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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED: 1.Consider the completed and published Section 19 reports (attached as Appendices 1-5), published under Section 19 of the FWMA 2010, following Storm Bert, 2.Determine whether they have any observations on the process and outcomes of the reports, and 3. Request that, in consultation with the Council’s Presiding Officer, an invitation is extended to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and Dwr Cymru to attend a future Council meeting
The Service Director Democratic Services and Communications presented the Committee with an update on the Notice of Motion relating to the installation of Braille signage across council buildings, aimed at improving accessibility for blind and visually impaired residents. The motion had previously been referred to the committee for scrutiny before being considered by Cabinet. The Service Director explained that whilst the Council is committed to improving accessibility, there is no existing programme specifically for Braille signage. The officer explained that some buildings may already have tactile signage in place, particularly newer or refurbished facilities, but there is no consistent standard across the estate. Members were advised that the Estates team had begun work to understand what would be required to implement Braille signage more widely, including: • A review of existing signage across council buildings. • Consultation with accessibility experts and service users • Cost estimates and logistical considerations. The Service Director confirmed that while the motion was well-intentioned, it would require capital investment, and any rollout would need to be prioritised alongside other accessibility improvements. A Member welcomed the motion and said it was a positive step toward inclusion but expressed concern that the Council might delay implementation due to cost or complexity. The Member asked whether there was a timeline for scoping work and when Cabinet would be able to make a decision. The Service Director responded that initial scoping had begun, but no formal timeline had yet been agreed. They advised that Cabinet would be provided with a realistic delivery plan, including timescales, once the review was complete. They also noted that the Estates team would work closely with the Equalities team to ensure the proposal aligned with the Council’s Strategic Equality Plan. A Member asked whether service users, particularly those with visual impairments would be involved in the design and decision-making process. The Service Director advised that engagement with service users was a priority. He explained that the Council would consult with local disability groups and individuals with lived experience to ensure that any signage installed was fit for purpose and user-informed. A Member asked about the practicalities of installing signage in older buildings and asked if the Council had sought best practice from other organisations. The Service Director acknowledged that installation in some older buildings could be challenging, especially those with heritage status or complex layouts, however reassured that physical signage remains essential, particularly for those who do not use digital devices. The Service Director concluded that benchmarking was part of the scoping work and other approaches will be reviewed to identify effective and affordable solutions. Following discussion, the Committee agreed to support the motion in principle and made requested that the Cabinet be asked to consult with Corporate Estates and provide a clear and realistic timeline for the implementation of Braille signage across Council buildings. The Committee emphasised the importance of transparency and the project not being left open ended. Resolved to: 1.Acknowledge the current position regarding the provision of braille signage within Council assets; 2. Consider recommending a phased programme of installation of braille signage, beginning with high-footfall public buildings (e.g. libraries, leisure centres, civic buildings, cultural venues following collaboration with local visually impaired groups, service users and the Council’s own dedicated Sensory Services Team); 3. In doing so request that Cabinet consider costed implementation plans are developed and brought forward in due course as part of the capital and revenue programmes; and 4. That Cabinet is asked to clarify and confirm anticipated timescales for the implementation of braille signage across council buildings by consulting with Corporate Estates to ensure a realistic and transparent timeline for delivery.
The Committee received a comprehensive update on the Council’s corporate safeguarding arrangements presented by the Chief Executive. The report outlined progress made over the past year, key priorities, and areas for improvement across the Council’s safeguarding responsibilities. The Chief Executive highlighted the Council’s commitment to ensuring that safeguarding is embedded across all departments, nit just within social services. The report detailed the work of the Corporate Safeguarding Board, which oversees safeguarding activity across the organisation, including workforce training, policy compliance and partnership working A Member asked about training for elected members, particularly those who were school governors. The Member expressed concern that some members may not be aware of their safeguarding responsibilities in these roles and asked whether there was a system in place to track training uptake. Officers advised that while safeguarding training is offered to all elected members, there is currently no formal audit of training completed in external roles such as school governance. However, it was acknowledged the importance of this and agreed that exploring how a training audit could be implemented would be a valuable step and would explore options with the Education directorate and Governor support services. A Member asked if there was a mechanism to flag safeguarding concerns raised by members in their ward work, especially when they’re not directly linked to social services. Officers confirmed that members are encouraged to report any safeguarding concerns through the Council’s single point of contact system, which ensures that referrals are triaged appropriately. A Member asked how safeguarding responsibilities were monitored across departments that don’t traditionally deal with vulnerable individuals, such as Highways, the Member asked whether staff in these areas receive safeguarding training and how compliance is tracked. Members heard that safeguarding is now a corporate responsibility and all departments are expected to ensure their staff are trained appropriately. They noted that the Council uses an e-learning platform to deliver core safeguarding modules, and completion rates are monitored centrally. In-person training is also offered for roles with higher safeguarding exposure. Another Member asked about the Council’s role in multi-agency safeguarding arrangements, particularly in relation to domestic abuse and child exploitation. They wanted to know how the Council ensures its voice is heard in regional safeguarding boards. The officer responded that the Council is an active member of the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Safeguarding Board, with senior officers attending regularly. Members were advised that the Council contributes to strategic planning, data sharing, and joint training initiatives. The officer also highlighted recent work on contextual safeguarding, which looks at risks outside the home, such as peer groups and online environments. Members further questioned safeguarding in commissioned services, such as care providers and youth services. The member asked how the Council ensures that external organisations meet safeguarding standards. The officer confirmed that all commissioned services are required to comply with the council’s safeguarding policies and undergo regular contract monitoring. They also noted that providers must demonstrate staff training compliance and report any safeguarding incidents promptly. The Council’s quality assurance team conducts audits and follows up on any concerns. The Chair thanked the officers for the detailed report and responses. Members agreed that safeguarding must remain a priority across all areas of the Council’s work and supported the proposed actions to strengthen training, reporting and oversight. Resolved to: 1.Scrutinise the Council’s corporate arrangements for the safeguarding of children and adults at risk, including the progress against the delivery plan for 2024/25.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: 1.Consider the completed and published Section 19 reports (attached as Appendices 1-5), published under Section 19 of the FWMA 2010, following Storm Bert, 2.Determine whether they have any observations on the process and outcomes of the reports, and 3. Request that, in consultation with the Council’s Presiding Officer, an invitation is extended to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and Dwr Cymru to attend a future Council meeting
The Chair introduced the item and welcomed officers from Natural Resources Wales the Flood and Water Risk Manager who provided a detailed presentation on the Section 19 Flood Investigation reports, prepared in response to significant flooding events, notably Storm Bert in November 2024 which saw over 400 properties affected across the borough, prompting a statutory investigation under the Flood and Water Management Act. Members were advised that five separate reports had been produced, each focusing on areas where 20 or more properties were internally flooded. The investigation process was thorough and included technical surveys, public engagement, and collaboration with partner organisations like Natural Resources Wales and Welsh Water. Members were told that the Council had also commissioned CCTV drainage surveys and reviewed rainfall data to better understand the causes and impacts. The main takeaway from the reports was that flooding was primarily caused by main river overflow, followed by surface water and issues with sewer infrastructure. The Officer emphasised that while the Council has clear responsibilities, so do NRW and Welsh Water, and each organisation has been assigned actions to address the risks identified. Members expressed concern about the low level of public engagement as only 22 responses were received despite the scale of the flooding. Officers responded that while the engagement was advertised through multiple channels, the council recognised the need to improve communication. He highlighted the new Flood Support Awareness Officer role as a key part of that strategy and stated that future consultations would be more targeted. Members raised the issue of riparian ownership and noted that many residents are unaware of their responsibilities when it comes to maintaining watercourses on their land. Officers agreed this is a challenge and stated they are working on clearer messaging, though enforcement powers remain limited when it comes to private landowners. Members queried the effectiveness of the flood warning systems and emergency response. Members praised the Council’s efforts but asked whether improvements could be made to sandbag distribution and monitoring infrastructure. A representative from NRW responded, explaining that they had recently revised their risk appetite and warning thresholds, and were actively reviewing the placement of monitoring equipment. They acknowledged that some areas may not have received timely warnings and committed to improving coverage. Members questioned the coordination between agencies, asking whether there was a clear mechanism for ensuring that actions identified in the reports would be delivered and monitored. Officers confirmed that the council would monitor its own actions through the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy and Action Plan, and that NRW and Welsh Water were responsible for their respective actions. He added that regular partnership meetings were held to track progress A Member raised a concern regarding the level of accountability and transparency from external partners, particularly Welsh Water, in relation to their role in flood risk management and infrastructure maintenance. The Member stated that whilst the reports identified actions for Welsh Water, members had limited opportunity to scrutinise their priorities. Members proposed that Welsh Water be formally invited to attend a future meeting of Full Council where they could provide a direct update on their response to the flooding events, outline their investments plans, and answer questions from elected members, therefore allowing greater transparency and ensure responsibilities were taken seriously, especially in areas where sewer infrastructure had contributed to flooding. The Committee supported this proposal, and it was agreed that this recommendation would be included in the minutes. Several members praised the council’s emergency response, particularly improvements in sandbag distribution and cross-departmental coordination. Officers confirmed that sandbags are now stored at strategic locations and that staff from multiple departments are trained to assist during flood events. Members also discussed the need for upstream water storage, natural flood management, and land use planning. A question was raised about the role of the Taff Catchment Master Plan in shaping future flood mitigation efforts. Representatives from NRW responded that the Master Plan is a key strategic document and that modelling work is ongoing to identify priority areas for intervention. They confirmed that peat bog restoration, tree planting, and land management are being considered as part of a broader approach to flood resilience. There was also discussion around sewer infrastructure, with members asking whether Welsh Water had committed to upgrading systems in flood-prone areas. Officers noted that Welsh Water had been consulted during the investigation and that actions relating to sewer capacity and maintenance are included in the reports. However, he highlighted that delivery depends on Welsh Water’s investment priorities and regulatory framework Following conclusion of discussions, the Chair thanked all officers and representatives from NRW for their detailed presentation and responses. Members acknowledged the complexity of flood risk management and emphasised the importance of continued investment, partnership working and community engagement. RESOLVED: 1.Consider the completed and published Section 19 reports (attached as Appendices 1-5), published under Section 19 of the FWMA 2010, following Storm Bert, 2.Determine whether they have any observations on the process and outcomes of the reports, and 3. Request that, in consultation with the Council’s Presiding Officer, an invitation is extended to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and Dwr Cymru to attend a future Council meeting
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