Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors C. Campbell, D. Cundy, S. Davies, D. Harries, M.J.A. Lewis, B.A.L. Roberts. A.D.T. Speake, D. Thomas and E. Williams..

·         The Chair extended his condolences to Mrs Aelwen Wooldrige and her sons and their family on the death of former Councillor Gwynne Wooldridge, Bynea Ward;

·         The Chair extended his condolences to Mrs Jill Davies and her daughters and their family on the death of former Councillor Jim Davies, Manordeilo & Salem Ward;

·         The Chair referred to the Council’s support for White Ribbon Day which was on 25^th November 2017.  This event marked the Day and the White Ribbon Campaign, which was led by men taking a stand against violence against women and girls and to be positive role models to other men in their community. Members were invited to sign a pledge book and donate towards the campaign, with proceeds going towards local survivors;

·         Councillor Gwyneth Thomas thanked those members who had sponsored Ceri Murphy from Llangennech in his first triathlon on the 7^th October in aid of cancer research;

·         Councillor Alun Lenny invited members to participate in a candlelight parade through Carmarthen on 23^rd November 2017 to mark White Ribbon Day;

·         The Executive Board Member Education and Children, appealed for donations of unused musical instruments in aid of the school music service and commented that there was currently an amnesty for the return of any instruments on overdue loan from the school music service;

·         The Leader, on behalf of the Council, congratulated Mr. Gareth Morgans on his recent appointment as Director of Education.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on the 18^th October 2017, be signed as a correct record.

With reference to minute 5 of the Council meeting held on the 11^th December 2013 the Chair welcomed Messrs. Nigel Short, Jon Daniels and Phil Morgan from the Scarlets who had been invited to give a presentation to update Council on the Club’s activities. The representatives highlighted the importance of the Club to community and business life in West Wales and its outreach work with local clubs within the region. Members were apprised of the club’s player development pathway the success of which was well illustrated by the number of players from the region in the welsh squad. Reference was also made to the stadium’s success in attracting non-sporting events such as live bands beyond the domestic rugby season.

The presentation was followed by a question and answer session, following which the Chair thanked the officers for an excellent and informative presentation.

The Chair advised that no public questions had been received.

“Carers cannot be in full time education and claim Carers Allowance even if they are caring for the 35-hours a week that makes them eligible for this benefit.  Will you commit to signing the petition recently launched by Carmarthenshire young carers to change this rule so that young adult carers have a chance to reach their full potential?”

“Carers cannot be in full time education and claim Carers Allowance even if they are caring for the 35-hours a week that makes them eligible for this benefit.  Will you commit to signing the petition recently launched by Carmarthenshire young carers to change this rule so that young adult carers have a chance to reach their full potential?”

Response by Councillor Glynog Davies, Executive Board Member for Education and Children:-

“I’m sorry to disappoint Councillor Bill Thomas but it’s too late I’ve already signed the petition which has been going around. I had signed the petition before the question appeared here on our agenda and I would encourage each and every one of you also to sign this petition. What I have done is to ensure that the link has been made available and has been sent to all council staff and also to all our school staff and I will ensure that if you, as Councillors, have not received the link I will ensure that you will have had it by the end of the day. It’s a very important petition and since the matter became known almost 50% of the people who have signed it are people from Carmarthenshire but obviously the aim is high - 10,000 signatures – and it is only then will Westminster take any notice of us. 10,000 signatures so that the Westminster Government have to respond but I would encourage you to do so. Of course this petition was an idea mooted by Carmarthenshire Young Adult Carers [YAC] and they have teamed up with the Carers Trust and Fixers Organisation to arrange the petition and to seek to change this 21-hour rule which, it says, discriminates against carers who wish to study, who want to improve their employment prospects and to reach their full potential in life. Some of our members were present at the launch which was at the University of Wales Trinity St. David.  Councillors Alun Lenny, Emlyn Schiavone and Carl Harris were present, as was Councillor Jane Tremlett, the Executive Board Member for Social Care and Health, and it is Jane who will eventually request that the Young Carers give us a presentation to full Council. I think that is very very important that we have this presentation from the Young Carers so that they can highlight their predicament and it will be an ideal time for us to question them on the work that they are doing. Jonathan Edwards M.P. was also there at the launch and he announced his intention to try and get this matter raised in Parliament by means of an Early Day Motion. Mr. Edwards said on that night at the heart of this campaign is enabling young adult carers – those who selflessly help to look after their loved ones to study and improve their future employment prospects. Now when we consider that carers allowance is equivalent to around £2 an hour it’s notable that these young people aren’t asking for more  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.1

“I ask this Council to ratify my motion, that on the 1^st December each year on International Aids Day we fly the Rainbow Flag over County Council buildings.  As a symbol of solidarity with HIV positive people and those living with AIDS living in Carmarthenshire and all the colours that represents.”

Council considered the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Andre McPherson:-

“I ask this Council to ratify my motion, that on the 1^st December each year on International Aids Day we fly the Rainbow Flag over County Council buildings.  As a symbol of solidarity with HIV positive people and those living with AIDS living in Carmarthenshire and all the colours that represents.”

The Motion was duly seconded.

The proposer of the Motion, supported by his seconder, was afforded the opportunity of speaking in support of the Motion and outlined the reasons for its submission, as set out in the Motion.

The following amendment to the Motion was proposed by Councillor Alun Lenny and duly seconded:-

“This Council is committed to show solidarity with HIV positive people and those in Carmarthenshire living with AIDS by encouraging everyone to wear a red ribbon, the symbol for World AIDS Day, on 1 December each year.”

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

A number of statements were made in support of the Motion and the amendment, and, following a requisition by more than 10 members, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.4, a recorded vote was taken on the amendment with the votes casts being as follows:-

For the Amendment (45)

Councillors S. Allen, L. Bowen, K. Broom, M. Charles, A. Davies, C.A. Davies,

G. Davies, H. Davies, I.W. Davies, J. Davies, T.A.J. Davies, W.R.A. Davies, E. Dole, H.A.L. Evans, L.D. Evans, W.T. Evans, J. Gilasbey, C. Harris, J.K. Howell,

P. Hughes Griffiths, P. Hughes, A. James, D.M. Jenkins, J. Jenkins, G. John, C. Jones,

B.W. Jones, H.I. Jones, T.J. Jones, A. Lenny, A.G. Morgan, D. Nicholas, D. Phillips, S. Phillips, D. Price, E. Schiavone, H. Shepardson, L.M. Stephens, E. Thomas,

G. Thomas, G.B. Thomas, J. Tremlett, A. Vaughan-Owen, D.E. Williams, D. Williams;

.

Against the Amendment (19)

Councillors F. Akhtar, S. Curry, J. Edmunds, P. Edwards, D.C. Evans, A. Fox,

T.M. Higgins, J. James, R. James, D. Jones, G. Jones, K. Lloyd, K. Madge,

S. Matthews, A. McPherson, E. Morgan, S. Najmi, J. Prosser, B. Thomas;  

Abstentions (1)

R. Evans.

RESOLVED that the Amendment to the Motion be supported.

The amendment, having been carried, became the Substantive Motion and the Council

FURTHER RESOLVED that the Substantive Motion be supported.

“One in four women will experience domestic violence or abuse in their lives and one in six men. The White Ribbon campaign is an international movement of men taking a stand against violence against women. Men who support the campaign wear a white ribbon as a symbol that they oppose violence against women. 25^th November is International White Ribbon Day. White Ribbon accreditation is a recognition of the work an organisation undertakes to involve men in speaking out about and challenging male violence against women. This Council will therefore:

a)    Appoint an Executive Board Member as a White Ribbon Ambassador

b)    Put measures in place so that Carmarthenshire County Council can seek White Ribbon Accreditation by the 2018 White Ribbon Day.

These actions will help to eliminate the level of violence against women and encourage a society of equality and respect.”

Council considered the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Bill Thomas:-

“One in four women will experience domestic violence or abuse in their lives and one in six men. The White Ribbon campaign is an international movement of men taking a stand against violence against women. Men who support the campaign wear a white ribbon as a symbol that they oppose violence against women. 25^th November is International White Ribbon Day. White Ribbon accreditation is a recognition of the work an organisation undertakes to involve men in speaking out about and challenging male violence against women. This Council will therefore:

a)    Appoint an Executive Board Member as a White Ribbon Ambassador

b)    Put measures in place so that Carmarthenshire County Council can seek White Ribbon Accreditation by the 2018 White Ribbon Day.

These actions will help to eliminate the level of violence against women and encourage a society of equality and respect.”

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.

RESOLVED that the Motion be adopted.

Council considered a report which recommended that Mr Andre Morgan and Mr Alun Williams be re-appointed as co-opted members of the Standards Committee for a further 4 year term of office following the expiration of their current term on the 5^th December 2017. Mr Morgan and Mr Williams were currently the most experienced members of the Standards Committee with Mr Morgan serving as its Chairman. Regulation 21 of the Standards Committees (Wales) Regulations 2001 provided that co-opted members of a Standards Committee may be appointed to a further term of office of no more than 4 years.

RESOLVED that Mr Andre Morgan and Mr Alun Williams be re-appointed as co-opted members of the Standards Committee for a further 4 year term of office from the 5^th December 2017 to the 4^th December 2021.

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

RESOLVED that the report of the above meeting be received.