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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 hybrid meeting held on the 24th September 2025 as an accurate reflection of the meeting subject to noting that the declarations of interest of both Councillors K Morgan and A Rogers relate to agenda item 12 Outside Body Membership.
The Presiding Officer welcomed Members and Officers to the hybrid Council meeting in Llys Cadwyn, Pontypridd.
In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, the following declarations were made pertaining to the agenda: Item 6 -Members’ Questions Councillor K Johnson- “I am an employee of Transport for Wales” Councillor J Brencher- “My son is employed by Transport for Wales” Item 9 - Chief Officer VER and Redundancy Packages Councillor A Morgan OBE- “I am Leader of the WLGA who are mentioned in the report” Item 10 – Notice of Motion HTST Councillor P Binning – “I am personally affected by the Home to School Transport changes this summer” Councillor M Powell – “My daughter is affected by the Home to School Transport changes” Agenda Item 12-The Council's Senior and Associated Management Post Structure The Director of Legal & Democratic Services: “I wish to declare a personal interest in agenda item 12 on behalf of all officers present and whose posts are referenced in the report and its appendices. Officers will remain in the meeting during discussion of the item and advise on any procedural matters”.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the hybrid meeting held on the 24th September 2025 as an accurate reflection of the meeting subject to noting that the declarations of interest of both Councillors K Morgan and A Rogers relate to agenda item 12 Outside Body Membership.
The Council RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the hybrid meeting held on the 24th September 2025 as an accurate reflection of the meeting subject to noting that the declarations of interest of both Councillors K Morgan and A Rogers relate to agenda item 12 Outside Body Membership.
The Service Director Democratic Services & Communications confirmed that one request from the public was received to the Council Business Unit from RCT resident, Ms Laila Phelps, within the specified period in accordance with the Council’s Open Government Council Meeting Procedure Rules (section 4) and the Council’s Public Participation Strategy. The Service Director added that the Cabinet Member for Environment & Leisure, Councillor A Crimmings would reply to Ms Phelps following her presentation in relation to Home to School Transport as set out on the agenda. Response of Councillor A Crimmings (Cabinet Member for Environment & Leisure) :
1.Question from County Borough Councillor G. W. Hughes to the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing, County BoroughCouncillor M. A. Norris: “How is this Council supporting businesses in Tonypandy?” Response of Councillor M Norris: Councillor Norris advised that the Council has recently completed a period of formal public consultation on a draft strategy for Tonypandy Town Centre. The Strategy will become a blueprint for future investment in the town centre, setting a clear and ambitious vision for the retail area, and putting forward a series of exciting local projects. One of the strategy’s five core ambitions focuses on Nurturing Business, to ensure the community thrives. Councillor Norris added that a supportive environment will encourage local entrepreneurs and fill the area with traders that include small start-ups and independent stores. Responses to the consultation are currently being prepared and will be presented to Cabinet in early 2026. Councillor Norris commented that the Strategy will also complement the newly established Business Improvement District or (BID) that has been facilitated by the Council and voted for by the Tonypandy business community at a ballot held in July 2025. BIDs are business-owned, led and run organisations formed to improve trading conditions in a commercial centre. Councillor Norris advised that the Tonypandy BID have already developed a proposal that pledges to fund and deliver additional improvements within Tonypandy including better business promotion and communication, a programme of events and activities and support for new and existing businesses. He added that the Council looks forward to working alongside the Tonypandy BID to support the implementation of these pledges. Councillor Norris concluded that the Council also offers a range of financial investment programmes to new and existing businesses, supported by funding from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund and Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns Place-making Grant. He confirmed that since April 2022 the Council has supported a total of 20 businesses in Tonypandy to apply for its Large-Scale Property Improvement Grant, Business Growth Grant and Town Centre Minor Improvements Grant, providing £338,428 of financial support to businesses. 2.Question from County Borough Councillor V. Dunn to the Cabinet Member for Communities, County BoroughCouncillor B. Harris: “RCTCBC has provided funding to South Wales Police for extra PCSOs. In my ward of Aberdare East, members of the public complain that there is a lack of police presence in the town centre. Please could the Cabinet Member outline what the council does to monitor how this extra funding is being used and that communities are benefiting from this extra funding?” Since June 15th, 2023, the RCT-funded Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) have been working alongside RCT Community Wardens to support public safety across Rhondda Cynon Taf. It is worth noting that this joint initiative between the Council and South Wales Police is the first of its kind in Wales, introducing additional PCSOs directly into communities. In Aberdare, PCSOs form part of the Aberdare East Neighbourhood Policing Team and as part of ongoing visibility and engagement, the team carry out town centre patrols and can take part in local events such as Cuppa with a Copper. One of these sessions is due to take place at Aberdare Market this coming Saturday, where a member of the policing team will be available to speak with residents and listen to any concerns. More broadly, across the County Borough PCSOs and Community Wardens carry out joint patrols in parks, town centres, and neighbourhoods and are guided by a Joint Operating Framework to ensure resources are focused where they’re most needed. Regular meetings are held to support ongoing coordination, training, and service improvements but if there are any areas of particular concern, I would encourage anyone to attend the events where possible or make contact with the team. Feedback on the introduction of PCSOs from residents has generally been really positive, particularly in our town centres, however, we certainly welcome the increase in Neighbourhood Policing Officers from South Wales Police. 3.Question from County Borough Councillor W. Hughes to the Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, County BoroughCouncillor R. Lewis: “Can the Cabinet Member please provide an update on the development of the new special school at Clydach Vale?” Happy to update you on the progress of the new 3 to 19 Additional Learning Needs school in Clydach Vale. We’re currently on week 28 of the 73-week project, and despite weather challenges, construction is moving ahead steadily. Over the past few weeks, our focus has been on the main structures of the school buildings. Foundations and steelwork are progressing well, with the first floor and roof concrete completed in Zone 1. Steelwork in Zone 2 began in early October after being pushed back slightly due to the weather, and good progress has been made in the Car Park area with the installation of new site cabins - allowing us to remove the old setup entirely. Moving forward, we will be focusing on completing foundation works in Zone 1 and 2 to allow the steelwork to progress and roofing and window installation towards the end of October. Once we get that area watertight, we can begin the internal works – which is a really exciting stage for everyone involved. While the construction activity is, of course, at the heart of this project, what really makes it special is the impact it will have on the community once delivered and the social value partnership we have created during the process. We’re committed to creating local opportunities as the project progresses and working with schools like Cwmclydach Primary on delivering education workshops and supporting the Penrhys Youth Employment Project. On that note, I am pleased to share that two participants have now secured employment directly through this project – one being a cleaner and one being a labourer. Looking ahead, we’re planning to build on this success by working with Cambrian Village Trust and local sports organisations, helping to create even more opportunities for people of all ages to get involved. The project is on track to be completed by the 2026 academic year, and we look forward to seeing the lasting impact. 4.Question from County Borough Councillor K. Webb to the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing, County BoroughCouncillor M. A. Norris: “Can the Cabinet Member provide an update on the work being undertaken by the Council in tackling the issue of empty homes?” The RCT Empty Homes Strategy (2022-25) provides the framework for all activity across RCT aimed at bringing empty homes back into use. It supplemented the previous strategy, (2018-2021) and continues the positive work that has so far been achieved. Investment in housing provides an ongoing stimulus to the local economy, by supporting the construction industry and local supply chains. Making available a supply of affordable homes also helps to improve the prosperity of residents and helps support a huge range of households in society that may not otherwise be able to meet their needs in the market, thereby promoting independence and positive lives for all. These positive outcomes can be evidenced by: · A reduction of 857 (24.1%) empty properties from 3,556 in April 2018 to 2,699 in April 2025. · Houses into Homes Loan funding for empty properties totalling £5.45m which has helped created 277 units of accommodation. · £2m invested into bringing 87 empty homes back into use in RCT via the National Empty Homes Grant Scheme. · 240 properties brought back into use through RCT interventions during 2024-25 (8.9% of total) · A total of 657 interventions carried out by officers during 2024-25 to bring empty homes back into use. · Council tax premiums introduced on long term empty properties to support this strategic priority. 5.Question from County Borough Councillor G. Holmes to the Leader of the Council, County BoroughCouncillor A. Morgan OBE: “Can the Leader provide an update on the development of the new Active Travel routes between Llanharan and Talbot Green following the securing of funding?” The Council received £139k of funding from the Welsh Government’s Active Travel Fund in 2025/26 to enable the development of an Active Travel Route between Llanharan and Talbot Green. A feasibility study has already been completed, and preliminary design of the route is ongoing. This element of the scheme is due to be completed by the end of March 2026. In order to deliver this project, some land acquisition will be necessary, and officers will shortly commence preliminary discussions with the relevant landowners. Looking forward to the next steps, officers are currently seeking funding opportunities to continue the development of this proposed scheme into 2026/27. I know that Cllr. Hopkins’ question up next is on the Llanharan Sustainable Transport Corridor, so it’s just worth noting that this Active Travel route will actually provide a key link to that major scheme in Llanharan It will actually then form part of a substantial route that connects up to Pencoed in Bridgend County Borough. 6.Question from County Borough Councillor G. Hopkins to the Leader of the Council, County BoroughCouncillor A. Morgan OBE: “Can the Council Leader give a further update on the plans to develop the Llanharan Sustainable Transport Corridor?” The Llanharan STC is a proposed construction of a key link road with bus prioritisation at key junctions, alongside the provision of the aforementioned Active Travel Route that will link Pencoed and Llantrisant. In terms of an update: • Preliminary Design and key document preparation (Environmental Statement, SAB Strategy, mitigation proposals etc) have been completed. • These documents have now been published for public display as part of the Pre-planning Application Consultation (PAC) which started on Monday 29th September and will remain live for four weeks. • As part of this process, a public exhibition was held over two days within the community and was well attended. With regard to the next steps, officers willcollate and respond to representations made during the Pre-planning Application Consultation process and make any amendments to the scheme design and or planning documents which may be required as a result of any comments received. • Immediately following this, the Council intends to submit a Planning Application in January 2026. • Commission a procurement Strategy for design and construction phases, by Dec 2025 • Select a strategy for procuring the design and construction phases, spring 2026 7.Question from County Borough Councillor C. Lisles to the Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, County BoroughCouncillor A. Crimmings: “Can the Cabinet Member give an update on the changes in residents recycling behaviour since the move to black bag waste collection across the whole county and in particular the rise in the use of public litter bins by residents to dispose of domestic household waste including food waste?” Following the introduction of standardised refuse collections, it has been really positive to see that refuse tonnages have reduced by 33%, food waste tonnages have increased by 21% and dry mixed recycling has increased up by 11%. This has equated to an average weekly recycling performance increase of 11% since the beginning of Q3 2024/25, as Rhondda Cynon Taf continues to collect more weekly dry mixed recycling than any other Council. For Q1 we have received a provisional recycling rate of 76% for 2025/2026, which is of course above the 70% target and is a direct reflection of the incredible take up from residents and hard work from our officers. Importantly, this figure also helps us to reduce cost and avoid Welsh Government fines so that the money can be reinvested into local services. With specific reference public litter bins, there have been some instances raised where we have seen an increase in domestic waste, including food waste, being placed into street litter bins. However, we have seen similar cases in the Rhondda where there has been no change to refuse collections. At present, there has been no established correlation to why this unintended consequence has occurred, as the frequency of collection of food waste from households has remained the same. Notwithstanding this, as part of a review of the Service, the Council are continuing to review and will look to develop an Action Plan to tackle the issue of waste in street litter bins, primarily focused upon educating residents to correctly dispose of their domestic waste via the Council’s free, weekly household recycling collection service. It is also worth considering the National changes during the last 12 months where food waste rules for trade/commercial have changed. The impact of this is something we will continue to investigate. 8.Question from County Borough Councillor S. Trask to the Leader of the Council, County BoroughCouncillor A. Morgan OBE: “Can the Leader of the Council give an update on what measures the Council are taking to ensure Local Service Bus punctuality is maintained?” Whilst we, as a Council, will support operators where concerns are raised on punctuality - for example due to long term or persistent road works - it is down to the commercial operator to manage the punctuality of their services through their own measuring processes. If timetables cannot be managed, and there is no possible physical measure can be put in place to assist, it will be for the operator to review their timetables and vehicle/driver requirement.
The Service Director Democratic Services & Communication provided an update on the Council Work Programme for the 2025/26 Municipal Year. He advised that the Leader’s debate would now take place at next month’s Council meeting to be held on the 26th November 2025 at 5pm with an update regarding the arrangements to be circulated ahead of the next meeting. The Service Director also advised that the January Council meeting would now be held on the 28th January and not the 21st January as previously agreed. He added that beyond these two changes there were no other alterations to the remaining calendar of meetings for the 2025/2026 Municipal Year.
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.
Lists the council's current councillors only. Co-opted members, officers and former councillors aren't shown.