Cabinet

Bridgend County Borough Council's Cabinet met on 10 December 2024. The agenda covered the annual safeguarding report, school admission arrangements for 2027-2028, strategic transport projects, a revised flexible working policy and two information reports. The minutes have not been published, so this summary sets out what each report proposes, not what was decided.

1. Annual Corporate Safeguarding Report 2023/24

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   Safeguarding means protecting people from harm, abuse and neglect. Section 7 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 sets the duties the council must meet. The report shows that referrals stayed high, which kept social work teams under heavy caseload pressure. The Subject Overview and Scrutiny Committee 2 asked, when it considered the draft on 14 November 2024, for comparable data from neighbouring councils in future reports.

   Based on the minutes, 23 24 Annual Corporate Safeguarding Report Cabinet cover report v0.3, App1. Annual Corporate Safeguarding Report 23 24 v1.0

2. Co-ordinated school admission arrangements 2027-2028

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   The council must publish a scheme by 1 January 2025 under the Education (Co-ordination of School Admission Arrangements and Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2024. The council consulted schools, governing bodies and the Bridgend Admission Forum between 28 October and 15 November 2024. One response was received, about a minor point of clarity in section 3, and a small wording change was made. The report says a Welsh Language Impact Assessment found a neutral impact.

   Based on the minutes, 20241210 Cabinet School Admission Arrangements v1.0, Appendix A - Co-ordinated School Admissions Arrangements 2027-2028, Appendix B- Welsh Language Impact Assessment v0.2 RD approved

3. Strategic transport projects and active travel schemes

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   A list of agreed schemes is needed for funding bids and for seeking developer contributions through Section 106 planning agreements, which are deals where developers pay towards infrastructure. Under revised Welsh Government guidance, each council can submit only one capital active travel scheme for 2025-26. Active travel means walking and cycling, and the Merlin Crescent engagement report, published in November 2024, drew 138 survey responses and a petition. Apart from the Porthcawl Metrolink and the active travel programme, the listed schemes have no council funding yet, so they depend on securing resources.

   Based on the minutes, Cabinet Report - Strategic Transport Projects-Dec-24-final, Merlin Crescent Engagement Report Final Version_

4. Revised Flexible Working Policy

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   The main changes are that staff can make more requests within 12 months, eligibility starts on day one, and decisions must be made within two months. The report says Trade Union representatives were consulted and agreed to the policy being implemented.

   Based on the minutes, Flexible Working Policy - Cabinet Report - Final - Approved

5. Information reports: surveillance policy and Ombudsman letter

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   RIPA governs when councils can use covert surveillance, and members must review the policy at least once a year. The report says the council has made no RIPA authorisations since April 2014, and its next inspection is due in 2026. The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW) investigates complaints about public services and councillors' conduct. Its annual letter says the council received 59 complaints in 2023-24, up from 55, and 14% led to PSOW intervention, such as an early settlement.

   Based on the minutes, Appendix A PSOW Annual Letter 23-24, REGULATION OF INVESTIGATORY POWERS ACT 2000, PSOW Annual Letter 2023-2024, 1. Cabinet Information cover Report - 10 Dec 2024, App. RIPA POLICY December 2024

Written by AI from the council's minutes and reports. Sentences with a number or name that can't be found in those papers are removed automatically, but mistakes are still possible. Councils publish no word-for-word record of meetings, so this says what was decided and why. Read the official papers to be sure.

1. 1

   Apologies for Absence

   Minute

   Apologies for absence were received from xxxxxxxxxx

2. 2

   Declarations of Interest

3. 3

   Annual Corporate Safeguarding Report 2023/24

   Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

   Papers: 23 24 Annual Corporate Safeguarding Report Cabinet cover report v0.3, App1. Annual Corporate Safeguarding Report 23 24 v1.0
4. 4

   Co-Ordinated School Admission Arrangements 2027-2028

   Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

   Papers: 20241210 Cabinet School Admission Arrangements v1.0, Appendix A - Co-ordinated School Admissions Arrangements 2027-2028, Appendix B- Welsh Language Impact Assessment v0.2 RD approved
5. 5

   Strategic Transport Projects

   Part of an issue followed across 3 meetings

   Papers: Cabinet Report - Strategic Transport Projects-Dec-24-final, Merlin Crescent Engagement Report Final Version_
6. 6

   Flexible Working Policy

   Papers: Flexible Working Policy - Cabinet Report - Final - Approved
7. 7

   Information Report for Noting

   Papers: Appendix A PSOW Annual Letter 23-24, REGULATION OF INVESTIGATORY POWERS ACT 2000, PSOW Annual Letter 2023-2024, 1. Cabinet Information cover Report - 10 Dec 2024, App. RIPA POLICY December 2024
8. 8

   Urgent Items

9. 9

   Exclusion of the Public

Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.

Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.

• Eugene Caparros, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Jane Gebbie, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Paul Davies, Committee MemberLabourPresent

Lists the council's current councillors only. Co-opted members, officers and former councillors aren't shown.