Cabinet

Cabinet approved three items. It started the formal process for a traffic order that would set a 20mph default speed limit, with some exceptions, on restricted roads in the borough. It approved council bids for Welsh Government transport funding for 2023/24, and it approved the recommendations on revised charges for community care services.

1. 20mph default speed limit: proposed traffic order

   Decided

   Cabinet approved three steps. It agreed to give public notice of the council's plan for a permanent Traffic Regulation Order, after consulting road users such as the police, fire and ambulance services and bus operators. If objections are received, a report will go to the appropriate committee; if none are received, the order will be made.

   Why

   The Welsh Government's default 20mph limit for restricted roads, which are roads with street lighting, comes into force on 17 September 2023. The council needs a Traffic Regulation Order, a legal order that sets speed limits, to put this in place. The report lists roads that will stay at 30mph, using Welsh Government guidance on places and how roads are used. It also proposes some 20mph limits on unlit roads, a 40mph transition limit, and the removal of older 20mph orders. Councillors asked how the limit would be administered and what the Welsh Government consultation involved, but the minute does not record the answers.

   Based on the minutes, Committee Report, Appendix 1, Appendix 2, iia

2. Welsh Government transport funding bids 2023/24

   Decided

   Cabinet approved the funding bids set out in the report. A question about the tunnel project was raised, but the minute does not record an answer.

   Why

   The bids cover projects for April 2023 to March 2024. The report also nominates an Abernant Tunnel scheme as a pathfinder project and Merthyr Tydfil as a possible first Welsh active travel town. The report says the awards would be fully funded by Welsh Government.

   Based on the minutes, Committee Report, iia

3. Charges for community care support services 2023/24

   Decided

   Cabinet approved the recommendations in the report, which set out the revised charges for community care services for 2023/24. No questions were raised on the item.

   Why

   The council charges adults for non-residential community care based on a financial assessment of their circumstances. The Welsh Government sets the maximum weekly charge, which stays at £100 for 2023/24, and the council's charges have not been reviewed for several years. Most hourly charges rise from £12.50 to £14.00, and supported living and some respite services move to a weekly charge of up to £100. The report estimates that 84 of 511 service users will be affected, and some may cut or reduce services; a review is possible for disability-related costs. The council expects around £30,000 more income in 2023/24, which is already in the Medium-Term Financial Plan.

   Based on the minutes, iia, Committee Report

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

   No apologies for absence were received.

2. 2

   Declarations of Interest

   Minute

   No declarations of interest were received

3. 3

   Welsh Government 20mph Default Speed Limit - Proposed Traffic Regulation Order

   Minute

   Presented by Cllr D Hughes The following questions were raised: How will the limit be administered? Could you provide an indication of Welsh Governments consultation? The following recommendations as contained within the report were approved: 2.1 Subject to consultation with a representative list of roads users, the giving of Public Notice of the County Borough Council’s intention to make a permanent Traffic Regulation Order under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the effect of which is detailed in the schedule at Appendix 1, be approved; 2.2 In the event of no objections being received, the making of the said permanent Order be approved; 2.3 If objections are received the presentation of a report to the appropriate Committee for consideration as soon as practicable, be approved;

   Papers: Committee Report, Appendix 1, Appendix 2, iia, Appendix 3 a,

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.

The minutes record no declarations of interest.

• Andrew Barry, Vice-ChairIndependentPresent
• Geraint Thomas, ChairIndependentPresent
• Clive Jones, OthermbrsLabourRecorded
• Darren Roberts, OthermbrsLabourRecorded
• Julia Jenkins, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Michelle Jones, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Michelle Symonds, Committee MemberIndependentPresent

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