Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J.A. Davies, T. Davies, H.A.L. Evans, P.E.M. Jones, T.J. Jones, W.J. Lemon, S. Matthews, A.G. Morgan, D. Price and G. Thomas.

Council was informed that Councillor Gwyneth Thomas was recovering well following her operation and the Chair agreed to send her a get well message on behalf of the Council.

·         The Chair extended congratulations to Councillor Kevin Madge and his family on the birth of his grandson, Jac;

·         Condolences were extended to the family of former County Councillor Jimmy Morgan, Whitland, who passed away recently;

·         Condolences were extended to former County Councillor Gerald Meyler and his family on the death of his wife, Elaine;

·         Congratulations were extended to the officers involved with the Dyfed Pension Fund on their success in achieving independent status for Wales under the new pension regulations introduced by central government recently;

·         Reference was made to the recent retirement of the Whitland Postmaster and his wife, Mr and Mrs Parri-Roberts, after 53 years of service.  They were thanked for their dedication and wished well for the future.

The Leader advised Council that the Welsh Government has recognised that providing care for longer and stability can impact positively on care leavers’ outcomes. The “When I am Ready” scheme, which allows young people to remain with foster carers until they are 21, was pioneered during 2013-14 and implemented across Wales in 2015. From 2016, young people in Wales have had a right to remain in foster care up to 21. “Action for Children – Gweithredu dros Blant” advocated this change through the Authority’s “Chance to Stay – Cyfle i Aros” campaign, which has already made an enormous difference to young people who wish to remain in stable, familial foster homes.

Not all young people leaving care will benefit from these reforms, however, and there was a risk that some of the most vulnerable young people who have not had stable care journeys will be excluded.  More needs to be done to identify the best ways to make it possible for all care leavers to remain in settled accommodation, including residential care, or to move on to housing in a supported and flexible way. To effectively support adolescents in and on the edge of care, resources need to be invested effectively and early intervention approaches are needed to prevent future crises.

In Carmarthenshire we recognise that young people leaving care need somewhere safe and suitable to live, to help them make a positive transition into adulthood. After all, good housing underpins success in other areas of life.

Certain weaknesses have been identified in terms of the quality and location of supportive housing options available to care leavers within Carmarthenshire and the corporate parenting panel have expressed their concerns on more than one occasion.

The Leader advised Council that work is ongoing within the Authority on this issue and officers from the supporting people division are currently awaiting a detailed specification from children’s services with regard to the re-commissioning of some projects.  A significant amount of money has been allocated to the children’s services department in this respect. 

Whilst there was no barrier in terms of need for any care leaver to get a flat or a house, the challenge was to ensure that they are ready for independent living and that they are placed in the right location. 

The Leader wished to make it clear that a policy statement will be issued by the Executive Board reaffirming the Authority’s commitment to the provision of suitable housing for this group of young people as a matter of priority.

Reference was made to the fact that Councillor Eryl Morgan’s name was missing from the list of members who voted for the amendment and the list of members who voted against the motion (minute 11.1 refers).

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of Council held on the 18^th January, 2017 be signed as a correct record, subject to the inclusion of the above-mentioned amendment.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on the 25^th January, 2017 be signed as a correct record, subject to the inclusion of the above-mentioned amendment.

“Carmarthenshire County Council confirms its commitment to public health and the safety of bathers and beach users in areas where there may be risks of contaminated water.  In order to improve the current service we aim in future to not only test designated bathing beaches, but also other beaches used by the pubic where there is any suspicion of poor water quality.  In future there should be monitoring of selected non designated beaches in the swimming season.  Specifically we will monitor those next to bathing beaches which produce high readings of bacteria and also non designated bathing beaches which have had high readings of bacteria previously.  In essence, beaches in public use with any health risk should be treated the same as bathing beaches for monitoring purposes were suspicion of contamination arises.”

Council considered the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Sian Caiach:-

“Carmarthenshire County Council confirms its commitment to public health and the safety of bathers and beach users in areas where there may be risks of contaminated water.  In order to improve the current service we aim in future to not only test designated bathing beaches, but also other beaches used by the pubic where there is any suspicion of poor water quality.  In future there should be monitoring of selected non designated beaches in the swimming season.  Specifically we will monitor those next to bathing beaches which produce high readings of bacteria and also non designated bathing beaches which have had high readings of bacteria previously.  In essence, beaches in public use with any health risk should be treated the same as bathing beaches for monitoring purposes where suspicion of contamination arises.”

The Motion was duly seconded.

The proposer and seconder of the Motion were afforded the opportunity of speaking in support thereof and outlined the reasons for its submission, as set out in the Motion.

Following a requisition by more than 10 members, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.4, a recorded vote was taken with the votes casts being as follows:-

For the Motion (31)

Councillors D.J.R. Bartlett, S.M. Caiach, C.A. Campbell, J.M. Charles, A. P. Cooper, D.M. Cundy, A. Davies, G. Davies, S.L. Davies, T. Devichand, J.S. Edmunds, P.M. Edwards, D.C. Evans, A.D. Harries, C.P. Higgins, J.K. Howell, J.D. James, J.P. Jenkins, A.W. Jones, M.J.A. Lewis, K. Madge, E. Morgan, J. Owen, B.A.L. Roberts, H.B. Shepardson, A.D.T. Speake, M.K. Thomas, R. Thomas, W.G. Thomas, J. Williams and J.S. Williams.

Against the Motion (25)

Councillors D.B. Davies, I.W. Davies, T.T. Defis, E. Dole, L.D. Evans, W.J.W. Evans, W.T. Evans, M. Gravell, P. Hughes Griffiths, P.M. Hughes, I.J. Jackson, A. James, D.M. Jenkins, G.O. Jones, H.I. Jones, A. Lenny, D.J.R. Llewellyn, P.A. Palmer, D.W.H. Richards, L.M. Stephens, J. Thomas, S.E. Thomas, J. Tremlett, D.E. Williams and J.E. Williams.

Abstentions (6)

Councillors S.M. Allen, W.R.A. Davies, W.G. Hopkins, E.G. Thomas, G.B. Thomas and D. Tomos.

The Chief Executive advised that the issue referred to in the Notice of Motion was an executive function and consequently Council was only able to refer the matter to the Executive Board for consideration.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE EXECUTIVE BOARD that the Notice of Motion be adopted.

“The rural areas within Carmarthenshire need special and direct attention and that this Council establishes a RURAL WORKING GROUP consisting of members from the three Groups on the Council.  The Working Group (following the pattern set by the Language Working Group) would collect information, research and invite and receive evidence in relation to rural areas in Carmarthenshire, before presenting, in due course, strategies, policies and an action plan before full Council.”

Council considered the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Peter Hughes Griffiths:-

“The rural areas within Carmarthenshire need special and direct attention and that this Council establishes a RURAL WORKING GROUP consisting of members from the three Groups on the Council.  The Working Group (following the pattern set by the Language Working Group) would collect information, research and invite and receive evidence in relation to rural areas in Carmarthenshire, before presenting, in due course, strategies, policies and an action plan before full Council.”

The motion was duly seconded

The proposer and seconder of the Motion were afforded the opportunity of speaking in support thereof and outlined the reasons for its submission, as set out in the Motion.

The following Amendment to the Motion was proposed by Councillor Jeff Edmunds and duly seconded:-

“The rural areas of Carmarthenshire need special and direct attention, but also there are common issues throughout our county such as poverty and the lack of adequate public transport that also needs our attention. We ask that this Council establish a working group consisting of members from all the county parties to look at issues that face everyone both in the rural and urban areas.  The working group (following the pattern set by the Language Working Group) would collect information, research and invite and receive evidence in relation to rural and urban areas in Carmarthenshire, before presenting, in due course strategies, policies and an action plan before full council.”

The proposer and seconder of the Amendment were afforded the opportunity of speaking in support thereof and outlined the reasons for its submission.

A number of statements were made both in support of and against the Amendment and the Motion.

The Chief Executive advised that the issue referred to in the Notice of Motion was an executive function and consequently Council was only able to refer the matter to the Executive Board for consideration.

Following a vote, it was 

RESOLVED that the Amendment to the Motion be not supported.

Council thereupon proceeded to vote on the substantive Motion and it was

FURTHER RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE EXECUTIVE BOARD that the Notice of Motion be adopted.

“This Council acknowledges the hymn writer William Williams, Pantycelyn, Carmarthenshire, as one of the greatest Welshmen who ever lived and commit to holding a special event to celebrate his tricentenary, in recognition of his huge contribution to hymnology on an international scale and its impact on the life of our nation, as well as promoting knowledge about his life and work in all suitable and possible publicity by the council during the rest of this year.”

Council considered the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Alun Lenny:-

“This Council acknowledges the hymn writer William Williams, Pantycelyn, Carmarthenshire, as one of the greatest Welshmen who ever lived and commit to holding a special event to celebrate his tricentenary, in recognition of his huge contribution to hymnology on an international scale and its impact on the life of our nation, as well as promoting knowledge about his life and work in all suitable and possible publicity by the council during the rest of this year.”

The Motion was duly seconded.

The proposer and seconder of the Motion were afforded the opportunity of speaking in support thereof and outlined the reasons for its submission, as set out in the Motion.

A number of statements were made in support of the Motion.

The Chief Executive advised that the issue referred to in the Notice of Motion was an executive function and consequently Council was only able to refer the matter to the Executive Board for consideration.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE EXECUTIVE BOARD that the Notice of Motion be adopted.

The Chair advised that no questions by members had been received.

The Chair advied that no public questions had been received.

(Members are requested to note that due to the size of Appendix A(ii) hard copies have not been provided, however, this document can be viewed on the Council’s website under the agenda for the Executive Board Meeting held on 6^th February, 2017 via the following link:-

http://democracy.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/documents/s11286/Appendix%20Aii.pdf

[NOTE:  Councillors K. Madge and J. Williams had previously declared an interest in this item.]

Council was informed that the Executive Board, at its meeting held on the 6^th February, 2017 (minute 5 refers) considered the Revenue Budget Strategy 2017/18 to 2019/20 and made a number of recommendations, as detailed within the report of the Director of Corporate Services, for consideration by Council.

Council received a presentation by the Executive Board Member for Resources, on behalf of the Executive Board, in which he set out the background to the budget proposals being presented for Council’s consideration, incorporating the latest position on the Welsh Government Settlement, feedback on the budget consultation process together with updates on growth and validation data.  

He advised that, for a number of years the Authority has acknowledged the difficult funding scenario it has faced, and has recognised the need to do things differently and prioritise how it wishes to spend its increasingly scarce resources. 

The medium term financial plan for the past 3 years has been based on negative financial settlements that ranged from -1% to -3.8% which has been made worse each year by the ever increasing commitments on various service areas of the Authority, such as social care.   However, the Authority has always been able to set a balanced budget despite decreasing resources, whilst at the same time, to a large degree, maintaining service standards. 

The Executive Board Member reported that once again this year we have only received a settlement for 1 year and although for this year we have been fortunate to have a cash standstill settlement, it was forecast that negative settlements will return to local government in future years.  He therefore reiterated that the focus on efficiency or cost reductions needed to continue to ensure that the Authority’s financial sustainability can be achieved and a balanced budget set into the future. 

He advised that the final settlement was received on 21^st December and he was pleased to confirm that the settlement this year was more favourable and supportive of local government than it had originally been anticipated, both within Welsh Government and local government circles.  This therefore meant that the Executive Board had been able to revisit some of the proposals within the original budget outline and consider further options. However, as the Welsh Government had only provided figures for one year, the scope in terms of medium term forecasting within the medium term financial plan was restricted.

The Executive Board Member advised that, in addressing the continued pressures and real term reduction in funding, at the same time ensuring that Council Tax increases were, as far as possible, minimised, the Authority has had to continue to seek efficiencies in the way it delivers services and unfortunately, in some instances, had to look at the level of service provision itself.  In the last 3 years approximately £37m of recurring expenditure has been stripped away from the Council’s annual spending and this was set to continue over the next  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

At 1.00 p.m. Council’s attention was drawn to Council Procedure Rule 9.1 “Duration of Meeting” And as the meeting had been underway for three hours, it was

RESOLVED that the remainder of the business on the agenda should stand adjournment until 2.00 p.m. that day.

Council reconvened in the Chamber at County Hall, Carmarthen at 2.00 p.m.

Present:   Councillor E. Morgan [Chair]

Councillors:

The following officers were in attendance:-

Mr M. James                          -           Chief Executive

Mr C. Moore                          -           Director of Corporate Services

Mr G. Morgans                      -           Interim Director of Education & Children’s Services

Mr O. Bowen                         -           Head of Financial Services

Mr J. Fearn                            -           Head of Property

Ms L. Quelch                        -           Head of Planning

Ms L. Rees Jones                -           Head of Administration & Law

Mr R. Staines                        -           Head of Housing & Public Protection

Mr P. Thomas                       -           Assistant Chief Executive (People Management)

Mrs W. Walters                     -           Assistant Chief Executive (Regeneration & Policy)

Mrs M. Evans Thomas        -           Principal Democratic Services Officer

Council was informed that the Executive Board, at its meeting held on the 6^th February, 2017 (minute 6 refers) considered the Five Year Capital Programme 2016/17 to 2020/21 and made a number of recommendations, as detailed within the report of the Director of Corporate Services, for consideration by Council.

Council received a presentation by the Executive Board Member for Resources, on behalf of the Executive Board, on the Five Year Capital Programme which was aligned to the current Corporate Strategy and supported the Authority’s strategic priorities and aspirations.

The Executive Board Member advised Council that the capital programme anticipated an estimated spend in excess of £210m over the 5 years and was aimed at delivering a number of key projects that will create jobs and improve the quality of life for the people of Carmarthenshire. 

The Executive Board Member informed Council that funding for this programme was currently estimated at £124m with a further £85m coming from external grand funding bodies.  As with the revenue budget, Welsh Government has only provided settlement figures for 1 year and therefore the programme was based on future years supported borrowing and general grant being of the same level as 2017/18. 

Whilst the basis of the capital programme was a rolling programme, year on year, which included significant investment in areas like the 21^st Century Schools Programme, Highways, Regeneration and Housing, the Authority has yet again been able to include some new projects and priorities in the programme which it was felt are important for the county.  Identifying funding for these additional projects within the capital programme had been a challenge this year and in particular the urgent works required in Burry Port Harbour, however, the review of the MRP policy had helped to facilitate these additional funds. 

The Executive Board Member advised that monitoring both the schemes and the funding would be critical going forward and would need to be closely managed.  He was pleased to report that the programme as presented was fully funded until 2020/21 with only a small shortfall in the final year of the programme 2021/22.

He thereupon moved the recommendations of the Executive Board in respect of the Five Year Capital Programme (Council Fund) and its proposed funding, as detailed in the report. The proposal was duly seconded.

The following observations were made:-

·         Concern was expressed over the lack of allocated money in the budget statements to accommodate and support over 30,000 people destined to move into the county over the next 4 years, as agreed in the Local

Development Plan;

·         Concern was expressed that the new primary school build in the Amman Valley has been downgraded when it is so desperately needed;

·         Reference was made to highways infrastructure and concern was expressed that more investment has not been allocated for this purpose.

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

“13.1  That the Five Year Capital Programme and funding as detailed in          Appendix B with 2017/18 being a hard budget and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

Council was informed that the Executive Board, at its meeting held on the 6^th February, 2017 (minute 7 refers) considered the Housing Revenue Account Budget 2017/18 to 2019/20 and Housing Rent Setting for 2017/18 and made a number of recommendations, as detailed within the report of the Director of Corporate Services, for consideration by Council.

Council received a presentation by the Executive Board Member for Resources, on behalf of the Executive Board, on the Revenue and Capital Budget proposals for the Housing Revenue Account for 2017 to 2020 reflecting the Authority’s aims within the 30 year Business Plan/18 to 2019/20, which was the primary financial planning tool for delivery of the Carmarthenshire Homes Standard Plus (CHS+) and the Affordable Housing Strategy.

The Executive Board Member advised that the capital investment of £231m within the current business plan had delivered the CHS+ for our tenants and the further budget going forward had been developed to ensure appropriate funding is allocated to maintain the CHS+ standard for all the Council’s properties into the future.  Over the next 5 years it was anticipated that in the region of £50m would be spent maintaining and upgrading our stock.  The budget also provided funding of some £36m over the next 5 years to support the Affordable Housing Strategy which will see an increase in the supply of affordable housing throughout the county through various solutions including the new build programme and the buyback scheme.

The Executive Board Member explained that since 2015 the Authority has been required to adopt the Welsh Government Social Housing Rent Harmonisation Policy, which effectively meant the proposed rent increase before members was prescribed by Welsh Government guidance.  Implementation of the proposed increases would provide an average rent increase for the county of £2.84 per week and the Authority would need to continue with this Welsh Government policy until properties hit the target rent set by Welsh Government.

He added that, for Carmarthenshire, our average mid-point target rent for next year was £84.67 and if the recommendations within the report were approved our average rent would be set at £81.77, which was slightly below the mid-point target rent.

The Executive Board Member stated that it was difficult to balance the impact of the rent increase on tenants against the need to set the rent in line with Welsh Government policy, whilst ensuring that the Authority can continue to produce a sustainable business plan to take the CHS+ and Affordable Housing Strategy forward.

In moving the recommendations within the report, he advised that the proposals had been unanimously supported by the Community Scrutiny Committee at its meeting held on 20^th January, 2017.

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

“14.1  Increase the rent in line with Welsh Government guidelines i.e.:-

·         Properties at target rents to increase by 2.5% (CPI + 1.5%)

·         Properties where rent is below target rent to increase by 2.5% (CPI + 1.5%) plus a maximum progression of £2

·         Properties above target rent be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

Council was informed that the Executive Board, at its meeting held on the 6^th February, 2017 (minute 8 refers) considered the Carmarthenshire Homes Standard Plus (CHS+) “Delivering What Matters” Business Plan 2017-20, the purpose of which was to:-   

• explain the vision and detail of the Carmarthenshire Homes Standard Plus over the next three years and what it meant for tenants;

• confirm the financial profile, based on current assumptions, for the delivery of CHS+ over the next three years; and

• produce a business plan for the annual application to Welsh Government for Major Repairs Allowance (MRA) for 2017/18 equating to £6.1m.

The Executive Board Member for Housing advised that if the report and its recommendations were to be adopted, it would result in some £55m being spent over the next three years in maintaining and further improving the CHS+ (£25M) and delivering the Affordable Homes Plan (£30m) through a range of solutions including, new build. 

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

Council was informed that the Executive Board, at its meeting held on 6^th February, 2017 (minute 9 refers) considered the Treasury Management Policy and Strategy 2017/18.

The Executive Board Member advised Council that in line with the requirements of the revised CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management, the Council must maintain a Treasury Management Policy detailing the policies and objectives of the Authority’s treasury management activities and also approve a Treasury Management Strategy annually before the start of the financial year to which it relates. In addition, under the Local Government Act 2003, the Council was required to approve the Treasury Management Indicators for the coming year.

In accordance with the above requirements, Council considered the Treasury Management Policy and Strategy for the 2017/18 financial year and it was

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

Council was informed that the Executive Board, at its meeting held on 6^th February, 2017 (Minute 13 refers), considered a report detailing draft proposals for the introduction of a Local Development Order for Llanelli Town Centre with a view to reflecting the corporate regeneration objectives for the town centre whilst ensuring the issues of its ongoing vitality and viability were appropriately considered, utilising the provisions of national planning policy.

The Order, if introduced, would allow a range of uses within a defined spatial area to proceed without the need for the submission of a planning application to the Local Planning Authority, subject to the Authority issuing a ‘certificate of conformity’.

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

[NOTE: Councillors J.S. Edmunds, D.C. Evans, L.D. Evans, P. Hughes Griffiths, G.O. Jones, H.B. Shepardson, J. Thomas and D.O. Tomos had earlier declared an interest in this item.]

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the report of the above meeting be received.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the report of the above meeting be received.