Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of personal interest.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on the 19^th June, 2023 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.

Cabinet considered the Compensation Policy for Contract Holders (Tenants) which outlined the Authority’s approach to when it may appropriate to compensate a tenant who has suffered loss or inconvenience due to service failure. The policy will guide officers when dealing with council tenants thus ensuring a consistent approach.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Compensation Policy for Contract Holders (Tenants) be endorsed.

Cabinet considered the Rechargeable Repairs Policy for Contract Holders (Tenants) which outlined the criteria for when a tenant (contract holder) will be recharged for repairs that are their responsibility under the tenancy agreement (Contract).

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Rechargeable Repairs Policy for Contract Holders (Tenants) be endorsed.

At its meeting held on the 27th of July 2020 (minute 8 refers), following Council’s endorsement of the two Notices of Motion on racism in Carmarthenshire on the 12th of February 2020 (7.1) and the 8th of July 2020 (7.1), Cabinet was of the view that the concerns raised by each Motion should be addressed in conjunction with each other and approved the establishment of a politically balanced Task and Finish Advisory Panel to listen to the voice of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities in Carmarthenshire

Cabinet considered a report detailing the findings of the Task & Finish Group which were gathered over a period of a year between 2020 and 2021. The report reflects the situation and the information available to the Group at that time. The recommendations within the report were agreed by the Group at their final meeting in July 2021. 

Since May 2020 the pace of change in terms of racial inequality has sped up significantly. Welsh Government has undertaken work on a national level and in June 2022 published their Vision for an Anti-Racist Wales and how it set out to achieve this through a Race Equality Action Plan. Also, in October 2021 Wales became the first UK nation to make teaching of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic histories and experiences mandatory in the school curriculum. In considering the report it was clear that national initiatives have overtaken the ambition of the Group, however, some recommendations are specific to Carmarthenshire County Council.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED

8.1      that recommendations 1-17 and recommendation 20 of the Task & Finish Group, as detailed in the report, be accepted;

8.2      that officers be requested to review recommendations 18 and 19, in view of the possible cost implications.

Cabinet considered a report providing an update on the latest position in relation to the Development Fund and seeking approval of a recent application in the sum of £150,000 to fund a new Themed Miniature Golf Course at the Pendine Attractor Site.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED

9.1   that approval is given in the sum of £150,000 for a new Themed Miniature Golf Course at the Pendine Attractor Site, generating increased income;

9.2      that the repayment for the above scheme be over four years;

9.3      that the repayments commence in 2024/25.

Cabinet considered a report outlining details of a Placemaking Plan for Burry Port which had been produced to complement the Ten Towns Growth Plans and Covid-19 recovery plans for the primary towns in Carmarthenshire. The publication of the Placemaking Plan for Burry Port would bring it in line with the other primary and secondary towns across the county.

It should be noted that the plan reflects the position as at May 2022. The plan is sufficiently flexible to reflect possible changing needs and requirements of the town and can be revised periodically by the town team. The plan has been developed with key stakeholders in the area to identify opportunities which aligned the recovery proposals for the town centre with the regeneration aspirations of the harbourside area thus ensuring Burry Port is best placed to maximise the impact of planned regeneration activity in the local area.

When producing the Placemaking Plan, stakeholder engagement sessions were held with key stakeholders within the community and their input helped identify 15 Placemaking Project Opportunities in the area which would help deliver on the aspirations for Burry Port and which were detailed in the report.

Should Cabinet approve the plan, officers will convene a meeting of key stakeholders in Burry Port to present the final plan and seek to form a group to take the plan forward, taking advantage, wherever possible, of relevant funding streams.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Burry Port Placemaking Plan be endorsed.

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