Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of personal interest.

RESOLVED that the decision record of the meeting held on the 16^th October, 2015 be signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED pursuant to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007 that the following items were not for publication as the reports contained exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 12, 13 and 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

Following the application of the public interest test it was RESOLVED pursuant to the Act referred to in Minute 3 above not to publicise the content of the report as it contained information relating to a particular individual, information which was likely to reveal the identity of an individual and information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information (Paragraphs 12, 13 and 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act)

The public interest test in this matter related to the fact that disclosure of the report would undermine the Council’s negotiating position.  The report also contained information relating to and which identified individual members of the public and information relating to the financial and business affairs of those individuals.  On balance therefore  and having regard to the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information contained in the report.

The Executive Board Member considered a report detailing a request which had been received for the purchase of Bryngwyn Farm, Llangadog which formed part of the Danyrallt Estate. 

The future of Bryngwyn Farm, including possible disposal, was considered by the Executive Board on 15^th January, 2015 (minute 12 refers) along with other farms on the Danyrallt Estate.  The Executive Board resolved to retain and re-let the holding on surrender of the agreement by the tenant on retirement.

RESOLVED that Bryngwyn Farm, Llangadog be retained and re-let.

Following the application of the public interest test it was RESOLVED pursuant to the Act referred to in minute 3 above not to publicise the content of the report as it contained exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information) (Paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act).

The public interest test in this matter related to the fact that the report contained information about individuals’ indebtedness and/or personal information. Although public disclosure of the report would promote accountability for public finances, it would release confidential financial information. On balance therefore, the public interest in disclosure at this time is outweighed by the public interest in maintaining confidentiality.

The Executive Board Member considered a report prepared in accordance with the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules seeking the write-off of former tenant debts in excess of £1,500. The Former Tenant Arrears Policy clearly detailed the criteria which needed to be met when determining whether it was uneconomical to pursue a former tenant debt any further.

The Executive Board Member considered a schedule of cases for write-off, all of which met the requirements of the policy.

RESOLVED that the former tenant debt arrears detailed within the report be written-off as irrecoverable.

Following the application of the public interest test it was RESOLVED pursuant to the Act referred to in minute 3 above not to publicise the content of the report as it contained exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information) (Paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act).

The public interest test in this matter related to the fact that the report included personal data relating to former council tenants, including details of their rent arrears.  The publication of individual debts was unwarranted and would prejudice the rights and freedoms of the relevant data subjects.  Accordingly, the public interest in disclosure is outweighed by the public interest in maintaining confidentiality.

The Executive Board Member considered a report, which had been prepared in accordance with the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules, seeking the write-off of leasehold service charges at properties in Heol Wallasey, Ammanford. 

RESOLVED that the leasehold service charge debts relating to properties at Heol Wallasey, Ammanford, as detailed within the report, be written-off.

Following the application of the public interest test it was RESOLVED pursuant to the Act referred to in minute no. 3 above not to publicise the content of the report as it contained exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information) (Paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act).

The public interest test in this matter related to the fact that the report contained information that identified individuals that are liable to pay Council Tax.   Although public disclosure of the report would promote accountability for public finances, it would release confidential information that is not in the public domain and which would not normally be disclosed to third parties.  On balance, therefore, the public interest in disclosure at this time was outweighed by the public interest in maintaining confidentiality.

The Executive Board Member considered a report detailing applications which had been received for discretionary reduction of Council Tax.

It was noted that regulations had been introduced with effect from April 2004 giving Local Authorities discretionary powers to grant locally determined Council Tax discounts or reductions, over and above existing statutory reductions.

RESOLVED:-

Following the application of the public interest test it was RESOLVED pursuant to the Act referred to in minute no. 3 above not to publicise the content of the report as it contained exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information) (Paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act).

The public interest test in this matter related to the fact that the report contained information about individuals’ indebtedness and/or personal information. Although public disclosure of the report would promote accountability for public finances, itwould release confidential financial information. On balance therefore, the public interest in disclosure at this time was outweighed by the public interest in maintaining confidentiality.

The Executive Board Member considered a report providing details of a housing benefit overpayment account which had been identified as being irrecoverable. Recovery procedures had been exhausted and there was no likelihood of payment being secured. It was therefore considered appropriate to write off this debt against the Council’s prudent bad debt provision.

RESOLVED that the account detailed in the report be written off as irrecoverable.