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Executive Members (with Portfolios): Councillors: Anthony Hunt – Leader and Executive Member for Strategic Leadership Richard Clark – Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Education David Daniels – Executive Member for Adult Services and Housing Peter Jones – Executive Member for Corporate Governance and Performance Sue Morgan – Executive Member for Resources Mandy Owen – Executive Member for Environment Officers: Stephen Vickers – Chief Executive Nigel Aurelius – Assistant Chief Executive, Resources Delyth Harries – Monitoring Officer Rachel Jowitt – Strategic Director, Economy and Environment Dave Leech – Strategic Director, Communities, Customer Service and Digital Jason O’Brien – Strategic Director, Social Care Jason Lewis – Director Corporate Services Dave Lilly – Head of Financial Services Peter Williams – Head of Audit Steve Robinson, Head of Procurement (Cardiff City Council) John Tushingham – Deputy Chief Officer (Education) Tom Roberts – Business and Democratic Support Services Manager Chris Corten – Complaints and FOI Team Leader Rob Wellington – Head of European Policy and External Funding Andrew Osborne – Group Leader, Natural Environment Policy and Streetscene Operations Steve Williams – Team Leader Ecology Neil Jones – Head of Communication and Civil Contingencies Kerrie Smith – PA to Leader and Deputy Leader (Maternity Cover) Niall Flack - Apprentice Democratic Services Officer
2.1 Apologies were received from Councillor Joanne Gauden and Councillor Fiona Cross.
3.1 With regard to item number 10 , the Shared Prosperity Fund Councillors Peter Jones and Sue Morgan declared personal interests as members of Cwmbran Community Council as they were consultees.
4.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2022 were confirmed as an accurate record of the meeting.
There were no actions.
6.1 The Executive Member for Resources highlighted the key messages of the report: · our absolute collection rate assumption will remain at 98% for 2023/24 · our overall Band D tax base has increased by 100 properties on last year’s estimate of 34,147 to 34,247 · the same discounts will continue to apply for 2023/24 as currently. 6.2 Cabinet agreed that: · the Tax Base for 2023/24 as detailed in the report to be approved · for properties in Prescribed Classes A and B i.e. Second Homes, the Council continues to apply a nil discount · for properties in Prescribed Class C i.e. Empty Properties, the Council continues to apply a nil discount · the formal statutory information that accompanies the demand notice continues to be supplied electronically and this will be supplemented with financial information that will be included with the bills REASON FOR DECISION: As set out in the report. CONSULTATION: As set out in the report. MEMBERS’ INTERESTS: None.
The Executive Member for Resources highlighted the key messages within the report: · the in-year forecast position presents a slightly improved position to the quarter 1 based report; however, pressures continue to exist in the Economy & Environment service and within the Children’s Social Care service · the 2023/24 initial estimates have been prepared and present an estimated shortfall to be addressed · the projected Council Tax increase of 1.95% is in line with the commitment made in March 2022; · the Council’s provisional funding settlement from Welsh Government will be received in mid-December 2022 7.2 The Deputy Chief Executive informed Cabinet that: • we are in a favourable position in respect of 2022/23 and we were able to fund pay in 2022/23 on a recurring basis and it helps us going forward • the table within the report shows the current level of reserves. As we move through this budget, he will be recommending that a review of the reserves and proposed purpose is undertaken • in terms of the initial estimates things will move and change. In terms of addressing the challenge we are working on a range of strategic themes cutting across the Council with programmes of work being led by the Chief Executive 7.3 The Leader and Executive Member for Strategic Leadership advised that these are forecasts and at times these and reserves sometimes get misinterpreted. In regard to 2023/24 the risks are identified in the report. The budget position is not easy and highlights the need for investment at a UK Government level in public services. He further recognised that local authorities in Wales were in a better position given the support from Welsh Government. 7.4 Cabinet agreed to note the : · current financial forecast for 2022/23 · current 2023/24 estimate position and the proposed next steps, and · timetable for the remainder of the 2023/24 budget cycle REASON FOR DECISION: As set out in the report. CONSULTATION: As set out in the report. MEMBERS’ INTERESTS: None.
8.1 The Executive Member for Resources highlighted the key messages within the report: · a draft socially responsible Procurement Strategy for 2022 – 2027 has been developed with the following key objectives: • contributing to the Council’s aim to be a Carbon-Neutral Council by 2030 • making procurement spend more accessible to local small businesses and the third sector • improving Fair Work practices adopted by suppliers • increasing community benefits and social value delivered by suppliers • securing value for money and managing demand • ensuring legal compliance and robust and transparent governance • promoting innovative and best practice solutions 8.2 The Head of Procurement (Cardiff City Council) gave his thanks for the invitation to attend to the meeting and advised that the Strategy: • looks to clearly align to Torfaen’s priorities • is aimed to be high level • a detailed delivery plan is being prepared • even with the new partnership we still have limited resources so need to continue to work with other services already identified within the Authority Cabinet agreed to: • approve the draft Socially Responsible Procurement Strategy 2022- 2027. REASON FOR DECISION: As set out in the report. CONSULTATION: As set out in the report. MEMBERS’ INTERESTS: None.
9.1 The Strategic Director Communities, Customer Service and Digital highlighted the key messages within the report: · Welsh Government launched a cost of living support scheme in March following an announcement in February 2022 · the fund comprises a £5,210,850 “Main Scheme” which issues payments to those in Council Tax Bands A-D, and an £855,734 “Discretionary Scheme” to provide support to those who may have otherwise been excluded from the main scheme · Cabinet approved the allocation of the discretionary scheme in June and July 2022 as follows: · Groups exempt from the Main Scheme £39,850 · Free School Meal Recipients £393,750 · Community Resilience Group capacity £170,000 · Community Resilience Group energy vouchers (1) £30,000 · Energy Vouchers (2) £138,134 · Community Meals £855,734 · The Main Scheme closed to applications in September. This report sets out the closing position in respect of the main scheme. 9.2 The Leader and Executive Member for Strategic Leadership thanked Officers for the work and support that they have provided to members of the public in relation to this scheme. Looking at the demographics of the cost of living crisis it is important that we provide support on the advice services. The Citizens Advice Bureau and other Associations are there to help people. 9.3 Cabinet agreed to: · note that any balances from the main fund will be allocated to residents’ Council Tax accounts as set out in 4.1.5 · allocate £6,200 from the underspend in Free School Meals Discretionary Support to the Council Tax exemptions Discretionary Support as set out in section 4.2.3 · any remaining balances – estimated at £27,400 – to be allocated to Discretionary Housing Payments REASON FOR DECISION: As set out in the report. CONSULTATION: As set out in the report. MEMBERS’ INTERESTS: None.
10.1 The Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Education highlighted the key messages within the report: • Shared Prosperity Funding (SPF) is the UK Government replacement to EU Funds and is one of their key financial Instruments to deliver the wider ‘Levelling Up’ agenda • Cabinet approved on 12th July 2022 the regional and local approach to SPF and agreed that this report would be brought forward on the local suite of projects which form Torfaen’s Local Investment Plan • the Local Investment Plan aligns to the strategic objectives within the emerging County Plan, and supports the implementation of the Economy and Skills Strategy and the Climate and Nature Emergency Action Plan • the Council is being ambitious with a diverse range of projects which all aim to deliver impactful long-term outcomes and benefits for communities and businesses across the County Borough 10.2 The Strategic Director for Economy and Environment provided the meeting with an overview of the work that has been carried out to date and what the next steps are: • involvement of partners • Members Seminar • one of the challenges has been to get the projects to meet the project parameters • within the Local Investment Plan there is support for Cardiff Capital Region to lead on Torfaen’s behalf • it is an ambitious project, and a joint working agreement will be set up with RCT • aligning this with the PMO the Team will work closely with them • waiting for UK Government to come forward with funding 10.3 The Strategic Director Communities informed the meeting that: · one of the risks/challenges is that we are unable to commission the projects until we receive the relevant funding; · the intent of the Gwent Regional Multiply Programme will help participants understand maths in everyday life and to improve certain skills at work. Whilst the programme is bespoke to Gwent, it must largely align with a national menu of approved interventions which are outlined in the Multiply Prospectus. Cabinet agreed to: • note the draft SPF Local Investment Plan (LIP) attached at Appendix 1 and delegate authority to the Strategic Director, Economy and Environment and the Leader and/or Cabinet Member for Economy, Skills and Regeneration to approve the final version of the plan; • approve the proposed financial allocation to each of the proposed projects and the indicative phasing of funding within the LIP and the principles for how the funding and programme will be managed as outlined in para 4.27; • approve the combined SPF and Multiply Administration Fee (net sum for Torfaen estimated at c£587k) to be retained and ring-fenced within the Economy and Environment forward budget for evaluation, monitoring and management of the overall programme; • note that organisations who submitted expressions of interest including three previously funded CRF pilot projects have been informed that they are unlikely to be taken forward. REASON FOR DECISION: As set out in the report. CONSULTATION: As set out in the report. MEMBERS’ INTERESTS: Councillors Peter Jones and Sue Morgan declared personal interests as members of Cwmbran Community Council as they were consultees. .
11.1 The Executive Member for Economy and Environment outlined the key messages within the report: • Section 6 of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 introduced a duty for public bodies to protect and enhance biodiversity and the resilience of ecosystems • the duty placed an obligation on all public bodies to publish a three yearly compliance report • the s6 report for 2020-22 has been drafted and is appended to this Cabinet report • the report outlines the substantial progress made in embedding the duty across a range of Council services • where gaps in implementation remain, recommendations for continued improvement are offered • Cabinet approval is required to proceed to the publication of the s6 report on the Council’s website 11.2 The Group Leader, Natural Environment Policy and Streetscene Operations informed the meeting that: • contributions were sought from a range of Teams within the Council • the report follows the format set out by Welsh Government · Green infrastructure was adopted and a new layer has been included on the Council’s internal GIS system • a detailed Torfaen Tree Strategy is now in place • in accordance with National Planning Policy – S6 is part of the planning process • Section Duty is embedded within the County Plan 11.3 The Leader and Executive Member for Strategic Leadership thanked Officers for all the hard work that has been undertaken in preparing this document. Cabinet agreed to: · approve the S6 report for publication. REASON FOR DECISION: As set out in the report. CONSULTATION: As set out in the report. MEMBERS’ INTERESTS: None.
12.1 The Executive Member Corporate Governance and Performance highlighted the key messages within the report: • during the 2021/22 financial year, the authority received a total of 92 complaints; 71 at stage 1, 3 stage 2 and 18 via the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales • this represents a 22.6% increase on the previous financial year when there was a total of 75 complaints. There was an increase in Corporate stage one and two complaints, a slight decrease in Social Care stage one complaints and a slight increase in Social Care stage 2 complaints however there was an increase in complaints received via the Ombudsman • the performance of the central Complaints team continues to have a positive impact on complaint handling across the Council. The team often deals with concerns at the point of contact, with the focus on liaising with service areas to resolve issues quickly, preventing complaint escalation and identifying opportunities to learn from customer contact • the Complaints Team dealt with 1109 contacts in addition to the formal complaints recorded which is up by 30.8% on the 848 calls taken during 2020/21 • we received 112 compliments from service users 12.2 The Executive Member Corporate Governance and Performance also informed the meeting that the Governance and Audit Committee commented that complaints were being dealt with very effectively and wanted to thank the Complaints Team for the way that they deal with all complaints received. 12.3 The Complaints and FOI Team Leader informed the meeting that: • in relation to benchmarking From April 2021 the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales have started collecting performance information from Local Authorities on a quarterly basis which is published on their website. • the Ombudsman’s annual letter is attached as Appendix 1 12.4 The Leader advised that staff need to be made aware of any compliments that are received and if all Service Areas were providing the Team with the information that they require to deal with the complaints. 12.5 The Complaints and FOI Team Leader advised that all the Service Areas work well with the Team. Cabinet agreed to: · note the information presented in this report and agree to continue to support the central Complaints and FOI Team. Cabinet is invited to provide feedback in relation to the annual letter from the Public Services Ombudsman. REASON FOR DECISION: As set out in the report. CONSULTATION: As set out in the report. MEMBERS’ INTERESTS: None.
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