Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Board held on the 4^th February 2019 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 received a report providing an update on the developments of the Llanelli Wellness and Life Science Village and the present situation. The Executive Board were reminded of their decision on the 3^rd of December 2018 to request that an independent legal review on the Governance and Public Procurement arrangements of the project be carried out,  to approve the business case, and for it to be forwarded to the UK and Welsh Government, and that alternative delivery methods be considered. The appended reports under consideration were a result of the Governance and Public Procurement Review and a review of the project requested by Council from the Welsh Audit Office.

The Executive Board were pleased that the reports noted that appropriate processes and arrangements were followed and that the Council acted in accordance with regulations. Concerns were expressed over the negativity relating to the project, however the Executive Board were hopeful that the publication of both reports would go some way to alleviating this.

It was noted that the project provided significant opportunities for partnership working and that all available options should be considered.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED:-

1.         That the update on the development of the City Deal 5 case business plan for the Village be received

2.         That the findings of the independent legal review undertaken on the procurement and governance of the project, both pre and post Collaboration Agreement be received

3.         To receive the findings of the Wales Audit Office Review which assessed the Authority’s management of process, risk and governance and the protection of public money

4.         To receive the update on the wider City Deal Programme reviews being carried out namely the Joint Government and cross Authority internal reviews.

5.         To receive the update on the specialist design development and business planning work commissioned to develop phase one of the Village.

6.         To formally resubmit following Executive Board decision the Full 5 Case Business Plan to the City Deal Joint Committee.

7.         To share the Legal and Wales Audit Office findings with

•           All Members of the Council

•         The Local Authority Leaders of the City Deal Joint Committee

8.         That the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, along with the Director of Corporate Services be given delegated Authority:

•           To progress discussions in order to agree and finalise suitable partnership agreements to ensure robust delivery of the project and delivery of its anticipated outcomes and to continue to work with current external lawyers to provide the required legal advice

•           To re visit the 5 case application in line with the conclusions from the above and bring back to Executive Board for approval

•           Following Executive Board approval to resubmit the business case to the City Deal Joint Committee

The Executive Board considered the final report from the Environmental and Public Protection Scrutiny Committee Task and Finish Group. Following a request from Executive Board Members for additional information to be included, the Chair agreed to refer the report back to the Task and Finish Group. The revised report provided further clarification and information on non-native invasive weeds, drainage, late cut verges, monitoring of the progress of recommendations as well as Appendices C, D and E as presented in the report.

The Executive Board thanked the Committee, Officers and the Chair for their work on the report. Appended to the report was an Advice Note and Guidance for Landowners, the Executive Board welcomed the documents and supported the intention to circulate the documents to Town and Community Councils.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL & PUBLIC PROTECTION SCRUTINY COMMITTEE TASK & FINISH GROUP FINAL REPORT 2017/18 AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED THEREIN BE ENDORSED

The Executive Board considered a report outlining the vision for tenant involvement. The Executive Board Member – Housing advised that the plan would encourage the inclusion of younger tenants and develop a fresh approach to involving tenants in challenging the way we deliver services. It would also make it easier for more tenants to participate.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED TO APPROVE THE REPORT

The Executive Board considered the report which sets out the revised policy, bringing together the previous policies and the interim policy adopted in 2016.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:-

1.         Carmarthenshire will continue to charge for placements into a care home other than for those which are excluded by the Act.  Carmarthenshire will charge for all placements into a care home from the first day of placement

2.         The charge will be based on recovering the cost of the placement in full subject to the resident being financially assessed in accordance with the legislation, regulations, code and local policy to pay less than the full cost, in which case the resident will be charged their assessed charge according to their means 

3.         The charge per night for all short term placements (including respite care) will be based on recovering the cost of the placement in full. For placements into a Local Authority care home the charge will be the standard charge and for placements into an Independent Sector care home it will be the contracted amount. Service users would pay up to the maximum charge as set by Welsh Government per week, with many paying far less or having the service free depending on the financial assessment. (2018-19 is set at a maximum charge of £80)

4.         That the non-residential assessment rules be applied to stays which are assessed at the outset as not exceeding 8 weeks on any one occasion and does not apply to temporary placements and permanent placements

5.         That short term stays that extend beyond 8 weeks on any one occasion will be charged as though the resident is temporary or permanent as appropriate from the first day of the 9th week and in line with definitions within the Act, Regulations and Code

6.         Carmarthenshire will apply its charges from the first day of service for all services with a charge. This will apply to non-residential services and placements into a care home

7.         That choice of Accommodation offered to a service user is based on two care homes of the same type anywhere in the County and not restricted geographically unless there are specific geographical needs included in the Care and Support plan

8.         That where a service user, who is not assessed to pay the full cost of the placement, chooses accommodation which is more expensive than the options offered at the time of placement then the additional cost will be calculated from the higher of the rates charged by those two care homes offered

9.         That where a service user is able to pay for the full cost of their placement then in accordance with the legislation they can choose any care home and will be required to pay the full cost of their placement

10.       Carmarthenshire does not charge for assessed care and support to a service user where it is provided to the service user in an educational setting and whilst attending a recognised educational course.

11.       That the new Act, Regulations and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

(NOTE: Councillor P.M Hughes had earlier declared an interest in this item and left the Chamber)

The Executive Board considered the proposed High Street and Retail Rates Relief Scheme. The Executive Board Member – Resources, gave an overview of the Welsh Government Transitional Relief Scheme which was introduced to alleviate the impact of the national non-domestic rates revaluation. The Transitional Relief scheme limited any increase faced by ratepayers in small premises by staggering their increase over 3 financial years ending in 2019/20. Welsh Government has once again decided to extend the scheme into 2019-20. Authorities have the option to adopt this scheme, which is fully funded by Welsh Government provided the relief is granted in accordance with guidelines.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT THE 2019/20 HIGH STREET AND RETAIL RATES RELIEF SCHEME BE ADOPTED

The Executive Board, in accordance with the 2018/19 Treasury Management Policy and Strategy (adopted by Council on the 21st February, 2018 – Minute 10 Refers) received an update on the treasury management activities for the period 1^st April 2018 to the 31^st December 2018.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT THE REPORT BE RECEIVED

The Executive Board received a report providing information on proposed new policies in relation to waste restrictions at Household Waste Recycling Centres, the report makes changes that will ensure that recycling targets for the next financial year are met. The Executive Board Member – Environment advised that the proposed changes will assist in alleviating the three main factors which affects the overall recycling performance listed in the report as – Commercial Waste, Waste from neighbouring counties, and recyclable waste not being segregated.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:-

•           Opening hours be reduced by 1 hour each day with effect from the 1st April 2019

•           A ban on commercial waste with effect from the 1st April 2019

•           Residency checks to be phased in with effect from the 1st April 2019

•           Permit system to be introduced from the 3rd of June 2019 (see Appendix A relating to vehicle types).

•           Black bag sorting be phased in from 1st October 2019.

The Executive Board received a report on the roll out of the Universal Credit Programme which was introduced in Carmarthenshire on the 12^th December 2019. The Executive Board Member – Communities and Rural Affairs advised that

Approx. 200 tenants were in receipt of Universal Credit. At present there were no significant problems however this may change as the rollout continues. Other rollout areas have noted a marked increase in the use of Food Banks and the Authority continues to work with local Food Banks and a number of other partners to support them during the rollout. It was acknowledged that a significant amount of co-working was undertaken prior to the rollout to reduce a negative impact.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT THE REPORT BE NOTED

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

THE REPORT RELATING TO THE FOLLOWING ITEM IS NOT FOR PUBLICATION AS IT  CONTAINS EXEMPT INFORMATION AS DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH 14 OF PART 4 OF SCHEDULE 12A TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 AS AMENDED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION) (VARIATION) (WALES) ORDER 2007. IF, FOLLOWING THE APPLICATION OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST TEST, THE BOARD RESOLVES PURSUANT TO THE ACT TO CONSIDER THIS ITEM IN PRIVATE, THE PUBLIC WILL BE EXCLUDED FROM THE MEETING DURING SUCH CONSIDERATION.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED, pursuant to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information)(Variation) (Wales) Order 2007, that the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item as the reports contained exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

Following the application of the public interest test it was UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED, pursuant to the Act referred to in Minute 15 above, to consider this matter in private, with the public excluded from the meeting as disclosing the content of this report would put the authority at a material disadvantage in any subsequent negotiations with third parties and potentially harm the public purse.

The Executive Board considered a report which provided detailed information in relation to residential development land at Cross Hands West.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the recommendation, as detailed within the report, be approved.