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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED - That the 2022/23 Q2 budgetary forecast position for the year be noted. Reason for decision To ensure robust budget monitoring arrangements for the financial year and that action is taken to address budget pressures.
RESOLVED – That the rolling programme for 2022/223 to 2024/25, as detailed in appendices 2 and 3 to report COFI/30/22 be approved. Reason for decision This report follows an earlier monitoring report in July in compliance with Financial Regulation 3.13 that requires that the Chief Officer Finance & ICT monitors and reports to Members on the Capital Programme.
RESOLVED - That the Treasury Management Semi-Annual Review 2022-23 report be noted. Reason for decision To comply with the CIPFA Prudential Code and Code of Practice on Treasury Management.
RESOLVED – That the updated Health and Safety Policy be approved. Reason for decision To meet the requirements of health and safety legislation.
RESOLVED – (i) That it be noted that the requirement to have a Housing Support Programme Strategy in place will comply with WG guidance. (ii) That the Housing Support Programme Strategy be approved. (iii) That the differences between the concepts of Rapid Rehousing and Housing First, as set out in report COH/22/22 be noted. (iv) That a review of the Council’s current Housing Allocations Policy be undertaken, should WG issue further legislation to that effect. No changes to the current Allocations Policy are to be made. (v) That a further report on progress against the action plan be brought back to Executive Board in 12 months’ time. Reasons for decisions (i) WG has issued guidance to every local authority in Wales to produce and publish a Housing Support Programme Strategy. (ii) Adopting the draft strategy will ensure that the Council complies with this guidance. (iii) By having a Strategy in place, the Council will be able to show its vision for tackling homelessness, how it aims to prevent homelessness occurring through the provision of tailored support delivered in a timely manner and the role that statutory bodies, support providers and third party organisations will play in achieving this. (iv) It will also demonstrate how the Council will make use of the funding made available through WG’s Housing Support Grant regime to tackle homelessness and focus on the provision of support to help homelessness prevention.
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Terry Evans and Nigel Williams.
RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 27 September 2022 be signed as a correct record.
In accordance with Section 5.8.17 of the Council’s Constitution, a Member submitted a question relating to the Local Development Plan. The Lead Member for Housing responded to the question accordingly.
The Leader vacated the Chair, and the Vice-Chair, Councillor David A Bithell, presided over the next items on the Agenda to enable the Leader to present Agenda items 5 to 7 in his capacity as Lead Member for Finance and Performance. (Councillor David A Bithell in the Chair)
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED - That the 2022/23 Q2 budgetary forecast position for the year be noted. Reason for decision To ensure robust budget monitoring arrangements for the financial year and that action is taken to address budget pressures.
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The Lead Member for Finance and Performance submitted a report (COFI/32/22) to inform Members of the Council’s 2022/23 current budgetary position for the first six months of the 2022/23 financial year, including the Housing Revenue Account (HRA). The Lead Member presented the report and highlighted the main points contained within it. A debate ensued and the following points were highlighted: · Further information requested regarding service resilience and the impact of staff sickness and recruitment issues. It was noted that an absent monitoring report was due to be presented to Scrutiny Members soon. · Acknowledgement that there had been an increase in the number of children needing Social Services intervention, and assurances sought regarding support to families. · Clarification sought regarding reserves, and the suggestion that Schools should be encouraged to reduce the rate at which they use their reserves as opposed to using them all. Officers advise that Schools received additional funding at the end of the last financial year, so balances were much higher than anticipated. Assumptions regarding use of the balances would be consistent with other Departments across the Council. · Clarification sought regarding warm hubs during the winter. The Lead Member for Housing advised that a press release would be issued shortly to advise that hubs would be rolled out across libraries. RESOLVED - That the 2022/23 Q2 budgetary forecast position for the year be noted. Reason for decision To ensure robust budget monitoring arrangements for the financial year and that action is taken to address budget pressures.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – That the rolling programme for 2022/223 to 2024/25, as detailed in appendices 2 and 3 to report COFI/30/22 be approved. Reason for decision This report follows an earlier monitoring report in July in compliance with Financial Regulation 3.13 that requires that the Chief Officer Finance & ICT monitors and reports to Members on the Capital Programme.
The Lead Member for Finance and Performance submitted a report (COFI/30/22) to review the 2022/23 – 2024/25 Capital Programme position as at the end of quarter 2 2022/23. The Lead Member presented the report and highlighted the main points contained within it. A discussion ensued and the following points were raised: · Confirmation that the number of void properties had almost halved since the beginning of this year. · It was noted that an allocation of funding had been carried forward from last year for the office accommodation review, but the overall costs were still on track. · Update provided on the Newbridge road repair scheme. RESOLVED – That the rolling programme for 2022/223 to 2024/25, as detailed in appendices 2 and 3 to report COFI/30/22 be approved. Reason for decision This report follows an earlier monitoring report in July in compliance with Financial Regulation 3.13 that requires that the Chief Officer Finance & ICT monitors and reports to Members on the Capital Programme.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED - That the Treasury Management Semi-Annual Review 2022-23 report be noted. Reason for decision To comply with the CIPFA Prudential Code and Code of Practice on Treasury Management.
The Lead Member for Finance and Performance submitted a report (COFI/31/22) to review the Semi-Annual Treasury Management activity for 2022-23. RESOLVED - That the Treasury Management Semi-Annual Review 2022-23 report be noted. Reason for decision To comply with the CIPFA Prudential Code and Code of Practice on Treasury Management.
The Leader of the Council, Councillor Mark Pritchard, resumed Chair of the Meeting from this point in the proceedings.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – That the updated Health and Safety Policy be approved. Reason for decision To meet the requirements of health and safety legislation.
The Lead Member for Housing submitted a report (COFI/25/22) to consider the updated Health and Safety Policy. The Lead Member presented the report and highlighted the main points contained within it. A discussion ensued and the following points were made: · Confirmation that this policy sets out the overall strategic plan for health and safety, and that a number of other documents supported this. · Mandatory staff training was in place for all employees, and compliance checks were undertaken to ensure that this training was completed. · Senior staff were required to undertake mandatory training followed by a test. RESOLVED – That the updated Health and Safety Policy be approved. Reason for decision To meet the requirements of health and safety legislation.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – (i) That it be noted that the requirement to have a Housing Support Programme Strategy in place will comply with WG guidance. (ii) That the Housing Support Programme Strategy be approved. (iii) That the differences between the concepts of Rapid Rehousing and Housing First, as set out in report COH/22/22 be noted. (iv) That a review of the Council’s current Housing Allocations Policy be undertaken, should WG issue further legislation to that effect. No changes to the current Allocations Policy are to be made. (v) That a further report on progress against the action plan be brought back to Executive Board in 12 months’ time. Reasons for decisions (i) WG has issued guidance to every local authority in Wales to produce and publish a Housing Support Programme Strategy. (ii) Adopting the draft strategy will ensure that the Council complies with this guidance. (iii) By having a Strategy in place, the Council will be able to show its vision for tackling homelessness, how it aims to prevent homelessness occurring through the provision of tailored support delivered in a timely manner and the role that statutory bodies, support providers and third party organisations will play in achieving this. (iv) It will also demonstrate how the Council will make use of the funding made available through WG’s Housing Support Grant regime to tackle homelessness and focus on the provision of support to help homelessness prevention.
The Lead Member for Housing submitted a report (COH/22/22) to provide an overview of Welsh Government’s Housing Support Grant Programme and to seek approval of the draft Housing Support Programme Strategy and its subsequent adoption. The Lead Member presented the report and highlighted the main points contained within it. He added a further recommendation that a report on progress against the action plan be brought back to Executive Board in 12 months’ time. A discussion took place and the following points were highlighted: · Concern that the demand for housing was not being met, and the number of people on the waiting list was increasing. · Whilst the Authority were successful in supporting refugees from Ukraine, it was acknowledged that this was going to be an ongoing issue. · Importance of considering bring empty properties back into use. · Officers advised that at present, there were 4006 people on the waiting list, 215 households living in temporary accommodation, and the Housing Options Team were working with 720 people who had presented as homeless. In addition, there were 156 people within the private rented sector who had been evicted by their landlord. It was also important to note that half of those landlords were selling properties and leaving the rental market. · Confirmation that addiction and mental health issues impacted on homelessness, and Officers advised that they worked closely with other Agencies to ensure that people were given the help and support they needed. RESOLVED – (i) That it be noted that the requirement to have a Housing Support Programme Strategy in place will comply with WG guidance. (ii) That the Housing Support Programme Strategy be approved. (iii) That the differences between the concepts of Rapid Rehousing and Housing First, as set out in report COH/22/22 be noted. (iv) That a review of the Council’s current Housing Allocations Policy be undertaken, should WG issue further legislation to that effect. No changes to the current Allocations Policy are to be made. (v) That a further report on progress against the action plan be brought back to Executive Board in 12 months’ time. Reasons for decisions (i) WG has issued guidance to every local authority in Wales to produce and publish a Housing Support Programme Strategy. (ii) Adopting the draft strategy will ensure that the Council complies with this guidance. (iii) By having a Strategy in place, the Council will be able to show its vision for tackling homelessness, how it aims to prevent homelessness occurring through the provision of tailored support delivered in a timely manner and the role that statutory bodies, support providers and third party organisations will play in achieving this. (iv) It will also demonstrate how the Council will make use of the funding made available through WG’s Housing Support Grant regime to tackle homelessness and focus on the provision of support to help homelessness prevention.
RESOLVED - That the press and public be excluded from the Meeting during consideration of the following items as it is likely that, if they were present, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).
The Leader vacated the Chair, and the Vice-Chair, Councillor David A Bithell, presided over the next item on the Agenda to enable the Leader to present Agenda item 12 in his capacity as Lead Member for Finance and Performance. (Councillor David A Bithell in the Chair)