Loading
There is no summary of this meeting yet. Summaries are written once the council publishes the minutes, which are its official record of what a meeting decided. They usually appear a few weeks after the meeting.
Executive Members (with Portfolios): Councillors: Anthony Hunt – Leader and Executive Member for Strategic Leadership Richard Clark – Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Education David Daniels – Executive Member for Adult Services and Housing Peter Jones – Executive Member for Corporate Governance and Performance Sue Morgan – Executive Member for Resources Mandy Owen – Executive Member for Environment Joanne Gauden – Executive Member for Economy, Skills and Regeneration Officers: Stephen Vickers – Chief Executive Nigel Aurelius – Assistant Chief Executive, Resources Polly Ellis – Principal Solicitor Jason O’Brien – Strategic Director, Children and Family Services Rachel Jowitt – Strategic Director, Economy and Environment Dave Leech – Strategic Director, Adults and Communities Jason Lewis – Director of Corporate Services Dave Lilly – Director of Financial Services Bethan McPherson – Head of Communities and Renewals Mark Thomas – Deputy Director Highways and Climate Change Richard Lewis – Head of Development Management Rachel Standfield – Development Planner Andrew Osborne - Group Leader, Natural Environment Policy and Streetscene Operations Steve Williams – Team Leader Ecology Nansi Salkeld – Head of Democratic Services Michael Collins – Temporary Consultancy Support Officer Neil Jones – Head of Communications, Engagement and Civil Contingencies Kerrie Smith – PA to Leader and Deputy Leader (Maternity Cover) Niall Flack - Apprentice Democratic Services Officer
2.1 Apologies were received from Councillor Fiona Cross – Executive Member for Children, Families and Communities.
3.1 The Principal Solicitor reminded the meeting: · of the advice that the Assistant Chief Legal and Monitoring Officer had recently given to members and reiterated her advice in relation to Agenda Item 8 entitled National Default Speed Limit – that Members will have a personal interest (not prejudicial) if they are affected in anyway regarding the exception’s sites listed in paragraph 4.5 of the report; · if Members enter into a debate or ask a question in relation to any specific matter in the reports you can consider declaring an interest at that time. 3.2 Agenda Item 6 - the Leader declared a personal interest in relation to Torfaen Leisure Trust as he is a Council appointed member of the Board.
4.1 The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 10 January 2023 were agreed as a true and accurate record.
5.1 The action sheet was noted. R Jowitt advised that City Deal are still working through the final details.
6.1 The Executive Member for Resources highlighted the key messages of the report: · the report outlines an affordable budget, with minimal service implications; · appropriate reserve usage to cushion the impacts of energy inflation in 2023/24; and · the 2023/24 Torfaen County Borough Council Tax increase is re-affirmed at the level agreed in March 2022, ie 1.95% This report builds on from previous reports and she was grateful for the hard work that everyone involved in the preparation of the budget and report had undertaken. 6.2 The Deputy Chief Executive informed the meeting that we had a very solid position during 2022/23 and as ever we have a very corporate approach to budget development within Torfaen and the support received from Strategic Directors and Executive Members is acknowledged and appreciated. Due to the much-improved provisional settlement from the Welsh Government and the delivery of the mitigations we are able to produce a balanced budget the details of which are contained within section 3 of the report. The Authority has been very explicit in the way it is going to use the reserves, and these are detailed in paragraph 3.5. Two helpful recommendations were received from Cross Cutting Resources and Corporate Business and Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and these are detailed within paragraph 3.7. In terms of risks, we will be setting our budget at Council on 28 February 2023 slightly in advance of the Welsh Government budget and we do not expect significant changes but if there are these will be managed. We have got financial challenges going forward and this is where project apollo will play a part. These will then be built into the 2024/25 budget. The headlines of the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) have been noted and this has got to be where project Apollo needs to take effect. We will have financial challenges going forward., A few of the reserves have been re-classified as corporate reserves and rationalised and these are set out in the table within paragraph 6.2. Additional funding requirements outside of the budget considerations are detailed within paragraph 6.3. 6.3 The Leader thanked Welsh Government for the settlement and also thanked everyone involved in pulling the budget together. The pressures are significant that need to be managed, in particular inflation come after a decade of very low inflation. Justifiably there are some pressures on pay awards. The extra monies for schools and key priorities etc is very welcome and the uplift in ALN funding is also welcome. By setting the Council Tax rate at 1.95% we have recognised the cost of living and the impact on household budgets. The Council tax support scheme is invaluable. 6.4 Cabinet agreed to: · approve the final proposals outlined as part of the final 2023/24 Budget; · the revised MTFP is noted; and · the Reserves position is noted, and the proposed changes and use approved.
7.1 The Executive Member for Economy, Skills and Regeneration highlighted the key messages within the report: · In May 2021 Cabinet approved the prioritisation of “a future strategy and a deliverable programme of improvements for our town centres” as the focus for a Round 2 Levelling Up Fund (LUF) bid to the UK Government · In March 2022 Cabinet approved the allocation of £490,000 to develop town centre projects within Pontypool and Blaenavon to inform the 2 LUF Bids submitted to UK Government. The package bid for Pontypool comprised of 2 projects involving Council assets and 1 project where it was necessary to work with a third party owner. The bid for Blaenavon was a single project, working with a third party owner. · Two bids were submitted to UK Government for consideration in August 2022 as part of a competitive process, with bids being scored on the need of the place, strategic fit with the fund, deliverability, and the value for money (economic case). The 2 bids submitted were: o Pontypool Cultural Hub and Café Quarter: (St James’s Church, Park Entrance Café and Glantorvaen Road Car Park improvements) o Blaenavon House: A World Heritage Hotel: (the Beeches) The Secretary of State, David Davies recently visited Pontypool following the announcement of the bid. The Executive Member expressed her thanks to the Project Team for their continued commitment. Whilst Blaenavon House: A World Heritage Hotel was unsuccessful in this process, but that Officers are awaiting feedback from the UK Government. Pontypool Cultural Hub and Café Quarter bid was one of only 11 successful Round 2 LUF bids in Wales, with LUF funding of £7,607,805 agreed. All LUF funding must be expended by 31st March 2025. The Authority has a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DHLUC) for consideration but will not be in receipt of all terms and conditions of funding until a scheduled meeting with the DHLUC Delivery Team takes place in March 2023 with the date as yet to be confirmed. 7.2 The Head of Communities and Renewal advised that UK Government Funding decision in respect of LUF was announced on 18th January 2023. Due to the delay to the announcement of the funding decision (originally anticipated Autumn 2022), the period for programme delivery has been condensed, therefore permission is sought to progress with programme in advance of the meeting with DHLUC in March in order not to lose further time on programme. This will involve accessing funds already committed from Capital (as set out in the Revised Capital Programme approved by Council in September 2021) to progress this work during February and March. The estimated cost is £150,000 during this period but will be recoverable at the intervention rate set out in the grant application once the funding award has been signed. The high risks to note are: · That the Council will not be able to accept the terms and conditions of funding - considered low level · Potential escalation of costs associated with works - mitigation in measures in place should that occur 7.3 The Leader thanked the Officers who had pulled the bid together within short notice. 7.4 Cabinet agreed to: · approve to progress the Pontypool Cultural Hub & Café Quarter bid allowing access to £150,000 from the funds already committed, in advance of March when terms and conditions of funding will be understood; and · provide delegated authority to the Strategic Director: Communities & Digital to accept the award of funding in consultation with the Executive Member Economy, Regeneration and Skills and Deputy Chief Executive when the full terms and conditions are understood and considered acceptable.
8.1 The Executive Member for Environment highlighted the key messages within the report: · the introduction of a default residential speed limit of 20mph throughout Wales was a commitment in the First Minister’s manifesto and has become a priority for Welsh Government - ‘We know that 20mph zones reduce speed of traffic, reduce accidents particularly accidents to children – and we want to see that become the default position right across Wales.’ · Legislation throughout Wales will change on the 17th September 2023. · the Council has gone through a robust evidence-based process to identify those roads which are proposed to remain at 30mph and have developed a Highway Assessment tool which builds on the place criteria Welsh Government have issued to Local Authorities in Wales. · Experimental traffic regulation order and held a number of Members Seminars. · Consultation has been held with all interested and affected parties. · Signage will be erected on the proposed 20mph roads. Several Member seminars have been held and in general all the comments received have been favourable in support of the 20mph speed limit and the proposed list of streets that are to remain at 30mph. 8.2 The Deputy Director, Highways and Climate Change informed the meeting that the proposals set by Welsh Government. Factual data led approach to our decisions. However, whilst experienced Officers have undertaken assessments. Divert away from the regular approach and adopt a trial. The experimental traffic regulation order will be in place for 18 months. Once that trial period has been complete there will be an open and transparent approach to presenting the findings of the trial. 8.3 The Leader advised that one question has been received regarding sites 34 and 35 of where the road goes down to 20mph with some points relating to the school, community hall and play area and advised that he would like to propose an amendment to allow the Executive Member Environment the ability to determine the extent and positioning of exception sites 34 and 35 and any buffer zone in consultation with local members. The amendment was approved. 8.4 The Executive Member Resources referred to paragraph 4.8 of the report and asked if there was a timeframe following the assessment when the decision will be made. 8.5 The Deputy Director Highways and Climate Change advised that monitoring throughout the 18 month period. 8.6 The Strategic Director Economy and Environment advised that a further report will be brought back to Cabinet at the conclusion of the 18 month period and clearly over that time there may be some other requests that a 20mph street be raised up to 30mph. This approach allows us to be flexible and engagement will continue throughout. 8.7 The Executive Member for Adult Services and Housing in relation to climate change what would carry more wait the houses fronting onto the street or the road users? 8.8 The Deputy Director Highways and Climate Change advised that we will be looking at the impact on communities. 8.9 The Strategic Director Economy and Environment advised that the appendices take into account a lot of the details. 8.10 Cabinet agreed to: · approve that the Executive Member Environment is delegated to determine the sites etc; and · approve the Highway Assessment tool developed to determine a list of exception sites which will remain at 30mph and also give approval for an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order to be used in conjunction with the proposed exception sites; · approve the amendment proposed by the Leader for the Executive Member to determine exception sites and buffer zones.
9.1 The Executive Member Economy, Skills and Regeneration highlighted the key messages within the report: · Placemaking is described as a holistic approach to planning and design of development and spaces, focused on positive outcomes; · this isn’t “new” to Torfaen. The recently approved Place Plans integrated the principles of this charter into the plans for Pontypool and Blaenavon; · this report seeks endorsement for the Council to become a signatory of the Placemaking Wales Charter and outlines how the principles align with the Council’s corporate priorities and well-being objectives. The signing of the Charter will strengthen the commitment of planning in Wales to such principles and help to enhance Torfaen as a forward-looking, progressive and inclusive authority; 9.2 The Senior Planner (Planning, Policy and Implementation) advised that the Placemaking Wales Charter was developed by Welsh Government and the Design Commission for Wales (DCfW) to set out the principles of Placemaking in a document that can be signed and endorsed by all organisations and bodies involved in the development process. Organisations including Local Authorities (LAs) are being asked to sign the Placemaking Charter to demonstrate support for placemaking in all relevant areas of working. A total of 130 organisations have signed to date including five other Local Authorities, and more recently Wrexham. There are 6 principles set out in the Charter covering People and Community; Location; Identity; Movement; Mix of Uses and Public Realm. To provide additional support, officers have re-drafted existing Development Plan/Masterplan Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) to emphasise Placemaking principles. The proposed SPG has been reported to Council (6th December 2022) and has undergone a public consultation exercise (Dec 2022 to February 2023). It is expected that a Report of Consultation along with the final version of the SPG will be reported to Council on 28th February 2023 for consideration and adoption. It will then become a material consideration in the determination of planning applications and associated decisions. Placemaking will be advocated as an approach in all Council projects that Planning Officers are involved in, and officer led training sessions are offered on Placemaking Principles. There is potential, subject to further consideration, of inclusion of the Placemaking Principles within the Well Being Assessment template which accompanies Council reports. 9.3 The Leader advised that this is something that he very much supports and thinks that the six principles ties in really well with the new County Plan as well as the Future Generations Act and asked how we are going to make sure we have the capacity in Planning to deliver the principles. 9.4 The Head of Development Management advised that this is something that has been looked at over a long period of time, there are recruitment issues, and he is currently preparing a Chief Officer report relating to the Planning Service and hopefully a full team will be in place within the next 12-18 months. 9.5 The Strategic Director Environment advised that everything has been taken into account, this isn’t just a planning function. 9.6 The Leader thanked the Planning Team for the work that they undertake and asked if there was anything we could do with neighbouring Councils to try and get the capacity needed to deal with these things. 9.7 Cabinet agreed to: · endorse the Placemaking Wales Charter; and · authorise the Head of Planning and Development to submit to the Design Commission for Wales for Torfaen Council to become a signatory to the Charter; and · approve further consideration by Council Officers to implement placemaking considerations throughout Council activities e.g. incorporation of the placemaking principles into the Well-Being Assessment framework.
10.1 The Executive Member, Environment went through the key messages contained within the report: · sustainably managed grassland contributes to the delivery of the Council’s Climate and Nature Emergency Action Plan and compliance with the Council’s biodiversity and ecosystems resilience duty under the Environment (Wales) Act 2016; · a consultation exercise introducing a proposal to expand the number of sustainably managed grassland areas was undertaken with Members through recent Place-based (Ward Area) meetings. This was followed by an additional consultation exercise whereby ward-based maps of all sites were provided to Members for further comment; · three generally supportive responses were received from Members; · this report recommends Cabinet approves the expansion of sustainably managed grassland sites for years 2023 and 2024. 10.2 Group Leader, Natural Environment Policy and Streetscene Operations informed the meeting that in addition, The Environment (Wales) Act 2016 introduced an enhanced biodiversity and ecosystems duty otherwise known as the section 6 duty. To comply with the duty, it is expected public authorities should embed the consideration of biodiversity and ecosystems into their early thinking, including any policies, plans, programmes and projects, as well as day to day activities. To better understand any operational constraints Streetscene Chargehands were consulted. This has resulted in a reduction in areas to be considered. Constraints include access difficulties, area too small and/or steep and highway proximity. It was also suggested that the introduction of additional cut and collect sites should be phased in over a two-year period to help with workload management. All selected sites are Council owned and will range from peripheral areas within parks, to road verges and other patches of urban green space. It is important to emphasise that whilst the sites are proposed to be cut once a year, margins around each site will continue to be regularly maintained and on larger areas public access will be encouraged through the cutting of access pathways. New equipment has been procured and training will be given to staff. The table within the report illustrates the number of sites currently under sustainable management with areas proposed for inclusion in years 2023 and 2024. 10.3 The Leader thanked staff for the work that had undertaken to date. 10.4 The Executive Member Economy, Skills and Regeneration asked a question about signage. 10.5 The Team Leader Ecology advised that it is a simple QR code link that sets out the rationality. 10.6 The Leader was of the view that we need to ensure that we take members of the public on this journey. 10.7 Cabinet agreed to · approve the expansion of sustainably managed grassland sites to be phased in over the years 2023 and 2024.
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.