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.

None

To receive for approval the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet of 3 October 2017

RESOLVED:                      That the minutes of the meeting of Cabinet of 3     October 2017 be approved as a true and accurate record.

To provide Cabinet with an update on the Council’s financial position as at 30th September 2017 and to seek approval for any virements over £100,000 as required by the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules.

The Head of Finance and Section 151 Officer presented a report providing Cabinet with an update on the Council’s financial position as at 30^th September 2017 and to seek approval for any virements over £100,000 as required by the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules.

He reported that on 1^st March 2017, Council approved a net revenue budget of £258.093 million for 2017-18, along with a capital programme for the year of £63.854 million, which had since been updated to £57.574 million taking into account new approvals and slippage of schemes into 2018-19. The Council’s net revenue budget and projected outturn for 2017-18 was shown in table 1 of the report. The overall projected position at 30^th September 2017 was a net underspend of £2.495 million, comprising £710,000 net overspend on directorates and £3.208 million net underspend on corporate budgets. This took into account the draw down by directorates of £1.763 million from earmarked reserves during the year.

The Head of Finance and Section 151 Officer explained that there had been a number of virements between budgets during quarter 2 and gave a brief explanation of each one.

He reported that he was still not in a position to know the full impact of any price rises for both gas and electricity following the transfer to the new energy supplier so the position would be monitored during quarter 3 and any adjustments made when the figures became more certain. The contract was through the National Procurement Service so all Councils were in the same position.

The Head of Finance and Section 151Officer reported the latest position with budget reductions for 2016-17, at quarter 1 there was still £755,000 outstanding and the position had not changed during quarter 2. There was a projected shortfall on the savings target for 2017-18 of £1.726 million or 29% of the overall reduction target.

A Budget Reduction Contingency was established in 2016-17 and used to partly mitigate shortfalls on a number of budget reduction proposals. This reserve was increased at the end of 2016-17 to provide capacity to support shortfalls on budget reductions in 2017-18. During the financial year he would consider applications from directorates to the MTFS Budget Reduction Contingency Reserve to mitigate some of the shortfalls.

The Head of Finance and Section 151 Officer explained the position regarding earmarked reserves. The cumulative drawdown by Directorates was £1.763 million from specific earmarked reserves and there had been net additions of £602,000 as shown in the report.   

Members requested more information regarding early indications that the increase in energy costs could be as high as 30% with a financial impact of £750,000 to £1 million. The Head of Finance and Section 151Officer explained that energy was purchased in dollars and Brexit had had an adverse effect on rates. The procurement process was based on buying tranches of energy at different points in time and that was the reason why it was difficult estimating a price.   

Members raised concerns about the forecast of school deficit  ...  view the full minutes text for item 89.

            To seek Cabinet approval to allocate funds from the Town and Community Council Capital Fund in line with the recommendations contained within the report.

The Head of Neighbourhood Services presented a report seeking Cabinet approval to allocate funds from the Town and Community Council Capital Fund in line with the recommendations contained within the report.

He explained that historically, the Town and Community Council capital fund had been used to support a range of different projects proposed by Town and Community Councils and the total available within the whole fund was capped at £50,000.  However in 2016/2017 the fund value was increased to £100,000 for each financial year up to 2018/19, and it was made clear that, in future, Town and Community Councils would be encouraged to link their future applications to the Community Asset Transfer (CAT) process. 

The Council had an approved allocation of £100,000 in its capital programme for 2017/18 to support applications from Town and Community Councils for capital projects. In addition, for 2017/18 there was an unspent balance of £20,000 which was allocated to Porthcawl Town Council in 2016/2017 and earmarked for a road hump replacement scheme, which was now not going forward as the final costings were prohibitive. This amount had been brought forward into 2017/18 to bring the total amount available for new schemes to £120,000.

The Head of Neighbourhood Services outlined the proposals received for the 2017/18 allocation.

• Cornelly Community Council – Community Centre Roof, £50,000

·         Porthcawl Town Council – Griffin Park Toilets, £35,000

The Head of Neighbourhood Services explained that it was proposed that the remaining allocation of £35,000 was carried forward to 2018/2019 and that the financial allocation for that year be £135,000.

He reported that the deadline for applications for 2018/2019 would be 21^st February 2018 and it was currently envisaged a decision would be made on 27^th March 2018.

The Deputy Leader raised concerns that the deadline for applications for 2018/2019 was a little ambitious and did not allow enough time for applications to be submitted. The Head of Neighbourhood Services explained that they had been late with the process so there was a desire to be more timely in future however they could be more flexible with the date if required.

The Cabinet Member for Social Services and Early Help requested information on whether proposals for 2017/18 such as Cornelly Green Area/Playground would be prioritised when bids were evaluated in the next year. He was advised that the project would be evaluated with any other bids received and that there were a number of complications to be worked out on this bid.

The Cabinet Member for Wellbeing and Future Generations commented that it was disappointing that only four community councils had submitted bids in this year despite support provided by BCBC.

The Leader added that it was important to evaluate the fund to ensure it promoted the principles of the scheme and supported BCBC objectives. He also congratulated Porthcawl Town Council on the work in submitting their application. 

RESOLVED:                          1) Cabinet approved funding for the projects named in section 4.4 for the values detailed in section 7.1 of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 90.

To seek Cabinet opinion on a request from Club Penybont Limited to draw down the remaining balance of their monies held in Escrow following the sale of land to ASDA for the development of land at Llangewydd Road Playing Fields, Bryntirion.

The Head of Neighbourhood Services presented a report seeking Cabinet opinion on a request from Club Penybont Limited to draw down the remaining balance of their monies held in Escrow following the sale of land to ASDA for the development of land at Llangewydd Road Playing Fields, Bryntirion.

Since the original Escrow agreement, there had been a number of variations and extensions to the agreement. However, there remained £50,000 within the second escrow for the football club to provide replacement facilities and it was this money that the Club, now known as Club Penybont Limited, was requesting to draw down. This would be a loan to the Club who would be required to repay it back to the Council so that the escrow could be replenished.

The Head of Neighbourhood Services explained that Club Penybont had requested access to this money to enable them to undertake further development at the Bryntirion site. The release of the £50,000 would be utilised solely for works to comply with FAW tier 2 compliance which required a new 250 seater stand. This stand had to be in place by 30 April 2018. Failure to comply would result in Club Penybont being relegated. This could affect their FAW Academy status, whereby they currently ran squads for district schools and an academy for age groups 11,12,13,14 and 16 years of age, with18 children per squad and up to a maximum of 3 per squad on trial. The Club were securing additional funding from a number of other sources.

He said that the Council would require confirmation from the Board of Trustees for Club Penybont that the £50,000 would be repaid into the escrow account over a period of 8 years at a rate of £6,250 per year following completion of the development. The repayment period for the loan would be within the lease period which was for 25 years. A legal charge would also be placed on the Club’s leasehold interest in the land to protect the repayment of the loan.

The Deputy Leader welcomed the report and said that it was a good use of funds to support a local sporting club. 

The Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration congratulated the club on their strong ambitions.

The Cabinet Member for Wellbeing and Future Generations asked if officers were confident that the club would be able to repay the loan and they confirmed that they were.

RESOLVED:                          Cabinet authorised Club Penybont to access    the balance of their escrow account of £50,000 to allow them to further develop Bryntirion site. This was on the basis that the £50,000 was repaid into the escrow account over the eight years following the completion of the development.   

To provide an update to Cabinet on the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 and to seek approval to submit to Welsh Government  the Integrated Network Maps that have been prepared in accordance  with the legislation and Welsh Government guidance.

The Head of Neighbourhood Services provided an update to Cabinet on the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 and sought approval to submit to Welsh Government (WG) the Integrated Network Maps (INM) that had been prepared in accordance with the legislation and Welsh Government guidance.

He explained that the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 came into force on 25^th September 2014, and one of the duties of that Act makes it a legal requirement for local authorities in Wales to map and plan for suitable routes for active travel. A report outlining the implications of the Act for the Council and seeking authorisation to undertake a consultation exercise in respect of the ERMs was submitted to Cabinet in May 2015.

The Head of Neighbourhood Services stated that Active Travel was defined as walking or cycling for everyday journeys with a purpose, for example journeys to access employment, education, retail, health or transport services and other similar amenities. The legislation required that two maps needed to be prepared: an Existing Routes Map, which was submitted to Welsh Government in January 2016 and approved in August 2016, and an Integrated Network Map (INM) which was to be submitted by 3^rd November 2017. A report advising Cabinet of the submission of the ERM to WG was prepared in February 2016 and was included as a background document for this report.

The map which the Council was now required to prepare was the INM which showed the proposed active travel routes and related facilities to be developed in the county borough. This report sets out the work that had been undertaken to develop the INM, and sought approval to submit the draft maps to Welsh Government for approval.

The Head of Neighbourhood Services outlined the six key stages applied when preparing the maps.

In 2017/18, the Welsh Government allocated £10,000 to the Council under its Local Transport Fund programme to contribute towards the cost of preparing and consulting on the Active Travel Maps. Of that funding, £8,500 was utilised to commission consultants to audit the proposed active travel routes, whilst the remainder of the funding would be used to contribute to the internal resources required to undertake the other preparatory works to enable submission of the maps to WG, to arrange welsh translations and print the necessary documents.

The Head of Neighbourhood Services explained that this was still a fluid document and could still be changed and had to be submitted every three years so was not cast in stone. He thanked the team for pulling the document together. 

The Leader reported that the work had been commended at national level because of the extensive consultation that had been undertaken.

The Cabinet Member for Communities took the opportunity to thank the team for the piece of work and reaffirmed that it was fluid and would change as priorities changed. The work was now complete and addressed all the requirements made by Welsh Government.

The Cabinet Member for Social Services and Early Help added  ...  view the full minutes text for item 92.

To provide Cabinet with an update of the work undertaken since project start and to seek approval to arrange execution of the MASH Agreement on behalf of the Council and enter into a lease agreement for the specific MASH accommodation, Red Dragon Court, Bridgend Industrial Estate, Bridgend.

The Corporate Director, Social Services and Wellbeing provided Cabinet with an update of the work undertaken since project start and seeking approval to arrange execution of the MASH Agreement on behalf of the Council and enter into a lease agreement for the specific MASH accommodation Red Dragon Court, Bridgend Industrial Estate, Bridgend.  She explained that the aim of the project was to improve outcomes for children, young people, adults and their families, by making sure that systems and processes enabled needs to be identified as early as possible and responded to proportionately and by the right person.

The Corporate Director, Social Services and Wellbeing explained that it had been agreed by partners that the project would be implemented in three stages:

• Phase 1 which was the Co-location of children’s social care staff and key partners (including health, education, police, probation, Community drug and alcohol services and housing; delivery of the IAA Service). There was currently no confirmed date for the co-location of the MASH, and this had implications for the timescales of phases 2 and 3.
• Phase 2 should be able to take place 6 weeks after phase 1 had been completed. In phase 2 there would be the co-location of Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Team; monitoring of Missing Children and those children/young people subject to Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) concerns.
• Phase 3 related to the Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferencing/Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements and Professional Abuse Strategy Meetings to be facilitated within the MASH.

She explained that BCBC had agreed to be the lead organisation and therefore, would take full responsibility for the lease and manage the landlord function on behalf of the MASH. The initial length of the lease would be for a 5 year period with a   tenant break clause at 3 years.

The Corporate Director, Social Services and Wellbeing explained that the Partnership Agreement would set out the terms of the MASH collaboration and the basis upon which the Project would be set up, managed and governed. The Parties acknowledged that the Project was dynamic and would be subject to review and amendment by the Parties (as appropriate) during the Agreement Period to improve delivery of the Project.

Work had progressed on scoping out all costs (both capital and revenue) associated with the setup and running of the MASH. The costs would be shared between all partners and the formula for doing this would be agreed and set out in the Agreement for the Bridgend MASH.  Identifying a revenue budget for the BCBC contribution would need to be considered as part of 2018/19 budget setting process. The total capital investment required would be £205,000 of which BCBC would be liable for £82,000. Council approved the total cost and BCBC’s contribution within the capital programme at its meeting on 4 October 2017.

The Corporate Director, Social Services and Wellbeing explained that the main revenue costs would be rent and running costs for the accommodation plus the costs of employing the MASH co-ordinator (although there would be a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 93.

The report presents the final element of the four workstreams commissioned by the Strategic Review into the development and rationalisation of the curriculum and estate provision of primary, secondary and post-16 education.  It reflects the work of the Strategic Review Board and the Post-16 Operational Board and makes recommendations to Cabinet on the potential future direction of post-16 provision in Bridgend County Borough Council. 

The Head of Education and Family Support presented a report on the final element of the four workstreams commissioned by the Strategic Review into the development and rationalisation of the curriculum and estate provision of primary, secondary and post-16 education.  The other elements were presented to Cabinet on 5 September 2017.  It reflected the work of the Strategic Review Board and the Post-16 Operational Board and made recommendations to Cabinet on the potential future direction of post-16 provision in Bridgend County Borough Council.

The Specialist Officer, Post 16 Education & Training explained that a review of post-16 provisions across BCBC was one of the workstreams established under the SRB and a Post-16 Operational Board created to oversee this work and generate a report for the SRB. 

The Specialist Officer, Post 16 Education & Training outlined the current education provision for 16 to 18 year olds in Bridgend. He then explained that the Post 16 Board had reviewed a range of concepts for the future of post-16 provision across BCBC including the retention of the status quo, the merger of sixth forms into a BCBC sixth form centre, the development of a new independent sixth form college; or the development of one or more sixth form centres as part of Bridgend FE College; mixed models with some school sixth forms being retained and others merged in line with the three models described above or a full tertiary model.

The Post-16 Board undertook a detailed assessment of the concepts and the recommendations from the Post 16 Board were:

1.   Not to consider further the concept of an independent Sixth Form College.  This was based on the evidence from St. David’s Catholic Sixth Form College consultation on its own future with Cardiff Local Authority

2.   To generate specific proposals in relation to Welsh-medium, Faith-based and additional learning needs (ALN) provisions.

3.    To take forward the preferred concepts of 3a and 3c for further detailed consideration and feasibility analysis.

Following consideration of the Post-16 Board report, the SRB endorsed its recommendations and also highlighted three other aspects of provision where it felt progress could be made and were therefore also worthy of further investigation:

1             an increase in the amount of collaborative or common timetabling among the school sixth forms and with Bridgend College;

2             consideration of the implications of moving staff between centres rather than students; and

3             the use of internet-based technology to support e-learning and using staff resource more efficiently.

The Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration welcomed the  Specialist Officer, Post 16 Education & Training to the meeting and congratulated him on the work he had done. The recommendations at the end of report showed that more work was required to outline the options.

The Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration explained that he was already talking to different contributors such as the college and would be visiting each secondary school to talk to students who would be involved. 

The Leader noted that there was already a comprehensive survey of students and a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 94.

To inform Cabinet of the outcome of the consultation on the proposal to make a regulated alteration to Coychurch Primary School in the form of an enlargement with effect from 1 January 2018, and to present to Cabinet the findings of the consultation in a draft consultation report and seek approval to publish the report.

The Head of Education and Family Support informed Cabinet of the outcome of the consultation on the proposal to make a regulated alteration to Coychurch Primary School in the form of an enlargement with effect from 1 January 2018, and presented to Cabinet the findings of the consultation in a draft consultation report (see Appendix A) and sought approval to publish the report.

In 2013, Bridgend County Borough Council made a temporary capacity increase at Coychurch Primary School by installing a double mobile classroom on the school site.  The temporary increase was required as the Council agreed in November 2012 that the new Linc Cymru development in the north-east of Brackla would be assigned to the catchment area of Coychurch Primary School, with effect from September 2014.  It was further agreed that the situation would be in place for a period of five years and be reviewed in 2019. She explained that pupil numbers in the south east of the County Borough were now such that, even with the new Coety Primary school opened, the temporary Coychurch Primary School capacity increase needed to be made permanent to support the efficient admission of pupils.

As a result of the proposal, the published admission number in respect of pupils admitted into reception would increase to 19 (resulting in an 18 place nursery).

The Head of Education and Family Support explained that consultation was carried out between 6 September 2017 and 17 October 2017 in accordance with the statutory School Organisation Code.  A copy of the consultation document was also made available during this time on the Council’s website. The consultation document invited views and opinions to be submitted in respect of the proposal.

The Leader noted that there were a number of points around the changes that still needed to be addressed. The Head of Education and Family Support explained that some of these points would not be addressed immediately but would be picked up in other work being carried out.     

RESOLVED:             Cabinet:

·                considered the outcome of the consultation with all parties as detailed in the attached consultation report and appendices;

·                approved the draft consultation report for publication; and

·                decided to authorise the publication of a Public Notice on the proposal to make a regulated alteration to the school in the form of an enlargement with effect from January 2018.

To seek Cabinet approval to consult on proposed changes to the published admission numbers for schools, as required by Welsh Government’s School Admissions Code July 2013.

The Head of Education and Family Support presented a report seeking Cabinet approval to consult on proposed changes to the published admission numbers for schools, as required by Welsh Government’s School Admissions Code July 2013.

She explained that the published admission number (PAN) for a school was published each year in the Guide.  The PAN identified the number of pupils that could be admitted to a year group. The PAN for each school was calculated in accordance with the capacity assessment method set out in the Welsh Government’s guidance document ‘Measuring the capacity of schools in Wales’.

Admission arrangements for the 2019-2020 academic year had to be consulted on for each maintained school between 1 September 2017 and 1 March 2018, and set by 15 April 2018. Cabinet determined on 3 October 2017 to agree that the consultation for the 2019-2020 Schools Admission Policy and Arrangements would take place between 9 October 2017 and 31 December 2017.

The Head of Education and Family Support explained that in order to ensure that the PAN for each school was accurate, the local authority had recently undertaken a review of the PAN for each school for the 2019-2020 academic year using the aforementioned guidance ‘Measuring the capacity of schools in Wales’. The report identified the proposed changes to the current PAN for each school and the new proposed PAN for the 2019-2020 academic year. No reduction to the PAN of any school had been proposed and where an increase in PAN was identified these were highlighted in the report.

The Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration explained that he had carefully considered the proposed changes and he was satisfied that there were good reasons for each change. 

The Head of Education and Family Support explained that there were strict requirements for space per pupil and as the schools changed the configuration of classrooms, the capacity of the school would also change.

The Deputy Leader referred to the proposed increase in PAN from 30 to 34 at Bryncethin Primary. The Head of Education and Family Support explained that this was a request from the school to accommodate additional pupils and that the school had been using a PAN of 34 already.

RESOLVED:      Cabinet approved that:

·           a consultation for the proposed Published Admission Numbers identified in Table 1 of the report took place between 30 October 2017 and 31 December 2017.

The 2016 Local Air Quality Management Annual Progress Report for Bridgend County Borough Council has been drafted by the Shared Regulatory Services and requires Cabinet approval in order to submit a Final version to Welsh Government.

The Operational Manager, Shared Regulatory Services explained that the 2016 Local Air Quality Management Annual Progress Report for BCBC had been drafted and required Cabinet approval in order to submit a Final version to Welsh Government.  The report covered monitoring data obtained during the 2016 calendar year.

She explained that the Local Air Quality Management process (LAQM), placed an obligation on all local authorities to regularly review and assess air quality in their areas and to determine whether the air quality objectives to protect health were likely to be achieved.  Where exceedances’ occurred or were considered likely to occur, the local authority had to declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) and prepare an Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) setting out the measures it intended to put in place in pursuit of the objectives.

The Environment Team Manager explained that the Annual Progress Report confirmed that air quality within Bridgend County Borough continued to meet the relevant air quality objectives as prescribed in the Air Quality (Wales) Regulations 2000 and the Air Quality (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2002. There were no monitoring sites with nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations above 60µg/m3 in 2016 anywhere in the Bridgend County Borough. This indicated it was unlikely that the hourly NO2 objective would be exceeded at any location in the Bridgend County Borough.

He reported that 10 new NO2 monitoring locations had been introduced based on known areas of particularly elevated traffic flows, introduction of traffic management systems and foreseeable development, all with nearby relevant exposure. These newly monitored road networks included Park Street, Coity Road, Cowbridge Road and Bridgend Town Centre’s Market Street. For some years, an automatic monitoring station (AMS) had been located at the Ewenny roundabout. Recent results indicated consecutive compliance with the national air quality objectives. The Ewenny Roundabout AMS location would be reviewed in 2018 and the AMS could be relocated elsewhere in the borough. 

The Environment Team Manager explained that Welsh Government had issued new statutory policy guidance which highlighted the need for Local Authorities to inform the public about the state of air quality in their area in a timely fashion and involve local communities in identifying local solutions to air quality issues. The Shared Regulatory Service would undertake that role and Cabinet would be apprised of any pertinent findings arising from a consultation to be undertaken in 2017.

The Cabinet Member for Social Services and Early Help thanked officers for the report and asked where BCBC stood in comparison to the other 21 authorities.  The Environment Team Manager explained that it was difficult to compare with other authorities such as Cardiff but BCBC was meeting statutory levels. There were no safe levels and all authorities were encourages to reduce levels.   

The Cabinet Member for Wellbeing and Future Generations commented that this was a good news story for Bridgend. There had been considerable development in Bridgend and this could lead to problematic areas.

The Deputy Leader welcomed the news that levels were low and that different locations were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 97.

To waive the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules and authorise the Corporate Director, Operational and Partnership Services to enter into a contract with a jobsite provider, E-Teach, for the purpose of advertising teaching jobs, support staff and education vacancies.

The Corporate Director, Operational and Partnership Services presented a report to waive the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules and for authority to enter into a contract with a jobsite provider, E-Teach, for the purpose of advertising teaching jobs, support staff and education vacancies.

He explained that schools were heavily reliant upon the service currently provided by E-Teach for regular online recruitment advertising.  For service continuity purposes, the E-Teach licence was required, which allowed access to the E-Teach website to ensure that critical schools vacancies were advertised on a national bespoke jobsite, to maximise the ability to fill these key positions.

The Corporate Director, Operational and Partnership Services explained that the current licence was due to expire on 29th November 2017. Research had been undertaken to identify providers that offered specialist advertising services for vacancies in the education sector.  However, it had not been possible to identify other providers who were able to offer a bespoke advertising service, other than the current provider E-Teach. The service was accessed via an annual licence. It was proposed that the arrangements were made on an annual basis for a maximum of a four year period.  This would ensure that if suitable opportunities for competition materialised in the future an appropriate tender exercise could be undertaken.

RESOLVED:            Cabinet:

a)     approved a waiver under Contract Procedure Rule  3.2.3, from the requirement to comply with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015

b)   authorised the Corporate Director Operational and Partnership Services to make arrangements on an annual basis to enter into a four year contract with E Teach for the purpose of advertising education related vacancies.

To nominate one member representative to serve on the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE). 

The Corporate Director, Operational and Partnership Services presented a report to nominate one member representative to serve on the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE). 

He explained that the Authority was represented on a number of outside bodies and joint committees by Elected Members. The Authority was entitled to nominate five representatives to serve on SACRE and one vacancy had recently arisen to replace Councillor Alex Williams.

The Corporate Director, Operational and Partnership Services proposed that Councillor C Webster be nominated to replace Councillor Alex Williams and represent the Authority on SACRE. All other representation would remain as agreed by Cabinet at its meeting of 30th May 2017.

RESOLVED:   That Cllr C Webster, Chairperson – Overview and Scrutiny Committee 1 be nominated as one of the Authority’s Elected Member representatives on SACRE.

The purpose of this report is to inform Cabinet of the Information Reports for noting which have been published since its last scheduled meeting.

The Corporate Director Operational and Partnership Services presented a report, the purpose of which was to inform Cabinet of the Information Reports which had been published since the last meeting.

RESOLVED:              That Cabinet acknowledged publication of the document listed in the report:-  

Title                                                                                 Date Published

Half Year Treasury Management Report 2017-18          25 October 2017                           

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.

There were no urgent items.

The report relating to the following item is not for publication as it contains exempt information as defined in Paragraph 14 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 this item 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 item of business as it contains exempt information as defined in Paragraph 14 of Part 4 and Paragraph 21 of Part 5 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007.

Following the application of the public interest test in consideration of this item, it was resolved that pursuant to the Act referred to above, to consider the item in private, with the public being excluded from the meeting as it would involve the disclosure of exempt information of the nature as stated above.