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RESOLVED: that the Treasury Management Mid-Year Report 2024-25 (Appendix 1) be noted, prior to its submission to Governance and Audit Committee and Full Council in November 2024.
RESOLVED: that i) (in relation to the Old Library): a) in its capacity as superior landlord, the surrender of the Virgin Money underlease upon the terms set out at Confidential Appendix 1 be approved; and b) in its capacity as direct landlord, the variation of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama lease upon terms set out at Confidential Appendix 3 be approved and the legal officer be authorised to complete the transactions. ii) the proposal to undertake an unencumbered open market exercise for the Mansion House, as set out in this report, be approved noting that the final decision on the preferred option is to be considered by Cabinet at a future meeting.
RESOLVED: that • the update on the Welsh Government ‘Review of roles and responsibilities of education partners in Wales and delivery of school improvement arrangements’ - the ‘Middle Tier review’ be noted. • the development of a future operating model for School Improvement, in accordance with the guidance provided by Welsh Government, be noted. • the proposed Future Direction of School Improvement and Key Principles (outlined in paragraphs 30-35) be agreed. • It be noted that further reports will be brought forward which will specify the detailed operating models, with specific Financial, HR and Legal implications (likely in early spring 2025); and • authority be delegated to the Director of Education in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education to implement any resulting change in service delivery following approval of this report.
RESOLVED: that • The Providing Homes for Children Strategy be approved for submission to Welsh Government and publication. • Authority be delegated to the Director of Children’s Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children Services and Tackling Poverty & Supporting Young People (Children’s Services), the Council's Section 151 Officer and the Council's Monitoring Officer, to determine all aspects of the procurement process for the commissioning of Children’s Care Home services (including decision-making around the model, approving the evaluation criteria to be used, and authorising the award of the contracts) and all ancillary matters pertaining to the procurement and proposals above. • Director of Children’s Services be authorised to take forward the discussions with other local authorities on collaborative working to assist with the provision of homes that meet our needs.
RESOLVED: that • the Child Friendly City Year 1 Progress and Delivery Report be approved for consideration by Council prior to its submission to UNICEF. • authority be delegated to the Director of Education and Lifelong Learning, in consultation with the Director of Legal and Governance, Corporate Director of Resources, Cabinet Member for Education and the Council Leader, to submit the Annual Progress and Delivery Report to UNICEF for Years 2 and 3. • the Council continue to advocate for a wide commitment to embedding a child rights approach across all Council services where changes will impact upon their lives.
RESOLVED: that 1. The projected revenue financial outturn based on the projected position at Month 6 2024/25 be noted. 2. The capital spend and projected position at Month 6 2024/25 be noted.
RESOLVED: that the Shared Regulatory Services Annual Report for 2023-24 be noted.
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.
RESOLVED – That the public be excluded from the meeting at this point during consideration of this item as the Committee discussed exempt information of the description contained in paragraph 14 of Part 4 and paragraph 21 of Part 5 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Action 1972. The public may be excluded from the meeting by resolution of the Committee pursuant to Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 during discussion of this item. 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.
RESOLVED: To note the report.
RESOLVED to note the list of Local Authority School Governor Vacancies received.
RESOLVED that the public be excluded for the following items of business as they contain exempt information by virtue of Paragraph 12 and 21 of Parts 4 and 5 of the Local Government Act 1972
RESOLVED – That the Council be recommended to approve the recommendations of the Panel to appoint the following persons to current Local Authority Governing Body vacancies as follows: School Ward Start of Vacancy Applicant Baden Powell Primary School Splott 17/06/24 23/09/24 Kevin Jacobs Jamie Emerson Bryn Deri Primary School Radyr & Morganstown 18/09/24 Natalie Grimwards Christ the King RC Primary School Llanishen 02/09/24 Edward Williams Danescourt Primary School Llandaff 08/02/24 Mark Vaughan Ely and Caerau Childrens Centre Ely 09/05/27 Alexandra Powell Hywel Dda Primary School Ely 24/07/24 Simon Rees Meadowbank Primary School Llandaff North 25/09/24 Laura Hrastelj Meadowlane Primary School Trowbridge 03/07/24 Ceri Jones Rhydypenau Primary School Cyncoed 13/09/23 Hamida Mitha St Joesph’s RC Primarty School Gabalfa 14/09/23 Jenny Cater Ysgol Gymraeg Nant Caerau Caerau 13/09/23 Hayley Rowe Ysgol Gynradd Gwaelod Y Garth Primary School Pentyrch & St Fagans 24/06/24 Meurig Jones The Committee received and considered applications to future vacancies against criteria, matching skills to vacancies. RESOLVED – That the Council be recommended to approve the recommendations of the Panel to appoint the following: School Ward Start of Vacancy Re-Appointment New Applicant Cantonian High Schol Fairwater 29/01/25 Ruth Jackson Lansdowne Primary School Canton 25/02/25 Ramesh Patel Ninian Park Primary School Grangetown 25/02/25 Ivor Gittens Radyr Primary School Radyr & Morganstown 27/01/25 Jane Griffiths Rhydypenau Primary School Cyncoed 27/01/25 Siân Evans St Peter’s RC Primary School Plasnewydd 01/12/24 Sophie Hayde Moorland Primary School Splott 28/01/25 Cllr Ed Stubbs Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr Fairwater 29/01/25 Caroline Cooksley
AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations 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 of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
RESOLVED – That the Sub-Committee having considered all the information, and in accordance with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003, the Section 182 Guidance and the Licensing Authority’s own Statement of Licensing Policy, GRANTED the application subject to the conditions agreed with South Wales Police and Pollution Control. The Sub-Committee considered the application on its individual merits and considered the report, the statutory guidance made under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003, the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy. The Sub-Committee have also considered all submissions made by the applicant and all other parties, and the oral evidence given by the applicants, local residents and local ward councillors during the hearing. The Sub-Committee noted that South Wales Police and Environmental Health Pollution Control initially objected to this application. However, their objections were withdrawn prior to the committee meeting as the applicant agreed their proposed conditions. The Sub-Committee also noted that the applicant had amended the application prior to the hearing and the operating hours proposed had been reduced. The Sub-Committee were satisfied that the applicant successfully demonstrated that they are responsible licence holders and the operating schedule and conditions agreed with South Wales Police and Pollution Control would ensure that the granting of the licence would not undermine the licensing objectives. The Sub Committee therefore resolved to grant the licence with the agreed conditions and amendments made prior to the hearing.
AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Board conveying the views 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.
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.
RESOLVED: That the Chairperson writes to the Cabinet Member on behalf of the Committee expressing their comments and observations captured during the way forward.
RESOLVED: That the Chairperson writes to the Cabinet Member on behalf of the Committee expressing their comments and observations captured during the way forward.
RESOLVED: Pursuant to this Committee’s delegated powers the following development management applications be determined in accordance with the recommendation set out in the reports of the Director of Planning, Transport and Environment, subject to any further amendments as detailed below and notification be given of the decisions in accordance with Section 70 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 or Section 74 of the Planning (Listed Building & Conservation) Act 1990. APPLICATIONS GRANTED SUBJECT TO ENTERING A BINDING SECTION 106 AGREEMENT 24/01264/HYB – ELY Land comprising the former Michaelston College Site to the west of Michaelston Road and south of Drope Road, Ely, Cardiff. Full Planning Permission for the redevelopment of the Former Michaelston College Site for the Construction of a Well-Being Village Incorporating Community Living Units (107 units) and Associated Communal Areas/Care Facilities (Class C2) with Community Hub (Class D1) to include cafe (Class A3), GP Surgery (Class D1), Community Hall/Meeting Space (Class D1); Residential Development (128 units) (Class C3); Public Open Space; Landscaping & Green Infrastructure; Drainage; Highways; Parking, and All Associated Works; and Outline Planning Permission for Adult Supported Living (Class C2); Children’s Respite Centre (Class C2) or alternative residential development (Class C3) (all matters reserved other than access), and Outline indicative proposals for off-site highways improvement works. (Councillor Humphreys left the meeting during discussion of this item in accordance with her personal and prejudicial interest). The application was granted subject to the signing of a Section 106 Agreement. 19/02523/MJR – CREIGIAU Land south of Creigiau. Outline planning application, with all matters reserved except for strategic access, for the development of approximately 650 dwellings, including open space (including play areas and areas of informal recreation), landscaping, sustainable drainage systems, vehicular accesses, improvement works to the existing highway network, pedestrian and cycle accesses and related infrastructure and engineering works. The application was granted subject to the signing of a Section 106 Agreement. APPLICATION GRANTED 24/00864/FUL – LLANDAFF NORTH Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf, Bridge Road, Llandaff North, Cardiff. Proposed Special Resource Base building including community cafe element, new sports pitch, associated sprinkler tanks and plant equipment, cycle parking and new drop off parking area, outdoor play equipment and seating areas + additional access to the River Taff Footpath at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf. The application was granted subject to the conditions outlined in the report. APPLICATIONS DEFERRED 24/00084/FUL – RHIWBINA Land at the rear of 19A Heol-Y-Coed, Coed Ceirios, Rhiwbina, Cardiff. Erection of a 2 storey dwelling with associated landscape works. The application was deferred for a site visit to take place. 24/01293/FUL – PONTCANNA Pontcanna Mews, Kings Road, Pontcanna, Cardiff. Retention of Change of use of existing Retail premises (Use Class A1) and to allow Flexible Use of the premises for Retail (Use Class A1), Financial and Professional Services (Use Class A2), Food and Drink (Use Class A3), Business (Use Class B1), Beauty Salon (Sui-Generis) and Tattoo Studio (Sui-Generis), including the use of the external courtyard for purposes ancillary to these uses and retention of a Covered Structure to provide outdoor seating. The application was deferred for a site visit to take place. 23/02600/FUL – LLANDAFF Land at Radyr Court Close Erection of affordable houses together with access, landscaping, drainage, engineering and other associated works. (Councillor Driscoll left his seat as a member of the Committee during this item in order to speak as a Ward Councillor, and did not vote in accordance with his prejudicial interest.) The application was deferred for a site visit to take place.
RESOLVED: To note the applications decided by Delegated powers between 26 July 2024 and 29 August 2024.
RESOLVED – That the following matters be dealt with as indicated: (1) Application 1 The Sub Committee was asked to determine if a driver remained a fit and proper person to continue to hold a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence given that a complaint had been received stating that the driver refused to take a passenger on a pre-booked fare and became abusive and threatening. The driver was not in attendance at the meeting. Addressing the Sub Committee, the witness recounted that he had called Veezu and booked a journey that involved several stops on the way back to his home. The driver called him a few minutes before the pickup time and asked where he was, apparently unaware that the pickup time had been arranged for a few minutes later. The driver shouted that he couldn’t wait. After he got into the vehicle, the driver refused to take him to the agreed stops on the way back home. He asked if he could speak to the dispatcher, in response to which the driver raised his voice again. At one point when the vehicle was stationary, the driver opened the passenger side door and stood in his way while shouting at him. A passer-by had to come over to the car to calm the driver down. The taxi company apologised and sent another driver to complete the journey. The witness explained that this had been a distressing experience which he found it hard to relive, and he had trouble sleeping afterwards. He wished he had called the police at the time but had been too scared. He felt that the driver should not be driving if he was not capable of doing his job without being aggressive on several occasions, escalating each time, and he was concerned about what could happen to his next customer if there was nobody there to intervene. RESOLVED – that the Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence be suspended for 3 weeks, and that the driver be required to undertake the relevant SQA qualification within three months. (2) Application 2 The Sub Committee was asked to consider an application in principle for the Grant of a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence given that the applicant had a relevant conviction to consider. Addressing the Sub Committee, the driver explained that he had two convictions, the first for the possession of false identity documents and the second for a money laundering offence. He made no excuse for what had happened in the past and had been working full-time since getting out of prison. He used to be a security driver and had got his SIA licence back this year. Responding to questions from the Sub Committee, the driver confirmed that he had also applied for licences from Newport and Wolverhampton councils, and both had been refused. Responding to questions from the Sub Committee, the driver explained that he worked as a delivery driver for Dominos and Amazon in addition to security driving. He wanted to be a taxi driver because his partner was a carer and he wanted to be able to be more flexible so he could look after their child. RESOLVED – that the application for the Grant of a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence be refused. (3) Application 3 The Sub Committee was asked to consider an application in principle for the grant of a Private Hire Operator’s Licence given that the applicant previously held a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence with Cardiff Council that was subsequently revoked. Addressing the Sub Committee, the driver emphasised that what happened in 2015 was not reflective of him. He had learned a lesson and not made any mistakes like that since, and he hoped to get a second chance. Members queried the circumstances of the revocation of his previous licence for fraud, and heard that he had been contracted to do a school run. He had given jobs to his colleagues to complete, and several of the drivers did not complete these jobs, without his knowledge. As the person in charge, he accepted responsibility and felt he had served his punishment over the last eight years, and assured the committee it would never happen again. The Legal Officer clarified that school run operators were not permitted to subcontract. RESOLVED – that the application for the grant of a Private Hire Operator’s Licence be refused. (4) Application 4 The Sub Committee was asked to determine if a driver remained a fit and proper person to continue to hold a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence following a complaint received alleging that he deliberately refused to take a fare that involved carrying a guide dog. Addressing the Sub Committee, the driver stated that he had been on the way to pick up the passenger when his car cut out at some lights. He had been having issues with it for several weeks but hadn’t mentioned it to the operator because he needed the work. He thought he had sent the job back but then realised that he hadn’t. He cancelled the trip but then his car started again, and he drove past the passenger who was stood behind some parked cars, not seeing his dog. The driver acknowledged that he told Veezu he was no longer in the area, which was not true. He suggested that he panicked because he didn’t want them to stop him driving, and because he needed the money and knew the car would cost a lot to fix. He apologised for the inconvenience caused to the customer, and emphasised that he had picked up hundreds of disabled passengers over the years and never had a complaint. As a result of the incident, he had lost his job with Veezu. The Sub Committee asked for more details about his car and heard that it had cut out before, but not for a couple of days leading up to the incident. Members noted that the driver log showed he had accepted another job just a few minutes after breaking down, and queried how the car could have been unfit to take a passenger one moment and fine the next. The witness addressed the Sub Committee, explaining that he had used Veezu to book a trip to the hospital. He was following the job on the mobile app so he knew when the car was approaching, despite being visually impaired. He recalled the car slowing down as it passed him, then it went towards the far end of the estate and the job disappeared on the app. The same driver reappeared on the map shortly after and then disappeared again. A few minutes later, he was able to find another Veezu driver to take him to the hospital, but was late for his appointment. Members queried whether the original driver communicated with him at any point to explain the situation, and heard that he had not. Addressing the Sub Committee, the representative from Veezu stressed that he had not taken an opinion in his representation, and had provided driver logs, call logs and GPS tracking which had been agreed as accurate by all parties. All bookings undertaken were logged in their system, and he could not recall any other specific instances of fares being cancelled for similar reasons so close to the pickup time. To his knowledge, there were no previous complaints of this nature against the driver. Members asked what happened when a Veezu driver declined a job close to the pickup time, and heard that when jobs came up, nearby drivers had a period of flexibility where they could accept, decline or return to base at their discretion. In this case, because the driver had travelled to the booking after accepting it, he was required to call the operator and explain why he had returned to base outside of that time period. RESOLVED – that the Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence be suspended for 3 weeks. (5) Application 5 This item was deferred to the next meeting. (6) Application 6 The Sub Committee was asked to determine if a driver remained a fit and proper person to continue to hold a Private Hire Driver’s Licence given that a complaint had been received stating that the driver allowed his licensed vehicle to be driven by unlicensed drivers on three occasions, each resulting in a speeding offence. It also stated that the driver was the only person insured to drive the vehicle. Addressing the Sub Committee, the driver stated that on three occasions after being caught speeding, he had asked someone to help him fill out the DVLA documents because his English was not very good, before signing them himself. He found out later that this person had filled in false names, and on the fourth occasion he was caught speeding he filled out the form himself. He had not committed any offences other than these four. He hoped that the committee could take into account that he was supporting his family and had recently lost his father. The Sub Committee noted that getting someone else to fill out these forms was considered fraud regardless of whether the driver signed them before or after the false information was added. The driver confirmed that he understood it was his responsibility to make sure it was correct when he signed it. The witness, representing South Wales Police, reiterated that the forms made very clear that they were only to be filled in by the person in question. They noted that on the fourth occasion the driver was able to fill in the form himself, and that he lived within walking distance of a police station, where he could have gone to request assistance if he was having any trouble. Members asked what would have happened if the driver had declared his speeding offences in the proper way. The witness explained that the first offence would have led to a speed awareness course, before the next three would have been 3 points each. This meant a total of 9 points, which would now be 6 with 3 having expired. RESOLVED – that the Private Hire Driver’s Licence be revoked. (7) Application 6 The Sub Committee was asked to determine if a driver remained a fit and proper person to continue to hold a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver’s Licence following a complaint alleging that he charged and obtained more than the legal fare and failed to provide a proper receipt on request. The driver’s representative addressed the Sub Committee, acknowledging that the facts presented in the witness statement were accurate. He felt that the evidence provided showed it was indefensible and apologised to the witness and the committee He highlighted the driver’s personal life, noting that he was a doctor and a family man who had switched professions because his wife was disabled. The driver’s representative added that he had trained the driver personally under the old BTEC system and felt responsible for not having got the message across about the importance of taxi drivers’ conduct. He suggested that education would be more appropriate than prosecution, and that this could be an opportunity to retrain the driver rather than just revoke his licence. He driver had admitted his mistake and acknowledged his guilt, and was willing to do the new SQA qualification which had more of a focus on mobility and disability issues. The driver echoed his representative’s statement and apologised to the witness. Addressing the Sub Committee, the witness thanked the driver for his apology. He added that earlier on the day in question, he had had similar issues with another taxi, which was why he did not challenge the fare in this case even though he knew he had been overcharged. He hadn’t used a taxi since this incident and it would take a long time before he felt comfortable using one again, which had a debilitating impact on his independence. RESOLVED – that the Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s Licence be suspended for 3 weeks.
RESOLVED that the draft final inquiry report be agreed.
RESOLVED: · To agree the responses to the consultation for submission to the IRPW; and To delegate authority to the Head of Democratic Services, in consultation with the Chair of the Democratic Services Committee, to finalise the consultation response and submit it to the IRPW before the end of the consultation period on 29th November 2024.
RESOLVED: a. To note the report and revised Elected Member Learning and Development Strategy; b. To agree the proposed changes outlined in paragraph 7 of the report; c. To note the proposed arrangements for the approval and adoption of the revised Strategy; and To delegate authority for the HoDS, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee to update the Elected Member Learning and Development Strategy prior to its submission to Council for approval.
RESOLVED: a. To note the content of the report and the revised Member Protocol for Access Research Support and Information (Revised); b. To agree the changes to the revised protocol; and To approve the implementation of the Member Protocol for Accessing Research Support and Information for immediate use.
RESOLVED: · To note the report; To note the formal launch of the Members Support Intranet Webpage is anticipated to take place in early 2025
RESOLVED: To note the Committee’s Work Programme as outlined in Appendix A to the report.