Cabinet

The Chief Executive echoed the Leader’s words in relation to Jane Richardson and advised that Mike Halstead (Head of Audit and Procurement) was retiring in the near future. Thanks were extended to Cabinet for their support over a difficult year and to the wider membership. It would be a challenging year ahead and thanks were extended to staff, with a message to take some time and relax over the Christmas period.

Members were presented with the Forward Work Programme for the Cabinet. RESOLVED- That the Cabinet Forward Work Programme be approved.

The Cabinet Member for Democracy and Governance sought approval for adoption of Spinal Column Point (SCP) 2 into the pay structure on 1 April 2023, when implementing the non-optional removal of SCP1. Each year the pay for local government workers who fell under the National Joint Council (NJC) Terms and Conditions was reviewed nationally. As part of the NJC agreement for the 2022-2023 pay negotiation there was agreement to remove the first spinal column point on the structure from 1 April 2023. The changes to the pay structure were a direct result of providing headroom above the National Living Wage to assist staff to provide for themselves and their families. Each local authority may adopt the NJC Pay Structure differently and the Council adopted these into its Single Status Terms and Conditions and Job Evaluation Framework. As a result of this non-negotiable requirement, the Council needed to consider the impact of this on its adopted pay structure framework and after consultation with the recognised Trades Unions, propose a small amendment to maintain a fair and balanced pay structure for those staff under these terms and conditions. RESOLVED- That the adoption of Spinal Column Point 2 into the pay structure on 1 April 2023, when implementing the non-optional removal of Spinal Column Point 1, be approved.

The Cabinet Member for Democracy and Governance presented the Ombudsman’s Annual Letter for 2021/2022, which the Ombudsman had requested be presented to Cabinet to assist Members in their review of the Council’s performance. The Annual Letter contained a breakdown of the complaints the Ombudsman had received relating to the County Borough Council. It was noted that the future corporate compliments and complaints report would be presented in a more meaningful and focussed format. RESOLVED- That the Ombudsman’s Annual Letter for 2021-2022 be noted.

The Cabinet Member for Finance, Revenue and Benefits presented the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2023/2024 and 2024/2025. Given the significant economic uncertainty the Strategy, at this stage, did not seek to look into the longer term. The MTFS highlighted that the Council was facing significant resource shortfalls in the coming two years. The Council was currently undertaking work to address the shortfall in 2023/2024 in accordance with the Business Planning Framework (BPF) and Budget Working Groups. The MTFS outlined a range of strategic considerations that need to be made thereafter to allow a balanced budget in 2024/2025 and to secure the Council’s financial standing into the medium and longer term. The following points were highlighted:- · It was anticipated that the shortfall in 2022/2023 would be £30m and £22m in 2023/2024. · Budget pressures included increases in pay awards, inflation, energy costs, social care, homelessness and interest rates. · Council Tax in Conwy at a Band D was £1,438, with Gwynedd County Council charging £1,527 and Denbighshire County Council charging £1,479. · Over the last 10 years £70,368m of budget savings had been made. · A number of initiatives were outlined within paragraph 6 of the MTFS on how the Council’s limited resources could be used more effectively. The Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the report on 5 December 2022 and supported the recommendations. Discussion ensued as follows:- · Council Tax supported all different age groups, including education and social care. · The choices could be to increase Council Tax, reduce services, or a mixture of the two. · It was noted that 11,000 residents were in receipt of Council Tax assistance and payment could be paid over 12 months, instead of the normal 10 months. · The case to the Welsh Government (WG) for increasing financial support had been made by the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA), with lobbying undertaken by the Leader and Deputy Leader. · The Leader had been reviewing the differentials of financial support from the WG, with both DCC and GCC receiving a higher rate per person. A case would be made to WG to review the funding formula to ensure that it was fair and equitable. · The challenges ahead were an opportunity to review working methods. · It would be inevitable that a reduction in services would lead to an increase in complaints. · The Chief Executive advised that the proposals of the Budget Working Groups had been included in the MTFS. It was important to work together to alleviate the current and future budget pressures. · It was an opportunity to work with Town and Community Councils and Community Groups. · Communication was key in advising residents on the pressures, especially in relation to any future rise in Council Tax, or reduction in service. · All Members were part of the process and should bring forward any ideas to alleviate the budget pressures. Thanks were extended to the Strategic Director – Finance and Resources, together with her team, on the production of the MTFS and the work being undertaken in relation to the budget pressures. RESOLVED- That the financial outlook be noted and that the need for strategic action to ensure the Council is on a secure financial footing in the future be recognised.

Following the completion of the required formal Statutory Processes, the Cabinet Member for Education sought approval to formerly close Ysgol Llannefydd. It was noted that 44 responses were received to the consultation to close Ysgol Llannefydd, including from ESTYN and a joint response from the Governing Body of Ysgol Llannefydd and Llannefydd Community Council. The Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the report on 29 November 2022 and supported the recommendations. Staff had been relocated on a temporary basis and it was confirmed that Trades Unions had been consulted. In relation to the future of the site, with housing suggested as a possible solution, Heads of Service would be requested to put forward options for the site and a disposal report would be presented to Cabinet. RESOLVED- That authorisation for Education Services and Legal Services officers to formally close Ysgol Llannefydd from 31 December 2022 be approved.

The Cabinet Member for Education sought approval for the Ysgol Deganwy Extension and Refurbishment Project to progress to tender stage, to allow actual costs to be obtained in order to enable a funding bid to be submitted to Welsh Government (WG). Conwy’s 21st Century Schools Programme Band B Strategic Outline Programme (SOP), approved by Cabinet on 14 August 2018 (Minute 252 refers) identified projects throughout the County Borough that would enhance the educational provision, with the Deganwy area identified as one priority to be reviewed as part of the SOP, and was currently deemed necessary due to the shortcomings of the existing provision in Deganwy. An external cost exercise had already been undertaken with an indicative cost for the extension and refurbishment Project at Ysgol Deganwy of £5.5m, with 65% of the project costs eligible for funding from the WG. WG had shared that they required ‘actual’ construction costs before approving works via their finance Capital Panel, but had noted that as long as the project costs remained within Conwy’s Programme envelope (£43.1m), then they could see no issues with their funding contribution. The Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the report on 29 November 2022 and supported the recommendations. Discussion ensued as follows:- · It was noted that there were many schools within the County Borough requiring remedial works and there should be equal opportunity for all schools. · A development site for 250 houses had been included in the Revised Local Development Plan (RLDP) in the area, which would likely lead to an increase in pupil numbers. · Repayment of the capital sum would equate to £81k per year. · Whilst a development on Pentywyn Hill was within the catchment area for Ysgol Awel y Mynydd, Ysgol Deganwy was the nearest school to the site. · There were access issues within the school and classrooms were inadequate. Support was given for the project to progress to tender stage, but it should be included within the project that it would be reviewed as part of the Capital Programme evaluation process. RESOLVED- That progression of the Ysgol Deganwy Extension and Refurbishment Project to tender stage to obtain the current market cost for the proposals identified be approved.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Regulatory sought Members’ approval of the Interim Local Housing Market Assessment (LHMA) 2021-2026. The Interim LHMA provided a calculation of the number of new affordable homes required: the Affordable Housing Need Calculation (AHNC), with two figures provided:- · For the purposes of Housing Strategy, the AHNC evidenced a need for an additional 229 affordable homes per year over the next 5 years; 1145 affordable homes in total. · For the purposes of the Revised Local Development Plan (RLDP), the AHNC excluded those on the common housing register who had no local connection with the County. Therefore the RLDP would plan for 193 new affordable homes each year for the next 5 years; 965 affordable homes in total. Affordable housing was classed as either social rented housing or intermediate housing for sale or rent, and was provided for households whose needs cannot be met by the market. The RLDP and Local Housing Strategy would address how the required level of affordable housing could be provided. The Interim LHMA 2021-2026 was issued for public consultation for a period of 6 weeks from 27 January 2022 and no comments were received. Discussion ensued as follows:- · It was noted that the LHMA did not include the figures for the Snowdonia National Park Authority. · Building its own stock of social/affordable housing was not an option at present for the Council, as the expertise to enable this level of development was not resourced, but could be explored in the future. · Work was being undertaken in partnership with Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) to accelerate housing developments, purchasing the homes of families facing a Section 21 eviction, and providing high-spec modular buildings. · Housing needed to be appropriate for the demography of the area. · Town and Community Council were aware of the need within their own communities. RESOLVED- That the Interim Local Housing Market Assessment (LHMA) 2021-2026 be approved.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Regulatory sought Members approval for the Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan, (RRTP), in line with Welsh Government policy, which required all Local Authorities to have a 5 year RRTP. Rapid Rehousing was a housing-led approach to rehousing people that had experienced homelessness. It made sure they reached a settled housing option as quickly as possible, rather than staying in temporary accommodation for too long. This helped to avoid the destabilising and marginalising effects of prolonged homelessness, or prolonged stays in emergency or temporary settings. Following Cabinet approval on 27 September 2022 (Minute 293 refers), a public consultation on the RRTP was held from 30 September 2022 to 11 November 2022 and a summary of the results was outlined in Appendix 2 of the report. The Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the report on 7 December 2022 and supported the recommendations. Many individuals and families were in a position that they never thought they would have to face in terms of becoming homeless, and the stigma of homelessness needed to be challenged. It was noted that children of families that had been made homeless may require additional social care and educational support. RESOLVED- That the Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan be approved.

RESOLVED- That the Public and Press be excluded from the meeting under the provisions of Section 100A of the above Act during consideration of the following item as it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that in all the relevant circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.