Agenda and minutes

Venue: Virtually via Microsoft Teams - if you would like to attend the meeting live via Microsoft Teams please contact committee.services@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

Contact: Democratic Services  7788

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 for Councillors C. Meredith, M. Cook, B. Summers, M. Cross and T. Sharrem.

 

3.

Declarations of Interest and Dispensations

To receive.

Minutes:

No declarations of interest or dispensations were reported.

 

4.

Waste Transfer Station and Household Waste Recycling Centre

To consider the report of the Managing Director.

Minutes:

Having regard to the views expressed by the Proper Officer regarding the public interest test, that on balance the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information and that the report should be exempt.

 

RESOLVED that the public be excluded whilst this item of business is transacted as it is likely there would be a disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 14, Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972 (as amended).

 

Consideration was given to the joint report of the Managing Director, Chief Officer Resources and the Head of Legal & Corporate Compliance.

 

The Team Leader Regeneration Opportunities presented the report which provided members with an update on the work completed since the last report considered in December 2019 and sought approval of a preferred way forward.

 

The Officer spoke to the report and highlighted points contained therein.

 

A discussion ensued when Members expressed concern regarding various elements contained within the report, particularly the lack of detail in respect of the Council’s business plan, and felt that the report should be deferred pending a robust business plan.

 

The Officer explained that the details contained within the report related to the transitional planning arrangements moving forward.  The concerns raised by Members would form part of any future work to develop future proposals.

 

A further discussion ensued when the Chief Officer Resources clarified points by Members regarding costs.  The Officer pointed out that potential efficiencies of developing opportunities had not been included in the Council’s business planning, however, it was anticipated that over time the cost pressures would reduce with potential income generation.

 

In response to the concerns raised the Managing Director said it was important to ensure that any business plan was robust, and identified where additional expertise was required in developing potential opportunities.  She also highlighted the implications of deferring the report.

 

A further discussion ensued when Officers clarified points raised by Members.

 

Another Member said this was a comprehensive report which identified opportunities for the Council moving forward and supported Option 3.

 

A number of Members also supported Option 3.

 

Following further comments made by Members, the Chief Officer Resources pointed out that a business case for each future development opportunity would be reported to Committee for consideration

 

A Member proposed the following alternative Option:

 

‘That the Council’s fully costed Business Plan be submitted to the Scrutiny Committee for consideration, prior to being submitted to full Council for decision.’

 

The proposal was seconded.

 

A recorded vote was thereupon taken on the proposed alternative Option.

 

In Favour – Councillors P. Baldwin, P. Edwards, John C. Morgan, L. Winnett.

 

Against  - Councillors M. Day, S. Healy, W. Hodgins, J. Hill, L. Parsons, J. Holt, G.A. Davies, John P. Morgan, M. Moore

 

The alternative proposal was therefore not carried.

 

The Committee AGREED to recommend that the report which contained information relating to the financial/business affairs of persons other than the Authority be accepted and that Option 3 be endorsed, i.e. to bring  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.