Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Cllr. L.M. Stephens.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on the 22^nd November 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 Cabinet considered the adoption of a Highways Maintenance Manual in support of the Highway Asset Management Plan [HAMP] which itself had been adopted in 2018. The Maintenance Manual would form Part 4 of the HAMP and was being developed as a portfolio of specific manuals covering the management of a range of highway asset categories. The first four sections of the Manual brought forward at this time were:

· Part 4.1 Highway Maintenance Management;

· Part 4.2 Highway Network Hierarchy;

· Part 4.3 Highway Inspection and Repair Regime;

· Part 4.4 Road Condition Assessment and Investment Prioritisation.

If adopted the Manual would ensure the highway network was maintained in accordance with statutory duties, corporate objectives were supported and that the revised national code of practice, ‘Well Managed Highway Infrastructure’, was complied with. The Manual introduced changes to the inspection and maintenance of highways recommended by the County Surveyor’s Society Wales to provide consistency across Wales.

It was noted that the Manual had been endorsed by the Environment and Public Protection Scrutiny Committee on the 25th November 2021.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED to adopt the Highway Maintenance Manual in support of the Highway Asset Management Plan.

The Cabinet considered a proposed Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy for the Council. The Strategy would support the future development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the county to support the delivery of carbon reduction targets and demonstrate a commitment to meeting net zero targets by 2030 and 2050.

It was noted that the strategy had been fully supported by the Environment and Public Protection Scrutiny Committee on the 25th November 2021.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the proposed Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy for the Council be adopted.

The Cabinet considered a report reiterating, following consultation, proposals to change the age range of Swiss Valley Primary School from 4-11 to 3-11 from 1st September 2021.

The Cabinet [then known as the Executive Board], at its meeting on the 21^st December 2020 [minute 9 thereof refers], had approved the commencement of a formal consultation period. The consultation period had commenced on 11^th January 2021, and, following a decision by the Cabinet, the Consultation Period had been extended to 16 July 2021. A total of 36 responses had been received (excluding the responses received from Estyn and the pupils’ consultation events) in response to the formal consultation as detailed in the Consultation Report.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED to approve

8.1 the Local Authority’s responses to the observations received during the Consultation Period as detailed in the Consultation Report;

8.2 the modification to the implementation date of the proposal as noted in the report;

8.3 the publication of a Statutory Notice to implement the proposal.

The Cabinet considered a report reiterating proposals, following consultation, that from the from 1st September 2022 the nature of Foundation Phase provision at Ysgol Y Felin would change to Welsh medium education.

The Cabinet [then known as the Executive Board], at its meeting on the 8^th February 2021 [minute 7 thereof refers], had approved the commencement of a formal consultation period. The consultation period had commenced on 22^nd February 2021, and, following a decision by the Cabinet, the Consultation Period had been extended to 16 July 2021. A total of 40 responses had been received (excluding the responses received from Estyn and the pupils’ consultation events) in response to the formal consultation as detailed in the Consultation Report.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED to approve

9.1 the Local Authority’s responses to the observations received during the Consultation Period as detailed in the Consultation Report;

9.2 the modification to the implementation date of the proposal as noted in the report;

9.3 the publication of a Statutory Notice to implement the proposal.

The Cabinet considered a report reiterating proposals, following consultation, to reconfigure and remodel Behaviour Support Services at Ysgol Rhydygors to improve provision for children and Young People as of the 1st January 2022.

The Cabinet [then known as the Executive Board], at its meeting on the 21^st December 2020 [minute 11 thereof refers], had approved the commencement of a formal consultation period. The consultation period commenced had on 11^th January 2021, and, following a decision by the Cabinet, the Consultation Period had been extended to 16 July 2021. A total of 53 responses had been received (excluding the responses received from Estyn and the pupils’ consultation event) in response to the formal consultation as detailed in the Consultation Report.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED to approve

10.1 the Local Authority’s responses to the observations received during the Consultation Period as detailed in the Consultation Report;

10.2 the modification to the implementation dates of the proposal as noted in the report;

10.3 the publication of a Statutory Notice to implement the proposal.

Prior to considering both this and the following item [Proposal to Review Primary Education Provision in the Mynyddygarreg and Gwenllian areas] the Cabinet Member for Education and Children, with the Chair’s permission, gave an update on the current review of the Modernising Education Programme. He spoke of the need for the Programme to be flexible taking into account the needs of communities and the impact of other factors such as pressures on the capital programme related to covid and Brexit. In addition analysis of the Annual Schools Admissions Round had clearly indicated changes in parental choice of schools possibly linked to demographic changes due to the pandemic including an increase in the number of people working from home. Accordingly he advised the Cabinet that he had agreed to extend the period of the review so that pupil-trends could be analysed in greater detail to ensure new schools satisfied future requirements and supported communities both socially and economically. Whilst, therefore, the plans for some schools such as Heol Goffa, Bryngwyn, Pembrey, Dewi Sant, Ammanford and Llandeilo would continue the Cabinet Member for Education and Children now recommended that the plans to close Blaenau and Mynyddygarreg schools not be proceeded with at this time whilst the MEP was being reviewed and further consultation took place.

In view of the above statement it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED not to publish a Statutory Notice to discontinue Ysgol Gynradd Blaenau but to continue with plans for a new school at Llandybie.

[NOTE:  Councillor J. Gilasbey had earlier declared an interest in this item. She had received dispensation from the Standards Committee to speak on the matter]

The Chair advised that Councillor J. Gilasbey had sought permission in accordance with CPR 11.1 to ask a question in relation to this item.

Councillor Gilasbey requested the Cabinet to consider any possible alternative means to keep Mynyddygarreg school open, even if the age range had to be reduced, but urged that work on the new 200-pupil school in Kidwelly for Ysgol Gwenllian commence as soon as possible.

The Cabinet Member for Education & Children reiterated his earlier comments in the meeting [Minute 11 above refers] that he was relooking at the situation in regard to the MEP countywide and in this regard he recommended that the plans to close Mynyddygarreg school not be proceeded with at this time but that the plans to build a new welsh school in the area continue.

In view of the above statement it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED not to publish a Statutory Notice to discontinue Ysgol Gynradd Mynyddygarreg but to continue with plans for a new welsh school in the Kidwelly area.

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