Agenda and minutes

The Executive Board considered a report on the adoption of a Digital Transformation Strategy for the period 2021-2024. It was noted the Strategy, which would replace the 2017-20 strategy, built upon the progress made over the previous four years, detailed the Council’s strategic digital priorities and aspirations and outlined what was required to be undertaken to achieve the vision for a digital Carmarthenshire over the next three years.

It was noted the Strategy provided clarity on:-

· The digital vision for Carmarthenshire

· What is a digital Transformation Strategy

· Building the Digital Foundations in Carmarthenshire

· Key Priority areas

· Key projects and Outcomes to be delivered

· Resources required to deliver the Digital vision.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Digital Transformation Strategy 2021-2024 be approved.

WHITE RIBBON CAMPAIGN ACCREDITATION PDF 306 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive Board considered a report on the Council seeking renewed accreditation to the White Ribbon Campaign on ending male violence against women. It was noted the previous Accreditation, received in August 2018, had now expired and the Council in order to renew its accreditation had prepared an Action Plan for submission and approval to the White Ribbon Campaign. By supporting the campaign and raising awareness of the issue of domestic abuse, the Council would be working to tackle all abuse and violence, not just by men against women

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED

6.1	To support the Council’s application for White Ribbon Status;
6.2	To approve the Action Plan for submission to the White Ribbon Campaign to achieve accreditation, demonstrating the Council’s commitment to ending male violence against women;
6.3	To support the commitment and involvement required by officers across the Council to implement the Action Plan.

THE IMPACT OF UNIVERSAL CREDIT AND COVID-19 ON RENT ARREARS PDF 626 KB

View the background to item 7.

Additional documents:

Webcast for 7.

Minutes:

The Executive Board considered a report on the impact of Universal Credit and Covid-19 on Council Housing Rent arrears. The Board noted the report aimed to:-

· Provide an update on the level of rent arrears for Council Tenants;

· Outline implemented plans to mitigate against the impact and to support tenancies currently and into the future;

· Seek approval to undertake court proceedings where all other avenues to engage and support tenancies had failed.

The Executive Board member for Housing drew the Board’s attention to the level of rent arrears detailed on page 65 of the report as being £1.537m as at the end of the 2020/21 financial year and advised the figure should be corrected to read £1.193m, an increase of £69k compared to the 2019/20 financial year.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED

7.1	To note the current level of rent arrears and the impact of Universal Credit and COVID-19;
7.2	To note the support being provided to mitigate the effects of Universal Credit and COVID-19;
7.3	To confirm the extension of financial support to help tenants in difficulties, where their income had been affected by COVID-19 and other financial hardship, from £100,000 to £200,000;
7.4	To confirm to re-instigate enforcement action and start initiating court proceedings where all other avenues to engage and support tenants had failed.

ANY OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS THAT BY REASONS OF SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES THE CHAIR DECIDES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS A MATTER OF URGENCY PURSUANT TO SECTION 100B(4)(B) OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT, 1972.

Additional documents:

Webcast for 8.

Minutes:

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

EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC

THE REPORTS RELATING TO THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE NOT FOR PUBLICATION AS THEY CONTAIN 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 THESE ITEMS IN PRIVATE, THE PUBLIC WILL BE EXCLUDED FROM THE MEETING DURING SUCH CONSIDERATION.

Additional documents:

Webcast for 9.

Minutes:

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 items as the reports contained exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

10.

RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE LAND AT CARMARTHEN WEST

View the reasons why item 10. is restricted

Minutes:

Following the application of the public interest test it was RESOLVED pursuant to the Act referred to in minute no. 9 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 respect of this report outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information contained therein as disclosure 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 on the disposal of Council land at Carmarthen West.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED:

10.1.	to approve the disposal of the residential development land at Carmarthen West through an open procurement procedure to enable the delivery of a mixed tenure residential scheme.
10.2	To grant delegated authority to the Heads of Regeneration and Homes and Safer Communities, in consultation with the relevant Executive Board Members, to negotiate and document appropriate terms for the sale of the land and subsequent acquisition of the social rent homes