Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors F. Akhtar, S.M. Allen, L.R. Bowen, H.L. Davies, K. Davies, W.R.A Davies, D.C Evans, C.J. Harris, A.D. Harries, P.M. Hughes, A. James, T.J. Jones, D. Nicholas, D.E Williams and D.T Williams.

·         The Chair provided an update on the activities and events where he had represented the Council, which had included:

o   Opening and Naming Ceremony organised by Burry Port RNLI.

o   Parade of the Welsh Guards, exercising their right to march through Carmarthen Town and the Band of the Welsh Guards concert.

o   Llandovery Sheep Festival.

o   Swansea City Council’s Civic Service.

o   Citizenship Ceremony organised by the Council to welcome three new citizens and their families.

o   Portreeve of Laugharne’s Divine Service.

·         The Chair congratulated Dyfed Pension Fund for winning the award for “LGPS Fund of the Year, with assets over £2.5 billion” at the recent LAPF Investment Awards Ceremony.  The Wales Pension Partnership which the Authority was part off was also highly commended for Pool of the Year.

·         Councillor Carys Jones, with the Chair’s permission congratulated Jessica Rennie from Llansteffan who had won the Apprentice of the Year (Trade) award at the Constructing Excellence in Wales Awards with Cyfle Building Skills.  Jessica’s success should be recognised for promoting good building practice, promoting apprenticeship opportunities within the County and also promoting opportunities for women within a predominantly male dominated industry.

·         Best wishes were extended to Councillors Colin Evans and Dorian Williams following their surgery.

·         It was noted that a letter of thanks had been received from the Mayor of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council (Councillor Howard Barett), thanking the Council for supporting the Notice of Motion in September’s meeting regarding inviting schools to observe a minute’s silence annually on the morning of 21^st October in remembrance of the Aberfan disaster in 1966.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on the11th September, 2019 be signed as a correct record.

“Following Carmarthenshire County Council’s declaration of a Climate Emergency in February 2019, is the Council aware that by divesting their pension investments from fossil fuel companies and re-investing directly in renewable energy, they can provide their members a more secure investment with a hundred times higher return, and enable the whole of Carmarthenshire to be powered with renewable energy? This is explained by Carmarthenshire Energy’s ‘Really Simple Plan to Tackle the Climate Emergency’ http://www. carmarthenshireenergy.org/YSG/climate-emergency. By pioneering this model, the Council can set an example nationally and globally for the world to be powered completely renewably by 2045 with no new funds required.”

“Following Carmarthenshire County Council’s declaration of a Climate Emergency in February 2019, is the Council aware that by divesting their pension investments from fossil fuel companies and re-investing directly in renewable energy, they can provide their members a more secure investment with a hundred times higher return, and enable the whole of Carmarthenshire to be powered with renewable energy? This is explained by Carmarthenshire Energy’s ‘Really Simple Plan to Tackle the Climate Emergency’ http://www. carmarthenshireenergy.org/YSG/climate-emergency. By pioneering this model, the Council can set an example nationally and globally for the world to be powered completely renewably by 2045 with no new funds required.”

The Chair advised Mr Parker that as Councillor Elwyn Williams was not in attendance due to being away on Council business, a written response to the question would be provided.

The Chair advised that no questions from Members had been received.

“This Council:

·         Notes that Carmarthenshire Council unanimously declared a climate emergency earlier this year, with a commit to make the County Council a net zero carbon local authority by 2030.

·         Notes the conclusions of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that “we are already seeing the consequences of 1°C of global warming through more extreme weather, rising sea levels and diminishing Arctic sea ice”;

·         Notes that the IPCC report stated that global emissions of carbon dioxide must peak by 2020 to keep the planet below 1.5C;

·         Notes the campaigning and research by Extinction Rebellion, Friends of the Earth and others, on the holdings Local Government Pension funds, including Dyfed, have in fossil fuels companies;

·         Believes that current plans are nowhere near strong enough to keep temperatures below the so-called safe limit.

·         Calls on Dyfed Pension Fund to divest from fossil fuels within the next two years and invest the funds in local renewable energy schemes.”

[Note: Councillors E.Dole, G.R. Jones, G.H. John, M.J.A. Lewis, B.A.L. Roberts, E.M.J.G. Schiavone and J. Tremlett, and declared an interest in this item and left the Council Chamber prior to the consideration and determination thereof. All officers who were members of the Pension Scheme (apart from the Principal Democratic Services Officer, who remained to take notes and the Member Services Assistant who remained) also left the Council Chamber]

Council considered the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Rob James:-

“This Council:

• Notes that Carmarthenshire Council unanimously declared a climate emergency earlier this year, with a commit to make the County Council a net zero carbon local authority by 2030.
• Notes the conclusions of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that “we are already seeing the consequences of 1°C of global warming through more extreme weather, rising sea levels and diminishing Arctic sea ice”;
• Notes that the IPCC report stated that global emissions of carbon dioxide must peak by 2020 to keep the planet below 1.5C; Page 3
• Notes the campaigning and research by Extinction Rebellion, Friends of the Earth and others, on the holdings Local Government Pension funds, including Dyfed, have in fossil fuels companies;
• Believes that current plans are nowhere near strong enough to keep temperatures below the so-called safe limit.
• Calls on Dyfed Pension Fund to divest from fossil fuels within the next two years and invest the funds in local renewable energy schemes.”

The Motion was duly seconded.

The following amendment to the motion was proposed by Councillor C.Jones and was duly seconded:

“This Council:

·         Notes that Carmarthenshire Council unanimously declared a climate emergency earlier this year, with a commit to make the County Council a net zero carbon local authority by 2030;

·         Notes the conclusions of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate change (IPCC) that 2we are already seeing the consequences of 1C of global warming through more extreme weather, rising sea levels and diminishing Arctic sea ice”;

·         Notes that the IPCC report stated that global emissions of carbon dioxide must peak by 2020 to keep the planet below 1.5C;

·         Notes the campaigning and research by Extinction rebellion, Friends of the Earth and others, on the holdings Local Government Pension fund, including Dyfed, have in fossil fuel companies;

·         Believes that current plans are nowhere near strong enough to keep temperatures below the so-called safe limit;

·         Welcomes that the Dyfed Pension Fund has already committed to investing in renewables as part of the Wales Pension Partnership and is very much focused on its Climate Change commitment whilst acknowledging its overall fiduciary responsibilities;

·         Calls on the Dyfed Pension Fund to consider reducing its investment in fossil fuels.”

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 in support of both the motion and the amendment. 

Following discussions, the proposer with agreement of the seconder agreed to withdraw the Amendment.  Council thereupon proceeded to vote  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.1

“That Carmarthenshire Council:

·         Acknowledges that the Public Service Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 2000 has created a legal duty to ensure that from January 2020 paid-for public buses must accommodate wheelchair users.

·         Is concerned that many parents and pupils were not made aware that pupils would not be able to travel on their usual route to school at the start of this academic year and believe that those not yet affected must be contacted by the end of this term to understand the coming changes.

·         Must ensure that pupils are able to travel to and from school in a safe and environmentally-friendly manner.

·         Calls on the Executive Board to provide free transportation to all those affected for the remaining financial year, whilst reviewing future provision for students.”

Council considered the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Gary Jones:-

“That Carmarthenshire Council:

• Acknowledges that the Public Service Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 2000 has created a legal duty to ensure that from January 2020 paid-for public buses must accommodate wheelchair users.
• Is concerned that many parents and pupils were not made aware that pupils would not be able to travel on their usual route to school at the start of this academic year and believe that those not yet affected must be contacted by the end of this term to understand the coming changes.
• Must ensure that pupils are able to travel to and from school in a safe and environmentally friendly manner.
• Calls on the Executive Board to provide free transportation to all those affected for the remaining financial year, whilst reviewing future provision for students.”

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 against the Motion.

Following a vote, it was

RESOLVED that the Notice of Motion be not supported.

[Note: Councillors K.V Broom, J.M Charles, E.G. Thomas and R.E. Evans had earlier declared an interest in this item]

The Chair welcomed to the meeting Chief Fire Officer Chris Davies and Assistant Chief Fire Officer Iwan Cray of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service to the meeting.

The Chief Fire Officer gave an overview of the work of the Fire and Rescue Service. The presentation included reference to the following:

·         The Service’s geographical area and associated challenges

·         Management structure including the Executive Board of Directors and six County Command Areas

·         The Fire Authority

·         Financial savings already achieved

·         The Service’s Statutory Duties.

·         Incidents and Operational Challenges

·         Performance in relation to deliberate fires, accidental dwelling fires, fatalities and injuries and road traffic collisions

·         Expenditure changes in real terms and public value

·         Strategic Assessment and Service Review

·         Results of recent public opinion survey

·         Budget overview including efficiencies / service degradation

·         Proposed Budget for 2020/21

The presentation was followed by a question and answer session and it was mentioned that Welsh Government should lobby Central Government to ensure that adequate funding is secured to maintain services.

Members thanked both the Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers for the presentation and for the invaluable work done by the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

The Council considered a report on the review of Polling Districts and Polling Places. The Representation of the People Act 1983 Section 18c (as amended by the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 Section 17) introduced a duty for all parliamentary polling districts and polling places to be reviewed every 5 years.

The commencement of a Preliminary Review of current polling districts and polling places took place from 3rd September 2018 and ended on 12th October 2018. As part of preparing a proposed revised Polling Districts and Polling Places Scheme, the Returning Officer took into account as key considerations the convenience for electors and the accessibility for voters with disabilities.

The review process began 23rd January 2019 with a public consultation exercise on Carmarthenshire’s website, consultation with all interested parties and the publication of a Public Notice of the Review together with schedules of the existing scheme and of the proposed scheme highlighting the recommended changes.  The deadline for representations was 27th February 2019.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places report be approved.

Council was informed that the Executive Board, at its meeting held on the 23^rd September (minute 6 refers) considered the Council’s Draft Carmarthenshire County Council Annual Report for 2018/19 produced in accordance with the requirements of both the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2009 and the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Carmarthenshire County Council Annual Report for 2018/19 be approved.

Council was informed that the Executive Board, at its meeting held on the 23^rd September (minute 7 refers) considered the Draft Annual Report of the Statutory Director of Social Services on the Performance of Social Care Services in Carmarthenshire for 2018/19. The report comprised an overview by the Statutory Director of Social Services on that performance together with an assessment on the future and the strategic priorities for 2019/20. 

The Executive Board Members for Social Care and Health and Education and Children expressed their appreciation to the Director of Social Services and his staff for their work over the previous year.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Annual Report of the Statutory Director of Social Services on the Performance of Social Care Services in Carmarthenshire for 2018/19 be approved.

Council was informed that the Executive Board at its meeting on the 23^rd September (minute 16 refers) had considered a report which sought endorsement of amendments to the Swansea Bay City Deal Joint Committee Agreement following the outcomes of reviews by the UK and Welsh Governments and the region itself which were accepted by the Joint Committee in March 2019. The reviews had included recommendations, which required amendments to the original Joint Committee Agreement endorsed in July 2018. The report was moved and seconded.

Reference was made to the Swansea Bay City Region Joint Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 2nd September, 2019 when an update report on the Joint Working Agreement was considered.  A statement was made that the Joint Scrutiny Committee had unanimously agreed to requested  the Joint Committee to include 3 additional amendments to the  agreement (Clause 9.3 and Clauses 2.2 and 7 of schedule 12)  and  these were formally moved as an amendment to the report.

A statement was made that no such request had been put before the Joint Committee for consideration and further observations made that no correspondence or draft minutes had been circulated and approved by Joint Scrutiny Committee members.

The Head of Administration and Law advised the Committee that copies of a letter from the Chair of the Joint Scrutiny Committee and the draft Joint Scrutiny minutes had been circulated to the Monitoring Officers the previous day, in view of the short notice the Monitoring Officers had not had the opportunity to discuss.  For clarification purpose however , the Head of Administration and Law read the content of the draft  minutes to Council.

The Chief Executive advised that the draft Joint Scrutiny minutes clearly requested the Joint Committee to consider these amendments, therefore any proposed amendment would firstly need to be considered by the Joint Committee itself.  If those amendments were agreed, each of the 4 local authorities would then need to consider and adopt the proposed changes.

Following a vote, the amendment was lost.

RESOLVED that:

10.3.1 the amendments to the Joint Committee Agreement as set out in the Appendix 1 and 2 to the report be endorsed;

16.3.2 the Chief Legal Officer for the Swansea Bay City Dealbe authorised to enter into a deed of variation to effect the changes to the Joint Committee Agreement.

DURATION OF MEETING

At 12:55 p.m. during consideration of the above report, the Committee’s attention was drawn to Standing Order 9 ‘Duration of Meeting’ and the fact that the meeting had been underway for 3 hours. It was therefore

RESOLVED to suspend Standing Orders to allow the remaining items on the agenda to be considered.

Council was informed that the Executive Board, at its meeting held on the 23^rd September (minute 20 refers) considered the Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) 2018/19 which had been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and the Local Development Plan (LDP) Regulations 2005 and was required to be submitted to the Welsh Government by the 31^st October, 2019

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the following recommendations of the Executive Board be accepted:

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

Following the receipt of notice that Councillor Colin Evans had resigned from the Labour Group and subsequently joined the Plaid Cymru Group, Council considered a report which set out the consequential changes to the overall political composition of the Council and reviewed the arrangements for the allocation of seats to political groups.

The report outlined that the Independent Group would need to relinquish a seat on the Dyfed Powys Police & Crime Panel to the Plaid Cymru Group and the Labour Group would need to relinquish a seat to the New Independent Group on the Council’s Pay Policy Advisory Panel.

Nominations were sought for the new arrangements for representation on the Dyfed Powys Police & Crime Panel and the Council’s Pay Policy Advisory Panel.

RESOLVED that:

12.1    Plaid Group Member Councillor Emlyn Schiavone to replace Independent Group Member Councillor Jim Jones on the Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Panel.

12.2    New Independent Group Member Councillor Jeff Edmunds to replace Councillor John Prosser on the Council’s Pay Policy Advisory Panel.

The Chair advised Council that the item had been withdrawn.