To receive declarations of personal and prejudicial interest (if any) from Members/Officers in accordance with the provisions of the Members’ Code of Conduct adopted by Council from 1 September 2008.

Cllr Smith declared a prejudicial interest in Item 14 – Appointment of Local Authority Governors as he was a Governor. 

To receive for approval the Minutes of 14/12/21

RESOLVED: That the minutes of 14/12/2021 be approved as a true and accurate record.

The Chief Executive presented a report which sought to:

• Update Members on the introduction of Corporate Joint Committees (CJCs) as provided for in the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021;

• Consider The South East Wales Corporate Joint Committee Regulations 2021 that came into force on 1st April 2021, in respect of the establishment and operation of CJCs, with the economic well-being, transportation and strategic planning functions coming into being on 28th February 2022;

• Consider the Cardiff Capital Region Joint Committee Cabinet Report dated September 2021 that sets out how the functions of the current Joint Committee will be transferred to the South East Wales Corporate Joint Committee on 1st March 2022 and note the recommendations;

• Note the events that have now taken place since that Report and consider the Cardiff Capital Region Joint Committee Cabinet Report dated December 2021 that sets out the “twin track” approach which will now be implemented ahead of the South East Wales Corporate Joint Committee setting its first statutory budget on 31st January 2022;

• appraise Cabinet of the next phases with resolving the current barriers to full implementation of the “lift and shift” model which seeks to eventually bring together the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal and the CJC into one coherent model of regional economic governance.

The Chief Executive provided background stating that the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 included provisions to create Corporate Joint Committees (CJC) as a vehicle for consistent regional collaboration between principal councils. The aim was to ensure there were consistent, resilient and accountable regional arrangements for the delivery of three important functions (i) strategic land use planning (ii) strategic transport planning and (iii) economic development.

The Chief Executive explained that since its inception in 2016, the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal (CCRCD) had delivered a range of high value programmes and initiatives across the region, totalling some £198M of investments. The investment strategy has been predicated on meeting local basic needs – provision of sustainable transport schemes, roll-out of ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEV) infrastructure, closing viability gaps on industrial sites for housing, support for skills and strategic development sites – alongside a range of more targeted market driven investments around the innovation economy and growing vital research and development intensity.

He added that key principles had been developed to leverage investment made, through an investment framework that had prioritised private sector leverage and the high-skill nature of jobs created. To date, projected leverage was in the region of £2.5BN with a target of 6,900 jobs. Outwardly, competitiveness has grown with two Strength in Places awards made within a two year period from UK Research and Innovation spanning the Compound Semiconductor and Creative Industries priority sectors and nearly £100M of new direct investment.

The Chief Executive outlined the details on the transfer of the Functions of the Cardiff Capital Region to the South East Wales Cardiff Capital Region – Governance and Delivery. He explained that the Establishment Regulations provide the functions of the Corporate Joint Committee (CJC)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 768.

The Chief Officer – Finance, Performance and Change presented a report which updated Cabinet on the Council’s revenue financial position as at 31st December 2021, and sought approval for budget virements between £100,000 and £500,000, as required by the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules.

The Chief Officer – Finance, Performance and Change highlighted the table at section 4 of the report which detailed the financial position at 31st December 2021 and the Comparison of budget against projected outturn.

She explained that there was a net under spend of £2.525 million comprising a £2.072 million net under spend on directorates and a £7.457 million net under spend on council wide budgets, offset by a net appropriation to earmarked reserves of £7.004 million. What the projected position was based on was listed at 4.1.2 of the report.

She added that the projected under spend on the Council budget at quarter 3 significantly masked the underlying budget pressures in some service areas that were reported in 2020-21 and still persisted in 2021-22. The main financial pressures were in Home to School Transport, Social Services and Wellbeing, Homelessness and Waste. The reasons for these were outlined in sections 4.1.4 through 4.1.7 of the report.

The Chief Officer – Finance, Performance and Change outlined the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and what the estimated costs were from the Council in response to this. She provided figures on Covid-19 expenditure claims up to end of November 2021 as well as the Covid-19 loss of income to Quarter 2 2021-22. Details of this were at section 4 of the report.

She added that there had been a number of budget virements and technical adjustments between budgets since the quarter 2 Revenue Forecast was presented to Cabinet in October. The budget position was reported on the assumption that these virements will be approved. Details were at 4.1.22 of the report.

The Deputy Leader was pleased with the position of underspend of the authority for this financial year but the picture could have been different if it were not for the Welsh Government hardship fund. He thanked officers for their work in drawing down the funds from Welsh Governments. The Leader echoed these comments and stated that the hardship fund may not be there in the next financial year so it was important for the authority to draw what they could from these funds.

The Cabinet Member Communities mentioned that the report highlighted underspend as a result of Covid. He asked if there were any other causes for underspend like supply chains etc.

The Chief Officer – Finance Performance and Change explained that there were additional problems and supply chains was one of the more prominent ones. She added that this was not a unique issue to Bridgend but all Local Authorities in Wales. This has also impacted contractors being able to take on additional work, which has in turn affected the progress that has been made on specific projects. She added that there had been an increase in in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 769.

The Chief Officer – Finance Performance and Change presented a report which updated Cabinet on the Council’s revenue financial position as at 31st December 2021, and sought approval for budget virements between £100,000 and £500,000, as required by the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules.

She explained that on 24th February 2021, Council approved a net revenue budget of £298.956 million for 2021-22. As part of the Performance Management Framework, budget projections were reviewed regularly and reported to Cabinet on a quarterly basis.

The Chief Officer – Finance Performance and Change outlined the financial position at 31st December 2021 which was summarised in Table 1 of the report. the projected position was detailed at 4.1.2 of the report with the affects of Covid 19 as mentioned in a previous report were detailed at 4.1.12.

The Chief Officer – Finance Performance and Change stated that the Council had continued to support education, early intervention, social services and well being services to ensure that we prioritize the vulnerable in our society. The MTFS reiterates that going forward The Council looks at as many ways as we can to maximize the use of the resources that it has to be able to continue to protect these services.

She added that the Council would seek to raise additional income wherever possible, however there will be limited opportunities to do so given the challenges of Covid-19. The Council would continue to seek alternative ways of delivering services to provide sustainability and efficiencies. Savings for the coming year included reviewing and rationalizing council supplies and services.

The Chief Officer – Finance Performance and Change explained that The Council was proposing to spend 131 million on services delivered by education and Family Support Directorate. There were also additional capital funding available to support, build and refurbish our schools as part of the band B programme under the 21st Century Modernisation programme.

The Chief Officer – Finance Performance and Change explained that the Council was proposing to spend 78 million on social care and wellbeing services in the coming year. the Councils strategy is to transform how we work with people ensuring that the services are sustainable in the long term.

The Chief Officer – Finance Performance and Change highlighted the Corporate Financial Overview which covered the pressures that squeeze resources. These were summarised in section 4.1.1 of the report. She highlighted the savings that were looked at which covered some key areas listed below:

• general efficiencies
• property savings
• alternative delivery models
• Changes to Service Provision
• Education
• Social Care and Well-being
• Departmental changes

The Chief Officer – Finance Performance and Change explained that due to the late announcement of the comprehensive spending review, the provisional Local Government settlement was not received until the 21st December 2021. The draft settlement set out revenue general capital spending plans for 2022-23 and also included planned allocations for 2023-24 and 2024-25. She advised that the headline figure for the revenue budget for 2022-23 was an overall increase of nine point 4% across Wales and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 770.

The Chief Officer – Finance Performance and Change presented a report its purpose of which was to:

• comply with the requirement of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s (CIPFA) ‘The Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities (2017 edition)

• provide an update of the capital position for 2021-22 as at 31 December 2021 (Appendix A)

• seek agreement from Cabinet to present a report to Council for approval for a revised capital programme for 2021-22 to 2030-31 (Appendix B)

• note the projected Prudential and Other Indicators for 2021-22 (Appendix C)

The Chief Officer – Finance, Performance and Change explained that the revised programme for 2021-22 currently totalled £49.603 million, of which £28.495 million was met from Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC) resources, including capital receipts and revenue contributions from earmarked reserves, with the remaining £21.108 million coming from external resources, including Welsh Government General Capital Grant. Table 1 of the report highlighted the Capital Programme per Directorate for 2021-22. She stated that slippage to future years was at just over £30 million and this meant that many schemes were not going to spend their allocated budget during this financial year and therefore will slip into next year. These schemes still remain in the capital programme and therefore the money was still allocated to them.

The Chief Officer – Finance, Performance and Change highlighted table 2 which detailed the Capital Programme 2021-22 Resources. Appendix A of the report provided details of the individual schemes within the capital programme, showing any new approvals, virements and slippage to the revised budget 2021-22. She summarised a number of schemes requiring slippage which were detailed at 4.4 of the report.

The Chief Officer – Finance, Performance and Change explained that since the approval of the last capital report in October there were a number of new schemes which had been incorporated into the capital programme. These were detailed at 4.5 of the report. The revised capital programme was detailed at Appendix B of the report.

She added that with the various schemes requiring slippage into next year, the Council would require borrowing less money than was originally anticipated which meant that the Council would not incur any loan debt for the financial year.

The Deputy Leader stated that the Covid-19 Pandemic had had an impact on our Capital Program but gave assurances that the schemes were still a priority. The additional grant funding from Welsh Government to help expand the Councils fleet of low emission vehicles as well as funding towards the photovoltaic solar panels at the Bryncethin Depot was welcomed.

The Cabinet Member Wellbeing and Future Generations asked about the slippage of the Maesteg Town Hall and how this would impact the competition date.

The Corporate Director Communities explained that the Maesteg Town Hall Scheme was a very important one and the delivery of this had been challenging as it had been going on during the Pandemic. One of the challenges we had was the limited number of staff that were allowed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 771.

The Chief Officer – Finance, Performance and Change presented a report which sought Cabinet approval to consult with the Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner and other relevant bodies in relation to:

• The extension of the existing Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) relating to control of alcohol

• The extension of the existing PSPO relating to the restriction on access to public space in the area between Talbot Street and Plasnewydd Street, Maesteg

• The extension of the existing PSPO relating to Dog Control

• Varying the control of the alcohol area in Bridgend to include the area known as the play park on Quarella Road, Wildmill

• Noting that following the consultation, a further report will be made to cabinet for a decision on extending and varying the PSPO

The Chief Officer – Finance, Performance and Change explained that the existing PSPO in Bridgend County Borough was enacted on 18 June 2019 and relates to control of alcohol, restriction of access to public space and dog control. It expires on 18 June 2022. A PSPO remains in place for three years unless discharged by the local authority. More details on PSPOs were outlined in section 3 of the report.

The Chief Officer – Finance, Performance and Change stated that any additional PSPO, or a variation or extension to existing PSPOs, a consultation must take place. Details were at section 4 of the report.

She stated that if approved, the consultation would begin on 7^th February 2022 and continue for a 12 week period. The consultation would seek views on the following:

• extension of the current PSPO relating to alcohol control in Caerau, Pencoed, Porthcawl, Maesteg and Bridgend on identical terms

• extending the PSPO that restricts access between Talbot Street and Plasnewydd Street, Monday to Saturday between 17:30 on one day and 09:00 on the next and on Sundays and all bank holidays for 24 hours.

• extension of the current PSPO regarding dog control in Bridgend County on identical terms.

• The non-extension of the PSPO relating to restricting access between Wesley Street and Lloyd Street, Caerau.

Further details on the PSPO were at section 4 of the report with the current order attached at Appendix 1, a map indicating the extended areas at Appendix 2 and the current order relating to dog control attached at Appendix 3.

The Cabinet Member Communities welcomed the report and believed that many residents particularly in his ward would have great interest in the public consultation due to many issues that had arisen during the pandemic. The Leader commented on PSPOs being a useful tool in tackling antisocial behaviour and reviewing them was important to ensure any changes were made that reflected the needs of the areas where they were implemented.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet gave approval for a public consultation to approve the proposed extension of the Public Space Protection Order as outlined in paragraph 4.3 of this report, specifically:

·         The extension of the current PSPO relating to alcohol control in Caerau, Pencoed, Porthcawl, Maesteg and Bridgend on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 772.

The Corporate Director Communities presented a report which sought permission for Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC) to enter into a regional Relationship Agreement relating to funding and delivery of the Connect Engage Listen Transform (CELT) Project, funded through the UK Government Community Renewal Fund (CRF) with various Local Authorities in Wales.

She explained that the ending of the European Social Fund (ESF) during 2022 and 2023 had created a need to replace funding especially that which focused on employability. The 10 Local Authorities who form the Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) had been working as a Local Authority Cluster Group to discuss new funding opportunities which could replace the ESF employability funding.

She advised that the UK Government created a new fund called the Community Renewal Fund (CRF) and working together all the local authorities that form the CCR developed the CELT project which was submitted by Torfaen County Borough Council (TCBC) on behalf of the CCR to UK Government on the 18th June 2021. The BCBC element of the project requested £274,817 from the CRF based on outcomes of working with 140 clients and to get 26 into employment in the Bridgend County Borough area. Further background was at section 3 of the report.

The Corporate Director Communities explained that on the 4th November 2021 TCBC received confirmation from UK Government that the CELT application was successfully approved. At the point that TCBC consolidated the CCR bid, different outcomes were submitted against the BCBC request for funding. A new set of negotiated targets from those identified in 3.4 have been agreed and will be reflected in the Relationship Agreement. Details of this were in Table 1 of the report.

She alluded to the need for an Operational Delivery Group, which required a representative from each Local Authority. It was proposed that the Employability and Enterprise Manager be nominated to represent BCBC on the CELT Strategic Management Board and that the Employability Team Leader be nominated to represent BCBC on the CELT Operational Delivery Group.

The Corporate Director Communities highlighted the financial implications and stated that the CELT project was fully funded by UK Government with no requirement by BCBC for match funding. The Relationship Agreement will set out the detail of BCBC’s allocated project funding (£274,817)

The Leader mentioned that there were a number of initiaves in place already, however they were all through the employability programme. He asked that there was no risk of duplication or the chance that people would fall through any gaps. The Corporate Director Communities confirmed that this was separate although it sat within the employability section it was a complimentary scheme to the work that was already done. She added that it may be more meaningful to people who were already in the current schemes.

The Cabinet Member Communities welcomed the report and it was pleasing to see the scheme fully funded by UK Government. He added that it has come at a time where it is much needed due to the effects of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 773.

The Corporate Director Communities presented a report which sought approval from Cabinet for the refresh to the Bridgend Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP).

She explained that in 2014, BCBC was selected as one of the three demonstration areas for the UK Government Smart System and Heat Programme. Cabinet authorised BCBC participation in the SSH Programme in a report presented on the 3rd February 2015. The programme was designed to create innovative tools that would enable heat to be decarbonised across the UK in line with 2050 carbon reduction targets.

She advised that one of the tools that was created within the Smart System and Heat Programme was Local Area Energy Plans (LAEP). LAEP did not adopt a traditional approach to strategy development in that it did not offer a clear what, when and how activities need to happen in order to achieve the 2050 decarbonisation targets. Rather the LAEP proposed a pathway to achieving those targets. Further background on LAEP was at section 3 of the report.

The Corporate Director Communities explained that following Cabinet’s decision in February 2019, the UK Government has moved the UK carbon reduction targets away from an 80% reduction by 2050 to one of Net Zero by 2050. The Bridgend LAEP was based around achieving the 80% reduction target. Following the change in the UK Government’s targets for carbon reduction, BCBC considered its position in relation to its LAEP and considered that a refresh of the plan was needed to maintain its relevance. The refresh of the plan took into consideration the UK Government Net Zero target of 2050, the phasing out of fossil fuel vehicle sales by 2030 and the role that hydrogen could have in delivering a Net Zero Bridgend. Further information was at section 4 of the report.

The Corporate Director Communities explained that there were two scenarios put forward with regards to the role of hydrogen and its impact on Bridgend. Figure 2 and 3 showed Bridgend with the use of hydrogen and without. The full refreshed LAEP was at Appendix 1 of the report.

The Corporate Director Communities explained that BCBCs Energy team had been working with Welsh Government as well as liaising with the Japanese Government on a project for hydrogen energy. She explained that UK government were trialling using hydrogen as a form of power for transportation. This was something BCBC wanted to also consider as a future decarbonisation pathway. She outlined the financial implications as set out in section 8 of the report.

The Cabinet Member Communities explained that while there was not a great deal of detail showing for the 2020-30 period, it was unknown what emerging technologies will come forward and replace what was thought of as new technologies today so it was important to take opportunities that were available in front of us and make changes where they can be made.

The Leader echoed these comments and it was pleasing to see that we were at the cutting edge of the response to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 774.

The Corporate Director Communities presented a report which provided a brief synopsis of UK100, what membership might mean for Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC) and to propose that the Council seek to achieve membership.

She explained that UK100 was billed as a forum for “the most ambitious local leaders across the UK” to tackle the climate emergency. It was a private company limited by guarantee with no share capital. They work with the most ambitious members - the Net Zero Local Leadership Club - who are doing everything within their power to get their communities to Net Zero as soon as possible, and by 2045 at the latest. It counts among its membership1 about 60 local authorities, including Birmingham City Council, Cardiff Council, City of Edinburgh, Glasgow City Council, Bristol City Council, and Cornwall Council. She added that there were many benefits included in the membership which were listed at 3.7 of the report.

The Corporate Director Communities stated that in order to become a member, BCBC must sign and adopt the net zero pledge. The net zero pledge has the following 3 commitments included in it:

• Have set ambitious Net Zero targets for greenhouse emissions of 2030 for council operations and 2045 for areawide emissions at the latest (there is an exception to this for counties and combined authorities).

• Report carbon emissions annually for scope 1 and scope 2, for council emissions and areawide emissions

• Commit to limiting the use of offsets and if used to be as local as possible.

The table at section 4 of the report set out the current status of BCBC in relation to the membership pledge and its commitments including the challenges.

The Cabinet Member Communities believed this to be a positive reinforcement to BCBCs decarbonisation plans and put us at the pinnacle of the CCRCD in terms of sharing valuable information and resources.

The Leader echoed these comments and agreed that it allowed BCBC to share best practices and learn first hand the new technologies that were being developed and implemented and allowed BCBC gain further ground in the drive for Bridgend’s decarbonisation.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

·         Approved the Council becoming a UK100 member;

Approved the Leader responding to the official invitation received on 13th April 2021 via email confirming the Council’s membership and, as recommended by UK100, signing the pledge and then engaging in the publicity arrangements following this. 

The Corporate Director Communities presented a report which sought approval from Cabinet to enter into a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council as lead authority for the South East Wales Local Authorities to progress the Transforming Towns (TT) programme: Business Fund within the County Boroughs 3 Town Centres of Bridgend, Maesteg and Porthcawl.

She explained that in September 2021 Cabinet report gave an overview of the success of the TRI / TT programme to date and sought approval to extend the programme to March 2022. Following approval of the recommendations set out in that report, progress has been ongoing to bring a range of projects to fruition. She added that Welsh Government had provided a grant of £1,166,000 funding to be shared between the 10 South East Local Authorities.

The Corporate Director Communities provided details of notable schemes to date which included:

• Family Value - 38-40 commercial street in Maesteg received £250,000 to bring it back into use for retail on the ground floor and residential above.

• New Look - 6 to 7 Talbot Street for received £250,000 for expansion and improving conditions.

• Zia Nina – 28 Dunraven Place received £250,000 for refurbishments

The Corporate Director Communities explained that Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council (RCT) were acting as the lead body for the South East region and will report to WG and the South East Wales Regional Regeneration Board, which will comprise the Cardiff Capital Region Regeneration Board. RCT require BCBC and the other local authorities making up the South East region to enter into a Service Level Agreement with RCT to facilitate the drawdown of the grant funding and ensure compliance with the WG grant funding terms and conditions.

She alerted Cabinet to the risks that needed to be aware of which were that there was not a set amount allocated to each South East Local Authority. As such projects will only be awarded when ready to go and if funding is available. Robust monitoring by both BCBC and RCT officers is required.

The Leader stated that it was pleasing to see the progress being made to several buildings in Bridgend which were landmark buildings that benefited many of the residents. The Corporate Director Communities added that from March 2022 onwards, there had already been 19 applications for the fund which shows how popular and successful the scheme had been in improving areas throughout Bridgend, Maesteg and Porthcawl.

The Cabinet Member Education and regeneration echoed the comments and stated that it was positive to see so many retail establishments making use of funding for improvements as many of the buildings throughout Bridgend take time to improve due to the sensitive nature of them.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

·         Delegated authority to the Director of Communities, in consultation with the Chief Officer – Finance, Performance and Change and Chief Officer - Legal, HR and Regulatory Services, to:

·         negotiate and enter into a service level agreement with Rhondda Cynon Taff; and

• approve any extension or amendment to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 776.

The Corporate Director Communities presented a report which was to consider the inclusion of a small area of additional land, comprising the existing cricket nets, store and a small parcel of land to the rear of the pavilion at Newbridge Fields, Bridgend, as part of the renewal of the lease of the Bridgend Town Cricket Club Clubhouse and Pavilion to the Trustees of Bridgend Town Cricket Club.

She explained that Bridgend Town Cricket Club (BTCC) currently occupy their Clubhouse and Pavilion by virtue of a 21 year lease that commenced on the 1st September 1998 at a peppercorn rent. The land included in this lease was shown edged red on the plan attached at Appendix A.

The Corporate Director Communities advised that the existing lease expired on 31st August 2019 and BTCC is currently holding over under the exact same terms of this expired lease. Under the terms of the lease, BTCC were responsible for the construction of the Clubhouse and Pavilion. This development was partially funded by a Sportlot grant which required that the changing facilities were made available to other sports clubs during the winter months for winter sports use.

Initial negotiations for the grant of the renewal lease commenced some time ago and were finalised in late 2019. During these negotiations BTCC requested that the land on which their cricket practice nets are located and a small area of additional land for storage purposes to the rear of the pavilion were included in the renewal lease. The inclusion of this additional land in the renewal lease provides the Council with an opportunity to regularise the situation and increases the total area of land to 0.2789 acres (1,128 square metres). This is shown edged red on the plan attached at Appendix B. Further background was at section 3 of the report.

The Corporate Director Communities explained that terms were agreed with the Trustees of BTCC and delegated powers notice CMMPS-20-014 (dated 1 January 2020) authorised the renewal of the lease of the Bridgend Cricket Club Clubhouse and Pavilion at Newbridge Fields, Bridgend to BTCC.

She advised that Cabinet will be aware that it is proposed that an individual strategy is developed for the future management of the wider Newbridge Fields site. This is one of the sites that the Council has identified that is extensively used as a public park by members of the general public in addition to providing formal sports facilities (pavilions and playing fields). As a result, due to the size of the sites, public usage, the number of clubs involved, and/or need for improvement / development the Council has determined that alternative options in addition to the standard Community Asset Transfer to sports clubs should be considered with individual strategies being developed for each site following option appraisals.

The Cabinet Member Communities asked for clarification on the arrangements surrounding the new lease and that it was the same conditions, just for additional land to be included. The Corporate Director Communities confirmed this.

The Cabinet  ...  view the full minutes text for item 777.

The Corporate Director Education and Family Support presented a report which sought approval from Cabinet for the appointment of local authority governors to the school governing bodies listed at paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2.

He explained that for the 20 local authority governor vacancies at the 16 schools in the table at section 4 of the report, all applicants met the approved criteria for appointment as a local authority governor and there was no competition for the vacancies. It was recommended that all applicants listed were appointed.

The Corporate Director Education and Family Support stated that Mr Kendal was a parent governor at Cefn Cribwr Primary School but applied for a local authority governor in the same school. He is unable to hold both positions so subject to approval for a local authority governor it was conditional upon the applicant resigning from the existing parent governorship at the school and with the appointment as local authority governor not taking effect until the resignation is formally received and acknowledged by the chair of the school’s governing body and the local authority.

The Cabinet Member Wellbeing and Future Generations thanked all of the applicants for putting their names forward. It was a busy and challenging role but was an important one. She asked that if anyone else was interested in applying for a role, there were still 47 vacancies available.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet approved the appointments detailed in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 of the report.

The Corporate Director Education and Family Support presented a report which was to inform Cabinet of the outcome of the consultation with stakeholders on the draft Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP).

He explained that Cabinet first approved the Bridgend Local Authority WESP in March 2014 and it was subsequently approved by Welsh Government Department for Education and Skills (DfES) in June 2014. The Plan has been reviewed and updated annually prior to seeking approval from Welsh Government.

He stated that a consultation exercise on the draft WESP was undertaken with stakeholders between 27 September and 19 December 2021. The details of this were in the link provided at 4.1 of the report. The outcome of the consultation had been analysed and a consultation report has been written (Appendix 1). The local authority has considered the responses received during the period of the consultation and has amended the draft WESP accordingly (Appendix 2). The first ten-year Plan will commence on 1 September 2022 and expire on 31 August 2032. Further details were at section 4 of the report.

The Cabinet Member Education and Regeneration thanked everyone who participated in the consultation and all the comments were noted and considered and where possible incorporated into the proposals and he looked forward to the response from Welsh Government. The Leader echoed these comments and was grateful for the full engagement that we had from the Welsh community within Bridgend.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

·         noted the outcome of the consultation with interested parties as detailed in the attached Consultation Report; and

approved the changes to the draft WESP.

The Corporate Director Education and Family Support presented a report which sought approval to commence a statutory consultation process to make a regulated alteration to enlarge Ysgol Gymraeg (YG) Bro Ogwr to a 2.5 form entry (FE) school, with a 90-place full time equivalent nursery plus an 8-place observation and assessment class on land off Ffordd Cadfan. The proposal would come into effect from the beginning of the autumn term 2025.

He explained that Cabinet approval was received to progress an on-site feasibility at Brackla Hill in respect of the preferred education option for the Bridgend North East scheme. Having considered the technical complexities and potential costs associated with the development of the school at Brackla Hill, Cabinet determined to discount that site from any future consideration in respect of YG Bro Ogwr and gave approval for officers to consider alternative options for the replacement school.

He added that in November 2021, Cabinet received a joint report from the Director of Education and Family Support and the Director of Communities, which detailed the outcome of a feasibility study in respect of the land off Ffordd Cadfan and confirmed the site’s suitability for development. At the same meeting Cabinet approval was received to proceed with the acquisition of the site. Further background was at section 3 of the report.

The Corporate Director Education and Family Support stated that in order to enlarge Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Ogwr (ie proposed 2.5 FE, 90-place full time equivalent nursery places plus an 8-place observation and assessment class), the School Organisation Code requires that a consultation exercise with the school governing body, staff, parents, pupils and interested parties is undertaken. This is the first step in the statutory process. If carried through to completion, it is currently anticipated that this proposal will come into effect at the beginning of the autumn term 2025. The consultation document will set out the implications of the proposal. Following this period of consultation, a further report on the outcome of the consultation would be submitted to Cabinet to consider the result of that process. Cabinet would then need to decide whether to authorise the publication of a statutory notice. If such a notice were issued, it would invite formal objections during the statutory 28-day period. Further information was at section 4 of the report.

The Cabinet Member Education and Regeneration welcomed the report and stated that it was an ambition of BCBC but required the views of people in Bridgend by way of consultation and this was an important part of progressing this. He believed that it was important to have a 21^st century Welsh Medium school and this location was a suitable option to serve the areas that were in need.

The Leader added to this stating that there was a growing need in the north east of Bridgend for additional places and this would be a major expansion of the number of places available. He hoped that the consultation would have full engagement to ensure the views  ...  view the full minutes text for item 780.

The Chief Officer – Legal and regulatory Services, HR and Corporate Policy presented a report which informed Cabinet of the Information Reports for noting which have been published since its last scheduled meeting.

She stated that the following information reports had been published since the last meeting of Cabinet:-

Treasury Management - Quarter 3 Report, 2021-22 - 12 January 2022

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 - 12 January 2022

RESOLVED: That Cabinet acknowledged the publication of the documents listed in the report.

To consider any items of business that by reason of special circumstances the chairperson is of the opinion should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency in accordance with paragraph 2.4 (e) of the Cabinet Procedure Rules within the Constitution.

None

The following items are not for publication as they contain exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 14 and 16 of Part 4 and Paragraph 21 of Part 5, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007.

If following the application of the public interest test Cabinet resolves pursuant to the Act to consider these items in private, the public will be excluded from the meeting during such consideration.

RESOLVED:               That under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business as they contained exempt information as defined in Paragraph 12 of Part 4 and/or Paragraph 21 of Part 5 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

                                     Following the application of the public interest test it was resolved that pursuant to the Act referred to above, to consider the following items in private, with the public excluded from the meeting, as it was considered that in all the circumstances relating to the items, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information, because the information would be prejudicial to the applicants so mentioned.

To receive for approval the exempt minutes of 14/12/21

RESOLVED: That the exempt minutes of the meeting dated 14/12/2021 be approved as a true and accurate record.