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Executive Members (with Portfolios): Councillors: Anthony Hunt – Leader and Executive Member for Strategic Leadership Richard Clark – Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Education David Daniels – Executive Member for Adult Services and Housing Peter Jones – Executive Member for Corporate Governance and Performance Sue Morgan – Executive Member for Resources Mandy Owen – Executive Member for Environment Joanne Gauden – Executive Member for Economy, Skills and Regeneration Fiona Cross – Executive Member for Children, Families and Communities Officers: Stephen Vickers – Chief Executive Nigel Aurelius – Assistant Chief Executive, Resources Justine Cass – Deputy Monitoring Officer and Solicitor Jason O’Brien – Strategic Director, Social Care and Housing Jason Lewis – Director of Corporate Services Dave Lilly – Head of Financial Services John Clements – Team Manager Environmental Health Kerrie Smith – PA to Leader and Deputy Leader (Maternity Cover) Niall Flack - Apprentice Democratic Services Officer
2.1 There were no apologies for absence.
3.1 The Deputy Monitoring Officer and Solicitor advised that: · Councillor J Gauden had declared an interest in relation to agenda item 6 as she is a Chair of Governors; and · Councillor S Morgan had declared an interest in relation to agenda item 7 as she is a private landlord.
4.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 22 November 2022 were confirmed as an accurate record of the meeting.
5.1 There were no actions.
6.1 The Executive Member for Resources highlighted the key messages of the report: · The 2022/23 forecast has improved over the month 6 position · The receipt of the Council’s 2023/24 provisional settlement announcement has provided a significant uplift over the level assumed in the draft estimates and allows the authority to move towards a balanced position 6.2 The Deputy Chief Executive further outlined that in terms of 2022/23 it is an improving picture, and all services are looking where possible to reign in expenditure where it is sensible to do so. There is evidence from all Services Areas that there has been good financial discipline and also the decision that Members took on pay to allow us to meet the pay award for 2022/23 still bears fruit. In relation to the provisional settlement the headlines are detailed within the report. The Minister has made it quite clear that there is no more money for pay awards and these need to be met from within the uplift and the report suggests increasing our assumption to 5.5%. In terms of how we have addressed the initial £12.5m shortfall this is detailed within paragraph 6.1 of the report. The Deputy Chief Executive also informed the meeting that he has always received support from all the Chief Officers when looking to address the budget situation. Torfaen rarely use reserves in terms of budget planning and the report detailed the reasons for using reserves in this budget round; the report detailed the one-off resources that will be used as part of the proposals to address 2023/24. The report also details the Scrutiny recommendations and responses. 6.3 The Leader thanked all staff for the way that this budget process has been dealt with and the tone that has been set. Thanks were also given to Welsh Government for their support. The Leader fully recognises that we need to make the best use of the positive situation that we are in to address the challenges posed by the medium term financial plan. He was pleased that we have been able to limit the rise on Council Tax for 2023/24 especially in light of the cost of living crisis. 6.4 The Executive Member for Children informed the meeting that we are changing the culture in the way that we support families to avoid them hitting crisis and wanted to thank the Service for the work that has been undertaken to make this happen. 6.5 The Leader thanked the Executive Member and welcomed the changes that have been undertaken. 6.6 Cabinet agreed to: · note the current year forecast; · note the Provisional Settlement announcement as it affects Torfaen County Borough Council; · endorse the measures currently proposed to address the forecasted 2023/24 position; · agree the responses to the recommendations made by the Cross-Cutting Resources & Business Overview and Scrutiny Committee; and · note the timetable for the remainder of the 2023/24 budget cycle.
7.1 The Executive Member for Environment highlighted the key messages within the report: · Eco Flex 4 is one of the tools available to help residents with the cost of living crisis and the transition to Net Zero Carbon by 2050 · Eco Flex 4 is an important Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme which can improve the energy efficiency rating of privately owned and tenanted properties within Torfaen and help landlords comply with new regulations. · The Cardiff Capital Region have facilitated the ECO Flex 4 process in line with the approved Regional Energy Strategy and to ensure regional to local alignment in the net zero journey. · Rather than individual procurements take place for each eligible property one provider has been appointed through a procurement process to operate in the old “Gwent” region thereby hopefully giving greater confidence in scheme take up and impact. The UK Government has made it a requirement for energy companies to support households in fuel poverty and to reduce carbon emissions within the housing stock by installing energy efficiency measures. 7.2 The Team Manager Environmental Health informed Cabinet that the UK Government has made it a requirement for energy companies to support households in fuel poverty and to reduce carbon emissions within the housing stock by installing energy efficiency measures. To participate in the Eco Flex Scheme households living in low income households with high energy costs or living in low income households that are vulnerable to the effects of a cold home. The flexible eligibility criteria for the Eco 4 scheme started in April 2022 and will run until March 2026. Marketing campaigns will also be prepared as well as promoting the scheme via social media. 7.3 The Leader welcomed the report and advised that hopefully this will enable us to achieve net zero to provide employment and economic activity and to address the cost of living issue. 7.4 The Executive Member for Children, Families and Communities asked when can residents expect to see the publication and in how much detail? The Team Manager Environmental Health advised that in terms of timeframes he will come back to the meeting with a specific date. 7.5 The Executive Member for Resources asked if the supplier has been identified. The Team Manager Environmental Health advised that the supplier is a company called Zest. 7.6 The Leader advised that there is a slight amendment to the recommendations detailed within the report. 7.7 Cabinet agreed to: · approve the proposals for implementing the LA Flex ECO4 energy efficient improvement scheme; and · delegate approval to the Strategic Director, Economy and Environment to finalise and authorise the Statement of Intent and Memorandum of Understanding with EDF energy who have been appointed to work in the Gwent region for this scheme.
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.
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