Wrthi'n llwytho
Does dim crynodeb o'r cyfarfod hwn eto. Caiff crynodebau eu hysgrifennu pan fydd y cyngor yn cyhoeddi'r cofnodion, sef ei gofnod swyddogol o'r hyn a benderfynodd cyfarfod. Maen nhw fel arfer yn ymddangos ychydig wythnosau ar ôl y cyfarfod.
Councillors: Rose Seabourne (Chair) Stuart Ashley Alfie Best Catherine Bonera Nick Byrne Richard Clark (Deputy Leader) Lynda Clarkson Liam Cowles Fiona Cross David Daniels Steven Evans Joanne Gauden Karl Gauden Elizabeth Haynes Jon Horlor Nick Horler Anthony Hunt (Leader) Gaynor James Jon James Janet Jones Peter Jones Stuart Keyte Rosemary Matthews Susan Morgan Jason O’Connell Norma Parrish Caroline Price Nicholas Simons Alan Slade Chris Tew Colette Thomas David Thomas Jayne Watkins David Williams Lucy Williams Nathan Yeowell Officers: Claire Cutforth, Head of Waste Transformation Rebecca Fahey-Jones, Team Leader Scrutiny Delyth Harries, Monitoring Officer and Assistant Chief Legal Officer Dave Leech, Strategic Director, Adults and Communities Jason Lewis, Director Corporate Services & Head of Democratic Services Andrew Lovegrove, Strategic Director Resources Michele Mitchell, Head of Service Highways & Transportation Gavin Newman,Team Leader Highways, Traffic & Enforcement Dominique Redman, Team Leader Democratic and Member Services Tom Roberts, Business & Democratic Support Services Manager Jason O’Brien, Strategic Director, Children and Family Services Chris Slade, Assistant Democratic and Member Services Team Leader Geraint Thomas, Scrutiny Officer X3 Members of the public in the gallery
2.1 Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ron Burnett, Giles Davies, Mark Jones and Amanda Owen.
3.1 The Monitoring Officer and Assistant Chief Legal Officer (MO&ALO) advised that she wasn’t aware of any interests. There were no declarations of interest.
4.1 Council confirmed the minutes of the Council meeting held on 22 July 2025 as an accurate record.
5.1 Council noted the action sheet.
6.1 There were no petitions.
7.1 There were no public questions.
8.1 The Leader: · Thanked council staff, local residents, and all others involved in supporting the Tour of Britain cycling event held in Torfaen and Monmouthshire recently. He commented that it was a successful weekend with a great atmosphere throughout the course and at the finish line. Feedback from organisers, riders and fans who had travelled to see the race had been positive, with many travelling from afar who said they would be back to visit the area. He felt this showed the importance of supporting such events and providing a positive image of the area. · Thanked everyone that went along to Greenmeadow Farm over the weekend and to the Members’ event prior to the weekend. He looked forward to the farm continuing to grow from strength to strength and was pleased to see children enjoying themselves at the farm especially. · Referred to the South East Wales Business Awards which were held on 7 September 2025, and congratulated three local businesses run by women which won awards, Kate Hiscock of Botanic Possessions in Blaenavon, Lyndsey Ford of LAF Designs who won the best photographer category, and Emma Livings of Twinkling Toes.
9.1 The Business & Democratic Support Services Manager (B&DSSM) presented to Council the Annual Scrutiny Report for the 2024-25 municipal year. He thanked the Scrutiny Team who had overseen scrutiny function and development of the report. 9.2 Scrutiny chairs thanked officers for their support, members for their ongoing support and engagement, and also those who had attended meetings and contributed towards the work of scrutiny. They provided an overview of the key items considered by individual committees over the past year and commented around successes such as scrutiny visits and also engagement with young people. Moving forward, members were encouraged to highlight subjects that they feel would be appropriate for scrutiny. Comments by other members were also made around the benefits of holding site visits, and also of holding joint scrutiny meetings, particularly when there was an overlap of topics. 9.3 The Leader thanked all of those that had been involved with scrutiny over the past year, particularly scrutiny members for their contributions. He thanked the Education Overview & Scrutiny Committee for their role in the improvement journey over the past few years, and also the Deputy Leader for the role he had played. He commented around the importance of building scrutiny into the decision making process, particularly in relation to pre-scrutiny of the budget, and he valued the contributions made over the years. He also recognised the benefits of scrutiny committees working together, particularly in relation to topics such as ‘The Deal’, work on Marmot, and work on links with the communities, which scrutiny could play a part in. He paid tribute to Councillor Stuart Ashley as an outgoing scrutiny Chair after 12 years’ service, and whose insights were always valued, particularly in relation to his passion around issues such as sustainability and diversity. 9.4 In response to comments made around improvement of member attendance, the B&DSSM assured members that the team would continually look for ideas and suggestions whereby attendance could be improved. He referred to the recent pilot of changing timings of meetings which didn’t have the desired impact. He assured members that the team would always be open to suggestions, and he encouraged members to prioritise attendance at meetings and to let the team know if they required any extra support. 9.5 Council unanimously agreed to note the content of the 2024-25 Annual Scrutiny Report.
10.1 The Director Corporate Services outlined the report seeking approval of amendments to the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules (previously referred to as Contract Standing Orders) that were specific to Schools. 10.2 Council unanimously agreed: · To approve the proposed amendments to Contract Procedure Rules. · That the Monitoring Officer be given delegated authority to add the amended Contract Procedure Rules to the Constitution. • the Monitoring Officer be given delegated authority to add the amended Contract Procedure Rules to the Constitution.
11.1 The Head of Service Highways & Transportation (HoSH&T) outlined the report which updated Council on the findings of the recent traffic monitoring that had been undertaken following a petition requesting traffic calming measures on James Street, Blaenavon, and outlined the review of data collected from traffic speed and volume surveys, alongside an assessment of historical collision records to determine whether James Street meets the criteria for Traffic Calming measures. 11.2 Blaenavon Ward Members thanked officers for producing the report, and in view of the findings, asked that officers continue to monitor and assess the situation. The HoSH&T explained that the plan was to carry out some speed data monitoring within three months and compare the data with data already collected. She further explained that collision history data was reviewed annually, and dialogue was received from police as and when collisions happened. 11.3 In response to questions asked by members, the HoSH&T commented as follows: • National Standards used the 85th percentile speed, however, data could be interrogated further and in this instance, officers had reviewed what 95% of the speed was, which was 23mph. • Any concerns expressed by residents regarding road safety can be addressed through exercises around community engagement. • Any decisions based on National standards were in relation to human injury rather than injury to animals, however, this could be addressed as part of community engagement exercises. 11.4 Members commented around the importance of road safety and consideration of the safety of residents, and following the monitoring period of three months, they welcomed an update. 11.5 Council unanimously agreed to: • Note that James Street would continue to be monitored as part of the councils routine traffic management programme. • That the Lead Petitioner is informed of the findings of the report.
12.1 There were no motions on notice.
13.1 Member questions with replies are set out in Appendix A to these minutes.
14.1 Council unanimously agreed to note the Cabinet Decisions.
15.1 The next meeting was scheduled for Tuesday 28 October 2025 at 10.00am.
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.