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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 17th March 2025 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.
RESOLVED to: 1.Consider responding as consultees upon the proposals detailed in paragraph 4 of the report and Appendices 1&2. 2.Provide further comments, observations or recommendations in respect of these proposals prior to Cabinet consideration. 3.Request the Service Director for Democratic Services & Communications to provide Cabinet with the feedback of the Community Services Scrutiny Committee.
RESOLVED to: · Scrutinise the information provided in the report about the availability of defibrillators (AEDS) in Rhondda Cynon Taf Schools and the improvement actions proposed to ensure adequate availability and maintenance of units across the schools’ estate. · Request a further working group meeting to focus on public access to defibrillators in schools and other community locations.
The Chair welcomed Members and Officers to the meeting and apologies for absence were received from County Borough Councillors G Stacey, W Jones and T Williams.
In accordance with the Code of Conduct, the following declarations of interest were made: County Borough Councillor S Bradwick declared a personal interest in respect of item 3 Draft Sustainable Food Strategy: Public Consultation: “I am Treasurer of Ty Mynydd Residents space.” County Borough Councillor S Bradwick declared a personal interest in respect of item 4 Defibrillators in Schools: “I am a committee Member of Abernant Lifesavers who have organised a defibrillator outside Abernant Primary School.” County Borough Councillor A Fox declared a personal interest in respect of item 3 Draft Sustainable Food Strategy: Public Consultation: “I am Chair of one of the groups mentioned in the report.” County Borough Councillor A Fox declared a personal interest in respect of item 4 Defibrillators in Schools: “I am Chair and Vice Chair of Governors of two schools mentioned in the report.” County Borough Councillor H Gronow declared a personal interest in respect of item 3 Draft Sustainable Food Strategy: Public Consultation: “I am a volunteer at Pontypridd Little Lounge which is mentioned in the report. Also Pontypridd Town Councillor which is mentioned in the report.” County Borough Councillor L Tomkinson declared a personal interest in respect of item 3 Draft Sustainable Food Strategy: Public Consultation: “I am a Pontypridd Town Councillor which is mentioned in the report.” County Borough Councillor L Tomkinson declared a personal interest in respect of item 4 Defibrillators in Schools: “I am a Governor of two schools mentioned in the report.”
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 17th March 2025 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.
It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 17th March 2025 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to: 1.Consider responding as consultees upon the proposals detailed in paragraph 4 of the report and Appendices 1&2. 2.Provide further comments, observations or recommendations in respect of these proposals prior to Cabinet consideration. 3.Request the Service Director for Democratic Services & Communications to provide Cabinet with the feedback of the Community Services Scrutiny Committee.
The Community Development Service Manager introduced the Community Programmes Manager and the Sustainable Food Co-Ordinator. The Community Programmes Manager then presented the report, outlining its purpose: to provide the Community Services Scrutiny Committee with an opportunity to scrutinize and comment on the draft Sustainable Food Strategy. During the discussion, a Member raised concerns about the future funding of the Sustainable Food Co-Ordinator role, identifying it as a potential risk. The Member inquired about plans to mitigate this risk and asked what best practices from other Local Authorities could be learned from, as well as what success would look like for the strategy. The Community Programmes Manager acknowledged that funding for the role is typically allocated on a year-by-year basis, making long-term planning challenging. Members were informed that feedback had been shared with the Welsh Government, highlighting concerns about job security and staff turnover. However, Members were updated that there was now a strong indication that funding would be secured for a further three years. This extended commitment was welcomed as a positive step toward stability and continuity. Regarding best practices from other areas, Members were advised that the Sustainable Food Co-Ordinator actively participates in a Wales-Wide Network, which serves as a community of best practice. The network facilitates collaboration among Local Authorities, enabling them to support each other and collectively provide recommendations to the Welsh Government. The Sustainable Food Co-Ordinator emphasized the importance of a structured action plan to provide measurable outcomes for identified priority areas. The goal is to ensure that RCT becomes a vibrant hub for sustainable food initiatives, fostering community growth and supporting organizations in delivering sustainable food projects. Success would be reflected in the expansion of the local food movement. The Community Programmes Manager highlighted that having the Sustainable Food Co-Ordinator within the Community Development Team has strengthened the department’s work and aligned with corporate plan priorities. The Community Programmes Manager shared they have been able to increase the number of food support applications as a result of having the Sustainable Food Co-ordinator role within the team. The Community Development Service Manager added that, had funding not been secured, an options paper had been prepared and was under review by the Director and finance officers. Members were assured that mitigation measures were in place to address potential funding gaps. A Member inquired about how the strategy would support local farmers and food producers in thriving within the local economy. The Sustainable Food Co-Ordinator acknowledged that this is one of the most challenging areas among the six key priorities identified in the strategy. Over the past year, efforts have been made to gather information and host events such as the RCT Food Partnership Business Networking Breakfast to foster connections within the food industry. Plans are in place to organise more events, though progress remains ongoing. The partnership aims to consolidate information to better understand key issues and inform next steps for development. The Community Programmes Manager also noted that work is being done to improve procurement processes, ensuring that more local businesses are included. A significant success has been collaboration with Castell Howell, one of RCT’s largest food suppliers. Discussions with their Corporate Social Responsibility Manager have led to surplus food being diverted to local pantries in Cynon Valley. A Member raised concerns about food inequality and the health impacts of ultra-processed foods, asking whether any barriers to food access had been identified within RCT communities. The Community Programmes Manager explained that the team maps out food availability, including local food pantries. In terms of emergency food access, the Council has shifted from providing food boxes to issuing £35 emergency vouchers, allowing recipients greater choice. The Member followed up with a question about the long-term sustainability of food pantries, given their reliance on highly subsidised funding. The Sustainable Food Co-Ordinator confirmed that pantry sustainability is a key priority. The pantry model emerged during COVID-19, when surplus food was more readily available. However, as global economic factors have evolved, surplus food supplies have diminished, making it harder for organizations to sustain pantry models. The Sustainable Food Co-Ordinator referenced the role of Fareshare, noting that food manufacturers are increasingly minimising surplus food. Consequently, community pantry organisations now rely on small funding pots to continue providing valuable services. To address sustainability, RCT is funding a project to explore food cooperatives, with development planned over the coming year. The Community Development Service Manager emphasised the need to collaborate with Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board to build healthier communities and encourage residents to make healthier food choices. A Member asked whether efforts were being made to engage businesses such as restaurants and supermarkets in tackling food waste and promoting affordable, healthy meals. The Sustainable Food Co-Ordinator explained that most supermarkets already run schemes to distribute end-of-day surplus stock through Fareshare or other outlets. However, food safety regulations must be considered when distributing food from restaurants. Food surplus is being actively explored with Local Business Investment Districts within RCT. A Member inquired about how education is being integrated to encourage eco-friendly food choices and engage different residents. The Sustainable Food Co-Ordinator shared that several food-growing projects are part of the RCT Food Partnership, including initiatives that support schools in creating edible playgrounds. Plans are underway for an RCT Growing Week, during which organisations across the county borough will receive resources to help residents learn to grow their own food. A key goal of the partnership is to inspire residents to enjoy growing food and develop practical skills. A Member asked how RCT food projects are advertised to those interested in participating. The Sustainable Food Co-Ordinator explained that the RCT Together website currently lists community food support initiatives. Efforts are being made to expand the website to include mapping information on climate-related projects which will include growing projects. Additionally, collaboration with the allotments department allows individuals to be directed toward community allotments or gardens, where they can gain experience before obtaining their own allotment. Members were informed that subgroups of the food network, such as the Growers Network, are open to anyone interested in joining. A Member discussed opportunities to engage young people in learning about food-growing practices and the involvement of schools with local allotments. The Director of Education & Inclusion Services shared that many schools have eco councils and participate in eco awards. Sustainability is integrated into the - Curriculum for Wales, with many schools engaged in forest schools and food-growing projects. Schools are at different stages of development, but the healthy eating agenda is embedded in school food offerings, utilising local suppliers where possible. The Service Director – 21st Century Schools & Transformation added that the healthy eating agenda in schools is currently being renewed, to deliver WG new Nutritional Standards with significant promotion efforts underway. The Council has appointed two Dietitians within the service area to improve children’s health and educate them on healthy food choices. Following consideration it was RESOLVED to: 1.Consider responding as consultees upon the proposals detailed in paragraph 4 of the report and Appendices 1&2. 2.Provide further comments, observations or recommendations in respect of these proposals prior to Cabinet consideration. 3.Request the Service Director for Democratic Services & Communications to provide Cabinet with the feedback of the Community Services Scrutiny Committee.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to: · Scrutinise the information provided in the report about the availability of defibrillators (AEDS) in Rhondda Cynon Taf Schools and the improvement actions proposed to ensure adequate availability and maintenance of units across the schools’ estate. · Request a further working group meeting to focus on public access to defibrillators in schools and other community locations.
The Service Director – 21st Century Schools & Transformation presented a report examining the availability and coverage of defibrillators within Rhondda Cynon Taf schools. Members were reminded that, following the Notice of Motion at Council on 27th November 2024, a request was made for a report to be provided to the Scrutiny Committee to inform a potential Cabinet decision on defibrillator availability in schools. The report also outlined necessary improvement actions to enhance access to defibrillators, ensure wider community availability where needed, and maintain proper registration on ‘The Circuit’, the national defibrillator network. A Member expressed strong support for defibrillators in schools, emphasising that every school should have one on-site. They raised concerns about the legal implications for governing bodies if a defibrillator was required but had not been properly maintained. The Service Director acknowledged the need for further legal consultation to clarify this matter. The Member also highlighted the day-to-day pressures of running a school, which could lead to maintenance tasks being overlooked, reinforcing the importance of understanding legal responsibilities. The Service Director emphasised the importance of keeping school risk assessments up to date and regularly reporting them to governing bodies. Members were informed that risk assessments are centrally reviewed by the Council’s Education Department and checked by a Risk and Compliance Manager. A Member suggested incorporating defibrillator checks into the risk assessment process, to which the Officer confirmed that this could be explored within the risk monitoring system. Another Member shared their experience of working with community groups to secure a defibrillator for their local school and thanked the Council’s Education Department for their support. The Service Director noted that while maintenance costs for defibrillators are relatively low, replacement pads can be expensive. The service area aims to support schools where necessary and signpost them to charities that assist with defibrillator installations. Members discussed charitable funding options available in Cynon Valley. A Member raised concerns about the initial installation costs and queried available grants to support schools. Members acknowledged the challenging budget circumstances faced by schools but emphasised that the value of saving a life outweighs financial costs. The Service Director provided an overview of costs: • Defibrillator unit purchase: £800–£1,200 • Installation costs: £2,000–£5,000 (varies by site) She explained that installation is cheaper in newer schools due to infrastructure challenges in older buildings. As part of the Council’s 21st Century Schools Modernisation Programme, contractors are gifting defibrillators as part of their community benefits to new school buildings, but older schools require additional support. Where charity groups have funded defibrillators, the department has assisted with installation costs through a Service Level Agreement (SLA), ensuring proper installation by accredited electricians. The Director of Education & Inclusion Services clarified that while resources are available to support installation, funding for purchasing units is not provided. A mapping exercise has been conducted to identify the nearest available defibrillator for schools without one, helping to assess community access. A Member sought clarification on responsibility for improvement actions outlined in the report. The Service Director confirmed that ongoing responsibility lies with the ‘guardian’ of the defibrillator. If the unit is located on school grounds, the governing body is responsible for its maintenance and registration on ‘The Circuit’. If the defibrillator is off-site, responsibility falls to the guardian of the facility where it is housed. Further queries were raised about the process for schools without defibrillators—specifically, whether governing bodies need to liaise with charity groups to secure one. The Service Director confirmed that if a defibrillator is located outside the school on the school perimeter fence or wall then it becomes the responsibility of the school as a ‘guardian’ , however if it is housed in another community facility for example a local community centre, shop, public house the responsibility rests on that facility’s as ‘guardian’. While Members supported the fundamental idea of defibrillators in schools, concerns were raised about public access. Challenges include: • 24-hour accessibility • Staffing implications for caretakers • Safeguarding concerns if accessed by the public during school hours A Member requested further information to better understand these challenges. The Service Director acknowledged that accessibility is a wider community issue. Some defibrillators are installed on the front of school buildings, allowing public access and registration on ‘The Circuit’. However, units located within school grounds pose challenges for public registration. Further work is needed to explore collaborations with other organisations to ensure community-wide access. The Director of Education and Inclusion proposed including an item on the autumn term governing body agenda to present a report outlining: • The current defibrillator coverage in RCT schools • Training and maintenance expectations She emphasised the importance of strategically locating defibrillators within communities, rather than solely within schools, as there is no statutory requirement for schools to install them. Following consideration it was RESOLVED to: · Scrutinise the information provided in the report about the availability of defibrillators (AEDS) in Rhondda Cynon Taf Schools and the improvement actions proposed to ensure adequate availability and maintenance of units across the schools’ estate. · Request a further working group meeting to focus on public access to defibrillators in schools and other community locations.
The Chair thanked Members and Officers for their attendance at the meeting and shared that today’s meeting was the final one in this municipal year. The Chair thanked Members for their contributions to the meetings over the year.
None.
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