Wrthi'n llwytho
Y penderfyniadau fel y mae cofnodion y cyngor yn eu cofnodi. Bydd crynodeb mewn iaith glir yn dilyn pan fydd wedi'i ysgrifennu.
AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
Apologies were received from Cllr Carter and Cllr Wild.
Cllr Ash-Edwards declared a personal interest in Item 3 as being a trustee of Oasis and a non-executive director of Cardiff Bus. Cllr Hunt declared a personal interest in Item 3 as a non-executive director of Cardiff Bus.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
The Chair welcomed Cllr Huw Thomas, Leader of the Council; Paul Orders, Chief Executive; Sarah McGill, Corporate Director, People & Communities; Gareth Newell, Head of Performance & Partnerships; and Dylan Owen, Operational Manager, Policy & Improvement. Cllr Chris Weaver, Cabinet Member for Finance, Modernisation and Performance and Chris Lee, Corporate Director, Resources notified the Chair that they were unable to attend due to another meeting. The Chair introduced the item, which provided Members with an opportunity for pre-decision scrutiny of the Council’s self-assessment report as reported in the Mid-Year Performance Report 2024/2025. Members were reminded that the Scrutiny Performance Panel, which is a sub-committee of the PRAP Scrutiny Committee comprising the chairs of scrutiny committees, engages in informal discussion with the Cabinet on performance at key points of the year. The Panel met recently to discuss the Mid-Year position. Members were reminded that they had two performance roles: to reassure themselves of the effectiveness and accuracy of the Performance Assessment; and to focus on services that sit under Wellbeing Objective 7 which fall within the remit of the Committee. The Chair invited the Leader and the Chief Executive to make statements. Members were invited to make comments and ask questions. Members were advised that the lack of a proportionate increase in the number of complaints to the Ombudsman despite the 20% increase in complaints to the Council indicated that the Council was successfully dealing with complaints in a way that complainants were satisfied. The Council has tightened up processes for dealing with complaints. Members were advised that the increase in the number of complaints last year was primarily driven by waste management issues related to industrial action. Members asked questions about sickness absence and were assured that employees were well-supported during sickness absence with the full range of wellbeing support being used to help colleagues back into the workforce. Members sought information about school budgets and capital investment in schools. The Leader advised that the Council is working with schools to identify efficiencies. The Council is investing record amounts in schools and has increased capital allocations to support ongoing maintenance in schools that are not being rebuilt. Discussions are taking place with the Vale of Glamorgan Council and other partner authorities around education and the Middle-tier Review, and Cardiff Council will make the strongest possible case to Welsh Government for additional capital to invest in education. Members sought information about support for people accessing social care above the £12,000 threshold for Pension Credit. The Leader advised that there were 4,300 people in Cardiff who the Council believes are eligible for Pension Credit but do not claim it. The Council engages with those to help them claim Pension Credit or other support. Officers advised that there had been a significant increase in the number of people using the Money Advice Service and other advice services. Members discussed development projects that the Council has been involved with. The Leader described the Indoor Arena as a complex project that would transform the city’s visitor economy and drive growth and prosperity across South Wales. The Merchant Place and Cory’s Building redevelopment for Cardiff Sixth Form College will keep the college in the city and preserve a heritage asset. Officers advised that the economic development team was not large but had an extensive impact. The Council has retained a major project capability where other authorities have reduced theirs. The Chair gave credit to the economic development team for delivering projects. Members welcomed the number of cultural events taking place in the city but expressed concern about the lack of accessibility for those on low incomes. The Leader explained that through Passport to the City, the Cardiff Commitment and the Youth Service, the Council attempts to increase accessibility, particularly among young people, to venues such as Principality Stadium, Wales Millennium Centre and others. Cardiff Castle grounds and the Cardiff Museum have free entry. Members discussed the increased length of time taken to install disability adaptations. Officers advised that there had been a significant increase in demand, with demand in the 50-plus age group higher than anticipated. The Council is tendering for additional contractor support and ensuring that it is prioritising work effectively. Members further discussed sickness absence. The Chief Executive advised that the policy was consistent with other public organisations and that it was important that it was applied across the Council and there was effective management of long-term sickness absence. AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
The Chair welcomed Donna Jones, Assistant Director, County Estates; Matthew Seymour, Asset Manager; Eirian Jones, Principal Surveyor, Economic Development, Strategic Estates; and Giles Parker, Head of Property, Economic Development, Strategic Estates. Members were advised that the item was an opportunity to familiarise themselves with developments in the Council’s property world. Officers had offered to share a presentation on progress in developing the new Corporate Property Strategy for 2025-30 which is programmed for decision by Cabinet in January. Members are invited to raise any issues of concern for relaying to the Cabinet Member to inform its ongoing development. Whilst the Cabinet Member was unable to attend, Members’ observations would be captured to inform the strategy going through Cabinet in January, at which point Committee would have the opportunity of inviting the Cabinet Member and officers back for pre-decision scrutiny. The Chair invited Donna Jones, Assistant Director, County Estates, to give the presentation. Members were invited to make comments and ask questions. Members sought clarification on approaches to vacant property and debt management. Officers advised that different departments and service areas have responsibility for vacant properties, and it was felt necessary to ensure consistent management of those properties. There has been closer collaboration with other departments and property debt has decreased significantly. Members sought information on the criteria used in the disposal of retail parades and what mechanisms were in place to prevent disposed of units becoming vacant. Officers advised that disposal was predicated on private investment being able to upgrade properties, most of which require significant investment. The strategy was to initially offer the property to the existing occupier on a long lease and failing that, place it on the open market. It is felt private investors have an incentive to bring them into commercial use, and if necessary, the Council has Statutory Planning and Building Control powers to deal with problems. Members discussed how much flexibility was in the strategy. Officers advised that the strategy was a set of principles for the next 5 years and that flexibility would come with the annual property plan. There is a more condensed need for buildings as services change, and running more community services through schools is part of the strategy. Members discussed the distribution of homeless accommodation and sports pitches across the city. Officers advised that they worked with the Housing team to determine the best solutions for homeless accommodation, based on specific suitability criteria. The normal asset management process is followed in terms of acquisition. Regarding sports pitches, Officers work with Sports and Leisure to allow community use of sites through license or lease. There may be challenges due to Trust issues that could limit use to certain groups. Members discussed joint use of buildings with other public bodies. Officers advised that co-location and locality working was working very well between Social Services and the NHS. The Regional Partnership Board is looking at future initiatives in this area. Members discussed community use of schools. Officers advised that making schools, including their sports pitches, more accessible for community use was part of the strategy. Members were advised that the Council provides support and assistance to community groups to help them keep buildings legally compliant. Members were advised that there will be a report on the Mansion House forthcoming in January 2025. Members discussed governance processes. Officers advised that they were able to use more robust data sets that have developed over the last strategy, and this has helped in managing the estate proactively. Members sought assurance on the level of resources to support management of the property portfolio. Officers advised that Cardiff Council has invested significantly in health and safety resource which has brought real benefits, particularly in the school estate. While resources are under pressure across the Council, officers are confident that with the data sets and information they now have, the team are in a positive position going into the new strategy. Members were advised that the Estates team is well-resourced for its core functions and benefits from good staff retention. There is however little spare capacity for anything more than core functions. Members discussed capital receipts and the CBRE land review. Officers advised that the 2018 review had had to be reanalysed. The main capital receipts have come from disposal of operational estate which has been largely exhausted. Henceforth there will be a greater reliance on land receipts which will require unlocking of amber sites with colleagues in Ecology and Planning. Members were advised that the target for capital receipts is realistic over five years but there could be a high level of variability year-to-year, and the annual property plan gives the flexibility to bring in other assets should they become available. Members were advised that the CBRE land review had been reviewed internally based on experience. Members sought information on whether management of the investment estate had been benchmarked against other cities. Officers advised that they did not have comparative figures to present but could bring them to a future Committee. Members sought clarification on the 80% target for statutory compliance. Officers advised that the target is a minimum that takes account of changing situations and the time lag between inspections and paperwork. In performance terms the Council is exceeding the target. The Council is able to give assurance that its buildings, particularly schools and community buildings, are safe and legally compliant. Members questioned the rental target of £700,000. Officers advised that the target was an approximately 20% increase over 5 years. It is a cautious target and there is further analysis to be undertaken. Members were advised that a significant proportion of income from the base investment estate was from ground rents, over which the Council has little control as they are determined by RPI, turnover and other factors. AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
None were received.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 15 January 2025.
Rhaid i gynghorwyr ddweud pan fydd ganddyn nhw gysylltiad personol â rhywbeth sy'n cael ei drafod, fel swydd, eiddo neu aelod o'r teulu. Mae buddiant sy'n rhagfarnu yn ddigon cryf i'r cynghorydd adael yr ystafell fel arfer a pheidio â chymryd rhan.
Caiff datganiadau eu darllen o'r cofnodion unwaith y byddan nhw wedi'u cyhoeddi.
Yn rhestru cynghorwyr presennol y cyngor yn unig. Nid yw aelodau cyfetholedig, swyddogion a chyn-gynghorwyr yn cael eu dangos.