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RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the hybrid meeting held on the 25th September 2024 at 5pm as an accurate reflection of the meeting.
RESOLVED: 2.1 To note the outcome of, and responses to, the initial phase of consultation conducted in respect of the review of community arrangements for Rhondda Cynon Taf; 2.2 To formally adopt the proposals emerging from the initial consultation phase, detailed in Appendix 2 to the report, as draft proposals noting these proposals have been commended to Council for adoption by the cross-party working group set up to oversee the Community Review; and 2.3 To initiate a further six-week period of consultation with stakeholders on the draft proposals.
Resolved: 1. To note the Annual Reports of both the Standards Committee and Democratic Services Committee for the Municipal Year 2023/2024.
The Presiding Member welcomed Members and Officers to the Hybrid Council meeting held in Llys Cadwyn, Pontypridd.
Elected Members Personal Interests in respect of the following agenda Items: Agenda Item 5– Members’ Questionsand Agenda Item 6-Statement Of Accounts and Audit Reports for Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC and the Rhondda Cynon Taf Pension Fund 2023/24 Councillor K Johnson- “I am an employee of Transport for Wales” Councillor J Brencher – “My son works for Transport for Wales” Elected Members Personal Interests in respect of Agenda Item 8 –Review of Community Arrangements for RCT The Director of Legal & Democratic Services explained that a blanket personal declaration for those present who are members of a Town or Community Council would be declared in respect of Agenda Item 8– Review of Community Arrangements for RCT : Pontypridd Town Council Councillor J Brencher Councillor C Lisles Councillor M Powell Councillor H Gronow Councillor L Tomkinson Ynysybwl & Coed Y Cwm Community Council Councillor P Evans Llantrisant Community Council Councillor J Barton Councillor G Holmes Llanharan Community Council Councillor D Evans Councillor J Turner Llantwit Fardre Community Council Councillor G Stacey Councillor K Johnson Councillor S Trask Councillor G Warren Pontyclun Community Council Councillor P Binning Councillor W Owen Taffs Well & Nantgarw Community Council Councillor J Bonetto Hirwaun & Penderyn Community Council Councillor A Rogers Llanharry Community Council Councillor W Owen Councillor B Stephens
The following announcements were made: Ø The Presiding Member led the Council in a Minute’s silence in memory of all the Israeli’s and Palestinians who had lost their lives in the tragic events in the Middle East and in memory of the 116 children and 28 adults who died in the Aberfan disaster on the 21st October 1966. Ø The Deputy Leader, Councillor M Webber congratulated those that represented the Pontypridd Branch of the Royal Welsh Regimental Association and cycled from Pontypridd to 's-Hertogenbosch, a distance of over 350 miles over 4 days. Councillor Webber paid special thanks to Marc Jones from Democratic Services for his commitment and strength of character for completing the journey. She added that this year sees the 80th anniversary of the liberation of 's-Hertogenbosch by the 53rd (Welsh) Division and it was important to acknowledge those who sadly lost their lives during the liberation. Councillor Webber thanked those who donated to the cause and helped raise £730.
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RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the hybrid meeting held on the 25th September 2024 at 5pm as an accurate reflection of the meeting.
The Council RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the hybrid meeting held on the 25th September 2024 at 5pm as an accurate reflection of the meeting.
1. Question from County Borough Councillor S. Rees to the Leader of the Council, County Borough Councillor A. Morgan OBE: “Can the Leader provide an update on the progress on the delivery of the Labour Group’s manifesto commitments?” Response of the Leader of the Council, Councillor A. Morgan OBE: The Leader responded that as Members are aware, the Labour Group made twenty core commitments to the residents of RCT in advance of the last set of local elections in 2022. He added that at the halfway point of this Council term and, overall, good progress has been made with a number of these commitments having already been delivered and those that have not yet been delivered remain very much in progress. The Leader outlined the following: To Fund 10 PCSOs and 10 Community Wardens - The pledge has been delivered with fourteen Wardens and ten PCSOs in place and working well. Double the number of Community Youth Hub vehicles -The Council now has 4 vehicles in operation so it has doubled its number as promised. Delivering more brand-new English & Welsh schools - The Council has a huge ongoing programme of school improvement and modernisation with a number of new schools delivered such as Ysgol Bro Taf, Ysgol Afon Wen and YGG Awel Taf; Penygawsi received its brand-new building under the MIM, as has Llanilltud Faerdref. Pontyclun Primary and YGG Llyn-Y-Forwyn are continuing to progress, whilst work is also ongoing at our former Clydach Vale site. Investing in new or continuing and completing ongoing transport infrastructure schemes - Good progress continues on the dualling of the A4119. The Sustainable Transport Corridor in Llanharan is now progressing and the Council remains in discussion with Welsh Government over the scheme in Llwydcoed. Investing in and regenerating town centres and supporting businesses- An ambitious programme of investment in town centre regeneration and continuing a range of support measures such as the Maintenance Grant whilst taking forward a number of regeneration schemes in our towns such as Aberdare (having also recently announced Rock Grounds). Working towards Net Zero, improving recycling rates and developing solar farm (etc.) Future proofing the County’s infrastructure (highways, parks, and leisure) – The Council has a £27.6m capital programme for Highways, Transport & Strategic Projects ongoing which is delivering improvements to highways, footways, structures and streets right across the county borough. The Council also continues to invest in parks and leisure facilities. 150+ Graduate and Apprentice opportunities over this 5 year term - The Council has made very good progress on its commitment with 121 positions already created since the start of the current Council term. Maintain and enhance the Enforcement Team to take action against dog fouling/fly tipping - RCT has ranked as the top Local Authority for fly tipping prosecutions for the last 3 years in a row, showing its zero-tolerance approach. The Council has also recently extended the dog fouling PSPO. Build further extra care & develop refurb programme for existing residential homes – The Council is progressing both the Dan-Y-Mynydd and Darran Road developments with the estimated cost of the current programme at £93m, comprising £23m of the Council’s resources and £70m of external grant / partner funding. Providing FSM for all pupils and investing in upgrading kitchens and dining rooms- The Council has delivered its pledge with the rollout of UFSM completed in April 2024, ahead of the WG deadline of September 2024. Continue to tackle empty properties and commit to 5-year programme – The Council’s strategy is in place and delivering interventions at a rate that is exceeding the target having reduced the overall number by almost 1,000 since 2017. In the summer, Members also approved a consultation on further measures around Council Tax premiums. Develop a further package of support for the Cost-of-Living Crisis to support families – The Council has already delivered on its pledge however work continues in this area. The Council remains the only LA in Wales to have brought forward such a package utilising its own resources with no funding or contribution from either the U.K. or WG. A further package of over £300,000 will be announced early next week and this will once again comprise community support such as Winter Welcome Centres and resident support; and it will also again provide funding to support community venues with energy cost pressures and support to food banks. Continue annual flood resilience programme- The Council is continuing its pledge to spend millions on projects to increase resilience against extreme weather. In addition, the Council’s Local Flood Risk Management Plan has been adopted. This is the final year of Storm Dennis funding and the Council is on course to complete all repair schemes to damaged infrastructure. Since April 2022, the Council has invested over £11.5m in flood resilience schemes, including £8.735m of grant and external funding, along with £2.8m of the Council’s own capital investment. Enhance Active Travel routes and build on investment in Tourism- Funding for Active Travel routes has been secured and a number of schemes are progressing in all three areas. Aside from the major scheme in the Rhondda Fach there are others such as the Taff Trail at Trallwn which is undergoing realignment, establishing a formal active travel route at Cwmbach, progressing schemes in Aberdare and Pontypridd town centres, and improving links in Church Village. Continue investing in Armed Forces Covenant and invest in War Memorials (inc. Officer) – AnOfficer has been appointed and a budget allocated to continue and further expand the Council’s support. Protect school budgets and expand number of School Community Engagement Officers – The Engagement Officers pledge has been delivered. The Council is also continuing to protect its school budgets; despite significant pressures. The proposal for the forthcoming year is to fully fund, including pay awards. Continue record play area investment (75 more over next 5 years) plus 10 new MUGAs – The Council is continuing its ongoing programme of play area improvements with completed MUGA schemes in the Graig, Pen-Y-Graig and Llwyn-Y-Pia. There was no supplementary question 2. Question from County Borough Councillor S. Trask to the Cabinet Member for Prosperity & Development, County Borough Councillor M. A. Norris: “Would the Cabinet Member make a statement on the progress of the Revised Local Development Plan?” Response of the Councillor M. A. Norris: Councillor Norris advised that earlier this year, the Preferred Strategy of the Revised Local Development Plan (RLDP), alongside associated documents, was placed out on an extensive formal public consultation for 8 weeks. He added that there was a further regulatory requirement to then prepare an Initial Consultation Report (ICR). There are two main elements in the ICR. Councillor Norris explained that the first part of the report gives a summary of everything that took place during the Preferred Strategy consultation, in accordance with the RLDP Delivery Agreement. The second part of the ICR sets out the main issues that have been raised from the multiple representations made. He advised that the ICR was considered by Cabinet on the 21st of October where it was that the preparation of the RLDP continues in line with the proposals made within the ICR. Councillor Norris commented that these changes included the removal of a significant section of the Key Site 4 and the land to the southeast of the Church Village bypass around Efail Isaf will no longer be part of Key Site 4. The land to the north of the Church Village bypass around Ystrad Barwig Farm, will remain in the Preferred Strategy and considered further for development in the RLDP. Councillor Norris concluded that the Council will continue to progress with the preparation of the Deposit Draft Stage of the RLDP. Supplementary Question from Councillor S Trask: “Key Site 4 on Llantwit Fardre is not accessible, its too broad and located in Flood Zone 3, does the Cabinet Member agree to remove the site entirely?” Response of the Councillor M. A. Norris: Councillor Norris advised that WG did respond on Key Site 4 which the Council considered. The majority of the problems and the flooding derives from the Efail Isaf side therefore the two parts have been split, keeping the Ystrad Barwig side to make it a viable site. Councillor Norris also added that most of the discussions were undertaken in the Members RLDP Steering Group, which Councillor Trask is a member but he noted he had not attended the last two meetings of the RLDP Steering Group (10th October 2024 and 19th December 2023). 3. Question from County Borough Councillor G. Holmes to the Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Council Business and Corporate Estates, County Borough Councillor M. Webber: “Can the Deputy Leader make a statement on the progress to enhance energy efficiency measures across the Council’s estate, particularly in terms of hydro and solar powered energy?” Response of the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor M Webber: Councillor M Webber advised that the Council continues to make significant progress enhancing energy efficiency measures and reducing carbon emissions in pursuit of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. She added that the Council has numerous strategies, action plans and projects in place to help deliver its ambitions - such as the Office Accommodation Strategy, Our Corporate Plan, the Decarbonisation Strategy, and the Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP) amongst others. Councillor Webber explained that the Council has been investing and prioritising in Energy and Carbon Reduction Projects for more than 13 years - saving more than 6,572 tonnes CO2e and investing almost £14M. She referred to initiatives such as the installation of Solar PV, LED lighting, Boiler & Heating Control Upgrades. In terms of solar power, Councillor Webber commented that the Council now has 126 solar PV systems installed across its buildings generating renewable electricity each year and it also benefits from over £1.2M in Feed-in-Tariff payments that have been received to date. The Deputy Leader advised that the Council’s plans to build its first ground based solar farm, are progressing well and construction works starting later this month at Coed Ely, with completion on or around Autumn 2025. Councillor Webber advised that in terms of hydro power, the Council is progressing well with designs for three hydro schemes at Dare Valley Country Park, Treforest Weir and Clydach Vale Country Park. The Council is planning to use the energy generated ‘behind the meter’ which means that its assets will be using green energy during generation. This will not only reduce the Council’s carbon emissions but will mean that it will not be buying energy from the National Grid. Councillor Webber confirmed that the Council’s Carbon Footprint dashboard is available for Members to track its progress and it will shortly be updated with the latest Carbon Footprint data following submission to Welsh Government. Whilst the data has yet to be verified and signed off by WG, Councillor Webber was pleased to say that the energy consumed in the Council’s assets has reduced this year when compared to the baseline year. Supplementary question from Councillor G Holmes: “May I ask if more electric light sensors were to be installed within Llys Cadwyn would make for more energy cost saving?” Response of the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor M Webber: Councillor Webber responded by advising that each year each of the Council’s sites has an efficiency rating compared against national average which is a 25% improvement on the national average. She added that every month the Council actively monitors its top 50 highest carbon emitting sites to check savings. Councillor Webber referred to many initiatives such as LED lighting to reduce consumption, energy efficient boiler plant to heat buildings, upgraded heating and boiler controls and increased insulation to reduce heat loss. There were no further questions due to the lapse of the allotted time.
The Service Director Democratic Services & Communication advised of two specific updates to the Council Work Programme for the 2024/25 Municipal Year. The Community Council Charter would be an additional item of business scheduled for the Council meeting in March 2025 with engagement commencing shortly with Community Council colleagues. The Service Director also reminded Members that as previously advised, the Chief Executive of the WLGA would attend the special Council meeting at 4pm on the 27th November in order to outline the role of the WLG, their key priorities and how they represent the collective interests of local government in Wales and support individual authorities and answer Members’ questions. He added that there will also be a 5pm Council meeting on the 27th November to consider the normal Council business.
The Chief Executive presented his report which sought Members’ consideration and approval of the Council’s draft Annual Corporate Performance Report and Annual Self-Assessment for 2023/24 in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021. The Chief Executive explained that all Local Authorities in Wales have a legal duty as part of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 to assess, on an annual basis, the extent to which they are meeting the performance requirements defined in that Act. Those being defined as whether the Council functions are being exercised effectively, whether resources are being used economically, efficiently and effectively and whether governance arrangements are effective for securing these requirements. The Chief Executive advised that the 2023/24 Annual Corporate Performance Report and Annual Self-Assessment before Members aims to satisfy the legal duty for RCTCBC. He added that by preparing the self-assessment, a council wide approached has been undertaken that engages with designated responsible officers, utilises existing arrangements and information to inform the self-assessment, is evidence based and subject to objective review and challenge. The fundamental objective of the approach is to produce an accurate and balanced position of the Council’s arrangements and identify areas for improvement to further strengthen the arrangements that are in place. The Chief Executive referred to section 4.7 which notes the difference between the self-assessment and the way in which the strategic direction of the Council is set, this assessment focusses on the strength of the corporate arrangements to support the effective delivery of the Council’s Corporate Plan priorities rather than setting the Council’s directional priorities, which the Corporate Plan does itself. The Chief Executive also referred to section 4.8 of the report which highlights a core set of five activities which should be used as part of the self-assessment process as set out within the Well-being & Future Generations Act, these being Strategic Planning and Approach, Finance, Performance and Risk Management, Human Resources and Workforce Planning, Asset Management and Procurement and Commissioning. The Chief Executive confirmed that the draft report has incorporated these core activities into the self-assessment and has also added a further nine areas considered integral to the governance and ensuring the Council meets its performance requirements, such as Governance & Scrutiny, ICT and Digital, Regulator Feedback, Welsh Language & Equalities and the Sustainable Development responsibilities. The Chief Executive advised that the assessment covers a full and diverse range of the Council’s functions and the scale and scope of the services that are delivered across the Council and the progress that has been made in delivering many commitments in the Corporate Plan throughout the previous year. To assist Members, the Chief Executive referred them to a few specific key areas within the report; section one sets out the priorities delivered in 2023/24 against the previous Corporate Plan priorities of People, Place and Prosperity. This summary sets out what the Council said it would do, what it delivered and identifies those areas where more progress needs to be made. The Chief Executive commented that overall good progress has been made against the Corporate Plan priorities in the previous year with many of the Council’s commitments being successfully delivered. Last year, the Council continued to face some significant financial challenges but through sound financial and operational management, robust governance and decision making by Members, the Council continued to meet its statutory requirement to set a balanced budget for 2024/25. The Council’s ongoing capital investment in its infrastructure and town centres is also making a visible difference in its communities with £169M of capital investment successfully delivered in 2023/24, including £45M on highway structures and flood alleviation, £67M across Schools and £15M on traffic management works. The Chief Executive referred to section two of the report which sets out the annual self-assessment which has been informed by the Council’s own service self-evaluation process. He added that the Council’s severe challenges arising from the 2023/24 are presented from page 28 onwards highlighting the many strengths of the organisation but also those areas where the Council needs to continue to improve under the themes of delivery and integration, workforce and capacity, partnership and external environment. At section 2b the themes that emerged from the previous self-assessment which have been incorporated into the new Corporate Plan for 2024-2030 working with its communities which Council approved in April 2024. The Chief Executive concluded that the self-assessment continues to give a view on the Council’s A view on the Councils corporate functions and responsibilities, safeguarding arrangements and how the council applies the sustainable development principle across its activities. The evidence presented demonstrates the Council is well-run but it is not complacent and it challenges itself and where needed changes the way it is working and it also recognises that there remains significant challenges for the Council going forward. In conclusion, the Chief Executive referred Members to paragraph 4.10 of the covering report which sets out the conclusion of the self-assessment process for last year and he reiterated the key findings from the summary section. He confirmed that the draft performance report and self-assessment were presented to the Council’s Governance & Audit Committee on the 19th September 2024 where Members determined that the self-assessment is an accurate reflection of the Council’s performance and therefore no recommendations of change to the report before Members were made. The Chief Executive commented that he is content to recommend the Annual Performance report and self-assessment to Full Council. He paid specific thanks to Paul Griffiths and Marc Crumbie and the Performance team for not only preparing a very comprehensive and detailed report but for their work throughout the year in ensuring the Council’s performance and monitoring arrangements are robust. Following the presentation there followed a discussion and contribution from each of the Group Leaders and other Members. The and the Chief Executive responded to a number of queries. He commented that along with feedback from the regulators the self-assessment demonstrates that the Council does consider the long term sustainable development principle and the necessary long term planning.
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RESOLVED: 2.1 To note the outcome of, and responses to, the initial phase of consultation conducted in respect of the review of community arrangements for Rhondda Cynon Taf; 2.2 To formally adopt the proposals emerging from the initial consultation phase, detailed in Appendix 2 to the report, as draft proposals noting these proposals have been commended to Council for adoption by the cross-party working group set up to oversee the Community Review; and 2.3 To initiate a further six-week period of consultation with stakeholders on the draft proposals.
The Director of Legal & Democratic Services outlined the purpose of the report which is to inform Members of the outcome of the initial phase of consultation conducted as part of the Community Review process and to present draft proposals for Council to consider, and if agreed, seek authority to initiate a further period of consultation on those proposals as part of undertaking the next stage of the review. The Director of Legal & Democratic Services advised that the first stage of the review, completed over the Summer period, was to ask all interested parties to consider the current community boundaries and submit their views on any changes required to create communities that provide for effective and convenient local government. That involved a six-week period of consultation conducted between 15th July 2024 – 30th August 2024. The Director further explained that all submissions were then considered at a meeting of the cross-party working group set up by Council to oversee the review. At its meeting on 7th October, the working group agreed to commend to Council a series of proposals for adoption as draft proposals which would form the next stage of the review (attached at appendix 2). He concluded that any changes that occur as a result of the review process would then come into effect for the next Local Government Elections in 2027. Following discussion and confirmation that the Community Council Charter would be presented to Council for review at its meeting in March 2025 and that engagement with the Town and Community Councils would be ongoing in the meantime, it was RESOLVED: 2.1 To note the outcome of, and responses to, the initial phase of consultation conducted in respect of the review of community arrangements for Rhondda Cynon Taf; 2.2 To formally adopt the proposals emerging from the initial consultation phase, detailed in Appendix 2 to the report, as draft proposals noting these proposals have been commended to Council for adoption by the cross-party working group set up to oversee the Community Review; and 2.3 To initiate a further six-week period of consultation with stakeholders on the draft proposals.
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Resolved: 1. To note the Annual Reports of both the Standards Committee and Democratic Services Committee for the Municipal Year 2023/2024.
The Service Director, Democratic Services & Communication presented his report which provided Council with the Annual Reports of the Standards Committee and Democratic Services Committee for the 2023/24 Municipal Year for information with the opportunity for the Chair of the Standards Committee, Mr D Bowen and the Chair of the Democratic Services Committee to contribute to the business of the two committees for the Municipal Year. Members received Mr Dave Bowen, Chair of the Standards Committee and County Borough Councillor W Jones, Chair of the Democratic Services Committee, who presented their respective reports for the 2023/2024 Municipal Year. Mr Bowen outlined specific areas of work for the Municipal Year such as receipt of the quarterly updates from the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales in relation to summaries of complaints and recent investigations and findings completed across Wales and reviewing the Council’s Member-Officer Protocol which sets out a framework for good working relationships between Members and Officers as the best means of supporting the work of the Council. In conclusion, he thanked his fellow Committee Members for their, time, dedication and continued support and enthusiasm to the work of the Committee. The Chair of the Democratic Services Committee, Councillor W Jones referred to specific areas of work for the Municipal Year such as the policy review and the development of the Committee Member’s Portal Champions role. Councillor Jones also commented on the work undertaken in respect of Diversity in Democracy ensuring that the Council continues this important work, promoting the role of a Councillor to attract a diverse range of candidates for the next Election and engagement with various groups across the County Borough whilst engaging in the public through Council meetings and webcasting. The Deputy Leader paid thanks to both Chairs, Vice Chairs and all committee members for their commitment over the Municipal Year. The Service Director, Democratic Services & Communication responded to a number of queries regarding development of the Members’ Portal which he confirmed was ongoing with a commitment to progress improvements to its functionality. He also explained that with regards to the energy efficiency of the Council chamber, the webcasting kit does require testing and refining and therefore the chamber is often in use outside of the formal Council Committees. In conclusion, the Service Director commented that Welsh Language Services offer a comprehensive service and it is effective for the majority of the many meetings they support. Resolved: 1. To note the Annual Reports of both the Standards Committee and Democratic Services Committee for the Municipal Year 2023/2024.
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