the timescale for the delivery of affordable homes on part of the Pantycelyn site is aligned with the school development proposals;

7.3. to confirm that sites with priority 5, 6 and 7 in the report (Y Waun Llwynhendy, Nantydderwen Drefach and Gwynfryn Ammanford) will be developed in order of priority when funding becomes available;

7.4.  to confirm that the specification used for Council new build homes will be traditional construction, with all new homes built to meet the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 plus, Design Quality Requirements and the Life Time Homes Standard;

7.5   to confirm that Phase 1 of the Council new build programme is procured through the South West Wales Regional Contractors Framework;

7.6   to confirm that consideration will be given to setting up a specific new build framework contract to procure Phase 2 of the Council new build programme;

7.7   to confirm that Social Housing Grant can be used in 2016/17 to purchase seven private sector homes;

7.8   to confirm that our Housing Association partners can prioritise their new build schemes on the eight sites listed in the report and utilise Social Housing Grant to support the development, if required;

7.9   to continue with a flexible approach around rent levels with Social Housing Grant developments;

7.10 to confirm that the Council can apply to the Welsh Government to revise the current zoning arrangements for the county, if there is a significant risk of not taking up grant funding and other regeneration opportunities.

The Executive Board considered a report outlining the findings of the Carmarthenshire 11-19 Curriculum Review which had been jointly commissioned by the Authority and Coleg Sir Gâr as both organisations considered that a shared strategic approach was needed to deliver 11-19 education and training in Carmarthenshire in the future. The recommendations contained within the report set out the actions required to implement the new curriculum and ensure that young people were both well-educated and suitably prepared for the next phase in their lives.

Reference was made to the proposal to develop a Wellness and Life Science Village at Delta Lakes, Llanelli, [Minute 12 of the meeting held on the 23^rd May 2016 refers] and it was suggested that consideration should be given to arranging a conference, initially for secondary schools, to explain to young people the careers which might be available, as a consequence, in the health and care sector. The Executive Board Members for Education & Children and Regeneration & Leisure agreed to follow this up with the Education Division if endorsed.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED

8.1  to approve the development of a shared curriculum for young people aged 11-19 in Carmarthenshire secondary schools, Coleg Sir Gâr and local training provision;

8.2   to approve implementation of the recommendations contained within the Carmarthenshire 11-19 Curriculum Review;

8.3  to endorse the suggestion referred to above with regard to a schools conference on the subject of career opportunities in the care sector.

The Executive Board considered the draft Strategy to promote the Welsh language which had been prepared as part of the Council’s responsibilities through the Welsh language Standards. The Strategy had been developed in full partnership with the County’s Strategic Welsh Language Forum which included key partners

such as the Mentrau Iaith.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED to approve the draft Strategy.

The Executive Board considered an update on the treasury management activities from 1^st April 2016 to 30^TH June 2016.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the report be approved.

The Executive Board considered a report detailing an official request from Llangyndeyrn Community Council to review the Community Councillor ratio for both Pontyates and Llangyndeyrn Community Wards with the aim to decrease the overall membership by 2 Community Councillors. Carmarthenshire County Council had responsibility for undertaking the review and would consider all representations made at each stage of the review process. The review, a copy of the terms of reference for which was appended to the report, would be conducted under Section 31 of the Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013. On completion of the review the Council may propose and make changes to the number of Councillors representing the Pontyates and Llangyndeyrn Community Wards. Any changes that occur as a result of the review process would then come into effect for the Local Government Elections scheduled for May 2017.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL that the request be supported and the Terms of Reference and timetable for the review be noted.

[NOTE:  Councillors H.A.L. Evans and L.D. Evans had earlier declared an interest in this item.]

The Executive Board considered a report on the Parliamentary Constituencies Review which was being undertaken by the four UK Boundary Commissions in their respective parts of the UK. The review would take place over approximately two and a half years with final recommendations being submitted to Parliament in September 2018. If agreed the new constituencies would take effect at the next scheduled General Election in 2020. The Boundary Commission for Wales was seeking representation within 12 weeks on its initial proposals as detailed in the report. All representation would be considered by the Commission which would recommend whether and if so, how its initial proposals should be revised in light of the representations received.

The Boundary Commission for Wales would be holding 5 public hearings regarding the review and it was noted that the Carmarthenshire hearing had taken place on the 12-13 October at the Ivy Royal Hotel and had been attended by several members.

It was commented that there was scope for an alternative suggestion to that contained in the initial proposals to be worked up in regard to north Carmarthenshire and the Chief Executive advised that officers would take this on board and report back. It was also noted that no account had been taken of the additional people who had registered to vote prior to the recent EU referendum.   

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that a response to the Boundary Commission for Wales be submitted within the required timescale.

The Executive Board considered a report which provided an update on progress in relation to the development of Alternative Service Delivery Models in Adult Social Care Services, together with key learning points and further work that needed to be completed.

It was noted that the Council faced considerable financial challenges and as Adult Social Care was often one of the biggest budget spend areas, year on year efficiency savings fell heavily in this area. In response, the departmental management team wished to explore the opportunities offered by new delivery models, with the express intention of ensuring quality, cost effectiveness and the ability to respond to current and future demand.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED

13.1 that further work be undertaken to consider the evidence in the UK of successful trading company and Alternative Delivery Models;

13.2 that the Council’s in-house social care services be focussed on improving their efficiency and effectiveness under current arrangements.