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Executive Members (with Portfolios): Councillors: Anthony Hunt – Leader & Executive Member for Strategic Leadership Richard Clark – Deputy Leader & Executive Member for Education Fiona Cross – Executive Member for Children, Families & Communities David Daniels – Executive Member for Adult Services & Housing Joanne Gauden – Executive Member for Economy, Skills & Regeneration Mandy Owen – Executive Member for Environment Kelly Preston – Executive Member for Resources David Yeowell – Executive Member for Corporate Governance & Performance Officers: Nigel Aurelius – Assistant Chief Executive (Resources) Rachel Beale – Personal Assistant to the Leader and Deputy Leader Stephen Bulpitt – Environmental Health Officer Justine Cass – Solicitor and Deputy Monitoring Officer Chris Corten - Assistant Complaints & FOI Team Leader Niall Flack – Apprentice, Democratic Services Gren Ham - Energy and Carbon Reduction Manager Delyth Harries – Monitoring Officer Neil Jones – Head of Communications, Engagement and Civil Contingencies Rachel Jowitt – Chief Officer Neighbourhoods, Planning and Public Protection Dave Leech – Head of Economy and Skills Jason Lewis - Head of Strategic HR, Pensions and Asset Management Dave Lilly – Head of Financial Services Dermot McChrystal – Chief Officer, Education Daniel Morelli – Head of Public Protection Gill Pratlett – Head of Adult Services Julian Prosser – Energy Officer Tom Roberts - Senior Corporate Improvement and Scrutiny Officer Geraint Thomas – Senior Business Support Officer (Democratic Services) Stephen Vickers – Chief Executive
2.1 There were no apologies received.
3.1 3.1 The following interests were declared: • Councillor Richard Clark declared a personal interest in agenda item 6 as he owned two other properties. • Councillor Richard Clark declared a personal interest in agenda item 11 as a Member of Croesyceiliog and Llanyrafon Community Council who had been consulted. • Councillor Joanna Gauden declared a personal interest in agenda item 11 as a Member of Croesyceiliog and Llanyrafon Community Council who had been consulted. • Councillor Fiona Cross declared a personal interest in agenda item 12 as a Council appointed Trustee on Torfaen Leisure Trust. • Councillor Anthony Hunt declared a personal interest in agenda item 12 as a Council appointed Trustee on Torfaen Leisure Trust. • Following the meeting, as soon as it became apparent, Councillor Richard Clark declared a further personal interest in agenda item 11 as a Council appointed representative on Torfaen Voluntary Alliance who had been who had been consulted.
4.1 The minutes of the meeting held on the 12th October were confirmed as an accurate record of the meeting.
5.1 The action sheet was noted.
6.1 The Executive Member for Resources presented the report which sought approval of the Tax Base for 2022/23. It was proposed that no change was made to the assumed collection rate which would remain at 98% for 2022/23. The Executive Member reminded residents that if they were struggling to pay their Council Tax, that they should contact the Council’s Revenue and Benefit Service for advice and support. 6.2 The Assistant Chief Executive for Resources highlighted the key messages which included: · The collection rate assumption would remain at 98% for 2022/23. · The overall Band D tax base had increased by 125 properties on last year’s estimate of 34,022 to 34,147. · The same discounts would continue to apply for 2022/23. 6.3 Cabinet agreed: i. The Tax Base for 2022/23 as detailed in the report be approved; ii. For properties in Prescribed Classes A and B i.e. Second Homes, the Council continues to apply a nil discount; iii. For properties in Prescribed Class C i.e. Empty Properties, the Council continues to apply a nil discount; iv. That the information that accompanies the demand notice continues to be supplied electronically.
7.1 The Executive Member for Resources presented the report which provided an update on the latest revenue budget forecast for 2021/22, informed Cabinet of the position of the initial estimates for 2022/23 and outlined the next steps for the 2022/23 budget setting process. The Executive Member thanked Officers for the work on the budget and also gave thanks to scrutiny for the feedback which she was grateful for. 7.2 The Assistant Chief Executive (Resources) highlighted the key areas giving details on the latest financial forecast which presented an improved position, however the demand for Children’s Services continued to produce a pressure. Details were given to Cabinet on the 2022/23 initial estimates position. The Assistant Chief Executive also outlined the risks for Members to be aware of. Members were presented with the timetable for the remainder of the budget setting process, with the Council scheduled to receive its provisional settlement on the 21st December 2021. 7.3 The Executive Member for Adult Services and Housing noted that whilst there was an underspend in Adult Social Care a significant element arose because the Council was unable to commission the Domiciliary Care that it needed. He further commented that it was very much due to the social care crisis and the struggles with the recruitment and retention of Domiciliary Care staff that the service and all authorities were experiencing. He added that he was making the point to Welsh Government that Councils needed urgent support from them on this matter. 7.4 The Leader thanked the Executive Member for his lobbying for a fair funding settlement that takes in to account the pressures that social care were under, which was a continuing process with Welsh Government and the UK Government to make sure that public services had the money that they needed to help recover and rebuild post Covid. 7.5 Cabinet agreed to note: i. The current financial forecast for 2021/22; ii. The current 2022/23 estimate position and the proposed next steps; iii. The timetable for the remainder of the 2022/23 budget cycle.
8.1 The Chief Officer for Neighbourhoods, Planning and Public Protection presented the report and highlighted the following points: · As part of the closedown of the accounts for 2020/21, Council approved the creation of a reserve to assist with the recovery from Covid in the sum of £1.2 million. The principle being that as the effects of the pandemic become better understood, resources could be allocated to projects that were designed to help support or alleviate the impacts of Covid on Torfaen communities. · Following discussions, a number of projects were identified which would help support the community in recovering from the effects of the Covid pandemic. · The projects included: - Canal Community Development, which would support the canal officer develop community schemes such as new bins, signage, accessibility and begin to invest in the right scoping assessments needed to take the development of the strategy forward. - Repairs to enable the Folly and Grotto to be reopened. - A small business grants programme to help businesses to adapt to increase their turnover focussing on digital improvements. - Increasing the amount of free counselling support available for young people aged 7 – 19 in response to challenges caused by the pandemic. - The commissioning of Mental Health First Aid Training to be accessed by organisations and groups to give support to people who were developing or already had mental health problems. - Undertaking a feasibility study into the provision of a 3G/4G pitch. - Increasing the DHP budget over the second half of 2021/22 and also 2022/23. - A series of town centre improvements to clean and green Pontypool and Blaenavon town centres to help attract long term investments. - Installation of sensory play areas in Pontypool Park and Cwmbran Boating Lake. 8.2 The Leader thanked Officers for working with Cabinet on this, Members felt that it was important to put the money towards key projects to help the borough recover and rebuild. It was one-off money which could not be used to resolve ongoing revenue pressures or recurring spend issues. Members were very keen to look at the impacts of the pandemic both directly and indirectly, including the impact it had had on health, on the community and also the economy. Some of the money was to be used on projects to improve the natural environment including the canal to help people get out and about, as people rediscovered and enjoyed their local outdoor spaces during the pandemic. There was a focus on physical activity and the benefits that can bring in terms of health resilience and he hoped the study on 3G/4G pitch could help close the gap in the north of the borough around provision. There was money allocated to help with mental health first aid training and also youth counselling. This was very important as the pandemic had a big impact on young people in the last 18 months. The money allocated for inclusive play equipment was great news for children with disabilities, two play areas would be developed to help all children to be able to enjoy outdoor space. The fund had allocated money to help to tackle inequality and to support the hardest hit families. He welcomed the business grants as they had a difficult time throughout the pandemic. 8.3 Members welcomed the report which provided the tools for a Covid Recovery. They were particularly pleased for the installation of the inclusive play equipment in two of the borough’s biggest parks which was vitally important to ensuring all children’s needs were met and they looked forward to visiting when they were complete. Another aspect that Members were pleased that was able to be included was the youth support specifically around counselling. 8.4 Cabinet agreed: i. That the £1.2m Covid recovery fund be allocated to the projects proposed in paragraph 4.3 of the report ii. That the projects be managed as a programme and that any under/overspend on individual projects can be managed as necessary to implement the programme as a whole and to ensure the maximisation of outputs and outcomes for the communities of Torfaen.
9.1 The Executive Member for Economy, Skills & Regeneration presented the report which sought endorsement for the principle of a locally delivered, regionally coordinated approach to employability post-EU and to approve the Framework for Future Employability in the Cardiff Capital Region. 9.2 The Head of Economy and Skills highlighted the key areas of the report which included: · Local Authorities across the Cardiff Capital Region have successfully delivered employability for two decades which have supported a huge amount of residents into employment, or better paid employment, into further learning and have helped young NEET residents and have been a key pillar for early intervention and prevention. · The 2019 Cardiff Capital Region Employment and Skills plan highlights the value and importance that employers place on ‘employability’ and the key role that it plays in helping residents into the jobs of the future. In light of the recovery from the Covid pandemic this was more important than ever. · The Regional Skills Partnership Local Authority Cluster Group have been working collaboratively to produce a new Regional Framework to guide how employability activities are to be delivered in the region in the future. · The Framework considers the current employability landscape, the lessons from current projects, and the upcoming changes in the policy landscape and labour market. · The Framework had been approved by the Regional Skills Partnership and Regional Business Council. · With the ending of European Social Fund funding in 2022, the framework would form the basis of regional applications for post-EU funding for employability. 9.3 The Leader thanked Officers and the Executive Members for their work on this and stated that it was vital that clarity was given on the post EU funding streams. 9.4 Cabinet agreed to approve: i. The principle of a locally delivered, regionally coordinated approach to employability post-EU; ii. The proposed Framework for Future Employability in the CCR as shown in Appendix B to the report.
10.1 The Executive Member for Economy, Skills & Regeneration presented the report which highlighted the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the delivery of the Library & Information Strategy, but how it had also presented an opportunity to accelerate the implementation of that strategy. The report sought approval of a temporary reduction in the opening hours on Saturday across all three libraries and on Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons at Pontypool library to mitigate the risk of unplanned closures whilst the potential for accelerating the implementation of the library strategy was considered. 10.2 The Head of Economy and Skills outlined the key areas of the report which included: · Officers had commissioned a review of the Libraries Service in 2018, which considered library locations, co-location with other services, service development, revenue generation, and volunteering. · Whilst progress has been made in some areas, the service transformation within the strategy had been hindered by the Covid-19 pandemic. · The pandemic created a potential change in the way that customers used the libraries services, which had given cause to reflect on, and accelerate, the transformation proposed in the strategy. · There were currently four vacant library assistant roles within the service and filling the roles whilst service delivery models were being reviewed would prejudice the outcome of the review and could result in an unsuitable staffing structure for future delivery. However, maintaining the four vacant posts was leading to staff shortages, particularly for Saturday hours. · As footfall and book issues rise, the service was at severe risk of disruption if current opening hours were maintained. · Officers were proposing a temporary reduction in opening hours on Saturdays (across all three libraries) and on Tuesday mornings and Thursdays afternoons at Pontypool library whilst the long-term staffing structure and operating hours were considered in detail, which would enable the continuation of the libraries in all three locations. 10.3 The Leader thanked Officers for their work on this, Members have a passion for the library service and value it as a community asset and looked forward to having discussions around the strategy to ensure that libraries stayed at the heart of the communities. He gave thanks to the library staff for their adaptable and flexible approach throughout the pandemic such as the book loan service which was a life saver for some people who were shielding or self-isolating. He welcomed the pragmatic approach which was the right thing to do whilst maintaining provision across the three libraries. 10.4 Cabinet agreed to: i. Note the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the delivery of the Library & Information Strategy but also the opportunity that this presents to accelerate the implementation of that strategy; ii. Approve a temporary reduction in the opening hours on Saturday across all three libraries and on Tuesday mornings & Thursday afternoons at Pontypool library as set out in paragraph 4.7 of the report to mitigate the risk of unplanned closures whilst the potential for accelerating the implementation of the library strategy is considered.
11.1 The Executive Member for Environment presented the report which provided the findings of the public consultation carried out on the need to extend the existing Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) for dog control offences. PSPO’s were effective for managing dog control measures including dog fouling and dogs on leads and also contributed to the Council’s Clean and Green Corporate Priority. Following the consultation, it proposed to extend the PSPO. 11.2 The Head of Public Protection added that the review has been carried out in line with the law relating to PSPOs. Despite there being some limitations on the in-person method available to consult with public due to the pandemic, there has been a good level of public participation in the consultation and he thanked everyone who had taken the time to respond. 98% of respondents were in favour of retaining PSPOs relating to dog fouling, 84% in favour of retaining those relating to dog exclusion zones and 90% in favour of retaining dogs on lead areas. 11.3 The Leader thanked the Public Protection team for their work on this on top of an already heavy workload due to dealing with the pandemic. 11.4 Cabinet agreed: i. To approve the extension of the existing PSPO to ensure service continuity ii. That Officers work on the additional areas proposed by members of the public during the Consultation and produce a report for the Executive member to consider on the impacts of increasing the number of PSPOs and consequential impact on the Enforcement Service.
12.1 The Executive Member for Environment introduced the report which sought approval for the Council to secure an interest free loan from Salix on behalf of Torfaen Leisure Trust (TLT) to pay for the identified energy efficiency measures. Council Officers would devise a formal loan repayment agreement with the Leisure Trust to ensure that the loan was repaid. 12.2 The Chief Officer for Neighbourhoods, Planning and Public Protection highlighted the key areas of the report: · The total electricity consumption across the Torfaen Leisure Trust sites in the 2019/20 financial year was 2,100MW at a cost of £350,000 and was one of the largest energy users in the borough under Torfaen County Borough Council site ownership. · For the five Torfaen Leisure Trust sites an energy project totalling £770,000 has been identified with an expected payback of costs in 5.5 years. · The project was estimated to provide annual savings of £140,000 reducing electricity consumption by 868KW, equivalent to an annual carbon emissions reduction of 197 tonnes of CO2 and assist in supporting the future of site operations. · For the project to progress, access to a Salix interest free loan was proposed to be secured by the Council on behalf of Torfaen Leisure Trust. · The project costs would be paid by Torfaen Leisure Trust and will be subject to a formal legal agreement between them and the Council. 12.3 Members welcomed the report which cut both costs and carbon emissions. 12.4 Cabinet approved that the Council secures the Salix loan on behalf of Torfaen Leisure Trust to enable the project to progress subject to Torfaen County Borough Council entering into an agreement with Torfaen Leisure Trust for the repayment of the loan, such terms to be agreed by the Chief Officer, Education.
13.1 The Executive Member for Resources presented the report which sought approval to sign up to the Welsh Government’s Code of Practice for Ethical Employment in Supply Chains and implement where possible the commitments contained within the code of practice. 13.2 The Assistant Chief Executive, Resources added that Welsh Government had developed a Code of Practice for Ethical Employment in Supply Chains and Public Sector bodies, including local authorities, who were expected to sign up and work towards implementing. It was proposed that the Council adopts the code and also appoint an Anti-Slavery and Ethical Employment Member Champion. 13.3 The Leader thanked the Executive Member and Officers for the report which he felt fitted in well with the Council’s wider agenda to try and look at value for money in a broader sense than lowest costs but by also looking at the environmental impacts, employment standards and the elements of local spend. 13.4 Cabinet agreed to: i. Adopt the Code of Practice on Ethical Employment in Supply Chains and ii. Note the action plan in Appendix 1.
14.1 The Executive Member for Corporate Governance and Performance presented the report which provided an overview of the complaint’s performance for the financial year 1st April 2020 to 31st March 2021. 14.2 The Assistant Complaints & FOI Team Leader added the following: · During the 2020/21 financial year, the authority received a total of 75 complaints; 63 at stage 1, 0 stage 2 and 12 via the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales, which represents a 10.71% decrease on the previous financial year when there was a total of 84 complaints. · There was a decrease in both Corporate and Social Care stage one and stage 2 complaints however there was an increase in complaints received via the Ombudsman. · The performance of the central complaints team continues to have a positive impact on complaint handling across the Council. The team often deal with concerns at the point of contact, with the focus on liaising with service areas to resolve issues quickly, preventing complaint escalation and identifying opportunities to learn from customer contact. · The complaints team dealt with 848 calls in addition to the formal complaints recorded which was up by 5.42% on the 802 calls taken during 2019/20. · A total of 106 compliments from service users were received which was the first year where there have been more compliments than complaints. 14.3 The Leader thanked the team for their work in dealing with complaints which was very much appreciated by Members. 14.4 Cabinet agreed to: i. Note the information presented in the report; ii. Continue to support the central Complaints and FOI Team.
15.1 The Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Housing presented the report which sought approval to award the contract for the provision of a generic homeless hostel service following the outcome of a tender process. He added that Welsh Government had put a requirement on Councils to develop a plan, referred to as the Phase 2 Homeless Plan, to provide greater support and accommodation to individuals to prevent rough sleeping and address homelessness. The Phase 2 Homeless Plan sought to increase the capacity of supported and semi-supported accommodation within the borough, together with re-shaping existing provision to meet the demands on services. Hales House, a supported accommodation provision for 16 – 24 year olds, would be changed to a generic homeless hostel for all single people faced with being homeless irrespective of their age with additional units of accommodation being provided through both the funding from Welsh Government and Registered Social Landlords which would provide the additional capacity and resource. These factors have informed the development of the specification for this service to meet the needs of the client group as part of the tender process. 15.2 The Head of Adult Services added that Hales House was well-used and well regarded and would have the age restrictions removed to be more flexible and become a generic homeless hostel. 15.3 The Leader thanked the Executive Member and Officers for the report. He was pleased to see that the evaluation process and award criteria was based on 80% quality and 20% cost, which showed that the Council were not going for the cheapest option but going for the best option for service users. 15.4 Cabinet agreed that the contract for the provision of Generic Homeless Hostel Service provision is awarded to provider 1 following the outcome of a tender process.
16.1 The Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Housing presented the report which sought approval to award the contract following the outcome of a tender process, for the provision of a support service for women victims and survivors who have been subject to Violence, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence. He was pleased that the Council was placing emphasise on quality over costs when it came to awarding the contract. 16.2 The Leader reiterated that he was glad to see that that the evaluation process and award criteria was based on quality and not costs which was extremely important when working with vulnerable service users. 16.3 Cabinet agreed that the contract for the provision of VAWDASV Support Service provision is awarded to provider 1 following the outcome of a tender process.
17.1 The Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Housing presented the report which outlined the proposed changes to the Homeseeker allocations policy based upon a review undertaken earlier in the year involving all key stakeholders, which would better manage the presenting needs and demands on social housing delivered by the Homeseeker partners. 17.2 The Head of Adult Services added that there were significant pressures upon affordable housing across the county borough with social housing increasingly becoming the option for households on a lower income. The additional demand and pressure required a review of how social housing was allocated in order to meet the demand. There was currently 2990 people on the Homeseeker register. The report provided an overview of the revised Homeseeker allocations policy that has been agreed with Homeseeker partners. Feedback had been sought from tenants and people currently on the register and some of the changes to the policy were in in response to the feedback received. 17.3 The Leader thanked Officers for their work on this and paid tribute to the Executive member for his passion and drive to try and resolve some of those issues. There was huge demand on the system with limited supply of properties and any work to improve the supply of affordable properties should be a priority to make it effective and fair for everyone. The Leader added the need to work with Registered Social Landlords to explore innovative ways to solve supply issues. 17.4 The Executive Member for Adult Services and Housing added that this was issue for all Local Authorities in Wales. Although Welsh Government were giving house building the priority it needs, Torfaen had its own challenges around land availability and were more reliant on repurposing existing buildings. The solution was to support socially rented housing as much as possible and the Council worked well with the local Registered Social Landlords. 17.5 Cabinet agreed to approve the revised Homeseeker allocations policy for implementation and for this to be delivered from 1st April 2022 (subject to the required system changes being implemented)
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