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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
Agreed that Councillor S.K.Hunt be appointed as Chairperson for the meeting.
Decision as recorded
Agreed that Councillor S.K.Hunt be appointed as Chairperson for the meeting.
Agreed that Councillor S.K.Hunt be appointed as Chairperson for the meeting.
The Chair welcomed all to the meeting.
The following Members and Officers made Declarations of Interest at the start of the meeting: Councillor T.Bowen - Minute No. 11 – (B4287 Efail Fach to Pontrhydyfen, Efail Fach) – as he is a ward member. Minute No.21 - The Regulated Services (Service Providers and Responsible Individuals) (WALES) Regulations 2017 and Hillside Secure Children’s Home Update – as he has a family member who works at Hillside Minute No.22 – The Manager’s Report on Hillside Secure Children’s Home – as he has a family member who works at Hillside. Minute No. 24 – Provision of support to Neath Port Talbot Council in its role of Accountable Body for Celtic Freeport – as he is the Chair of the Joint Scrutiny Committee. Councillor S.Pursey - Minute No. 24 – Provision of support to Neath Port Talbot Council in its role of Accountable Body for Celtic Freeport – as he is part of the Joint Scrutiny Arrangements. Minute No. 8 - The Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 – Neath Port Talbot Active Travel Delivery Plan (2024-2029) – as he is named in the report as one of the consultees. Councillor J.Hurley - Minute No. 11 (B4287 Efail Fach to Pontrhydyfen, Efail Fach) – as he is a ward member. Nicola Pearce - Minute No. 24 – Provision of support to Neath Port Talbot Council in its role of Accountable Body for Celtic Freeport – as she is a company director of the Celtic Freeport Company Ltd. She felt this interest to be prejudicial, so left the meeting for this item. Minute No 12. - Review of Fees and Charges Paid at Local Government Elections - All Officers Declared an Interest, K.Jones presented the item.
That the minutes of the previous meeting of Cabinet, held on the 2 October, 2024, be agreed as an accurate record.
The Forward Work Programme 2024/25 was noted.
There had been one question submitted to Council. Mr Dewitt was welcomed and asked the following questions to Council: 1. In some recent years, Neath Port Talbot Council has not submitted bids to the active travel fund at all and more recently when it has, it has been unsuccessful. I would hope to see some new strategies to improve this but it is unclear what these are. NPT is now unquestionably the worst performing local authority in this area and I would like to see some specific goals that can start the process of improving. 2. Other local authorities have tried to build significant signature projects and these are getting funding, Monmouth is building a bridge over the Wye, Newport built a huge pedestrian and cycleway over a train line connecting people in ways they could not before. Swansea has several signature pieces of infrastructure connecting people in ways other than via cars. Where is NPTs ambition to do the same, why can't we add some significant visible infrastructure providing a pedestrian and cycle front door into our destinations. It can and should be bigger than this as it is in our neighbouring local authorities. Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Transport and Connectivity thanked Mr Dewitt for his questions and responded to the Committee. Since 2014, Neath Port Talbot have submitted applications to the Welsh Government for Active Travel improvements for over £13,000,000 and have been successful in securing over £6,000,000. Applications for funding have been submitted every year since 2014. With regards to unsuccessful bids, the Active Travel Fund is always oversubscribed by bids from over 22 Welsh Local Authorities. Section 5 in the Active Travel Delivery Plan details proposed improvements, the plan contains 29 actions and the subject to funding would see the delivery of improvements in a number of areas, including Neath Town Centre, Aberafan, Port Talbot, Cimla to Neath Town Centre, Neath Canal to Briton Ferry Bridge. Within Neath Port Talbot, there are 400 future routes, these proposed improvements will be subject to funding. This will improve 35% of the future routes on the Neath Port Talbot future Active Travel Network Map. Mr Dewitt was thanked for the questions, and joining Members and Officers at the Cabinet meeting.
Decision: That the Cross Community Centre be disregarded as a consideration for Triage and/or temporary accommodation. Reasons for Proposed Decision: The Centre is unsuitable for the provision of a Triage service. Implementation of Decision: The decision is proposed for implementation after the three day call in period.
Decision: That having had due regard to the integrated impact assessment, it is recommended that Members endorse the Active Travel Delivery Plan (2024 – 2029), as set out in Appendix 2 of the circulated report. Reasons for Proposed Decision: To further ensure that the council is complying with the requirements of the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013. Implementation of Decision The decision is proposed for implementation after the three day call in period.
Decision: That the report be noted.
Decision: That having had due regard to the integrated impact assessment it is recommended that the objections are upheld in full to the (Cilmaengwyn, Pontardawe) (Prohibition of Waiting, Loading and Unloading At Any Time) Order 2024 (as detailed in Appendix A and Appendix B to the circulated report) and that a revised scheme (as detailed in Appendix C and Appendix D to the circulated report) is implemented. Reasons for Proposed Decision: The scheme is necessary to prevent indiscriminate parking practices in the interest of road safety. Implementation of Decision: The decision is proposed for implementation after the three-day call-in period.
Decision: That having had due regard to the integrated impact assessment it is recommended that the objections are upheld in full to the (B4287 Efail Fach to Pontrhydyfen, Efail Fach) (Revocation of 7.5 tonne weight restriction) Order 2024 (as detailed in Appendix A to the circulated report). Reasons for Proposed Decision: The restriction shall remain in place; however, the Council will continue to monitor the situation going forward. Implementation of Decision: The decision is proposed for implementation after the three-day call-in period.
Officers reaffirmed their Declaration of Interest and left the meeting for this item only. Decision: That the amended fee structure, as contained in Appendix 1 attached hereto, for Local Government elections, be approved. Implementation of Decision: The decision is for immediate implementation. Reason for Proposed Decision: To agree the amended fee structure prior to the appointment of appropriate staff.
Decision: That the applications set out in Appendix 1, be approved. Reason for Proposed Decision: To decide on the amount of financial support in respect of the grant applications received. Implementation of Decision: The decision is proposed for implementation after the three day call in period.
Decision: That having had due regard to the full Integrated Impact Assessment, it is recommended that: 1. Members agree the recommendation to proceed with the Commemorative Blue Plaque Scheme and commit finances to this initiative. 2. Members agree to the decision-making process as specified in the Policy and Guidance documents. Reasons for Proposed Decision: To enable Neath Port Talbot Council to proceed with the launch of a Commemorative Blue Plaque Scheme to inform and to celebrate notable people, places and events in our local history and to commit funding to deliver the project. Implementation of Decision: The decision will be implemented after the three-day call-in period.
Decision: That having had due regard to the Integrated Impact Assessment, it is recommended that: 1. Members note the content of the ‘Swansea Bay Service Level Agreement’ as presented in Appendix 2. 2. Delegated authority be granted to the Head of Planning and Public Protection to enter into the agreement with the Swansea Bay University Health Board. Reasons for Proposed Decision: The decision is needed to establish formal working arrangements to deliver against the Welsh Government core principles for health protection, and to establish a sustainable and resilient workforce that has the ability to prepare and respond to health protection matters across the regional footprint of Swansea Bay. Implementation of Decision: The decision is proposed for implementation after the three day call in period.
Decision: That members agree in principle to the changes to rent charges for childcare providers in schools and educations buildings. Reasons for Proposed Decision: To ensure the continuity of the development of childcare in Neath Port Talbot, in line with Welsh Government policies and plans. Allowing officers to strive to close the childcare sufficiency gaps identified by our Childcare Sufficiency Assessment. To support the Governing Bodies of schools in supporting the request for childcare facilities to be developed on school sites. Thus, also supporting the Local Authority in meeting the statutory duties placed on it in the Childcare Act 2006. This will in turn support the Child Poverty agenda in enabling parents the time to enter training or employment opportunities, or to access employment or training within the childcare sector. Implementation of Decision: The decision will be implemented after the 3 day call in period.
Decision: That the report be noted.
Decision: That having had due regard to the integrated impact and risk assessments, it is recommended that, in line with Section 48 of the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013, the consultation on a proposal to close the specialist learning support centre provision for secondary age pupils with visual impairment at Cefn Saeson Comprehensive School, be approved. Reasons for proposed decision: This decision is necessary to comply with the formal consultation requirements imposed on the Council by the School Organisation Code. Subject to the outcome of consultation, implementation of the proposal will enable the Council to promote high educational standards and the fulfilment of every child’s potential. It will also enable the Council to meet its duty to ensure that resources are utilised effectively in line with the need for specialist places within the County Borough. Implementation of the decision: The decision is proposed for implementation after the three day call in period.
Because of the need to deal now with the matter contained in Minute No 20 below, the Chairperson agreed that this could be raised at today’s meeting as an urgent item pursuant to Section 100B (b) of the Local Government Act 1972. Reason: Due to time element.
Decision: That the report be noted.
RESOLVED: That pursuant to Regulation 4 (3) and (5) of Statutory Instrument 2001 No 2290, the public be excluded for the following items of business which involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
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