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 any apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was reported for Councillor S. Edmunds, Cabinet Member for People & Education.

To receive any declarations of interest or dispensations.

No declarations of interest or dispensations were reported.

To receive the decisions of Cabinet held on 16^th October, 2024.

Consideration was given to the decisions of the Special Cabinet Meeting held on 16^th October, 2024.

RESOLVED that the decisions be received as a true record of proceedings.

Consideration was given to the report of the Scrutiny & Democratic Officer.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted and the Forward Work Programme for the meeting on the 15^th January, 2025 be approved. (Option 1)

To receive the minutes of the Grants Working Group held on 10^th October, 2024.

RESOLVED that the minutes be received.

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director Corporate Services.

The following additional grants were received since submission of the report.

ABERTILLERY

EBBW VALE

RESOLVED, subject to the foregoing, that the report be accepted and the information contained therein be noted.

To consider report of the Corporate Director Corporate Services.

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director Corporate Services.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted, and the information contained therein be noted.

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Organisational Development.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted and Cabinet support and approve the actions recommended to mitigate areas of concern (Option 1).

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Organisational Development.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted, and Cabinet endorse the ongoing actions to support improvement in attendance. (Option 2).

Consideration was given to the report of the Service Manager Accountancy.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted, and Option 1 be approved, namely:

·       Members to consider and provide appropriate challenge to the financial outcomes in the report;

•        Note the application of reserves; and

•        Consider and challenge the Action Plan attached at Appendix 2.

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director Corporate Services.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted, and Option 1 be approved, namely:

•        Members provide appropriate challenge to the financial outcomes in the report;

•        Continue to support appropriate financial control procedures agreed by Council; and

•        Note the budgetary control and monitoring procedures in place within the Capital Team, to safeguard Authority funding.

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Legal & Corporate Compliance.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted, and Cabinet is informed of the Council’s performance with regard to complaints made to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales. (The report has been referred to the Governance and Audit Committee with assurance that the process for the monitoring of complaints is robust and the performance information provided reflects these practices). (Option 1).

To consider report of the Corporate Director of Corporate Services.

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director Corporate Services.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted, and Cabinet approves the Council Tax base calculation for 2025/26 as detailed in Appendix 1 tables 1 to 6, and that the Council Tax Base for tax setting purposes be 21,197.98.

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director of Education.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted as provided. (Option 2).

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director of Education.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted, and the revised policy documentation be approved as presented. (Option 1).

Consideration was given to the report of the Service Manager Neighbourhood Services.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted, and the information contained therein be approved. (Option 1).

Consideration was given to the report of the Service Manager Policy & Partnerships.

RESOVLED that the report be accepted, and Cabinet approve and agree that the report be published on the Council’s Website. (Option 1).

To consider report of the Corporate Director Regeneration & Community Services.

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director Regeneration & Community Services.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted, and the Cabinet agreed Option 1, namely that the Martial Arts Group, supported by Ward Members, be allowed to take the building by agreeing to enter into an agreement for a lease followed by a formal lease.  This to be granted following completion of works estimated to cost more than £87,000 which the group would have to fund.

A schedule outlining the works that must be undertaken to make the building compliant is attached at Appendix 3. It is only on completion of the works will a formal lease be granted.

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 report of the Corporate Director Education.

RESOLVED that the report which contained information relating to the financial/business affairs of persons other than the Authority be accepted, and that Option 2 be approved.