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Councillors: Rose Seabourne (Chair) Stuart Ashley Catherine Bonera Ron Burnett Nick Byrne Richard Clark (Deputy Leader) Lynda Clarkson Liam Cowles Fiona Cross David Daniels Giles Davies Steven Evans Joanne Gauden Karl Gauden Elizabeth Haynes Jon Horlor Nick Horler Anthony Hunt (Leader) Gaynor James Jon James Janet Jones Mark Jones Peter Jones Stuart Keyte Rosemary Matthews Susan Morgan Jason O’Connell Nicholas Simons Alan Slade Chris Tew Colette Thomas David Thomas Jayne Watkins David Williams Lucy Williams Nathan Yeowell Officers: Julian Davenne, Play Service Manager Delyth Harries, Monitoring Officer and Assistant Chief Legal Officer Neil Jones, Head of Communications, Elections and Civil Contingencies Dave Leech, Strategic Director, Adults and Communities Jason Lewis, Director Corporate Services & Head of Democratic Services Andrew Lovegrove, Strategic Director Resources Andrew Powles, Director of Education Dominique Redman, Team Leader Democratic and Member Services Tom Roberts, Business & Democratic Support Services Manager Jason O’Brien, Strategic Director, Children and Family Services Chris Slade, Assistant Democratic and Member Services Team Leader Mark Thomas, Deputy Chief Officer Highways & Climate Change Stephen Vickers, Chief Executive Claire Williams, Head of Additional Learning Needs, Inclusion and Wellbeing Others in Attendance: High Sheriff of Gwent Her Honour Helen Mifflin Representatives of the Play Service Young people from Cwmbran High School and Ysgol Gymraeg Cwmbran Recipients of Long Service Awards
2.1 Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Amanda Owen, Norma Parish and Caroline Price.
3.1 The Monitoring Officer and Assistant Chief Legal Officer (MO&ALO) referred to Agenda Item 9, Torfaen Education Services Update and advised members that if they were to ask a question or enter into a debate regarding a specific school, they should consider declaring an interest at that time, there was no need to declare an interest at this point in the agenda. 3.2 Cllr Stuart Keyte declared an interest in relation to Agenda Item 9, Torfaen Education Services Update, as his entered into a discussion concerning Llanyrafon High School which his grandchild attends.
4.1 Council confirmed the minutes of the Council meeting held on Tuesday 4 March 2025 as an accurate record.
5.1 Council noted the action sheet.
6.1 There were no petitions.
7.1 Public questions with replies are set out in Appendix A to these minutes.
8.1 The Leader welcomed the High Sheriff of Gwent Her Honour Helen Mifflin, who was in attendance to present a special award to Torfaen Play Service for the support they provided to Children and Young People throughout Torfaen 7 days a week through the medium of play. He recognised that it was her last week in post, and he thanked the High Sheriff for her work with Torfaen Council and her work within the communities over her term. 8.2 The High Sheriff High Sheriff commended the work of the Play Service and congratulated Julianne Davene, Play Service Manager. She explained that the Play Service had been independently nominated following the launch of her nomination campaign on social media and she read the nomination to Council and presented the award to the Play Service. 8.3 The Leader referred to the recent decision to honour staff with a long service award for 40 years of service at Torfaen County Borough Council in addition to the 25 years award, for people who had worked for the authority for 40 years. He felt that Torfaen had a hugely loyal workforce who was committed to the area - many of whom stayed with the Council for their entire careers. He invited those present at the meeting to receive a certificate in recognition of their long service, dedication and commitment to the Council. 8.4 The Leader made the following announcements: · Public Sector Catering had announced its finalists for its annual Awards, which would take place on 24th April 2025 at the London Hilton Metropole. He was pleased to announce that Torfaen County Borough Council School Meals Team was one of the finalists in the sustainability category. He congratulated the team on their hard work and wished them luck for the awards ceremony. · Members would be aware that the Council received various financial contributions through Section 106 Agreements as part of the planning process. In each case, the specific amount of the financial contributions and its designated use was detailed in the agreement. However, he was keen to get a more strategic overview of how to best use this money to benefit communities. He had therefore asked officers to coordinate with ward members to talk about this, and to ensure that members were informed about the Section 106 funds currently held for the ward and the plans for the spending of the funds. · He congratulated Pontypool United RFC for reaching the Youth Cup Final last Friday. He also congratulated Cllr Mark Jones, and all others involved at the club for a fantastic achievement, and another fine example of local sporting achievement. He hoped they enjoyed the experience of playing in the Principality Stadum. · On Friday the Chief Executive and himself called in at locations around the Borough to monitor progress on the major schemes that the Council was delivering. He felt it was exciting to see firsthand the top-class facilities being delivered all over the borough. · He commented that when he took office, he was concerned at the lack of all-weather facilities for sport, and made a promise to deliver pitches which were FIFA and World Rugby tested and accredited facilities that were among the very best in Wales. · He was pleased that real progress was being made, and he informed Council that the new pitches at Ysgol Gwynllyw and Abersychan were starting to be used, with Llantarnam not being far from completion. He was also pleased to see the sports hall and other new facilities at Abersychan School. · He further commented that Members had made investing in schools their number one priority, so on top of the investment in last month’s budget, he felt it was good to see investment ‘bearing fruit’. He had also recently visited Crownbridge School to see their new extended facilities and the difference that was making to the pupils and staff. · He stated that the Chief Executive and himself had also called in for an update at the new Maendy Primary School, which was nearing completion, and which would be an outstanding facility to provide the very best facilities for teaching and learning. They also visited brand new play parks in the borough that were packed with families taking advantage of the new facilities, which he was keen to repeat elsewhere in the Borough. He was aware that Cllr Clark also opened the new multi-use games area in Blaenavon yesterday. · He recognised that there was always more to do – particularly in schools and elsewhere – however, the investment was delivering on the council’s well-being objectives, improving lives and providing improved facilities within communities. · There would be further details about the council delivering promises in the next edition of Torfaen talks which highlights the councils investments in schools, investments in communities, investment in roads and investment in the local environment as part of the spring clean and keeping Torfaen tidy. 8.5 The Chief Executive referred his announcements to Ffion Brown, Young Chief Executive from Ysgol Gymraeg Gwynllyw (YGG) who introduced the young people attending council as follows: · Young Chief Executive – Ffion Brown (YGG) and Charlie Thomas, Cwmbran High School (CHS) · Young Deputy Chief Executive - Cody Watkins (CHS) and Olivia Furley (CHS) · Young Strategic Director of Children's and Families – Phoebe Evans (YGG) and Dewi Jackson (YGG) · Young Strategic Director of Resources – Jessica Thompson (Crosey) · Young Director of Neighbourhoods and Environment – Seryn Goode (CHS) · Young Head of Communications - Dewi Pitt (Croesyceiliog School) and Owain William Lewis (YGG) On behalf of the group of young people attending, Ffion extended thanks to the organisers and councillors for inviting them and allowing them to be a part of the council meeting. She commented that the young people were grateful for the opportunity to engage with the council and to contribute their perspectives on the matters at hand, and that the council’s commitment to involving young voices in the decision-making process was commendable. 8.6 Young Chief Executive Charlie Thomas officially announced that the Council would be hosting a VE day Civic Event on Thursday, 8th May to mark 80 years since the end of the second world war in Europe, providing an opportunity to reflect with pride and respect at the remarkable generation of men and women who helped secure peace and freedom. He informed council that the event would be taking place at St Gabriel’s Church in Old Cwmbran at 11.00am and would take place as a service led by Canon Brian Pippen, representatives from Torfaen’s veterans organisations, the military, schools, the council and others who were kindly giving up their time to take part. Torfaen residents were also being asked to provide photos and stories of locals who served in the war, and to provide photographs taken in the borough during war time.
9.1 The Strategic Director Children and Families and Phoebe Evans, Young Strategic Director of Children's and Families outlined the report which provided Council with an update on the work of the education service, explaining that the report complemented scrutiny and Council reports that had been provided over the last year. 9.2 In summary, members were pleased to see improvement and good progress being made, and they welcomed the Specialist Educational Psychologist who was working with all secondary schools in Torfaen. Members also commented that, following the more recent Estyn monitoring visit, they looked forward to an update on Cwmbran High School which has been in special measures for a number of years. 9.3 In response to comments and questions asked of officers around allocation of VAT to private school fees and the impact this would have on the provision of education in Torfaen, the Executive Member Children, Families and Education stated that officers should not be looked upon to answer and comment on political issues. He explained that not all pupils intending to migrate from Rougemont School would be in the catchment area of Torfaen, and in any case, pupil numbers in Torfaen secondary schools were continually reviewed by staff. With reference to Cwmbran High School, he assured members that he would notify them as soon as he received Estyn’s monitoring report. He referred to the Education Plan and the collaborative working being undertaken and he praised the work of local authority staff, the EAS, and also the support provided to schools by the Head of Additional Learning Needs, Inclusion & Wellbeing. He assured members that he would continue to provide updates. 9.4 The Leader thanked the Executive Member Children, Families and Education for his hard work which had played an essential part in driving improvement. He also thanked staff in the Education Department, and staff in schools for their dedication to pupils. In addition, he thanked all councillors for choosing to invest in schools, which he felt was resulting in positive consequences. 9.5 In response to questions asked around ensuring provision for additional learning needs, the Director of Education and the Head of Additional Learning Needs, Inclusion & Wellbeing commented around the significant challenges faced in relation to specialist additional learning needs places, explaining that for this September an additional 20 resources spaces had been created in addition to the additional specialist places at Crownbridge, however, this wasn’t sustainable and therefore, there was a need for provision in mainstream schools to adapt to the needs of learners. Members were informed of plans for developing a dynamic forecasting model, and of the ongoing work in schools to adapt to the new curriculum, and also of the development of a teaching and learning strategy in order to exemplify what good inclusive practice looked like. Reference was also made to the recent appointment of an ALN Inclusion and Wellbeing Advisor whose role was to support schools in adapting to the curriculum. 9.6 The Presiding Member commented that Cwmbran High School was in her ward, and as former Chair of Governors of Cwmbran High School, she had an interest in the school. She welcomed the changes being implemented and the improvements being made within the Education Service, and she commented around the enormous benefits of the school visits that had recently been undertaken, particularly in respect of improving relationships with schools. She thanked officers for their hard work. 9.7 Council unanimously agreed to accept the report as an update of progress made within education services.
10.1 The Director Corporate Services and Head of Democratic Services outlined the report which informed Council of a new Violence Against Women and Girls Member Champion, and which asked Council to note that Councillor Janet Jones was nominated to serve as Violence Against Women and Girls Member Champion for the remainder of the 2024/25 municipal year. 10.2 In response to comments made around ensuring that the most experienced member is nominated when appointing Member Champions, and a request that moving forward the Leader consult with all councillors to ensure that the best person is chosen for the role, the Leader explained that he had nominated Cllr Janet Jones in recognition of the action taken by her in proposing the motion, and he stated that he was happy to work with all members in the Council Chamber. 10.3 Cllr Janet Jones commented that she was proud of the motion that she had proposed in relation to Violence Against Women and Girls and she clarified that she was happy to fulfil the role of Member Champion until the end of the municipal year. Other members commented around the importance of the motion and of appointing a Member Champion to work collaboratively with all other members. 10.4 Council agreed with the majority voting in favour to: • To note the establishment of the Violence Against Women and Girls Member Champion and that Councillor Janet Jones is nominated to serve as Violence Against Women and Girls Member Champion for the remainder of the 2024/25 municipal year. • That the Member Champion Protocol included at Appendix 25 of the Council’s Constitution be updated to include the Violence Against Women and Girls Member Champion under the non-portfolio group of Champions.
11.1 Councillor Nick Horler proposed the following motion: ‘CARING FOR THE DECEASED This council: - Believes that everyone deserves to be remembered on their death and receive a dignified send-off. - Notes the concerns about people passing with no next of kin or others to attend their funeral. - Welcomes the steps taken by the council to provide more affordable arrangements for those who pass away without the means to pay for their funeral. - Commends efforts by officers, members and others in the community in recent months to explore how we work together to co-ordinate a list of volunteers prepared to pay their respects in these circumstances. - Requests that these are taken forward and reported back to council, with the assistance of Members to raise awareness. Rationale - Caring for the Deceased. A few months ago, I received a very impacting email from a Caring Professional who is a local resident who wanted me to help spread the word about his poignant thought for humanity. I have been considering an idea for a while now, which came to me after reading a story about a service person who had died and was buried (presumably at the cost of the LA), unacknowledged. No one to attend his funeral, no clear identification of next of kin, not even any neighbours or passing acquaintances. That was a tragedy. If anyone should die and be buried/interred/cremated, service person or not, unnoticed and unacknowledged that is a sad moment, not just for that person, but for us as a society/community. I am afraid it happens a lot. Imagine a life that ends in loneliness and isolation. One which, at the final moment may appear meaningless. Clearly, there are some reasons why that might happen. Sometimes by personal choice, sometimes by family break ups. I get that. However, for someone to pass away in circumstances of absolute isolation can never be something we should be comfortable with. It is a symptom of an increasingly selfish and self-absorbed society. To have just one person, graveside, to acknowledge a passing might be a good thing. Imagine if there was a body of volunteers, who would be prepared to attend a funeral of someone they didn’t know, just to be there as a human presence to acknowledge the existence of that individual and their life…… I think we could make that happen. Anecdotally, I know people who would take on that role. It would take imagination, drive and persuasion, but it could be done. The services, often via the RBL do it for ‘their own’ but I would like to think it could be done for everyone. For communities like Welsh valleys town, who like to think they are friendly and inclusive there are plenty of ‘cracks’ that people fall through. Reaching out in life is one thing, but reaching out in death is just as important Over the last few months, we collectively with officers have been looking into how this poignant thought could be made into positive reality and have come to conclusion. Although there is limited amount of need, however, there is and could be a time when a resident of our community falls into this tragic circumstance. In essence the Cemetery team could call a body of volunteers headed up by a co-ordinator to facilitate attendance of volunteers who want to pay their respects at these funerals to represent TCBC impartiality suited and booted. Therefore, I ask members to support this valuable motion for our communities with a collective approach in order increase to raise awareness. Whilst I fully understand topics like this are hard for some to take onboard surely, we must address the care on the life journey of our residents that we all serve.’ 11.2 The motion was seconded. 11.3 The Leader thanked Cllr Horlor for bringing the motion to Council. He commented around the ongoing work with officers to make arrangements to allow volunteers to pay their respects at funerals of those who sadly pass away with no known next of kin, family or friends. He recognised that it was only on rare occasions that Cemeteries Services had to make funeral arrangements for Torfaen residents, with only three such funerals being arranged last year where there was no identified next of kin, and whereby comfortingly, two of those were attended by people who knew the deceased. He conveyed his thanks to the Cemeteries Team who did their utmost to ensure that any funeral they arrange is carried out in a dignified and respectful manner, involving the use of a funeral director and minister. In addition, he thanked the local resident who brought this suggestion to Cllr Horler, and he also thanked Cllr Horler for acknowledging the efforts of officers, Members and others in the community in exploring how attendance of volunteers could be facilitated to pay their respects at funerals in appropriate circumstances. He stated that he was committed to continually improving the Cemeteries Service and he was happy to take this thoughtful and compassionate proposal forward and to report back to Council on progress. 11.4 A recorded vote was taken, with members voting as shown in the table below, with all 35 members voting in favour of the motion. Council unanimously agreed to support the motion: COUNCILLOR FOR AGAINST Stuart Ashley ü Catherine Bonera ü Ron Burnett Not present for the vote Nick Byrne ü Richard Clark ü Lynda Clarkson ü Liam Cowles ü Fiona Cross ü David Daniels ü Giles Davies ü Steven Evans ü Joanne Gauden ü Karl Gauden ü Elizabeth Haynes ü Nick Horler ü Jon Horlor ü Anthony Hunt ü Gaynor James ü Jon James ü Janet Jones ü Mark Jones ü Peter Jones ü Stuart Keyte ü Rosemary Matthews ü Sue Morgan ü Jason O’Connell ü Rose Seabourne ü Nicholas Simons ü Alan Slade ü Chris Tew ü Colette Thomas ü David Thomas ü Jayne Watkins ü David Williams ü Lucy Williams ü Nathan Yeowell ü
12.1 Member questions with replies are set out in Appendix B to these minutes.
13.1 The next meeting was scheduled for 13 May 2025 at 10.00 am.
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.
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