Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors F. Akhtar, S. Allen,

L. Bowen, D. Cundy, P.E.M.  Edwards, A, Fox, A. James, J. James, T.J. Jones and G. B. Thomas.

·     The Chair, behalf of the Council, conveyed his condolences to the family of former Councillor Dilwyn Williams following his passing and informed Council members of the funeral arrangements.

·     The Chair, on behalf of the Council, conveyed his condolences to former Councillor Peter Cooper, following the passing of his wife, Jennifer.

·     The Chair stated that he had attended the production of Grease in the Lyric Theatre in Carmarthen in the company of the Town’s Mayor.  The show was thoroughly enjoyable.

·       On Friday, 25^th February, 2022 the Chair attended a charity event Cawl a Chân organised by Llanelli Rural Council.  The event was the Chair of Llanelli Rural Council’s last fundraising which was held in EJ’s in Llanelli.

·       The Chair announced that tomorrow (3^rd March) he would be visiting Mrs Keir on her 110^th Birthday. Mrs Keir currently resides in AwelTwyi, Llandeilo.  Many Happy Returns would be extended to Mrs Keir on her birthday.

·       The Chair invited the Vice Chair Councillor Ken Lloyd to make his announcements to Council.  The Vice Chair informed the Council that on 20^th February, 2022 he and his wife attended the Swansea City Council’s Civic Service on behalf of the Chair and reported that it was a pleasure to be able to attend a physical event which had been postponed from May 2021.

·   Councillor Handel Davies, with the Chair’s permission announced that on 17^th February 2022, he as Mayor of Llandovery had the pleasure of welcoming and congratulating Mathew Page’s return to Llandovery following his fantastic achievement to become Llandovery's first ever Guinness World Record holder.  Over six days, Mr Page had cycled over a thousand kilometres (625 miles) visiting sixty-seven castles across south Wales and the borders. The media and coverage raised the profile of Llandovery and especially the Llandovery Cycle Club, which had only been re-established in the last year under Mathew's leadership, would benefit the town and in the ambition in being known as a cycling friendly destination.

·       The Leader, with the Chair’s permission updated the Council on the efforts of the residents and businesses within Carmarthenshire in response to the recent Russian invasion on Ukraine.  Over the past few days, the unbroken spirit of the people of Ukraine defending their independence, democracy and country has been witnessed through the depressing news and pictures of innocent people injured in attacks and fleeing the country with everything they can carry is not something should be happening in this modern world.

Since the beginning of the conflict, groups had gathered across Wales to show their unity with the people of Ukraine and that unity had been evident across Carmarthenshire over the weekend. Many scenes of generosity and solidarity had taken place with people collecting donations of clothes, toiletries, and medical supplies to support refugees who have had to flee from their homes.  Local haulage and delivery companies were supporting the efforts by offering to deliver the donations.

In conclusion. the Leader stated that Carmarthenshire, as a proud County of sanctuary, which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of Council held on the 9th February, 2022 be signed as a correct record.

[NOTE:

1.    The Monitoring Officer advised Councillors that if they had declared an earlier interest, they need not declare that interest again at this point as the report related to the Council’s general Revenue Budget, and that they can remain in the meeting unless the discussion turns directly and specifically towards the matter of interest.

2.    Councillors C. Campbell, J.A. Davies, E. Dole, J.S. Edmunds, L.D. Evans, S.J.G. Gilasbey, P.M. Hughes, B.W. Jones, B.A.L. Roberts, T. Higgins, A. Vaughan Owen and R. James earlier declared an interest that they had family members employed by the Authority.

3.    Councillor K. Madge, repeated his earlier declaration.]

Council was informed that the Cabinet, at its meeting held on the 21^st February, 2022 (Minute 5 refers) had considered the Revenue Budget Strategy 2022/23 to 2024/25 and made a number of recommendations, as detailed within the report of the Director of Corporate Services, for Council’s consideration.

Council received a presentation by the Cabinet Member for Resources, on behalf of the Cabinet, in which he set out the background to the budget proposals being presented to the Council for consideration together with the responses received to the budget consultation.  The full details of the provisional settlement were included within the report, but the headline was on all Wales basis, the funding for Local Government had increased by 9.4% on the 2021/22 settlement, with Carmarthenshire’s allocation being 9.2% (£311.597m).

It was explained that with the Welsh Governments budget process being much later than normal, with the final settlement figures only being published the previous day (1st March).  Members were able to view the latest summary of the budget which had been updated with the WG final settlement figures and had been published as an addition to the agenda as ‘updated Table 1.  It was reported that the final settlement figures provided an increase of £5,905 for Carmarthenshire which was as a result of a technical adjustment to the formula, it was proposed that the sum be added to the contingency in respect of COVID that had already been set aside. 

It was noted that the Director of Corporate Services had made some adjustments to some of the other figures within the report, as part of the normal routine as clearer information had become available, with current total validation adding some £16.2m to the budget.

It was advised that the budget maintained the pay assumption of 4% allowance for 2022/23 for both NJC as well as teaching staff, and that this remained the most significant validation included within the assumptions, however it was in line with the general expectations of Authorities and acknowledged that inflation was escalating well above 5%.

It was reported that the original budget proposals consulted upon throughout January 2022 assumed validation of confirmed pay and inflationary pressures to schools, and that this remained the case for the final proposals. Furthermore, there were no savings allocated to delegated school budgets for 2022/23, enabling headteachers and all schools staff to continue to place a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.1

(NOTE: Councillors S.J.G Gilasbey and A. Davies having earlier made declarations on this item repeated those declarations)

The Cabinet Member for Resources presented to the Council, on behalf of the Cabinet, the Five-Year Capital Programme (Council Fund) 2022/23 to 2026/2027, which took into account the consultation exercise undertaken. The Cabinet, at its meeting held on the 21^st February, 2022 [minute 6 refers] had considered the Programme and had made a number of recommendations for Council’s consideration.

The new programme would see £275m of investment over five years.  The programme would be supported by funding from Welsh Government, the UK Government, and the council’s own resources. 

It was noted that the detailed provisional capital programme was presented to the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee on 2nd February 2022 for consultation. Following concerns raised regarding the lack of Welsh Government grant funding available for highways, the programme had been revised to include further commitments in this area.  An extract from the relevant minute of the meeting was appended to the report as Appendix B for information.

It was reported that the programme included two new transformational projects.  The first, a £19.6m hub at the heart of Carmarthen Town Centre and the second being a £19m investment to complete the Tywi Valley Path between Carmarthen and Llandeilo.  As part of the project, £366k would be available to upgrade parking provision.  Furthermore, an additional funding of £16m would be made available for Zone 1 of the Pentre Awel development in Llanelli, bringing the total investment on the project to £87m. 

Council was advised that in addition to the above there was continued support for the following:

·       £2.5m for Disability Facilities Grants

·       £250k to improve Road Safety

·       £600k for ongoing Highway Refurbishment

·       £400k for Public Lighting

·       £3m for Capital Maintenance for investment in property estate.

The creation of a new annual award of £250k starting in 2022/23 for highway drainage infrastructurewould help make the highway network more resilient to future weather events and reduce flood risks.  2026/27 also saw the proposed continuation of the £66k annual allocation to Rights of Ways and Byways.

It was reported that further investments would be made across the programme:

·       Education would see funds made available to complete the replacement bus bays at Ysgol Dyffryn Taf, and the introduction of a £500k annual award for general education works.

·       Communities would be provided with a Disability Facilities Grants with an uplifted 2025/26 investment by £500k to £2.5m per annum, bringing the total investment over the 5 years to £10.5m. Within the leisure portfolio an uplift of £1m in funding was proposed for the upgrade of the 3G pitch at Amman Valley Leisure Centre bringing the total funding available for the project to £2m.

·       In Environment, £150k across 2022/23 and 2023/24 to match fund flood management and flood mitigation works was planned. £4.7m for the replacement of refuse and recycling vehicles, together with an additional £1m from reserves as the Authority’s match funding contribution to the Waste  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.2

DURATION OF MEETING

During the consideration of this item the Council’s attention was drawn to Corporate Procedure Rule 9 – Duration of meeting and the fact the meeting had been underway for nearly three hours. It was therefore:

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that Corporate Procedure Rule 9 be suspended to enable the remaining items on the agenda to be considered.

[NOTE: Councillors, S.J.G. Gilasbey, H.A.L. Evans, having earlier declared an interest in this item, reiterated those declarations and left the meeting during its consideration]

Council was informed that the Cabinet, at its meeting held on the 21^st February, 2022 [minute 7 refers] had considered the Housing Revenue Account Budget 2022/23 to 2024/25 and Housing Rent Setting for 2022/23 and had made a number of recommendations, as detailed within the Director of Corporate Services’ report, for Council’s consideration. It was noted that the report had also been considered, and endorsed, by the Community Scrutiny Committee at its meeting held on the 31^st January 2022 as part of the budget consultation process.

The report had been prepared reflecting the latest proposals contained in the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan, being the primary financial planning tool for delivering the Carmarthenshire Homes Standard Plus (CHS+) for the future. 

It was advised that capital investment in the region of £231m had delivered the Carmarthenshire Home Standard for tenants and more recently, up to the end of this financial year a further £83m had been spent on maintaining the CHS+ home standard for properties and tenants.  Over the next 3 years a further £64m was expected to be spent in maintaining and upgrading the housing stock.

The budget alsoprovided funding of some £56m over the next 3 years to maintain the CHS+ and £56m to support the Housing Development Programme.

The Council was reminded that since 2015 the Authority had been required to adopt the Welsh Government Policy for Social Housing Rent Harmonisation, meaning that the proposed rent increase was prescribed by Welsh Government guidance and provided an equitable distribution of the rents for the social sector tenants.  While that policy ended in 2018/19, and an interim policy applied for 2019/20 the Welsh Government had subsequently developed a new policy for implementation in 2020/21 to apply for a period of 5 years from 2020/21 and contained some additional/amended requirements, as detailed within the report. 

The main elements of that policy allowed Local Authorities to uplift the total rent envelope by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) +1% for each of the five years to 2024/25. It also allowed for the level of rent for individual tenants to rise by up to an additional £2 over and above CPI +1% for rent harmonisation, on condition that total rental income collected by the social landlord increased by no more than CPI +1%.

However, it was advised that should the CPI fall outside the range of 0% to 3%, the policy provided for the Minister with responsibility for Housing to determine the appropriate change to rent levels to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.3

(NOTE: Councillors H.A.L. Evans and S.J.G. Gilasbey having earlier declared an interest in this item was not in attendance during the consideration or voting of this item.)

The Council was informed that the Cabinet, at its meeting held on the 21^st February 2022 (Minute 8 refers) had considered the Carmarthenshire Homes Standard Plus (CHS+) Business Plan 2022-2025, the purpose of which was to:-

·       Explain the vision and detail of the housing investment programme over the next three years, including housing stock improvement plans, the new build programme, plans to become net zero carbon and what this meant for tenants.

·       To confirm the income received from tenants and other funding sources afforded a capital programme of £120m over the next three years to:

o Improve and maintain the existing stock;

oSupport the delivery of over 2,000 new homes in communities;

oSupport the Councils Net Zero Carbon Principles, creating energy efficient homes, minimising carbon emissions and promoting affordable warmth for tenants;

oHelp stimulate economic growth and recovery following the Covid 19 pandemic;

oHelp build strong sustainable communities – places where people are proud to call home.

·       To confirm the financial profile, based on current assumptions, for the delivery of housing investment programme and Council new build over the next three years.

·       Produce a business plan for the annual application to Welsh Government for Major Repairs Allowance (MRA) grant for 2022/23, equating to £6.2m.

It was advised the report was divided into the following five key themes aimed at driving the business forward for the next three years:-

1.    Theme 1 – Supporting Tenants and Residents;

2.    Theme 2 – Investing in Homes and Surrounding Areas;

3.    Theme 3 – Providing More Homes

4.    Theme 4 – Decarbonisation of Housing Stock

5.    Theme 5 – The Local Economy, Community Benefits & Procurement

In conclusion, the Plan supported the Councils existing tenants as well as prospective tenants and balances what tenants need now and what will be needed in the future. 

The following amendment was proposed and seconded to the first recommendation within the report:

‘To confirm the vision for our housing investment programmes over the next three years and to introduce a Council bungalow programme throughout the Councils member wards in Carmarthenshire. This will free up 3 Bedroom housing for young families. In addition, we need to identify land in members wards for new bungalows in the Carmarthenshire Housing investment programme for 2022-27.

The Proposer outlined the rationale for the amendment

Following a debate and a vote, it was

RESOLVED that the Amendment to the Motion be not supported.

Council thereupon proceeded to vote on the original Motion and it was

RESOLVED that the Motion and the following recommendations of the Cabinet be adopted:

Council was informed that the Cabinet, at its meeting held on 21^st February, 2022 (minute 9 refers) had considered the Treasury Management Policy and Strategy 2022/23.

The Cabinet Member for Resources presented the report to Council and reminded Members that as part of the requirements of the revised CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management 2017, the Council had agreed to maintain a Treasury Management Policy detailing the policies and objectives of the Authority’s treasury management activities.  It was also a requirement that the Council approve a Treasury Management Strategy annually before the start of the financial year to which it related. In addition, under the Local Government Act 2003, the Council was required to approve the Treasury Management Indicators for the coming year.

It was highlighted that the Treasury Management Practices appended to the report as Appendix A set out how the Council would seek to achieve its Treasury policies and objectives and recommended how it would manage and control those activities.

It was reported that the treasury management function ensured that cash flow was adequately planned with cash being made available when needed.  Surplus monies were invested in low-risk counterparties appropriate with the Council’s low risk appetite, providing adequate liquidity before considering investment return, as set out in Appendix B of the report.

The Authority in maintaining a counterparty list must comply with the risk criteria taking account of security, liquidity and yield, with security being the primary principle. The current counterparty list was appended to the report as Appendix C.

In addition, under the Local Government Act 2003 the Council was required to approve the Treasury Management Indicators for 2022/23 which are detailed in Appendix D appended to the report.

The details of the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement was provided in Appendix E appended to the report.

It was reported that the Policy and Strategy also took into account of the likely borrowing required for the Swansea Bay City Deal projects led by Carmarthenshire County Council.  The Council was expected to borrow £39.1m over the period 2022-23 to 2024-25.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the following recommendations of the Cabinet be adopted:

In reference to Minute 8, of the Cabinet Meeting held on the 31^st January, 2022 regarding the 2022-2032 Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP), a concern was expressed regarding an issue that had arisen in relation to a number of inaccurate statements which had been circulating on social media in connection to the WESP.  It was requested that the Cabinet Member for Education and Children address this emerging matter with urgency. 

In response, the Cabinet Member for Education and Children explained the purpose of WESP which sets out the Councils 10-year vision to create an improved planning system for Welsh-medium education. 

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on the 31^st January 2022 be received.

The Chair advised that no Notices of Motion had been received.

The Chair advised that no questions from the public had been received.

The Chair advised that no questions from Members had been received.

The Chair stated that the minutes outlined on the agenda 10.1 – 10.7 were available for information on the Council website.