Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of personal interests.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Board held on the 24^th May 2021 be signed as a correct record.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Board held on the 1^st June 2021 be signed as a correct record.

The Chair advised that no questions on notice had been submitted by members.

The Chair advised that no public questions had been received.

The Executive Board considered a report which sought the Boards approval on the new corporate policy relating to council owned Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) systems.

The report highlighted that the Council currently had in excess of 90 CCTV systems with over 600 cameras in its premises, plus 79 vehicles with around 250 cameras and approximately 25 body worn cameras. Council departments utilise surveillance camera devices for a variety of purposes including cameras within its premises and car parks as well as on the highway, body worn video camera equipment, drones and automatic number plate recognition.

The report outlined that the Council had a duty, under the Protection of Freedoms Act (PoFA) 2012, to pay due regard to the Home Office Surveillance Camera Code of Practice in 2013 which related to CCTV cameras in public places. The report detailed the 12 guiding principles of the Code which would ensure there was a clear rationale for all cameras, that their use was proportionate and transparent, that systems are run effectively and could provide good quality images

The Board noted that the Surveillance Camera Commissioner required Local Authorities to identify a Senior Responsible Officer to deliver a corporate approach to their responsibilities under the POFA 2012. This role was being undertaken by the Head of ICT and Corporate Policy.

In addition to implementing the Council policy for CCTV, the report included information in relation to the future areas of work. It was reported that a bid for a 12-month dedicated resource to lead on the delivery of this work, in liaison with departmental leads, to the Risk Management Steering Group was successful and that the post would now be advertised.

The Board was satisfied to note that the Policy had been developed to ensure both compliance with the Code of Practice by all relevant services to ensure a consistent approach to the gathering, storage, use and disposal of CCTV system recorded data.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED:

6.1.     That the new corporate policy relating to council owned CCTV systems in public places be approved;

6.2.     That Heads of Service review the departmental leads to assist with         implementation of the policy;

6.3.     To recommend to schools that they should adopt the principles of this policy.

The Executive Board considered a report which provided detailed information and included recommendations in relation to advancing progressive procurement. 

Originally progressive procurement opportunities were planned under the Carmarthenshire public sector food procurement project, funded through the Welsh Government Foundational Economy Challenge fund. Although still supported through this work the COVID-19 situation had provided greater focus and impetus and there was an opportunity to extend the original scope of the project from just food to cover all of the Council’s procured spend. The work was very closely aligned with the Council’s economic recovery plan with progressive procurement being a key theme of that plan.

The report and recommendations were specific to this Council and had taken account of all Council procured spend areas.  Officers had worked closely with the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) who had undertaken the work focusing on the following areas:

·       Strategic review;

·       Evidence review including local economy analysis; spend analysis; and gap analysis;

·       Stakeholder engagement;

·       Review and development of existing toolkits;

·       Advancing progressive procurement action plan.

The Board noted the 9 key recommendations from the CLES report which included suggested steps to make progress against the recommendations.

The report suggested that that a working group with representation from the Council’s procurement, economic development and corporate policy teams, with input and support from other relevant Council services and relevant Executive Board members be established to further develop this work. This would complement and work alongside a new Public Service Board procurement and economic development network which was being proposed as part of the public sector food procurement project.

In addition, any changes to current Council policy and regulations as a result of this further work would be reported back to the Executive Board for final decision.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED:

7.1   That the 9 key recommendations in the report for further development be approved and that any changes to current policy and regulations as a result of this further work would be reported for final decision back to the Executive Board.

7.2. To support a general Carmarthenshire first approach to Council spend below £25K wherever possible.

7.3. To agree to the establishment of a Council officer working group with representation from procurement, economic development and corporate policy and other Council services and relevant Executive Board members as appropriate. This will complement and work alongside a new PSB procurement and economic development network which is being proposed as part of the public sector food procurement project.

The Executive Board considered a report which provided relative information on the Economic Recovery and Delivery plan appended to the report.  The Plan identified 30 actions to support the recovery of the Carmarthenshire economy from the social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit.

The report highlighted that the intelligence gathered demonstrated that the Authority and the local economy face an extremely difficult time over the next 24 months as the effects of the Covid-19 crisis puts pressure on jobs and demand.

The purpose of the plan was to set out the short-term priorities and immediate actions over the next two years that protect jobs and safeguard businesses in Carmarthenshire.

The Board noted that it was essential that the Council’s response was in line with the needs of businesses and communities across Carmarthenshire, taking advantage of opportunities to accelerate change to enable success in the economy of the future.

An independent review of the Draft Economic Recovery Plan and initial 11 themes developed during the height of the first pandemic wave concluded that the Council was on the right track but needed to focus on our priorities, challenge current ways of working to maximise opportunities for businesses and make it as simple as possible to support recovery and growth in the economy.

In reference to page 24 of the report and the paragraph ‘Growth that is fair, equal and supports Welsh language and culture, it was proposed and seconded, that the wording on, be amended to read; “Furthermore, in recognition of the changing dynamics concerning where people choose to live and work, we will encourage businesses across the County to value and use the Welsh language”.

Recognition was given to the Council’s prudent financial management enabling the Council to provide support the economy during hardship.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that:

8.1the update on the impact that Covid-19 is having on Carmarthenshire’s economy, businesses and communities is received;

8.2that the proposed economic recovery and delivery plan be approved subject to the inclusion of the abovementioned amendment to page 24 of the report;

8.3that regular quarterly updates on performance against delivery plan actions be provided to the Executive Board.

The Executive Board considered a report which provided information on the available funding which would assist in the delivery of Carmarthenshire County Council’s Economic Recovery Plan sought the Executive Board’s agreement on the proposed methodology for delivery which was detailed within the report.

The Board noted that the new Transforming Towns Programme had been adapted to create a wider focus on town centres enabling funding to cover a range of projects listed within the report. 

The new Transforming Towns Programme offered more flexibility in its coverage and it was therefore recommended that the new Welsh Government funding cover the following towns; Llanelli, Ammanford, Carmarthen, Burry Port, Kidwelly, Cwmamman, Crosshands, Whitland, Laugharne, St Clears, Newcastle Emlyn, Llanybydder, Llandeilo and Llandovery.

It was proposed that Chwarter Bach be included within the list of towns. This was duly seconded.

The report provided detailed information on the proposed methodology for the release of regeneration funding.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED:

9.1   to support the proposed methodology for the administration of future regeneration grant funding including:

·Carmarthenshire Transformational Commercial Property Development Fund

·Carmarthenshire Rural Enterprise Fund

·Business Start - up Fund

·Business Growth Fund

·Business Renewable Energy Fund

·            Business Skills Support Fund

·            10 Towns Funding

·Welsh Government Transforming Towns Programme (Previously Targeted Regeneration Investment Programme (TRI))

9.2   that Chwarter Bach be included within the new Transforming Towns Programme.

The Executive Board considered a report which provided an overview on the requirement to establish Corporate Joint Committees (“CJCs”).  The report sought delegated authority for officers to enter into discussions with the authorities referenced within the report to develop suitable proposals for the CJC arrangements in South West Wales.

The report highlighted that the Welsh Government had imposed a requirement for Corporate Joint Committees to be established, and that Regulations were made by the Welsh Ministers on the 17^th March 2021 to establish the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee.  The following functions were prescribed by the Welsh Ministers as being in the remit of the CJC:

1. The economic well-being function;

2. Developing transport policies and preparing regional transport plans;

3. The preparation of strategic development plans.

Governance would be a key element of CJCs and a number of factors must be considered by CJCs.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that:

10.1  that the work being undertaken and next steps needed in relation to the governance arrangements for the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee be noted;

10.2. to delegates authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to agree loan application for grant funding being made to Welsh Government to establish the South West Wales CJC and to accept any grant offer that may be made by Welsh Government (whether made to this Council or to a participating Council in the South West Wales CJC);

10.3. to delegate authority to the Chief Executive to enter into dialogue with those Authorities who will comprise the South West Wales CJC to develop proposals for establishing the South West Wales CJC;

10.4. that a further report be brought back providing a progress update.

The Chair advised that there were no items of urgent business.