Agenda and minutes
PDF 267 KBVenue: Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Ebbw Vale
Contact: Democratic Services 6139
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Coronavirus Pandemic Minutes: Due to the COVID 19 pandemic and in order to adhere to U.K and Welsh Government guidance, this meeting was conducted via telephone conference.
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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.
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Apologies To receive. Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from:
Councillors G. Collier, M. Cross, G. L. Davies, J. Holt, J. Millard, B. Thomas and D. Wilkshire.
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Declarations of Interest and Dispensations To consider any declarations of interest and dispensations made. Minutes: There were no declarations of interest or dispensations reported.
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Chair and Deputy Chair of the Council To appoint Chair and Deputy Chair of the Council 2020/2021. Minutes: It was proposed and seconded that Councillor Mandy Moore be re-elected Chair of the Council and that Councillor Julie Holt be re-appointed Deputy Chair of the Council for the ensuing year.
Upon a vote being taken it was unanimously,
RESOLVED accordingly.
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Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council To appoint a Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council for 2020/2021. Minutes: It was proposed and seconded that Councillor Nigel Daniels be re-elected Leader of the Council and that Councillor David C. Davies be elected Deputy Leader for the ensuing year.
Upon a vote being taken it was unanimously
RESOLVED accordingly.
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Group Officers Group Secretaries to report on Group Officers for 2020/2021. Minutes: The Independent Group Officers for the ensuing year were reported as follows:
Councillor N. Daniels – Leader Councillor D. Davies – Deputy Leader Councillor J. Wilkins – Secretary Councillor M. Moore – Group Chair Councillor J. Holt – Group Vice-Chair
It was reported that the Labour Group Officers for the ensuing year would be:
Councillor S. Thomas - Leader Councillor H. Trollope - Deputy Leader Councillor T. Sharrem - Group Chair Councillor M. Cross – Group Vice-Chair Councillor K. Hayden – Secretary Councillor H. McCarthy – Treasurer
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Membership of the Executive To appoint Membership of the Executive. Minutes: Upon a vote being taken it was unanimously RESOLVED that the following be appointed:
Leader of the Council/Executive Member Corporate Services Councillor N. Daniels
Deputy Leader of the Council/Executive Member – Regeneration & Economic Development Councillor D. Davies
Executive Member – Environment Councillor J. Wilkins
Executive Member – Social Services Councillor J. Mason
Executive Member – Education Councillor J. Collins
It was noted that changes to the Executive membership had been made in line with the principle of succession planning.
The Leader of the Council paid tribute and acknowledged the work undertaken by the former Deputy Leader/Executive Member – Environment, Councillor Garth Collier during his time in the role. Appreciation was expressed to Garth for the help, support and tireless work he had undertaken – the successes within the Environment Directorate could be attributed to Garth and also classed as his successes.
The Leader of the Labour Group echoed these comments.
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Chair and Vice-Chairs and Membership of Scrutiny Committees To appoint Chair and Vice-Chair and Members of the Scrutiny Committees. Minutes:
Regeneration Scrutiny Committee Chair Councillor J. Hill Vice-Chair Councillor P. Edwards
Community Services Scrutiny Committee Chair Councillor M. Moore Vice-Chair Councillor C. Meredith
Education and Learning Scrutiny Committee Chair Councillor H. Trollope Vice-Chair Councillor J. Holt
Social Services Scrutiny Committee Chair Councillor S. Thomas Vice-Chair Councillor K. Rowson
1. Chair Councillor S. Healy
2. Vice-Chair Councillor M. Cook
3. Councillors P. Baldwin
4. M. Cross
5. G. A. Davies
6. P. Edwards
7. J. Hill
8. H. McCarthy
9. C. Meredith
10. J. Millard
11. J. P. Morgan
12. K. Prichard
13. L. Parsons
14. G. Paulsen
15. D. Wilkshire
1. Chair Councillor J. Hill
2. Vice-Chair Councillor P. Edwards
3. Councillors G. Collier
4. M. Cross
5. G. A. Davies
6. M. Day
7. L. Elias
8. M. Holland
9. H. McCarthy
10. J. Millard
11. J. C. Morgan
12. J. P. Morgan
13. L. Parsons
14. K. Rowson
15. B. Willis
1. Chair Councillor M. Moore
2. Vice-Chair Councillor C. Meredith
3. Councillors P. Baldwin
4. M. Cook
5. G. L. Davies
6. S. Healy
7. W. Hodgins
8. J. Holt
9. H. McCarthy
10. J. Millard
11. G. Paulsen
12. K. Pritchard
13. T. Sharrem
14. B. Summers
15. L. Winnett
1. Chair Councillor H. Trollope
2. Vice-Chair Councillor J. Holt
3. Councillors D. Bevan
4. G. Collier
5. M. Cook
6. M. Day
7. L. Elias
8. W. Hodgins
9. C. Meredith
10. J.C. Morgan
11. J. P. Morgan
12. L. Parsons
13. B. Summers
14. T. Smith
15. S. Thomas
* 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. A. Williams The Church in Wales
3. Vacancy Youth Forum Representative
1. Chair Councillor S. Thomas
2. Vice-Chair Councillor K. Rowson
3. Councillors D. Bevan
4. G. Collier
5. G. A. Davies
6. G. L. Davies
7. P. Edwards
8. L. Elias
9. K. Hayden
10. J. Holt
11. M. Moore
12. G. Paulsen
13. B. Summers
14. T. Sharrem
15. T. Smith
Public Service Board Scrutiny Committee – 15 Members - Proportionality 10:4:1 (to include Corporate Overview Members and Chairs of Scrutiny Committees)
1. Chair Chair of Corporate Overview Scrutiny Committee Councillor S. Healy
2. Vice-Chair Vice-Chair of Corporate Overview Scrutiny Committee Councillor M. Cook
3. Chair of Social Services Scrutiny Committee Councillor S. Thomas ... view the full minutes text for item 9. |
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Standing Committees and Standing Sub-Committees To appoint Chairs and Vice-Chairs of Standing Committees and Standing Sub-Committees. Minutes: Item Nos. 8 and 9 were considered simultaneously.
Upon a vote being taken it was unanimously RESOLVED that the following be appointed:
1. Chair Councillor D. Hancock
2. Vice-Chair Councillor W. Hodgins
3. Councillors D. Bevan
4. G. L. Davies
5. M. Day
6. S. Healy
7. J. Hill
8. C. Meredith
9. K. Rowson
10. T. Smith
11. B. Thomas
12. G. Thomas
13. D. Wilkshire
14. B. Willis
15. L. Winnett
*Ward Members to be invited re: planning site meetings without voting rights.
General Licensing Sub-Committee (Rolling Rota) 3 Members (No proportionality)
1. Chair Councillor D. Hancock or 2. Vice-Chair Councillor W. Hodgins
Plus 2 other Members of the Planning, Regulatory & General Licensing Committee
1. Chair Councillor D. Hancock
2. Vice-Chair Councillor W. Hodgins
3. Councillors D. Bevan
4. G. L. Davies
5. M. Day
6. S. Healy
7. J. Hill
8. C. Meredith
9. K. Rowson
10. T. Smith
11. B. Thomas
12. G. Thomas
13. D. Wilkshire
14. B. Willis
15. L. Winnett
Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee (Rolling Rota) 3 Members – (No proportionality)
1. Chair Councillor D. Hancock
or
2. Vice-Chair Councillor W. Hodgins
Plus 2 other Members of the Statutory Licensing Committee 1. Chair Councillor M. Cross
2. Vice-Chair Councillor B. Summers
3. Executive Member - Corporate Services Councillor N. Daniels
4. Councillors G. Collier
5. G. A. Davies
6. G. L. Davies
7. M. Day
8. L. Elias
9. K. Hayden
10. M. Holland
11. H. McCarthy
12. J. C. Morgan
13. L. Parsons
14. K. Pritchard
15. T. Sharrem
*Chair and Vice-Chair of Scrutiny Committees to be invited without voting rights
1. Vice-Chair Chair of Corporate Overview Scrutiny Committee Councillor S. Healy
2. Deputy Leader of the Council Councillor D. Davies
3. Chair - Education & Learning Scrutiny Committee Councillor H. Trollope
4. Chair - Social Services Scrutiny Committee Councillor S. Thomas
5. Chair – Regeneration Scrutiny Committee Councillor J. Hill
6. Chair - Community Services Scrutiny Committee Councillor M. Moore
7. Chair - Democratic Services Committee Councillor M. Cross
8. Chair – Planning, Regulatory & General Licensing Committee Councillor D. Hancock
9. Councillor G. L. Davies
10. Councillor W. Hodgins
11. Councillor J. Holt
12. Councillor J. Millard
13. Councillor K. Rowson
14. Councillor B. Summers
15. Councillor L. Winnett
Audit Committee Appointments Panel 3:2
1. Councillor D. Davies
2. Councillor S. Healy
3. Councillor J. Hill
4. Councillor S. Thomas
5. Councillor H. Trollope
Standards Committee - 9 Members – (3 County Borough Councillors 5 Independent Members 1 Community Council Member)
1. Town Councillor Jacqueline Thomas 2. Mr. J. B. Evans 3. Mr. Stephen Williams 4. Mr R. Alexander 5. Mr. J. Price 6. Miss H. Roberts 7. Councillor K. Hayden 8. Councillor M. Moore 9. Councillor G. Thomas
Shortlisting – JNC Officers |
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Special and Ad Hoc Committees/Consultation Meetings To appoint Members to Special and Ad Hoc Committees/Consultation Meetings. Minutes: Upon a vote being taken it was unanimously,
RESOLVED that the following be appointed:
Cross Party Member Development Working Group 5 Members
1. Leader / Executive Member – Corporate Services Councillor N. Daniels
2. Deputy Leader/ Executive Member – Regeneration & Economic Development Councillor D. Davies
3. Councillor S. Healy
4. Councillor J. Holt
5. Councillor H. Trollope
Public Service Board (PSB)
1. Leader of the Council/Executive Member Corporate Services
Consultation with Trade Unions
1. Leader/Executive Member Corporate Services
2. Deputy Leader/Executive Member – Regeneration & Economic Development
3. Appropriate Portfolio Member(s)
Consultation town /COMMUNITY COUNCILS
1. Leader / Executive Member - Corporate Services Councillor N. Daniels
2. Executive Member - Regeneration & Economic Development Councillor D. Davies
3. Executive Member – Environment Councillor J. Wilkins
4. Executive Member – Education Councillor J. Collins
5. Executive Member – Social Services Councillor J. Mason
6. Councillor M. Cook
7. Councillor M. Cross
8. Councillor J. Hill
9. Councillor M. Moore
10. Councillor L. Winnett
Fostering Panel (Social Services)
1. Councillor J. Holt
Substitute: Councillor K. Rowson
Blaenau Gwent Care and Repair – Agency Board 1. Executive Member - Social Services Councillor J. Mason
2. Executive Member – Environment Councillor J. Wilkins
50+ Network
1. Executive Member – Social Services Councillor J. Mason
2. Chair – Social Services Scrutiny Committee Councillor S. Thomas
3. Vice-Chair – Social Services Scrutiny Committee Councillor K. Rowson
4. Councillor G. Thomas
Education Admissions Forum
1. Executive Member – Education Councillor J. Collins
2. Chair – Education & Learning Scrutiny Committee Councillor H. Trollope
Schools Forum
1. Executive Member – Education Councillor J. Collins
2. Chair – Education & Learning Scrutiny Committee Councillor H. Trollope
Standing Advisory Committee on Religious Education
1. Executive Member – Education Councillor J. Collins
2. Chair – Education & Learning Scrutiny Committee Councillor H. Trollope
3. Councillor J. Holt
Scrutiny Schools Wellbeing Group (formerly School Standards Monitoring Group)
1. Chair – Education & Learning Scrutiny Committee Councillor H. Trollope
or
2. Vice-Chair – Education & Learning Scrutiny Committee Councillor J. Holt
3. Councillor M. Cook
4. Councillor L. Elias
5. Councillor C. Meredith
6 Councillor B. Summers
7. Councillor D. Bevan
8. Councillor J. C. Morgan
9. Councillor T. Smith
* Chair and Vice-Chair to attend separate meetings **A rolling membership from the above list – 3 or 4 members to attend each meeting.
Self-Evaluation Panel
1. Leader of the Council Councillor N. Daniels
2. Deputy Leader of the Council Councillor D. Davies
3. Executive Member - Education Councillor J. Collins
4. Chair of Education & Learning Scrutiny Committee Councillor H. Trollope
5. Lead Member – Safeguarding Executive Member – Social Services Councillor J. Mason
HoV Waste Programme Joint Committee
1. Executive Member – Environment Councillor J. Wilkins
2. Executive Member – Regeneration & Economic Development Councillor D. Davies
Tomorrow Valley Project
1. Executive Member – Environment Councillor J. Wilkins
2. Executive Member – Corporate Services Councillor N. Daniels
Local Authority Liaison Committee
Executive Member – Environment Councillor J. Wilkins
Executive Member – Regeneration & Economic Development Councillor D. Davies
Sirhowy ... view the full minutes text for item 11. |
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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 Wales, YMCA Wales Community Council) Scrutiny Chair – Education & Learning
Age Concern Gwent – Executive Committee Membership Executive Member – Social Services
The Alliance Executive Member – Regeneration & Economic Development
Scrutiny Chair – Regeneration
Aneurin Bevan Community Council – Local Committee 1. Councillor J. Millard 2. Councillor P. Edwards 3. Vacancy
Aneurin Bevan Health Board – Independent Review Panel to meet Continuing Health Care Needs Scrutiny Chair – Social Services
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board – Stakeholder Reference Group Executive Member – Social Services
Aneurin Leisure Trust Councillor W. Hodgins Councillor L. Parsons
Aneurin Leisure Trust – Community Chest Panel Councillor M. Cook
Brecon Beacons National Park – National Park Authority & Site Visits Councillor J. Hill
Cardiff Capital Region City Deal – Regional Scrutiny Committee Chair of Regeneration Scrutiny Committee
Substitute: Scrutiny Vice-Chair of Regeneration Scrutiny Committee
Cardiff Capital Region City Deal Cabinet Leader of the Council
CSC (Compound Semi-Conductor Board Part of the IQE Investment through City Deal) Deputy Leader/Executive Member – Regeneration & Economic Development Executive Member – Environment
Duke of Beaufort’s Breconshire Estate Commoner’s Association Councillor B. Thomas
EAS - Education Achievement Service for South East Wales Executive Member – Environment Substitute: Executive Member – Regeneration & Economic Development
EAS – Joint Executive Group Executive Member – Education
EAS – Audit and Risk Assurance Committee Councillor S. Healy Councillor M. Cook
G.A.V.O. – Executive Committee & Local Committee Executive Member – Social Services – Councillor J. Mason
G.A.V.O. - Be Proud of your Community Gwent Awards (Formerly - Gwent Best Kept Village Committee) Councillor L. Parsons
Greater Gwent Cremation Joint Committee
Scrutiny Chair – Community Services Councillor M. Moore
Substitute: Scrutiny Vice-Chair – Community Services Councillor C. Meredith
Gwent Archives Joint Committee Executive Member – Regeneration & Economic Development Councillor J. Millard
Gwent Police Crime Panel (formerly Gwent Police Authority) Councillor C. Meredith Councillor L. Winnett
Gwent Regional Partnership Board Executive Member – Social Services
Heads of the Valleys Programme Board Executive Member – Regeneration & Economic Development
Joint Council for Wales Employers Side Executive Member – Corporate Services
Monmouth School Farm Endowment Trust Councillor B. Thomas
National Adoption Service Governance Board Executive Member – Social Services
Patrol Adjudication Joint Committee Scrutiny Chair – Community Services Councillor M. Moore
Sub:- Scrutiny Vice-Chair - Community Services Councillor C. Meredith
Reserve Forces & Cadets Association for Wales – Local Government Representation Councillor B. Thomas
Silent Valley Waste Services Ltd
Non Executive Councillors M. Cook & B. Summers
Shareholder Representatives Leader of the Council Executive Member - Environment
South Wales Fire Authority Councillor W. Hodgins
South East Wales Regional Aggregates Working Party Executive Member – Environment
Tai Calon Board Councillor M. Day Councillor G. A. Davies
Vision in Wales (formerly Wales Council for the Blind) Executive Member – Social Services Scrutiny Chair – Social Services
Welsh Local Government Association Leader of the Council
WLGA Executive Board Leader of the Council
WLGA Council and ... view the full minutes text for item 12. |
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Emergency Governance Arrangements During COVID19 Outbreak To consider the report of the Head of Legal and Corporate Compliance (Monitoring Officer). Minutes: Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Legal and Corporate Compliance (Monitoring Officer).
At the invitation of the Chair, the Head of Legal and Corporate Compliance presented the report, the purpose of which was to establish temporary emergency Governance arrangements in order that decisions may continue to be taken to delay and mitigate the spread and impact of Corona Virus within the community whilst protecting the workforce and residents, particularly those who were most vulnerable.
As the virus was spreading quickly, the measures taken by the Council to date as part of its emergency response was, amongst other things, to move to the delivery of only critical services.
In terms of the decision making process there was a need to respond quickly to these changes. Blaenau Gwent’s local scheme of delegation, contained in Section 13 of the Constitution, already delegated a wide range of operational issues to officers. However, most policy determinations and major decisions which had a wider impact were reserved to the Executive for decision but given that Council meetings had been cancelled for the foreseeable future there was a need to put in place temporary emergency steps to effectively respond to the potential impact of COVID 19, and to continue to deliver critical services and protect local communities and staff.
It was, therefore, proposed that the Managing Director or her nominated deputy (being any officer comprised of the Corporate Leadership Team) should have temporary delegated power to make Executive decisions on behalf of the Council. In addition, a temporary Emergency Committee be established in order to consider significant issues which may arise and which may fall outside the Council’s current agreed policy or budget framework. This Committee would consist of 5 Members and in the event that a Member of this Committee became unavailable, a substitute would be able to be nominated. The remit of this Committee was detailed in paragraph 3.1 of the report.
It was noted that the statutory power to permit such delegation was contained within section 15(2) of the Local Government Act 200, which provisions enabled a Council to arrange for functions of the Executive to be discharged by a Committee or officers of the Authority.
The Head of Legal and Corporate Compliance concluded by recommending that Option 1 be endorsed.
The Leader of the Council said that it was absolutely necessary to support the report and the recommendation to establish an Emergency Committee. Named representatives would be forwarded to Democratic Services and the Managing Director following the meeting. Flexibility for substitutes would ensure optimum attendance. He concluded by advising that he would propose that Option 1 be endorsed at the appropriate juncture.
The Leader of the Labour Group supported the Leader’s comments and advised that he would also submit a named representative following the meeting.
It was, thereupon, proposed and unanimously supported that Option 1 be endorsed.
RESOLVED that the report be accepted and that Option 1 be endorsed, namely:
- In respect of the exercise of Executive Functions ... view the full minutes text for item 13. |
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Corporate Fees and Charges Register 2020/2021 To consider the report of the Chief Officer Commercial. Additional documents: Minutes: Members considered the report of the Chief Officer Commercial.
The Leader of the Council proposed that Option 1 be endorsed. The Leader of the Labour Group also confirmed his support for the report.
It was, thereupon, unanimously,
RESOLVED that the report be accepted and Option 1 be endorsed, namely:
The proposed fees and charges for Trade Waste and Markets, the extract from the Fees and Charges Register 2020/2021 be approved. Details were summarised below:
· Trade Waste – A reduction in the annual fee for the Duty of Care Notice from £49.50 to £25.00.
· Markets – A fee uplift of 2% which would increase the pitch fee between £0.40 and £2.00 depending on the pitch size.
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Exempt Item To receive and consider the following report which in the opinion of the proper officer is an exempt item taking into account consideration of the public interest test and that the press and public should be excluded from the meeting (the reason for the decision for the exemption is available on a schedule maintained by the proper officer). Minutes: To receive and consider the following report which in the opinion of the proper officer was an exempt item taking into account consideration of the public interest test and that the press and public should be excluded from the meeting (the reason for the decision for the exemption was available on a schedule maintained by the proper officer).
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Recruitment 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 15, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).
Consideration was given to the report of the Managing Director.
At the invitation of the Chair, the Managing Director spoke briefly to the report which had been presented to seek approval to the proposed redesign and recruitment of the role of the Corporate Director of Education and to confirm the temporary ‘acting up’ arrangements put in place as a matter of urgency due to the pending retirement of the current Corporate Director of Education.
The Managing Director concluded by advising Members that the preferred recommendation was Option 1 as detailed within the report.
The Executive Member for Education commenced by placing on record her appreciation to the retiring Corporate Director of Education, Lynette Jones for the dedication and commitment she had given to the role over the years, and said that education was in a far different place as a result of her efforts. The Executive Member expressed her very best wishes to Lynette on her forthcoming retirement.
The Executive Member continued by stating that given the current circumstances a timescale for the permanent recruitment process was unable to be provided but this would be undertaken as soon as reasonable and practical to do so. She was confident that the interim Corporate Director was more than capable of taking forward education during this turbulent time.
The Executive Member for Education concluded by referring to the wonderful response received from the Education Team in light of the current situation and expressed her appreciation to officers for the work undertaken during this difficult time.
The views of Members were, thereupon, sought in relation to the report.
Member No. 1
A Member commenced by stating that she had been surprised at the preferred option that was being recommended. She explained that during the time that education was in special measures, the role of Corporate Director had been advertised on the lower rate of pay and whilst numerous applications had been received, a successful appointment had not been made. As a consequence, the Council had unanimously agreed to re-advertise the job for a second time with a market supplement to attract the right calibre of candidate and on this occasion a successful appointment was subsequently made.
The successful candidate on the second occasion had been Lynette Jones who had done an amazing job turning education around and playing a major part in helping education out of special measures.
The Member pointed out that having to undertake this recruitment process twice had cost the Council a considerable amount of money and if this course of ... view the full minutes text for item 16. |