Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor P.M. Hughes.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on the 16^th October 2023 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 had been received.

Cabinet Members considered the Draft Annual Report for 2022-23 on the Council’s Corporate Strategy 2022-2027. 

The report included information in regard to the four Well-being Objectives and Core Business Enablers and assessed the progress that had been made during the year. 

Under the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 the Council was required to publish an Annual Report on its Well-being Objectives.  In addition, under the Local Government and Elections Act (Wales) 2021, the Council had a duty to report on its performance on a self-assessment approach. The report aimed to meet both the requirements in one document.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL that the Carmarthenshire County Council’s Draft Annual Report for 2022-2023 be approved.

The Cabinet considered an update report on the treasury management activities and the prudential indicators for the period 1st April 2023 to June 2023.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the update Treasury Management and Prudential Indicator Report for 1st April 2023 to 30th June 2023 be approved.

[Councillors A. Davies. H.A.L. Evans, A. Lenny and J. Tremlett having earlier declared a personal interest in this item, remained in the meeting and voted.]

Cabinet Members considered a report regarding the Conservation Area Appraisals which built on the work undertaken to review ten of the designated Conservation Areas across the County and the subsequent preparation and consultation of the appraisals for each of the identified Conservation Areas.

The report outlined the process and feedback received as part of the associated formal public consultation, setting out the final draft conservation area appraisals and any recommended amendments the Conservation Areas themselves. The report also included the next steps in relation to the regulatory process required to formally amend the Conservation Areas.

It was noted that the consultation on the content of the draft Conservation Area Appraisals was undertaken between the 24th June 2022 and 26th August 2022. As part of the online questionnaire 16 responses were received. A further 93 comments were submitted as part of the face to face and webinar sessions. All comments received had been duly considered and have informed the content of the draft assessments forming part of the report.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL:

8.1     that the outcome of the Conservation Area Appraisals and the recommended amendments to Conservation Area Boundaries be           approved;

8.2     to authorise officers to undertake necessary regulatory processes      necessary to formally amend the Conservation Area boundaries as     recommended.

Cabinet Members considered the Annual Report of the Director of Social Services on the performance of social care services in the county for the year 2022/23. The report comprised an overview of performance in 2022/23 as well as an assessment on future provision, together with strategic priorities for 2024/25.

There was a statutory requirement for the Director of Social Services to report annually to Council on the delivery of services and performance as well as plans for the improvement of the whole range of social services. It was noted that the Health & Social Services Scrutiny Committee had endorsed the report at its meeting on the 4^th October 2023.

Expressions of thanks were conveyed to the staff working across the health and social services.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL that the Annual Report of the Statutory Director of Social Services on the Performance of Social Care Services in Carmarthenshire 2022/23 be approved.

Cabinet Members considered a report on the representation on the Carmarthen and Llanelli Business Improvement District (BID) Board. 

The report sought approval from Cabinet for Carmarthenshire County Council representation as an observer on the Carmarthen and Llanelli BID boards to enable the Council to report on the BID levy hereditaments in line with the Operational Agreements.

Cabinet noted that Carmarthen and Llanelli BID’s were formed in 2020 and 2016 respectively, the Carmarthen BID was still within its first five-year term, whilst the Llanelli BID started its second term in March 2021.

The report outlined that both BID’s were governed by Operational Agreements between Carmarthenshire County Council and Carmarthen BID CIC Limited (Carmarthen BID) and Ymlaen Llanelli (Llanelli BID). Within the terms of both agreements, Carmarthenshire County Council were responsible for the collection of the bid levy from liable businesses and administering the BID Revenue Account.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that a nominated representation from Carmarthenshire County Council as an observer on the Carmarthen and Llanelli BID boards be approved.

Cabinet Members received a report which contained information in response of a notice of motion referred by County Council at its meeting held on 13^th September 2023 to Cabinet in respect of Llandeilo Bypass for consideration.

The report recommended that Carmarthenshire County Council write a further letter to Welsh Government’s Deputy Minister for Climate Change, setting out the Council’s position and to formally request the information set out in the Notice of Motion.  Cabinet Members were in support of the recommendation.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that a letter be sent to the Welsh Government’s Deputy Minister for Climate Change, setting out the Council’s position and to formally request the information set out in the Notice of Motion.

Cabinet Members received a report which contained information in response of a notice of motion referred by County Council at its meeting held on 13^th September 2023 to Cabinet in respect of the Shadows Depression Support Group for consideration.

Cabinet Members noted that the Council had a responsibility to provide statutory mental health services under the Social Services and Wellbeing Act, the Mental Health Act and Mental health Measure and Together for Mental Health Strategy.  In addition, through a multi-disciplinary approach, collaboration with the Health Board to develop mental health services took place and that the Council’s Social Work teams were co-located with the Health Board Mental Health teams.

It was understood that Shadows Depression Support Group had been awarded a grant by the Health Board through Primary Care Cluster funding for a 3-year period. However, this grant had until very recently come to an end.  The report gave recognition to the support that the Group had provided over the duration of the grant, and the positive feedback which had been received from all involved.

The Council’s Commissioning Team have had early-stage discussions with the Shadows Depression Support Group on the prospect of working together to meet local need, the report detailed 2 services that that had been confirmed for Shadows Depression Support Group to deliver in the Amman and Gwendraeth areas, namely, VAWDASV AND Generic Mental Health.

Furthermore, it was highlighted that the Commissioning Team had been supporting discussions between the Shadows Depression Support Group and both Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services and CWMPAS.  This would enable access to specialist information and advice which would support Shadows Depression Support Group to maximise available opportunities to improve the sustainability of the service going forward and to inform planning for the new financial year.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED:

Cabinet received a report which contained anapplication submitted by Kidwelly Town Council as part of the 10 Towns programme.

The aim of the 10 towns programme is to provide designated rural market towns across the County the opportunity of economic growth and sustainability.  Kidwelly Town Council had agreed to act as the lead body on behalf of the economic growth plan team which had been established within the town and included representatives from private, public and third sector organisations.

It was noted that there were no alternative funding sources available for this project and therefore without Shared Prosperity Fund investment and Core funding, this project would not proceed.

Cabinet Members considered the detailed application within the report which included the project summary and associated costs.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the grant request of £100,000 from the Authority’s 10 Towns Capital Fund and £75,000 from the Shared Prosperity Fund as part of the Rural Anchor programme be approved.

The Chair advised that there were no items of urgent business.

THE REPORTS RELATING TO THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE NOT FOR PUBLICATION AS THEY CONTAIN EXEMPT INFORMATION AS DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH 14 OF PART 4 OF SCHEDULE 12A TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 AS AMENDED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION) (VARIATION) (WALES) ORDER 2007. IF, FOLLOWING THE APPLICATION OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST TEST, THE CABINET  RESOLVES PURSUANT TO THE ACT TO CONSIDER THESE ITEMS IN PRIVATE, THE PUBLIC WILL BE EXCLUDED FROM THE MEETING DURING SUCH CONSIDERATION.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED, purUNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED, pursuant to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007, that the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items as the reports contained exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

suant to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007, that the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items as the reports contained exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

[Note: 

• This item was moved to the end of the agenda;
• Wendy Walters, Chief Executive declared an interest and left the meeting prior to the consideration thereof.]

Following the application of the public interest test it was UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED, pursuant to the Act referred to in Minute Item 15 above, to consider this matter in private, with the public excluded from the meeting as disclosure would be likely to cause financial harm to the Council by undermining its position in negotiations regarding the project.

The Cabinet considered a detailed report in relation to the development of the Oriel Myrddin Capital Project. 

RESOLVED that:

Following the application of the public interest test it was UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED, pursuant to the Act referred to in Minute Item 15 above, to consider this matter in private, with the public excluded from the meeting as disclosure would be likely to cause financial harm to the Council by undermining its position in negotiations regarding the project.

The Cabinet received a report for consideration which provided information on proposed projects for grant funding which would enable the proposed schemes to be developed. 

The Shared Prosperity Fund - Property Development aimed to provide financial assistance for developers towards the construction of industrial and commercial buildings with the primary aim of creating capacity for employment in Carmarthenshire.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the proposed projects for the Shared Prosperity Fund – Property Development Fund as detailed in the report be approved.

Following the application of the public interest test it was UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED, pursuant to the Act referred to in Minute Item 15 above, to consider this matter in private, with the public excluded from the meeting as disclosure would put the authority at a material disadvantage in any subsequent negotiations with third parties and potentially harm the public purse.

The Cabinet considered a report which provided detailed information on the revised development scheme for Plot 3 Trostre Retail Park.  The report sought that Cabinet decision on whether the Authority proceeds with the sale for the alternative scheme on Council owned land at Trostre.

After taking into consideration the potential negative impact that the development could have on Llanelli Town Centre, it was proposed that the sale does not proceed at this time.  This was duly seconded.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Authority does not proceed with the sale for the alternative scheme on Council owned land at Trostre.

Following the application of the public interest test it was UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED, pursuant to the Act referred to in Minute Item 15 above, to consider this matter in private, with the public excluded from the meeting because the purchase is outstanding and so as not to prejudice continuing negotiations.

The Cabinet considered a report which sought approval on the acquisition of properties for use as registered children’s homes. </AI19>

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It was reported that as part of the Co-operation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru, there was a clear commitment to eliminate private profit from the care of children looked after.  By 2026 it will be unlawful for Local Authorities to place children in private ‘for profit’ residential care homes.

Cabinet noted that currently, the Council does not have sufficient capacity within its residential services for children to meet the current and projected demand.  There was also insufficient supply within the ‘not for profit’ sector in residential services in Wales.

In considering the proposed acquisition, Cabinet noted that it would be funded through Welsh Government to re-balance the market and prepare Authorities for 2026.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the acquisition of a 5-bedroom property as detailed within the report for use as a Registered Children’s Home be approved.