Agenda and minutes
PDF 124 KBVenue: Remotely via Microsoft Teams (if you would like to view this meeting please contact committee.services@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk)
Contact: Democratic Services 6139
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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:
Councillor J. Morgan, J.P., L. Parsons, Interim Corporate Director of Education, Head of Democratic Services, Governance & Partnerships, Service Manager – Performance and Democratic.
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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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Presiding Member's Announcements To receive. Minutes: Congratulations
Congratulations were expressed to:
- Jack Schofield from Tredegar who gained his first Wales U13 cap as part of the Welsh Squash Team.
- Ged Musto from Brynithel who had been crowned the UK’S top fitness trainer and follows Ged’s recognition as Wales’s top trainer in 2023.
Letters of congratulations had been sent on behalf of the Council.
Condolences
Condolences were expressed to the family of Mr. Steve Pennells who had sadly passed away. Steve had been affiliated to the Royal British Legion, particularly the branches in the Blaenau Gwent area for a considerable number of years.
Members and officers paid their respects with one minute’s silence.
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Presiding Member and Deputy Presiding Member To appoint Presiding Member and Deputy Presiding Member for 2024/2025. 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.
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Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council To appoint Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council for 2024/2025. 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.
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Group Officers Group Secretaries to report on Group Officers for 2024/2025.
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 W. Hodgins - Leader Councillor J. Wilkins - Deputy Leader Councillor L. Parsons – Secretary
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Membership of the Cabinet To appoint Membership of the Cabinet for 2024/2025. Minutes: Upon a vote being taken it was unanimously RESOLVED that the following be appointed:
Leader of the Council/Cabinet Member - Corporate & 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
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Chair, Vice-Chair and Membership of Scrutiny Committees To appoint Chair and Vice-Chair and Membership of the Scrutiny Committees for 2024/2025. Minutes:
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
People Scrutiny Committee - 9 Members – Proportionality 6:3
1. Chair - Councillor T. Smith
2. Vice Chair - Councillor J. Morgan, J.P.
3. Councillors S. Behr
4. D. Bevan
5. J. Gardner
6. J. Hill
7. J. Holt
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. Vacancy Diocesan Education Body (R.C. Church)
2. Mr. T. Pritchard (Church in Wales)
Place Scrutiny Committee - 10 Members – Proportionality 7:3
1. Chair - Councillor M. Cross
2. Vice Chair - Councillor R. Leadbeater
3. Councillors S. Behr
4. K. Chaplin
5. J. Gardner
6. W. Hodgins
7. G. Humphreys
8. J. Millard
9. L. Parsons
10. D. Rowberry
Partnership 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 & PerformanceScrutiny Committee – 9 Members – Proportionality 6:3
1. Chair - Councillor J. Wilkins
2. Vice Chair - Councillor J. Thomas
3. Councillors K. Chaplin
4. G. A. Davies
5. J. Hill
6. E. Jones
7. R. Leadbeater
8. C. Smith
9. T. Smith
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Standing Committees and Standing Sub-Committees To appoint Chairs and Vice-Chairs of Standing Committees and Standing Sub-Committees for 2024/2025.
Minutes: 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
Councillors
3. M. Day
4. W. Hodgins
5. J. Holt
6. G. Humphreys
7. E. Jones
8. J. Millard
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. A. 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. A. 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 D. Bevan
5. G. A. Davies
6. L. Parsons
7. C. Smith
8. L. Winnett
9. D. Woods
* Chair and Vice Chair of Scrutiny Committees to be invited without voting rights.
Governance & Audit Committee 9 Members – Proportionality 4:2 plus 3 Lay Members
Chair To be agreed at Committee
1. Vice Chair - Councillor S. Behr
2. Councillors D. Bevan
3. J. P. Morgan
4. C. Smith
5. T. Smith
6. J. Wilkins
7. Lay Member - Mrs. C. Hucker
8. Lay Member – Mr. M. Veale
9. Lay Member – Mrs. J. Absalom
Governance & Audit Committee Appointments Panel 3:2
1. Councillor S. Behr
2. Councillor J. P. Morgan
3. Councillor C. Smith
4. Councillor T. Smith
5. Councillor J. Wilkins
Ethics & Standards Committee - 9 Members – (3 County Borough Councillors/5 External Members/ 1 Community Council Member)
1. Town Councillor J. Rawcliffe 2. Mr. R. Lynch 3. Mr. Stephen Williams 4. Mr. R. Alexander 5. Mrs Sarah Rosser 6. Miss J. White 7. Councillor M. Cross 8. Councillor J. Thomas 9. Councillor L. Winnett
Longlisting/Shortlisting – JNC Officers 7 Members – Proportionality 5:2
1. Leader or Deputy Leader
2. Cabinet Member for appropriate Portfolio
3. Chair of appropriate Scrutiny Committee
4. Vice-Chair of appropriate Scrutiny Committee
5. Councillor S. Behr
6. Councillor J. Hill
7. Councillor G. Thomas
Labour Group Substitutes: ... view the full minutes text for item 10. |
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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 & 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 & Performance
2. Deputy Leader /Cabinet Member – Place & Environment
3. Appropriate Portfolio Member(s)
Fostering Panel (Social Services)
1. Councillor D. Rowberry
Substitute: Councillor - to be confirmed
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 S. Behr
4. D. Bevan
5. J. Gardner
6. J. Hill
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
Town/Community Councils Liaison Committee
1. Leader / Cabinet Member – Corporate & Performance (Chair)
2. Deputy Leader/ Cabinet Member – Place & Environment
3. Cabinet Member – Place & Regeneration and Economic Development
4. Cabinet Member – People & Education
5. Cabinet Member – People & Social Services
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. Councillor D. Bevan
2. Councillor J. Hill
3. Councillor G. Humphreys
4. Councillor C. Smith
5. Councillor D. Wilkshire
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. J. Millard (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. Cabinet Member – People & Education (Chair) Councillor S. Edmunds 2. Councillor D. Bevan
3. Councillor D. Davies
4. Councillor G. A. Davies
5. Councillor J. ... 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 YMCA Wales Community Council) Scrutiny Chair – People
Age Concern Gwent Executive Committee Membership Cabinet Member – People & Social Services
The Alliance Scrutiny Chair – Place Scrutiny Vice-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 Substitute – Cabinet Member – Place & Regeneration and Economic Development
South East Wales Corporate Joint Committee – Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee (formerly Cardiff Capital Region City Deal – Regional Scrutiny Committee) Scrutiny Chair – Place Councillor M. Cross
Substitute: Scrutiny Vice-Chair – Place Councillor R. Leadbeater
South East Wales Corporate Joint Committee – Audit & Governance Committee Scrutiny Chair - Place Councillor M. Cross
South East Wales Corporate Joint Committee – Strategic Planning Working Group Cabinet Member – Place & Regeneration and Economic Development Councillor J. C. Morgan
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 (including statutory sub-committees) 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 T. Smith Councillor L. Winnett
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 Vice-Chair – Place Councillor R. Leadbeater
Substitute: Councillor C. Smith Gwent Archives Joint Committee Cabinet Member – People & Education Councillor S. Edmunds
Councillor H. Trollope
Gwent Regional Partnership Board Cabinet Member – People & Social Services Joint Council for Wales Employers Side Cabinet Member – Corporate & Performance
Local Government Association Leader Deputy Leader
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
SRS Strategic Board Councillor R. Leadbeater
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) Cabinet Member – People & Social Services Scrutiny Chair – People
Welsh Local Government Association Leader of the Council
WLGA Executive Board Leader of the Council
WLGA Council and Voting Leader of the Council Substitute: Deputy Leader of the Council
WLGA – All Wales ... view the full minutes text for item 12. |
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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 15th May, 2024 to appoint in principle:
- Pen-y-Cwm Special School – Hannah Williams - Glanhowy Primary School – Laura Jones - Bryn Bach Primary School – Gemma Badham
It was, thereupon, unanimously,
RESOLVED that the above appointments be endorsed.
Rural Development Programme – Local Action Group
It was noted that the above-named Local Action Group had been disbanded.
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Annual Cycle of Meetings 2024/2025 To consider the report of the Scrutiny and Democratic Officer.
Additional documents:
Minutes: Members considered the report of the Scrutiny and Democratic Officer.
It was unanimously,
RESOLVED that the report be accepted and Option 1 be endorsed, namely that:
(i) The proposed annual cycle of meetings 2024/2025 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 1st – 31st August, 2024 (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.
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Presiding Member Fund - Proposals for Use (Tranche 2) To consider the attached report.
Minutes: Consideration was given to the report of the Presiding Member.
It was unanimously,
RESOLVED that the report be accepted and a total of £5,993.92 from the Fund be allocated as follows:
* CIC not formally established currently, contribution to be released following formal incorporation
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