Agenda and minutes

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.

It was noted that no requests had been received for the simultaneous translation service.

To receive.

Apologies for absence were received from:

Councillors J. Gardner, J. Hill, H. Trollope and D. Woods.

To consider any declarations of interest and dispensations made.

The following declaration of interest was reported:

Item No. 8: Regional Integration Fund Financial Plan

                    Councillor W. Hodgins                    

To consider the report of the Interim Chief Executive.

Consideration was given to the report of the Interim Chief Executive.

Following a discussion, it was:

-        Noted that the details of political make-up contained in the document would need to be amended prior to the publication on the Council’s website.

-        Clarified that the information contained in the document was retrospective and there was no capital funding available to undertake any further highway works at present.    However, at the request of Members of the Scrutiny Committee this matter would be further investigated, and further reports would be presented via the democratic process relating to any potential future funding opportunities and options going forward.  It was noted that if funding did become available it would be a matter for Council to prioritise any potential works.

-        Agreed that as the Self-Assessment was a public document, the format of future documents be considered to improve public accessibility.  

It was unanimously,

RESOLVED, subject to the foregoing, that the report be accepted, and the Council’s Self-Assessment 2021/22 be approved for publication on the Council’s website and shared with key partners as outlined in paragraph 2.42 of the statutory guidance.

To consider the report of the Interim Chief Executive.

Members considered the report of the Interim Chief Executive.

It was unanimously,

RESOLVED that the report be accepted, and Option 1 be endorsed, namely that the content of the Corporate Plan 2022/2027 be agreed for publication.

To consider the report of the Head of Legal and Corporate Compliance/Monitoring Officer.

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Legal and Corporate Compliance/Monitoring Officer.

A lengthy debate ensued when it was agreed that:

-        The activities of the Presiding Member be publicised in a timely manner to communicate to the public the duties, events and engagements being undertaken.  In addition, the Presiding Member produce a bi-annual report to Council detailing the engagements and events that had been attended in his capacity representing and promoting the County Borough.

-        The Presiding Member’s role description be added to going forward and the Constitution be updated to reflect any changes accordingly.

-        In addition to electronic copies of the Constitution being available, hard copies of the document also be made available upon receipt of a written request.

-        A legal briefing note be prepared by the Head of Legal & Corporate Compliance relating to the Democratic Services Committee and options going forward for Group Leaders to consider.

It was unanimously,

RESOLVED, subject to the foregoing, that the report be accepted, and Option 1 be endorsed, namely that the suggested amendments be incorporated into the existing Constitution.

To consider the report of the Service Manager – Public Protection.

Consideration was given to the report of the Service Manager Public Protection.

It was unanimously,

RESOLVED that the report be accepted, and Option 1 be endorsed, namely that the new Public Spaces Protection Order outlined in Appendix 1 attached to the report be approved.  The new Order to commence on 1^st November, 2022.

To consider the report of the Interim Corporate Director of Social Services.

Councillor W. Hodgins declared an interest in this item but remained in the meeting whilst it was considered.

Members considered the report of the Interim Corporate Director of Social Services.

It was noted that People Scrutiny Committee had endorsed Option 2. 

It was, therefore, unanimously,

RESOLVED that the report be accepted, and Option 2 be endorsed, namely that the financial liabilities and implications of the new Regional Integration Fund and its tapered funding model be not accepted.