Loading
The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meeting of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 13 May 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meeting of the Informal Meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs held on 13 May 2024 be noted.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Conwy Opportunities Board held on 15 April 2024 and 25 June 2024 be noted.
RESOLVED: That the Forward Work Programme (FWP) for the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee be approved, together with the combined FWP.
It was proposed and seconded that Councillor Dilwyn Roberts be nominated as Vice-Chair of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee. RESOLVED: That Dilwyn Roberts be re-appointed as Vice-Chair of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2024/2025.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Gareth Jones and John Roberts.
None.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meeting of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 13 May 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The minutes of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 13 May 2024 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meeting of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 13 May 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meeting of the Informal Meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs held on 13 May 2024 be noted.
The minutes of the Informal Meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs held on 13 May 2024 were submitted. RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meeting of the Informal Meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs held on 13 May 2024 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Conwy Opportunities Board held on 15 April 2024 and 25 June 2024 be noted.
The minutes of the Conwy Opportunities Board held on 15 April 2024 and 25 June 2024 were submitted. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Conwy Opportunities Board held on 15 April 2024 and 25 June 2024 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Forward Work Programme (FWP) for the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee be approved, together with the combined FWP.
The Scrutiny and Committee Services Officer presented Members with the individual Forward Work Programme (FWP) for the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, together with the combined FWP. It was noted the due to the pre-election period, reports had been rescheduled accordingly. A special meeting would take place on 25 July 2024 to consider a report on the Office Accommodation Strategy. The Scrutiny and Committee Services Officer would discuss possible dates for a report on the Mochdre Commerce Park with the Chief Executive and Head of Law and Governance. Discussions would take place with the relevant Officers and Cabinet Member regarding information, which would be included as part of the Employment Monitoring report. RESOLVED: That the Forward Work Programme (FWP) for the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee be approved, together with the combined FWP.
Councillor David Carr asked the Leader, as the portfolio holder for Finance and Finance Strategy, the following question: ‘The reckless cuts in vital public services provided by the Councils Environment, Roads and Facilities (ERF) Department; treatment of weeds, street cleaning reduced, removal of litter bins, has resulted in numerous complaints from residents in Colwyn Ward and throughout the County. I met with officers from Environment Roads and Facilities on Monday 1 July to discuss how to put things right, the officers have been told their hands are tied, they do not have the authority to spend the money to provide the services expected by residents. It is irrefutable that this is a problem we did not have in previous years, vital public services we provide need to be a priority. Will the Cabinet think again and put the money back into the vital services, treatment of weeds, street cleaning and provision of litter bins to meet the needs of our residents?’ The Leader provided the following response: • The budget was set by Council and not Cabinet. • Conwy County Borough Council had received the joint lowest settlement from Welsh Government for 2024/2025 and were required to fund nationally set pay settlements. • Whilst Council Tax rises had been introduced, this did not cover the budget deficit. • There were significant pressures within social care, and in particular surrounding children looked after. • Council services were required to make cuts of £12m. • 6 budget workshops had taken place, which provided information in respect of all service areas and savings proposals. Attendance had been disappointing. • Proposed cuts were presented to the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet in January 2024. • Whilst weeds in public areas was not ideal, spraying had commenced and confirmation had been received that one application was sufficient in order to prevent damage to infrastructure and highways. • There were 1400 public bins within the County, which was a higher number than neighbouring authorities. A review was being undertaken. • The impact of 2024/2025 cuts to services would be considered when setting future budgets, and work would take place with Town and Community Councils. • It was not likely that the financial situation would improve within the next few years. In line with the protocol, Councillor Carr asked a supplementary question as follows: • Weeds required three treatments, which would not be a significant cost overall. • Would bin collections move to 6 weekly? • There had been significant cuts within the street cleaning team which could not be sustained going forward. A written response fromthe Leader would be provided in respect of the points raised.
The Cabinet Member for Culture, Governance and IT introduced the New Welsh Language Promotion Strategy - Ein Llais Cymraeg (our Welsh voice) 2024-2029 and the Welsh Language and Translation Services Manager highlighted key points from within the report. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • The hard work of Officers in developing the strategy was acknowledged. • It was confirmed that, whilst funding had been received for Welsh lessons over the last 5 years, there was now a requirement for Conwy County Borough Council (CCBC) to provide funding. - The Strategic Director – Finance and Resources advised that a £10k reserve had been agreed and would be included within the financial outturn report. A business case would be required for subsequent years. • The Head of Law and Governance advised that, where possible, charges for translation services had been increased and contracts with other organisations were reviewed regularly. • Detail regarding income generation would be discussed at the Service Performance Review. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: That the Welsh Language Promotion Strategy - Ein Llais Cymraeg (our Welsh voice) 2024-2029 and action plan be approved for publication on the Council’s website.
The Cabinet Member for Culture, Governance and IT introduced the Welsh Language Standards Annual Report and the Welsh Promotion and Development Officer highlighted key points from within the report. In response to a query regarding Welsh language opportunities for children with additional learning needs, Members were advised that the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan would be presented to the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 16 July 2024. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET That the Welsh Language Standards Annual Report be approved for publication.
The Cabinet Member for Children, Family, and Safeguarding together with the Cabinet Member for Audit, Policy, and Performance introduced the Foster Friendly Policy. The Service Manager Children Looked After highlighted key points from within the report. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • The policy was welcomed. • It was recognised that attending meetings and training sessions should not impact on a foster carer’s annual leave entitlement. • The challenges associated with foster placements for disabled children. • Foster Wales were working with organisations to encourage the adoption of a foster friendly policy. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: a) That the Foster Friendly Policy be approved. b) That the separate Special Leave policy be amended to reflect the revisions in the Foster Friendly Policy.
The Cabinet Member for Children, Family, and Safeguarding introduced a report, which set out proposed new incentives for Foster Carers and the Service Manager Children Looked After highlighted key points from within the report. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • Concern in respect of Welsh Government’s directive regarding removing profit from care. • It was suggested that a spend to save approach was required in order to improve the wellbeing of children and in order to realise long term financial savings. • Incentives offered to foster carers would be continually monitored and reviewed. • In respect of finances, the Strategic Director – Finance and Resources advised that investment would be speculative, however, the aim was to recruit additional foster carers, which would in turn reduce residential care costs and improve outcomes for children. • It was confirmed that, whilst the proposed council tax discount would result in a reduction in income for the Council, there was a surplus on council tax collection and a review had taken place in respect of single person discount entitlement which would yield income. • Attracting just one additional foster carer could realise savings (residential placement fees) of £520k per annum and would result in better outcomes for the child. • Recruitment and marketing campaigns were ongoing. • The Placement Commissioning Strategy would be shared with all Members. • The Head of Children, Family and Safeguarding would meet with a Member, who had raised a query regarding special guardianships in order to provide a full response. • It was suggested that a follow up report on incentives be provided in order to monitor progress. • Amendments to the Council Tax Discretionary Relief Policy would be presented to Council on 18 July, 2024. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: That the implementation of the following incentives be approved: · That up to 100% discretionary relief in Council Tax (where the Foster Carer is on the Conwy County Borough Council Tax Register) be approved, subject to Council’s approval of the revised Council Tax Discretionary Relief Policy. · That Foster Carers be given a choice of 6 different Conwy County Borough Council parking permits for free.
The Cabinet Member for Audit, Policy and Performance introduced the Corporate Plan performance measure proposals for 2024-2025 and the Head of People and Performance highlighted key points from within the report. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • Whilst annual reporting took place on the diversity of Conwy County Borough Council (CCBC) staff, this did not include Councillors. - The Democratic Services Committee monitored the Diversity in Democracy action plan. - Members were reminded of CCBC’s Diverse Council Declaration and that each political group was required to appoint a Diversity Ambassador. - It was suggested that some meetings, especially Budget Working Groups, should be scheduled in order to accommodate Members with other commitments. • The excellent work in respect of preventing homelessness. - The Rapid Rehousing Plan would be made available on the Council’s website. • Trend measures would be used for the self-assessment process and to make improvements. - Targets were not always used as some could be meaningless. - The annual reports included an explanation of measures. - The Corporate Plan would be reviewed in the autumn. - It was suggested that the self-assessment be presented to Overview and Scrutiny. • Technical issues experienced by those joining recent Service Performance Review meetings remotely would be addressed. • As the amount of future external funding and grants was currently unknown, a realistic approach was needed in respect of goals and achievements. • The net zero target by 2030 was a legal obligation set by Welsh Government. • Due to resource issues no data was currently available in respect of the night time economy. • It was suggested that progress in respect of pupils with additional learning needs should be monitored due to cuts in teaching assistant provision. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: That it be recommended to Council that the Corporate Plan performance measure proposals for 2024-2025, as outlined in appendix A be approved.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
Lists the council's current councillors only. Co-opted members, officers and former councillors aren't shown.