Agenda and minutes

Annual Meeting of the Council - Thursday, 25th May, 2023 10.00 am

Venue: Remotely via Microsoft Teams

Contact: Democratic Services 6139

Media

Items
No.	Item
1.	Simultaneous Translation You are welcome to use Welsh at the meeting, a minimum notice period of 3 working days is required should you wish to do so. A simultaneous translation will be provided if requested. Minutes: It was noted that no requests had been received for the simultaneous translation service.
2.	Apologies To receive. Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from: Councillors K. Chaplin, G. A. Davies, J. Morgan, J.P., G. Thomas, Corporate Director of Education and Interim Corporate Director of Social Services.
3.	Declarations of Interest and Dispensations To consider any declarations of interest and dispensations made. Minutes: There were no declarations of interest or dispensations reported.
4.	Presiding Member's Announcements To receive. Minutes: Condolences Condolences were expressed to the family of Trevor Jones, MBE fondly known as ‘Trevor the Milk’ a local legend in Tredegar who had sadly passed away. Members and officers paid their respects with a minute’s silence. Congratulations Congratulations were expressed to: - All players, staff and supporters of Abertillery Blaenau Gwent RFC on winning the National Division 3 Cup at the Principality Stadium on 8th April, 2023. This meant that Abertillery Blaenau Gwent RFC was the best Division 3 Team in the whole of Wales, such a fantastic achievement. The Club dedicated the game to the memory of former player and previous Chairman, Roger Clark, who passed away suddenly after watching them win the game that took them to the final. - Abbi Meyrick who had been selected to play for Wales’s women under 18’s rugby team.
5.	Presiding Member and Deputy Presiding Member To appoint Presiding Member and Deputy Presiding Member of the Council for 2023/24. Minutes: It was proposed and seconded that Councillor C. Smith be re-elected Presiding Member of the Council and that Councillor D. Wilkshire be appointed Deputy Presiding Member of the Council for the ensuing year. Upon a vote being taken it was unanimously, RESOLVED accordingly.
6.	Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council To appoint Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council for 2023/24. Minutes: It was proposed and seconded that Councillor S. Thomas be re-elected Leader of the Council and that Councillor H. Cunningham be elected Deputy Leader for the ensuing year. Upon a vote being taken it was unanimously, RESOLVED accordingly.
7.	Group Officers Group Secretaries to report on Group Officers for 2023/24. Minutes: The Labour Group Officers for the ensuing year were reported as follows: Councillor S. Thomas – Leader Councillor H. Cunningham – Deputy Leader Councillor T. Smith – Secretary Councillor C. Smith – Group Chair Councillor D. Wilkshire – Group Vice-Chair Councillor P. Baldwin – Treasurer It was reported that the Independent Group Officers for the ensuing year would be: Councillor J. Wilkins - Leader Councillor W. Hodgins - Deputy Leader Councillor J. Holt – Secretary
8.	Membership of the Cabinet To appoint Membership of the Cabinet for 2023/24. Minutes: Upon a vote being taken it was unanimously RESOLVED that the following be appointed: Leader of the Council/Cabinet Member - Corporate Overview & Performance Councillor S. Thomas Deputy Leader of the Council/Cabinet Member – Place & Environment Councillor H. Cunningham Cabinet Member – Place & Regeneration and Economic Development Councillor J. C. Morgan Cabinet Member – People & Social Services Councillor H. Trollope Cabinet Member – People & Education Councillor S. Edmunds
9.	Chair, Vice-Chair and Membership of Scrutiny Committees To appoint Chair and Vice-Chair and Members of the Scrutiny Committees for 2023/24. Minutes: It was proposed and seconded that the positions of Chair and Vice-Chair be held by the following and upon a vote being taken this was unanimously RESOLVED: People Scrutiny Committee Chair Councillor T. Smith Vice-Chair Councillor J. Morgan, J.P. Place Scrutiny Committee Chair Councillor M. Cross Vice-Chair Councillor R. Leadbeater Partnerships Scrutiny Committee Chair Councillor W. Hodgins Vice-Chair Councillor D. Bevan Corporate & Performance Scrutiny Committee Chair Councillor J. Wilkins Vice-Chair Councillor J. Thomas FURTHER RESOLVED that the following be appointed: People Scrutiny Committee 9 Members – Proportionality 6:3 1. Chair - Councillor T. Smith 2. Vice Chair - Councillor J. Morgan, J.P. 3. Councillors C. Bainton 4. D. Bevan 5. J. Gardner 6. G. Humphreys 7. J. P. Morgan 8. G. Thomas 9. D. Wilkshire Would also include 2 Members of religious bodies and between 2-5 parent governors with voting rights only when dealing with education matters. 1. Mr. T. Baxter Diocesan Education Body (R.C. Church) 2. Mr. T. Pritchard (Church in Wales) 3. Vacancy Youth Forum Representative (without voting rights) Place Scrutiny Committee 9 Members – Proportionality 6:3 1. Chair - Councillor M. Cross 2. Vice Chair - Councillor R. Leadbeater 3. Councillors S. Behr 4. K. Chaplin 5. G. Davies 6. J. Gardner 7. W. Hodgins 8. L. Parsons 9. D. Rowberry Partnerships Scrutiny Committee 9 Members – Proportionality 6:3 1. Chair - Councillor W. Hodgins 2. Vice Chair - Councillor D. Bevan 3. Councillors P. Baldwin 4. D. Davies 5. M. Day 6. E. Jones 7. C. Smith 8. L. Winnett 9. D. Woods Corporate & Performance Scrutiny Committee – 9 Members – Proportionality 6:3 1. Chair - Councillor J. Wilkins 2. Vice Chair - Councillor J. Thomas 3. Councillors C. Bainton 4. J. Hill 5. J. Holt 6. E. Jones 7. R. Leadbeater 8. C. Smith 9. T. Smith
10.	Standing Committees and Standing Sub-Committees To appoint Chairs and Vice-Chairs of Standing Committees and Standing Sub-Committees for 2023/24. Minutes: The Leader of the Council notified Members that following consultation with both Groups (& respective Leaderships) an amendment to the composition of the Planning Committee for the 2023/24 cycle was proposed as follows:- Planning Committee would comprise of 14 Members - 1 Member per ward providing greater and fairer representation across all areas of the borough on a proportionality basis of 9 Labour Members and 5 Independent Members. An additional change for the Committee would be that, further to best practice currently in operation in other local authorities and to aid in the mitigation of non-declaration of interests, the Committee would adopt the following principle – ‘if a planning application was received in a particular ward and that application was to be decided at Planning Committee, the Member representing that ward on the Committee was permitted to speak on the application but not have a vote on it’. It was proposed that these amendments be trialled for a period of 6 months (and included in other changes to the Constitution later in the year, if agreed). The above proposal was unanimously RESOLVED ACCORDINGLY. FURTHER RESOLVED, subject to the foregoing, that the following be appointed: Planning Committee 14 Members – Proportionality 9:5 1 Member from each Ward on a political proportionality basis. 1. Chair - Councillor L. Winnett 2. Vice Chair - Councillor P. Baldwin 3. Councillors C. Bainton 4. M. Day 5. W. Hodgins 6. J. Holt 7. G. Humphreys 8. E. Jones 9. J. Morgan, J.P. 10. L. Parsons 11. D. Rowberry 12. C. Smith 13. J. Thomas 14. D. Wilkshire Ward Members to be invited re planning site meetings without voting rights. General Licensing Committee 11 Members – Proportionality 7:4 1. Chair - Councillor L. Winnett 2. Vice Chair - Councillor P. Baldwin 3. Councillors S. Behr 4. M. Cross 5. G. Davies 6. J. Gardner 7. J. Hill 8. G. Humphreys 9. D. Rowberry 10. G. Thomas 11. D. Woods General Licensing Sub-Committee (Rolling Rota) 3 Members – (No Proportionality) 1. Chair Councillor L. Winnett or Vice Chair Councillor P. Baldwin Plus 2 other Members of the General Licensing Committee Statutory Licensing Committee 11 Members – Proportionality 7:4 1. Chair - Councillor L. Winnett 2. Vice Chair - Councillor P. Baldwin 3. Councillors S. Behr 4. M. Cross 5. G. Davies 6. J. Gardner 7. J. Hill 8. G. Humphreys 9. D. Rowberry 10. G. Thomas 11. D. Woods Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee (Rolling Rota) 3 Members – (No Proportionality) 1. Chair Councillor L. Winnett or 2. Vice Chair Councillor P. Baldwin Plus 2 other Members of the Statutory Licensing Committee Democratic Services Committee 9 Members - Proportionality 6:3 1. Chair Councillor J. Hill 2. Vice Chair - Councillor E. Jones 3. Cabinet Member - Councillor J.C. Morgan 4. Councillors C. Bainton 5. D. Bevan 6. G. Davies 7. L. Parsons 8. C. Smith 9. L. Winnett Chair and Vice Chair of Scrutiny Committees to be invited without voting rights. Governance & Audit Committee 9 Members – Proportionality ... view the full minutes text for item 10.
11.	Special and Ad Hoc Committees/Consultation Meetings To appoint Members to Special and Ad Hoc Committees/Consultation Meetings. Minutes: RESOLVED that the following be appointed: Gwent Public Service Board 1. Leader of the Council / Cabinet Member – Corporate Overview & Performance Councillor S. Thomas Gwent Public Service Board Scrutiny Committee 1. Councillor E. Jones 2. Councillor T. Smith Consultation with Trade Unions 1. Leader/ Cabinet Member – Corporate Overview & Performance 2. Deputy Leader /Cabinet Member – Place & Environment 3. Appropriate Portfolio Member(s) Fostering Panel (Social Services) 1. Councillor D. Bevan Sub:- Councillor D. Rowberry Blaenau Gwent & Caerphilly Care and Repair Board 1. Councillor S. Behr 2. Councillor E. Jones Education Admissions Forum 1. Cabinet Member – People & Education Councillor S. Edmunds 2. Chair – People Scrutiny Committee Councillor T. Smith Schools Forum 1. Cabinet Member – People & Education Councillor S. Edmunds 2. Chair – People Scrutiny Committee Councillor T. Smith Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) 1. Cabinet Member – People & Education Councillor S. Edmunds 2. Chair – People Scrutiny Committee Councillor T. Smith Getting to know our Schools Sub-Group (Same Membership as Scrutiny Committee) 1. Chair – People Scrutiny Committee Councillor T. Smith 2. Vice Chair – People Scrutiny Committee Councillor J. Morgan, J.P. 3. Councillors D. Bevan 4. C. Bainton 5. K. Chaplin 6. G. Davies 7. J. Holt 8. G. Thomas 9. D. Wilkshire * Chair and Vice Chair to endeavour to be at each Meeting. All members to be invited to attend Sub-Group Meeting. Safer Schools Partnership Board 1. Councillor T. Smith Tomorrow Valley Project 1. Cabinet Member – Place & Environment Councillor H. Cunningham 2. Cabinet Member - Corporate Overview & Performance Councillor S. Thomas Constitution Working Group 1. Leader of the Council 2. Deputy Leader of the Council 3. Leader of the Independent Group 4. Deputy Leader of the Independent Group 5. Presiding Member Freedom of the Borough – Cross Party Working Group 1. Councillors C. Bainton 2. D. Bevan 3. J. Hill 4. G. Humphreys 5. C. Smith Leisure and Libraries Strategic Group 1. Leader of the Council (Chair) 2. Cabinet Member – People & Education GRANTS WORKING GROUP 14 Members - Proportionality 9:5 1 Member from each Ward on a political proportionality basis.** 1. Councillor L. Parsons (Llanhilleth Ward) 2. K. Chaplin (Abertillery & Six Bells Ward) 3. J. Gardner (Brynmawr Ward) 4. M. Day (Cwmtillery Ward) 5. L. Winnett (Blaina Ward) 6. C. Smith (Beaufort Ward) 7. G. Humphreys (Cwm Ward) 8. D. Rowberry (Sirhowy Ward) 9. C. Bainton (Ebbw Vale South Ward) 10. D. Davies (Ebbw Vale North Ward) 11. S. Thomas (Tredegar Ward) 12. J. Thomas (Georgetown Ward) 13. G. A. Davies (Rassau & Garnlydan Ward) 14. P. Baldwin (Nantyglo Ward) Advisory Panel for the Appointment of Local Authority Governors’ 1. CabinetMember – People & Education (Chair) Councillor S. Edmunds 2. Councillor D. Bevan 3. Councillor D. Davies 4. Councillor G. A. Davies 5. Councillor J. Hill 6. Councillor T. Smith Substitutes: 1. Councillor E. Jones 2. Councillor J. Gardner 3. Councillor J. P. Morgan 4. Councillor G. Thomas 5. Councillor D. Woods ... view the full minutes text for item 11.
12.	Council's Representatives on Other Bodies To appoint Council's Representatives on Other Bodies. Minutes: Upon a vote being taken it was unanimously, RESOLVED that the following be appointed: Adult Learning Wales (formerly Workers' Educational Association YMCA Wales Community Council) Scrutiny Chair – People Age Concern Gwent Executive Committee Membership Cabinet Member – People & Social Services The Alliance Cabinet Member – Place & Regeneration Scrutiny Chair – Place Aneurin Bevan Health Board - Independent Review Panel to meet Continuing Health Care Needs Scrutiny Chair – People BannauBrycheiniog (Formerly known as Brecon Beacons National Park) Councillor P. Baldwin Book Council of Wales Councillor S. Edmunds Cardiff Capital Region City Deal Cabinet Leader of the Council Cardiff Capital Region City Deal – Regional Scrutiny Committee Scrutiny Chair – Place Councillor M. Cross Scrutiny Vice-Chair – Place Councillor R. Leadbeater CSC (Compound Semi Conductor Board (Part of IQE Investment through City Deal) Cabinet Member – Place & Regeneration and Economic Development Cabinet Member – Place & Environment CCR Regional Transport Authority Cabinet Member – Place & Regeneration and Economic Development Duke of Beaufort’s Breconshire Estate Commoner’s Association Councillor M. Cross Education Achievement Service (E.A.S); Company Board Cabinet Member – Place & Regeneration and Economic Development Substitute: Cabinet Member – Place & Environment Joint Executive Group (JEG) Cabinet Member – People & Education Audit and Risk Assurance Committee Councillor L. Winnett Councillor T. Smith Gwent Police and Crime Panel Councillor G. A. Davies Councillor J. Thomas G.A.V.O. - Executive Committee Cabinet Member – People & Social Services Councillor H. Trollope G.A.V.O. - Local Committee Cabinet Member – People & Social Services Councillor H. Trollope Greater Gwent Cremation Joint Committee Scrutiny Chair – Place Councillor M. Cross Substitute: Scrutiny Vice-Chair - Place Councillor R. Leadbeater Gwent Archives Joint Committee Cabinet Member – Place & Regeneration and Economic Development Councillor J. C. Morgan Councillor H. Trollope Gwent Regional Partnership Board Cabinet Member – People & Social Services Local Government Association Leader Deputy Leader Joint Council for Wales Employers Side Cabinet Member – Corporate Overview & Performance Monmouthshire Farm School Endowment Trust Councillor M. Cross National Adoption Service Governance Board Cabinet Member – People & Social Services Patrol Adjudication Joint Committee Scrutiny Chair – Place Councillor M. Cross Substitute: Scrutiny Vice-Chair - Place Councillor R. Leadbeater Reserve Forces & Cadets Association for Wales – Local Government Representation Councillor D. Bevan Rural Development Programme – Local Action Group Councillor G. Humphreys SRS Strategic Board Councillor J. Gardner South Wales Fire Authority Councillor J. Morgan, J.P. Tai Calon Board Councillor S. Behr Councillor E. Jones Vision in Wales (formerly Wales Council for the Blind) Executive Member – People & Social Services Scrutiny Chair – People Welsh Local Government Association Leader of the Council WLGA Executive Board Leader of the Council W.L.G.A. Council and Voting Leader of the Council Substitute: Deputy Leader of the Council W.L.G.A. – All Wales Social Services Policy Group Cabinet Member – People & Social Services W.L.G.A. - Environment Champion Cabinet Member – Place & Environment W.L.G.A. - Finance Working Group Officer Appointments Chief Officer Resources Ms R. Hayden WLGA - Corporate Affairs – Public Private Partnership Ltd – Management Board Member Appointment Cabinet ... view the full minutes text for item 12.
13.	Memberships Report PDF 358 KB To consider the attached report. Minutes: Consideration was given to the following:- Advisory Panel for Local Authority Governors The following recommendations were made by the Panel on 15^th May, 2023 to appoint in principle: - Rhos-y-Fedwen Primary School – Councillor Sue Edmunds - Tredegar Comprehensive School – Melanie Rogers It was, thereupon, unanimously, RESOLVED that the above appointments be endorsed.
14.	Annual Cycle of Meetings 2023/2024 PDF 477 KB To consider the report of the Service Manager Performance and Democratic. Additional documents: ACO2305D3 Appendix 1 Cycle of Meetings 2023-24 , item 14. PDF 267 KB ACO2305D3 Appendix 2 Recess Decision Making Process , item 14. PDF 186 KB Minutes: Members considered the joint officers’ report. It was unanimously, RESOLVED that the report be accepted and Option 1 be endorsed, namely that: (i) The proposed annual cycle of meetings 2023/2024 attached at Appendix 1 be approved. (ii) The decision-making process to deal with any urgent business during the August recess be approved: a. the Leader and Deputy Leader in conjunction with appropriate Cabinet Members and Officers deal with any urgent items from 1^st - 31^st August, 2023 (i.e., a Special Meeting of the Cabinet would be convened at short notice recognising that the matter was urgent and the call-in procedure would apply). The Chief Executive / Head of Paid Service in conjunction with the Leadership would determine if a matter was urgent; and b. decisions should be limited to urgent matters and recorded on a decision schedule presented to the next Ordinary Meeting of the Council. No controversial or sensitive matters should be dealt with during this period.
15.	Final Gwent Wellbeing Plan 2023/2028 PDF 439 KB To consider joint Officers’ report. Additional documents: ACO2305D1 03-APPENDIX-A-Gwent-Well-being-Plan-2023-28- , item 15. PDF 873 KB Minutes: Consideration was given to the joint Officers’ report. It was unanimously, RESOLVED that the report be accepted and Option 1 be approved, namely that the Gwent Wellbeing Plan 2023-2028 be endorsed.