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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 Cabinet held on 12 December 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED- (a) That the revised School Bridging Loan Request Process be approved. (b) That delegated authority be given to the Strategic Director (Finance and Resources) and Strategic Director (Social Care and Education), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Finance Strategy and the Portfolio Holder for Education, to approve loan applications up to £100,000. (c) That a Schools Loan Application Panel be established of 6 Members, 3 from the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee and 3 from the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to consider detailed loan requests for £100,000 and over and make recommendations to Cabinet or Council. (d) That schools be charged interest on bridging loans, in line with the ‘Scheme for financing schools maintained by Conwy Education Service’, with effect in the current financial year and that the School Budget Forum determines how the interest payable is applied. Note: Councillors Goronwy Edwards, Julie Fallon, Charlie McCoubrey, Geoff Stewart and Aaron Wynne declared a personal interest in the above item as they are all Local Education Authority (LEA) appointed school governors. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, they were all able to speak and vote on the matter. Note: Councillors Dave Jones and Gareth Jones declared a personal interest in the above item as they are both Local Education Authority (LEA) appointed school governors. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Jones was able to speak on the matter. Note: Councillor Penny Andow declared a personal interest in the above item as she is a Community appointed school governor. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Andow was able to speak and vote on the matter.
RESOLVED- (a) That the key findings, framework approach and policy recommendations be noted and that all be included in the Deposit Replacement Local Development Plan (RLDP) consultation planned for mid-2024. (b) That delegated authority be given to the Head of Regulatory and Housing Services, in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder, to agree minor changes to the key findings, framework approach and policy recommendations.
RESOLVED- That the Public and Press be excluded from the meeting under the provisions of Section 100A of the above Act during consideration of the following items as it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that in all the relevant circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
An apology for absence was received from Amanda Hughes (Strategic Director – Finance and Resources).
Councillors Goronwy Edwards, Julie Fallon, Charlie McCoubrey, Geoff Stewart and Aaron Wynne declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 7 (i) (Loan Request Process and Delegated Authority Approval) as they are all Local Education Authority (LEA) appointed school governors. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, they were all able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillors Dave Jones and Gareth Jones declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 7 (i) (Loan Request Process and Delegated Authority Approval) as they are both Local Education Authority (LEA) appointed school governors. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, both Councillors were able to speak on the matter. Councillor Penny Andow declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 7 (i) (Bridging Loan Request Process and Delegated Authority Approval) as she is a Community appointed school governor. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Andow was able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillor Goronwy Edwards declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 10 (i) (Kinmel Bay Coastal Defence Improvements (CRMP) - Construction Contract Award) as a close family member works for a company that had tendered for the contract. As the interest was considered prejudicial, Councillor Edwards left the meeting for the item.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 12 December 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 12 December 2023 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 12 December 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The Leader provided the following update on the Aggregate External Finance, which was the financial settlement provided to each Local Authority by the Welsh Government:- · Together with Gwynedd County Council, Conwy had received the lowest percentage settlement of 2%, which equated to an additional £4m, however, the teachers’ pay award would cost £4.4m to fund, with an additional £7.4m for all other staff. · The settlement was based on a funding formula that used out-of-date data and was not fit for purpose, with Gwynedd receiving an additional £256 and Denbighshire receiving an additional £156 per head over the past two years, which equated to an additional 15% and 10% respectively. · Welsh Government would continue to be lobbied in terms of providing further financial assistance to support the under-funding in Conwy.
The Chief Executive wished everyone a Happy New Year and thanked all the staff that had worked over the Christmas period.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- (a) That the revised School Bridging Loan Request Process be approved. (b) That delegated authority be given to the Strategic Director (Finance and Resources) and Strategic Director (Social Care and Education), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Finance Strategy and the Portfolio Holder for Education, to approve loan applications up to £100,000. (c) That a Schools Loan Application Panel be established of 6 Members, 3 from the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee and 3 from the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to consider detailed loan requests for £100,000 and over and make recommendations to Cabinet or Council. (d) That schools be charged interest on bridging loans, in line with the ‘Scheme for financing schools maintained by Conwy Education Service’, with effect in the current financial year and that the School Budget Forum determines how the interest payable is applied. Note: Councillors Goronwy Edwards, Julie Fallon, Charlie McCoubrey, Geoff Stewart and Aaron Wynne declared a personal interest in the above item as they are all Local Education Authority (LEA) appointed school governors. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, they were all able to speak and vote on the matter. Note: Councillors Dave Jones and Gareth Jones declared a personal interest in the above item as they are both Local Education Authority (LEA) appointed school governors. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Jones was able to speak on the matter. Note: Councillor Penny Andow declared a personal interest in the above item as she is a Community appointed school governor. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Andow was able to speak and vote on the matter.
The Cabinet Member for Education, sought approval in relation to the loan request process for schools, with delegated authority for applications up to £100,000. The Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the report on 19 December 2023 and supported the recommendations. In relation to the establishment of a Schools Loan Application Panel to consider applications for loans over £100,000, it was agreed that this should be a Panel of 6 Members, 3 Members from the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee and 3 Members from the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee. It was noted that the School Budget Forum would discuss the options in terms of the interest payable. The updated process would simplify the procedure that schools had to follow in order to apply for a loan. RESOLVED- (a) That the revised School Bridging Loan Request Process be approved. (b) That delegated authority be given to the Strategic Director (Finance and Resources) and Strategic Director (Social Care and Education), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Finance Strategy and the Portfolio Holder for Education, to approve loan applications up to £100,000. (c) That a Schools Loan Application Panel be established of 6 Members, 3 from the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee and 3 from the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to consider detailed loan requests for £100,000 and over and make recommendations to Cabinet or Council. (d) That schools be charged interest on bridging loans, in line with the ‘Scheme for financing schools maintained by Conwy Education Service’, with effect in the current financial year and that the School Budget Forum determines how the interest payable is applied. Note: Councillors Goronwy Edwards, Julie Fallon, Charlie McCoubrey, Geoff Stewart and Aaron Wynne declared a personal interest in the above item as they are all Local Education Authority (LEA) appointed school governors. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, they were all able to speak and vote on the matter. Note: Councillors Dave Jones and Gareth Jones declared a personal interest in the above item as they are both Local Education Authority (LEA) appointed school governors. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Jones was able to speak on the matter. Note: Councillor Penny Andow declared a personal interest in the above item as she is a Community appointed school governor. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Andow was able to speak and vote on the matter.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- (a) That the key findings, framework approach and policy recommendations be noted and that all be included in the Deposit Replacement Local Development Plan (RLDP) consultation planned for mid-2024. (b) That delegated authority be given to the Head of Regulatory and Housing Services, in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder, to agree minor changes to the key findings, framework approach and policy recommendations.
The Cabinet Member for Democracy and Governance (with interim responsibility for strategic planning) sought approval for the findings of the Net Zero Carbon in New Developments to be included in the Deposit Replacement Local Development Plan, with delegated authority given to the Head of Regulatory and Housing Services, in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder, to agree minor changes to the key findings, framework approach and policy recommendations. The Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the report on 20 December 2023 and supported the recommendations Discussion ensued as follows:- · Alternative energy source for homes was welcomed as it increased energy efficiency and reduced fuel poverty. · The policies followed National Guidance and regional work was undertaken with neighbouring authorities in sharing policies and evidence base. · The Net Zero Carbon Development Fund would be established to secure charges through a S106 agreement for developers that were unable to achieve a Net Zero development. The options for the spend of the fund would be progressed at a later date. RESOLVED- (a) That the key findings, framework approach and policy recommendations be noted and that all be included in the Deposit Replacement Local Development Plan (RLDP) consultation planned for mid-2024. (b) That delegated authority be given to the Head of Regulatory and Housing Services, in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder, to agree minor changes to the key findings, framework approach and policy recommendations.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That the Public and Press be excluded from the meeting under the provisions of Section 100A of the above Act during consideration of the following items as it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that in all the relevant circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
RESOLVED- That the Public and Press be excluded from the meeting under the provisions of Section 100A of the above Act during consideration of the following items as it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that in all the relevant circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
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.
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