Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors T. Bowen, D.B. Davies, P.E.M. Jones and S. Matthews.

Presentation

The Chair welcomed to the meeting the Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed, the Hon. Robin Lewis, and his wife, Mrs Judith Lewis.   The Lord Lieutenant would be retiring from his post in February having held the office since 2006.  The Chair referred to his numerous achievements throughout a long and distinguished career.  The Chair thanked the Lord Lieutenant for his service to Carmarthenshire over the past ten years.  He extended his best wishes for a happy and healthy retirement and offered a gift as a token of the Council’s appreciation.  The Lord Lieutenant thanked the Chair for his kind words and for the gift, which he would treasure.

Announcements

·         On 13^th December children from Nantgaredig Primary School, Ysgol Teilo Sant, Llandeilo and Llandeilo Primary School took part in the annual BBC Christmas Concert in St. David’s Hall, Cardiff.  Also taking part in the concert were schools from Powys and Rhondda Cynon Taf, together with BBC choristers and celebrities;

·         Congratulations were extended to Mr Bruce McLernon, former Director of Social Care & Housing, who was awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours for services to social care and local government;

·          Having received an MBE, congratulations were extended to Mrs Rosalie Mary James from Llandeilo for services to agriculture in Wales and Mrs Erika Walker from Ammanford for voluntary services to the community and social enterprises in Ammanford;

·          Congratulations were extended to Ms Wendy Angharad Churchouse, Arrhythmia Nurse in Morriston Hospital, who is from Carmarthenshire and has been awarded the British Empire Meal for services to cardiac patients in South West Wales;

·          Best wishes were extended to Councillor Daff Davies who was currently in hospital;

·          The Chair referred to several members who had been in hospital recently and welcomed them back to the Chamber;

·          Congratulations were extended to the Leader on the birth of his grandson over the Christmas period;

·          The Chair referred with sadness to the death of Mr Jeff Connell and extended his sympathy to Mr Connell’s family;

·         The Chair thanked staff and Councillors for kindly sponsoring him to do the Walrus Dip on Boxing Day.  The total raised to date for Tenovus Cancer and Llyfrau Llafar was around £800.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on the 9^th December, 2015 be signed as a correct record.

“We, the undersigned, call on Carmarthenshire County Council to keep Parc Howard in public ownership.”

[NOTE:  Councillor E. Dole had earlier declared an interest in this item.]

The Chair invited Councillor Jan Williams to present the 5,303 signature petition in the following terms, together with supporting remarks:-

“We the undersigned call on Carmarthenshire County Council to keep Parc Howard in public ownership.”

RESOLVED that the petition be received and referred to the Executive Board for consideration.

“I have had a number of complaints from tenants and residents regarding the infestation of rats in their properties. Although continuing bating has been carried out rats are still invading a number of homes. They are destroying the personal effects of the residents and tenants and also chewing electric wires etc.  One lady told me she was afraid to get out of bed in the night to use the bathroom in case she was attacked by one of these vermin.  The rats seem to be coming up into the properties from outside drains. I have been informed that this is happening more since the water board stopped bating their drains  Can the Executive Board member contact the water board and any other agency on a way forward to overcome this problem.”

“I have had a number of complaints from tenants and residents regarding the infestation of rats in their properties.  Although continuing bating has been carried out rats are still invading a number of homes.  They are destroying the personal effects of the residents and tenants and also chewing electric wires etc.  One lady told me that she was afraid to get out of bed in the night to use the bathroom in case she was attached by one of these vermin.  The rats seem to be coming up into the properties from outside drains.  I have been informed that this is happening more since the water board stopped bating their drains.  Can the Executive Board Member contact the water board any other agency on a way forward to overcome this problem.”

Response by Councillor Linda Evans, Executive Board Member for Housing:

“May I start by thanking Councillor Devichand for raising this important health and welfare issue.  I would also like to clarify that this area also forms part of Councillor Jim Jones’ portfolio in his role as Executive Board Member for Public Protection.  We have discussed the question and issues raised and agreed that I would present this joint response as the question was addressed to myself.  However, I would like to take this opportunity to confirm that we both take the comments made in this question seriously. 

Turning to the specific issues raised in the question, I would like to confirm that in the past year the Housing and Public Protection Division has received a total of 255 service requests regarding rats, of which 77 were in respect of Council owned dwellings.

Once service requests are received, and in line with our statutory duties, officers investigate the source of the infestation.  They provide advice regarding pest proofing, removal of nests, baiting and removal. In extreme circumstances, our involvement may extend to commencing enforcement action.  This has occurred 27 times in the past year.

Our investigations include the identification of the source of the problem.  This may include drainage surveys involving specialised cameras.  Should the evidence suggest the source is from drainage under the control of Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water we would share our findings with them. It would then be their responsibility to utilise the most effective solution to the problem, which may include baiting.  We work closely with them an continue to monitor the situation until the issue is resolved.

Having regard to the issues raised regarding problems in your area, we can confirm that officers are available to commence their investigations upon confirmation of the properties involved.  We would be happy to pass these particulars on. Officers will then be able to investigate the source of the problem and take the relevant action (in conjunction with relevant partners) to ensure eradication of the problem.

Both Councillor Jones and I thank you again for raising your concerns and we confirm that we will write to Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water and other relevant agencies to enquire what policies  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.1

[NOTE:  Councillors S.M. Allen, D.M. Cundy, G. Davies, S.L. Davies, T. Davies, W.R.A. Davies, T. Devichand, E. Dole, J.S. Edmunds, D.C. Evans, D. Harries, P. M. Hughes, I.J. Jackson, A. James, J.D. James, D.M. Jenkins, A.W. Jones, G.O. Jones, T.J. Jones, W.J. Lemon, K. Madge, A.G. Morgan, J. Owen, E.G. Thomas, G.B. Thomas, J. Thomas, M.K. Thomas, S.E. Thomas, W.G. Thomas, J. Williams and J.S. Williams had earlier declared an interest in this item.]

“Shouldn’t the Llanelli area, which contributes 43% of the county’s council tax be entitled to its parks, playgrounds and playing fields which contribute so much to the health and well being of its residents?”

Mr Mike Bassett, Secretary of Carmarthenshire Unified Sports Committee, asked the following question:-

“Shouldn’t the Llanelli area, which contributes 43% of the county’s council tax, be entitled to its parks, playgrounds and playing fields which contribute so much to the health and well being of its residents?”

Response by Councillor David Jenkins, Executive Board Member for Resources:-

“I would in the first instance query the fact quoted where you state that the Llanelli area contributes 43% of the County Council’s tax.  I have conducted investigations with officers and I have established that Llanelli Town residents contribute 12% of the council tax and Llanelli Rural 11% towards council tax making a combined total of 23%.  The Council’s policy, put in place by the previous administration, which the present administration is happy to follow, is to promote local management of all parks and playgrounds and has been applied across the whole of the county, not just in Llanelli, to ensure that all areas of the county are treated equally, with each area bearing the cost of providing these facilities within their own area. In many parts of the county Community Councils and local sporting clubs have been managing local parks and playing facilities in their areas for many years.  In fact, 41 out of 72 Community Councils are in that situation i.e. 50% of them are running their own assets at present.  Since the policy was initiated, a vast majority of Town and Community Councils, who were previously not managing their local parks and playing fields, have responded positively to County Council calls for assets to be managed locally, with another 35% (25) taking an interest in asset transfer. That leaves a very small number of Town and Community Councils who have not to date expressed an interest in the asset transfer process, that is 6 (8%).  The closing date for expressions of interest is 31^st March this year.  The long lead-in time for the County Council’s proposals has allowed Community and Town Councils, sporting organisations and other community groups to make preparations for taking over the facilities.  The Maintenance and Improvement Grants offered by the County Council has also enabled future maintenance costs to be deferred for some years.  It is also worth noting that Community Councils, Sporting Clubs and other community groups can apply for grants to help set up and maintain the facilities they manage, such grants not being available to the County Council.  As stated previously, the closing date for declarations of interest is 31^st March this year, with asset transfers to be completed by 31^st March, 2018, at which time the Authority will consider the future of the facilities remaining within County Council control. On a local, parochial note, I am a member of Cwmamman Town Council as is Councillor Kevin Madge and we are actively involved and we are very close to asset transferring not only parks but the public conveniences and also the Community Education Centre with two sporting organisations, namely Amman  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.1

“If town/rural/community councils are unable to take on an area listed for asset transfer, do the county council have a shortlist of third parties interested in taking over these assets, bearing in mind that CCC were unable to run them at a profit?  If so could you please name them?”

Mr Kevin Francis, Chairman of Burry Port Juniors A.F.C, asked the following question:-

“If town/rural/community councils are unable to take on an area listed for asset transfer, do the county council have a shortlist of third parties interested in taking over these assets, bearing in mind that Carmarthenshire County Council were unable to run them at a profit?  If so could you please name them?”

Response by Councillor David Jenkins, Executive Board Member for Resources:-

“No, there are no third parties shortlisted.  In the main, Sports Clubs, Town and Community Councils and other community organisations have stepped forward to manage the facilities.”

Mr Francis asked the following supplementary question:-

“If no third party comes forward and no Town Council takes over certain areas, are you going to close our parks and playgrounds where we have worked tirelessly for 18 months to secure a long term, affordable, sustainable, future for our clubs?  What are you going to do with them? Are you going to stop maintaining them?”

Response by Councillor David Jenkins, Executive Board Member for Resources:-

“In a way, I have answered your question in my comments to Mr Bassett earlier.  We are involved in the process at the moment and the process is that requests for asset transfers are to be finalised by 31^st March this year and the transfer completed by 31^st March, 2018, at which time the Authority will consider the future of the facilities remaining within County Council control.  That decision will be made at that time and date.  In the meantime, Local Authorities, Sports Clubs and community groups have the potential to take over these clubs and run it themselves as we are doing in Cwmamman Town.”

“If the areas containing the sports pitches are asset transferred would the deal that we have brokered with officers of CCC still remain?  i.e. Will a provision be made for any land that is transferred to a third party under asset transfer be only used for sport and recreational purposes and that a similar covenant cover the sale of such land if that were to be considered.  Would existing terms and conditions already agreed be honoured and renewable with realistic rates etc. in line with inflation?”

Mr Phillip Williams, Evans & Williams A.F.C., asked the following question:-

“If the areas containing the sports pitches are asset transferred would the deal that has been brokered with officers of CCC still remain? i.e. Will a provision be made for any land that is transferred to a third party under asset transfer be only used for sport and recreational purposes and that a similar covenant cover the sale of such land if that were to be considered.  Would existing terms and conditions already agreed be honoured and renewed with realistic rates etc. in line with inflation?”

Response by Councillor David Jenkins, Executive Board Member for Resources:-

“As all asset transfers are transferred on long lease agreements and there will be covenants within the agreements that clearly state that the use of assets transferred must be used for recreational purposes, these covenants would also be imposed on any sub-lessees of the assets in question.  Any terms and conditions originally stipulated within the original contract would be honoured and any changes would be the subject of all contracting parties being in agreement of any proposed changes.”

Mr Williams asked the following supplementary question:-

“While these areas are still on the asset transfer list it is causing extreme distress particularly within the bowling fraternity, who don’t see a future for their sport.  If Penygaer playing fields are lost, they are lost forever.  Do you not feel that the situation is detrimental to the development of all sports as they rely on these areas?”

Response by Councillor David Jenkins, Executive Board Member for Resources:-

“I will re-iterate that the management of these playgrounds and sporting fields can be transferred to Community Councils, sporting organisations etc.  It is in their hands. At the end of the day, on 31^st March, 2018, when it comes back to the Authority, we will consider the position at that time.”

“Why are the Parks, Playgrounds and Playing Fields of the Llanelli area being threatened with closure or third party ownership, whilst areas who contribute significantly less financially to CCC coffers are receiving massive annual subsidies e.g. Laugharne Boat House £69,000, Pendine Outward Bound Centre £207,000, St. Clears Leisure Centre £128,000 and St. Clears Craft Centre £76,000.”

Mr Phil Jones, Senior Registration Secretary CAFL, asked the following question:-

“Why are the parks, playgrounds and playing fields of the Llanelli area being threatened with closure or third party ownership, whilst areas who contribute significantly less financially to CCC coffers are receiving massive annual subsidies e.g. Laugharne Boat House £69,000, Pendine Outward Bound Centre £207,000, St. Clears Leisure Centre £128,000 and St. Clears Craft Centre £76,000.”

Response by Councillor David Jenkins, Executive Board Member for Resources:-

“The Council’s policy is to seek local management arrangements for all parks and playgrounds and this has been applied across the whole of the county, not just in Llanelli.  In many parts of the county local clubs and Community or Town Councils have been managing these facilities for years.  The vast majority of Town and Community Councils, who were previously not managing their local parks and playing fields, have responded positively to the County Council’s call for the assets to be managed locally.  This policy was determined back in 2013 initially by the previous administration but we are happy to follow this policy because we are trying to create a level playing field across the county.  Why should people who are already managing their playgrounds be subsidising people who are not managing their playgrounds. 

With reference to the other facilities you have listed, these along with other non-statutory items, are also subject to the same budget pressures as parks and playgrounds. You seem to have trawled through the 2015/16 budget digest and you have been quite selective in what you have picked.  You have highlighted that St. Clears Leisure Centre receives a subsidy of £128,000 but on the same page you will see that Llanelli Leisure Centre receives a subsidy

of £586,000 but you have chosen not to mention this item.  From the Outdoor Education Section of the digest, you mention that the Pendine Outward Bound Centre receives a subsidy; from the Cultural and Heritage section of the digest you have chosen to mention that the Laugharne Boat House receives a subsidy of £69,000 and St. Clears Craft Centre receives a subsidy of £128,000.  The very next entry in this section is Y Ffwrnes which receives a subsidy of £393,000 but you have chosen not to mention this item.  You have chosen not to mention the Millennium Coastal Park which receives a subsidy of £1,058,000, Burry Port Harbour which receives a subsidy of £338,000, the Discovery Centre which receives a subsidy of £69,000.  All these facilities have been in place for several years, when times were better.  We are facing financial hardship at the moment and the reality of the situation is that we are looking for every penny.  Who knows, perhaps in the future we may have to look at these areas as well.  All the above facilities make a contribution towards the attractiveness of Carmarthenshire for its residents as a place to live, work and play and also help attract visiting tourists.  The Boat House is   internationally famous and a nationally  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.4

“When Councillor Emlyn Dole stepped in to help in the fight against the unaffordable pitch fees, he stated that these fees would put an end to participation in sport across the county.  He claimed that these proposals were ill conceived and ill thought out.  He was of the opinion that it was a rushed through policy developed in the midst of the twilight zone.  In light of Councillor David Jenkins’ comment to the press that we simply cannot afford to maintain these areas, would he not agree that the closure of the parks in which these sports pitches are situated should demand the same response?”

Mr Wayne Erasmus, Chairman of Hendy Community an Park Committee, asked the following question:-

“When Councillor Emlyn Dole stepped in to help in the fight against the unaffordable pitch fees, he stated that these fees would put an end to participation in sport across the county.  He claimed that these proposals were ill conceived and ill thought out.  He was of the opinion that it was a rushed through policy developed in the midst of the twilight zone.  In light of Councillor David Jenkins’ comments to the press that we simply cannot afford to maintain these areas, would he not agree that the closure of the parks in which these sports pitches are situated should demand the same response?”

Response by Councillor Emlyn Dole, Leader of the Council:-

“No, I do not agree.” 

Mr Erasmus asked the following supplementary question:-

“Will you form an executive body of all the parties and involve all the organisations to keep the parks open?”

Response by Councillor Emlyn Dole, Leader of the Council:-

“Can I remind Mr Erasmus of his question.  He asked me do I agree and I do not agree so I have answered the question.  As to his second question, which does not really connect to the first, as far as I understand he is the Chairman of Hendy Community and Park Committee, my question in response to him is to ask if it is a properly constituted organisation because the negotiations around asset transfer are with properly constituted organisations that may or may not wish to take up the offer of asset transfer.  Can I just say that when we took over leadership we inherited policies, one was to do with fees for sports pitches and one was asset transfer.  On the sports pitches, I did not disagree with the policy, what I said was that it was being rushed through.  I also said in the Notice of Motion could we have a year in which we could hold a meaningful discussion around that.  During that year I sat as an observer in those negotiations and worked very closely with Mr Kevin Francis, whom I have a very deep respect and admiration for as well, for the work that he’s done during that year to move that discussion forward, along with our officers, and to progress that discussion in the way that he has.   That is to be commended.  That respect and admiration is there and will continue for his commitment to that cause. In response to that policy, I asked for a meaningful discussion and a year’s grace to facilitate that meaningful discussion.  I did not oppose it.  The policy around asset transfer was a different policy.  I did not oppose that policy either.  The administration was saying that, in light of the austerity programme coming down from London through Cardiff and the efficiencies we are being asked to make year on year, we have to look at transferring assets and putting them in the hands of the community.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.5

The Chair welcomed to the meeting Mr Ioan Jenkins, Development Director with Tidal Lagoon Power, who had been invited to give the Council a presentation on the development of a Tidal Lagoon in Swansea Bay. 

Wales has the second highest tidal range in the world and it was proposed to take full advantage of that power by creating a tidal lagoon.  This would involve the construction of 16 turbines on the sea bed which would generate electricity for around 14 hours a day.  The energy produced would be predictable and consistent.     

The ambition was to build 6 Tidal Lagoons in the UK, 4 of which would be in Wales, providing Wales with the opportunity to become a global leader in the production of energy.  The six lagoons will generate approximately 8-10% of the UK’s energy for the next 120 years and more. 

The Tidal Lagoon in Swansea Bay will produce enough tidal energy to generate power for over 100,000 homes.  The £650m investment will offer long term jobs, a sporting and recreation arena, a maricultural farm, together with associated education programmes at primary, secondary and university level.  It was also proposed to include a Visitor Centre where visitors can learn about tidal power and the creation of the lagoon.  The lagoon setting would also provide a unique setting for international, national and local sports events and training.

Details were provided of the economic opportunities for businesses in Wales during the construction phase and in the longer term.

The presentation was followed by a question and answer session, following which the Chair thanked Mr Jenkins for a most informative presentation.

[NOTE: Councillor A.D.T. Speake had earlier declared an interest in this item.]

Council was reminded that in 2012 the Welsh Government introduced regulations to bring in a single all-Wales Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2013/14, replacing the former UK-wide Council Tax Benefit Scheme.  As the scheme for 2013/14 contained a “sunset-clause” it was necessary for the Welsh Government to introduce a further scheme for 2014/15 and subsequent years. 

Despite being an all-Wales scheme, individual Councils are required to formally adopt a Council Tax Reduction Scheme by 31^st January each year.

RESOLVED

9.1     that the standard all-Wales Council Tax Reduction scheme provided for under the Council Tax Reduction Schemes and Prescribed Requirements (Wales) Regulations 2013 and the Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Prescribed Requirements and Default Scheme)(Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 be adopted for 2016/17;

9.2     to implement the annual up-rating figures (used in entitlement calculations) and other minor technical amendments included in the Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Prescribed Requirements and Default Scheme)(Wales)(Amendment) Regulations 2016 that are due to come into force on 20^th January, 2016;

9.3     that Council continues to exercise its discretion with regard to the limited discretionary elements of the prescribed scheme, as outlined in the report.

[NOTE:  Councillors A.P. Cooper, A. Davies, C.P. Higgins and A.W. Jones had earlier declared an interest in this item.]

Council was informed that the Executive Board had, at its meeting held on the 30^th November, 2015 (Minute 7 refers), considered the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and had made two recommendations, as detailed in the report of the Head of Planning, for consideration by Council.

Reference was made to need to ensure that the CIL was fair and did not penalise small/family/rural businesses and the importance therefore of such businesses participating in the consultation process.

Concern was expressed that 85% of any money received would be used for other areas like Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion or Swansea Bay.  The Chief Executive explained that as it would be Carmarthenshire’s CIL the money cannot go anywhere else.

RESOLVED that the following recommendations of the Executive Board be adopted:-

10.1.1“To progress a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) for Carmarthenshire;

10.1.2To authorise the production of a Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule, which will identify the amount of CIL sought from each qualifying development, and to conduct a formal consultation on its content along with the associated evidence base.”            

[NOTE:  Councillor K. Madge had earlier declared an interest in this item.]

Council was informed that the Executive Board had, at its meeting held on the 30^th November, 2015 (Minute 10 refers), considered the CSSIW Annual Review and Evaluation of Performance for 2014/15 and had made a recommendation, as detailed in the report of the Director of Community Services, for consideration by Council.

RESOLVED that the following recommendation of the Executive Board be adopted:-

“To receive the Annual Review and Evaluation of Performance 2014/15 of the Local Authority’s Social Services undertaken by the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales.”

Council was informed that the Executive Board had, at its meeting held on the 30^th November, 2015 (Minute 14 refers), considered the Welsh Language Skills Strategy and had made a recommendations, as detailed in the report of Assistant Chief Executive (People Management and Performance), for consideration by Council.

RESOLVED that the following recommendation of the Executive Board be adopted:-

“That the Welsh Language Skills Strategy and ALTE framework be adopted.”

At 1.00 p.m., during consideration of the above item, Council’s attention was drawn to Corporate Procedure Rule 9.1 “Duration of Meeting” and CPR 23.1 “Suspension” and as the meeting had been underway for three hours, it was accordingly

RESOLVED to suspend the Council Procedure Rules to enable the remaining business on the Agenda to be considered.

Council was informed that the Executive Board had, at its meeting held on the 30^th November, 2015 (Minute 15 refers), considered the Ageing Well in Wales Local Ageing Well Plans and had made a recommendation, as detailed in the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Regeneration & Policy), for consideration by Council.

RESOLVED that the following recommendation of the Executive Board be adopted:-

“That the Ageing Well Plan for Carmarthenshire County Council be endorsed.”

RESOLVED that the report of the above meeting be received.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the following amendments to committee membership be approved in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2(2)(m):-

Councillor B.A.L. Roberts to replace Councillor P.M. Edwards on the Social Care & Health Scrutiny Committee;

Councillor P.M. Edwards to replace Councillor K.P. Thomas on the Environmental & Public Protection Scrutiny Committee;

Councillor D.J.R. Bartlett to replace Councillor J. Williams on the Policy & Resources Scrutiny Committee;

Councillor R. Thomas to replace Councillor D.M. Cundy on the Policy & Resources Scrutiny Committee.