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 meetings of the Cabinet dates 13 and 27 February 2018.

RESOLVED:           That the minutes of the meetings of Cabinet of 13^th February 2018 and 27^th February 2018 be approved as a true and accurate record.

The Corporate Director Communities presented a report on the draft Joint Working Agreement Business Plan which was recommended by the Cardiff Capital Region Cabinet, for agreement and adoption as the formal “JWA Business Plan”.

The Corporate Director Communities explained that the JWA Business Plan would address the updated Affordability Envelope, the methodology for agreeing the nature, scope and prioritisation of projects to be developed for the overall benefit of the Cardiff Capital Region, the methodology and responsibility for any external audits and performance monitoring and revenue and capital monitoring reports to be prepared by the Joint Committee and the frequency of these reports.

The Corporate Director Communities outlined the strategic context and spatial priorities of the draft JWA Business Plan and identified the emerging opportunities within the life of the plan. He explained that the agreement with the UK Government and Welsh Government provided £1.2 billion of which £734m was allocated to the Metro with the balance of £495m being made available as the Wider Investment Fund. The Regional Cabinet had stated that the high level aims of the Wider Investment Fund were the creation of 25,000 new jobs and £4bn of private sector investment. The first investment had been made in the Compound Semi-conductor Project, providing a loan of £38.5m with the potential to generate 2,000 jobs and over £380m of private sector investment. He explained that following this initial investment, Regional Cabinet had agreed in principle to support the Metro Central Project, Regional Housing Investment Fund, Digital Strategy and Skills for the Future.

The Interim Head of Finance and Section 151 Officer outlined the financial implications and explained that given the change in the funding profile, the Council was required to make a payment of £2,299,950 before the end of the 2017-18 financial year. This would reduce later years payments and require the expenditure and funding within the capital programme to be re-profiled but within the same overall programme envelope. The Interim Head of Finance and Section 151 Officer explained that this would require Council approval for a virement from this budget to the Communities Directorate budget from where the payment would be made and a re-profiling of expenditure and funding for the scheme within the capital programme.

The Cabinet Member for Social Services and Early Help welcomed the agreement in principle to support the Regional Housing Investment Fund and the aim to create 25,000 new jobs.                   

The Deputy Leader supported the recommendations and added that he had been fortunate to visit the Compound Semi-conductor Project which had employees from each area and was situated 35 mins away from Bridgend. It aimed to be a world leader in this field producing more than 8000 wafer chips a week for the Chinese market.

The Cabinet Member for Communities reported that he had attended a public meeting in Porthcawl consulting residents on cuts to subsidies for bus services. This provided an opportunity to look at new ways of providing transport and access to jobs.  

The Leader added that there was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 175.

The Interim Head of Finance and Section 151 Officer presented a report recommending for approval the proposed criteria for applying a Care Leaver’s Discount. She explained that the Council had the power to reduce liability for council tax in relation to individual cases or classes of cases. There was currently no specific exemption class for care leavers in Council Tax legislation so the only way to achieve an exemption was to grant a discretionary discount. The Interim Head of Finance and Section 151 Officer reported a correction in Appendix A to the report, the award would be made up to the age of 25 and not 21. 

The Interim Head of Finance and Section 151 Officer explained that it was proposed that the discount would apply to all care leavers living in Bridgend County Borough and that it should apply from April 1 2018. Currently 22 had been identified as potentially being eligible. 

The Deputy Leader was pleased to support the recommendation which was a relatively small amount to the Council but a significant amount for the individuals concerned.

The Cabinet Member for Social Services and Early Help welcomed the report and stated that in his role as Chairperson of the Corporate Parenting Committee could see how this would provide a good start for care leavers.   

The Leader added that care leavers had a tough start in life and that it was difficult to be independent at a young age.

RESOLVED:             Cabinet recommended that Council:

·                    Approve the proposed criteria for applying a Care Leaver Discount as indicated in Appendix A;

Delegated authority to the Chief Finance Officer to make decisions on valid applications received which meet the criteria in Appendix A. 

The Corporate Director Communities presented a report seeking Cabinet approval for the Bridgend County Borough Destination Management Plan and Destination Action Plan and the implementation of resulting actions.

The Corporate Director Communities explained that since 2013 there had been a progressive increase in the economic impact of tourism in Bridgend County Borough with an increase in the economic value of tourism, visitor numbers and visitor days. The report included evidence of the increase in the value of tourism to the local economy and the increase in the number of jobs over the period.

The Corporate Director Communities explained that the Destination Management Plan 2018-2022 set the framework for managing the tourism vision to 2022. The Destination Action Plan detailed specific activities and the evidence base which provided the context. He outlined the Destination Management Plan vision and how the Destination Action Plan would support the delivery of this vision by focusing action against supporting the development of the tourism product, supporting the development of tourism infrastructure and raising the profile and attracting more visitors to Bridgend County Borough. He added that efforts to raise the profile would focus primarily on a UK approach towards PR, online marketing and social media and partnership marketing opportunities with partners across Wales.

The Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration congratulated officers and added that despite the cuts, officers had been able to maintain a viable plan. Bridgend was a “sleeping giant” with tremendous potential.      

The Cabinet Member for Wellbeing and Future Generations said that she had read the plan and it was a step in the right direction but was concerned regarding investment in other local hubs. The Corporate Director Communities explained that the plan tried to give sufficient flexibility and reference was made to other local hubs where there could be opportunities that arise over the course of 4 years. It was meant to be a plan for the whole of the borough.

The Leader added that it was important to reflect on recent success and to build on this. The proposal for the development of the Afan Parc adventure resort on the doorstep of the Llynfi valley was progressing and he asked if the plan supported this initiative. The Corporate Director Communities explained that Afan Parc was specifically mentioned in the plan, the plan had been designed to be used in a flexible way and would support such developments.

RESOLVED:             Cabinet:

·                Approved the Destination Management Plan and      the Destination Action Plan;

Authorised the Corporate Director, Communities to implement the Destination Management Plan, attached as appendix 1, and the Destination Action Plan, attached as appendix 2.

The Corporate Director Communities presented a report seeking permission to apply for new and to extend existing funding for Bridgend County Borough Council projects, Working Skills for Adults 2, Nurture Equip Thrive and Bridges into Work 2 which would sit under the new Employability Programme. He added that all three projects would be operated on a sub-regional partnership basis led by Torfaen County Borough Council.

The Corporate Director Communities explained that the development of the new programme would help realise the ambition to create a seamless comprehensive service for participants getting them the right support in the right way at the right time. The report included a table which set out all funding required for the three projects in scope including the match funding source.  

The Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration supported the recommendations and suggested that the two case studies should be read to see the overlap between education and regeneration and how some cases could fall off the radar. There were themes of depression, anxiety and other barriers to work but with professional guidance these could be managed.

The Cabinet Member for Social Services and Early Help stated that Sue Whittaker with her team had identified positive programmes and BCBC were now one of the strongest councils when it came to partnership arrangements to deliver.

The Cabinet Member for Wellbeing and Future Generations added that she was impressed by the work carried out and how residents had engaged with the programmes and made changes to their lives. She was pleased to see that the process had been stream lined and simplified for those that needed support.     

The Leader stated that he was proud of progress so far and that more could and would be done. Every community within the Borough benefited from this.

RESOLVED:          Cabinet:-

1.    authorised the Corporate Director Communities, in  consultation with the Section 151 Officer, to apply for and accept an extension to the BIW2 programme, up to 31st December 2022 in line with the Council’s Grant policy, and subject to being satisfied that any grant conditions attached to the extension of funding were acceptable;

2.    authorised the Corporate Director Communities, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer, to apply for and accept funding for the WSFA2 project, from 1st April 2018 to 31st December 2022 in line with the Council’s Grant policy, and subject to being satisfied that any grant conditions attached to the extension of funding were acceptable;

3.    authorised the Corporate Director Communities, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer, to apply for and accept funding for the NET project, from 1st April 2018 to 31st December 2022 in line with the Council’s Grant policy, and subject to being satisfied that any grant conditions attached to the extension of funding were acceptable;

4.    authorised the Corporate Director Communities, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer, to adjust the financial profiles in paragraph 7.1, should this be necessary as a result of negotiations with funders, or any individual project to being approved;  ...  view the full minutes text for item 178.

The Corporate Director Communities presented a report requesting approval to establish a long term partnership arrangement with the RNLI to operate a seasonal beach lifeguarding service at local beaches and in doing so sought a waiver of the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules from the requirement to obtain quotes or tenders by open competition and agreement to enter into a contract with the RNLI.

The Corporate Director Communities explained that it was being proposed that BCBC and the RNLI enter into a longer term partnership agreement to operate seasonal beach lifeguarding services at Trecco Bay, Coney Beach, Rest Bay and Pink Bay. The agreement would be for an initial period of 3 years covering the financial years 2018/2019 to 2020/2021. Details of the core funding and funding from Porthcawl Town Council and Parkdean were included in the report making the proposed contract value with RNLI £154,000.  

The Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration was pleased with the proposal and reminded Cabinet Members of the time when BCBC employed its own lifeguards. He also paid tribute to Porthcawl Town Council and Parkdean for contributing to the provision.

The Leader thanked all the partners and was pleased to be working with such a prestigious partner as the RNLI that provided a service that saved people’s lives.

Cllr Clarke was asked to convey the thanks to Porthcawl Town Council.

RESOLVED            Cabinet authorised the Corporate Director, Communities to finalise negotiations with the RNLI and enter into a long term partnership arrangement and associated service level agreement with the RNLI and in doing so agree a waiver under paragraph 3.2.3 of the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules.

The Corporate Director Communities presented a report seeking Cabinet approval on the formal adoption of a Memorandum of Understanding between Welsh Government and Local Government across Wales as attached to the report. The MoU set out a consistent approach in relation to children’s interment fees.

The Corporate Director Communities explained that in August 2017 the WLGA requested commitment from Local Authorities to work with Welsh Government on the formation of a MoU by which burial authorities would not charge any fees in relation to the standard burial or cremation of a child defined as a person under the age of 18 years. This did not relate to any wider funeral costs such as flowers, the cost of a memorial or funeral director fees.  He added that in recognition of the costs to be incurred, Welsh Government had allocated £600,000 which would be apportioned between the Local Authorities in Wales that adopted the MoU. The position would be reviewed after two years.

The Cabinet Member for Communities stated that BCBC had always been sensitive in this respect and the MoU would establish the same consistent approach throughout Wales.

RESOLVED:           Cabinet endorsed the formal adoption of the MoU as attached at appendix 1 to the report.  

The Corporate Director Communities 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 the proposals received for the 2018/2019 allocation were contained within the report. With the desire to more closely align the Town and Community Council Fund with the CAT process, the proposed approvals were St Bride’s Minor, Garw Valley, Pencoed and Cornelly. 

The Corporate Director Communities explained that a balance of £135,000 was available for allocation for the financial year 2018/2019. When the level of demand for 2018/2019 was known this information would be used to determine whether there was a need to investigate increasing the base budget to £100,000 in 2019/2020. The deadline for applications for 2019/2020 would be February 2019 and it was currently envisaged that a decision would be made in March 2019. 

The Cabinet Member for Communities congratulated the Community Council for progressing the application. He was not sure how well the scheme was understood at first but it was beginning to bear fruit and he would like to see the number of applications increase. 

The Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration explained that he was surprised at how few applications had been made even though the criteria was clear. He accepted there were alternative sources of funding and all  had their own tax raising powers. He was pleased to see a balance going forward and hoped that there might be a bid in future years for a community centre in Bryntirion.

RESOLVED:           Cabinet approved the projects named in section 4.4 of the report for the values detailed.

The Group Manager, Legal presented a report on behalf of the Corporate Director Operational and Partnership Services, seeking Cabinet approval of the updated Whistleblowing Policy. There was a minor change, the addition that Managers must notify the Monitoring Officer within a timely manner of all concerns raised under this policy and the outcomes. The Group Manager, Legal explained that the Whistleblowing Policy was designed to encourage and reassure employees who genuinely and reasonably believed that there were concerns which they should disclose by enabling them to do so within a framework which ensured they were protected from reprisals or victimisation.   

The Leader commented that the policy should be available to all staff and they should be reminded that the policy was in place to protect them. It should also be shared with the Trade Unions. 

RESOLVED:             Cabinet approved the updated Policy attached as appendix 1 to the report.

The Group Manager, Legal presented a report on behalf of the Corporate Director Operational and Partnership Services, seeking approval to continue service delivery based around contract arrangements currently in place for the delivery of Welsh Government funded contract arrangements for Families First. Approval was also being sought to suspend the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules and to authorise the Corporate Director Operational & Partnership Services to enter into contracts with the current providers.

The Group Manager, Legal explained that to ensure the continuity of essential services to individuals and families it was proposed that Cabinet suspend the relevant parts of the Council’s CPRs in respect of tendering and award contracts based on current contract arrangements on an initial 6 month basis. If there was a further delay which prevented a full commissioning exercise of the contracts within the 6 month period then Cabinet were asked to permit the Corporate Director Operational Services the option to enter into further extensions of up to a further 6 months.

The Group Manager, Legal explained that all services via these contract arrangements were funded by Welsh Government Grant. Welsh Government had informed of its indicative funding levels at least until the end of March 2019 at a slightly reduced level.    

The Cabinet Member for Social Services and Early Help commented that he was aware of the importance of these programmes particularly for disadvantaged families and that this area did not get the credit it deserved. 

The Leader agreed and commented that one area of particular importance was emotional health and support for young people.

RESOLVED:             Cabinet

·      suspended the relevant parts of the Council’s CPR’s in respect of the requirement as to re-tendering of the proposed contracts listed in Appendix 1 of this report

authorised the Corporate Director Operational & Partnership Services to enter into contracts of 6-months with the current providers in respect of the Contracts in Appendix 1 of the report with the option to enter into further extensions for a period of a further  6-months i.e. until 31^st March 2019;

The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing presented a report providing Cabinet with information on the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 (RISCA). Cabinet were also being asked to note the work ongoing to implement the requirements of the Act and for approval for the Head of Adult Social Care and the Head of Children Social Care to be designated as the Responsible Individuals for Bridgend Social Care regulated services.

She explained that the intent behind the introduction of RISCA was to secure the well-being of people in Wales and to improve the quality of care and support. The Care Inspectorate Wales would be introducing a new system of service regulation and inspection which would come into force in April 2018 and was intended to be fully implemented and operational by April 2019.

The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing outlined the requirements on Service Providers, registration arrangements, the Statement of Purpose and responsibilities as a commissioner of services. She explained the workforce regulations, training and qualification requirements and market stability and financial assessment provisions under the RISCA and the financial implications. 

The Cabinet Member for Social Services and Early Help commented that there would be additional costs associated with registration fees, qualification fees and training costs which have been factored in the council budget setting process. There would be additional responsibility placed on the Heads of Service resulting in more stress and an increase in workload. The intention of the Act was to have a well- qualified, trained workforce going forward.

The Leader added that it was important to recognise the status of workers in this sector and important for them to be registered.

The Cabinet Member for Wellbeing and Future Generations agreed that the workforce should be supported. She raised concerns that the planned incremental increase in fees from 2018 to 2022 would see the fee rise to £80 equal to a 167% increase. 

The Leader asked if the responsible individuals had the capacity to visit each service in person at least every three months. The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing explained that it was a concern but routine visits were already undertaken so these could be used to meet the guidelines.

RESOLVED:             Cabinet:

·                Noted the information contained in the report and  the ongoing work to implement the requirements of the Act and statutory guidance into working practice;

·              Approved the Head of Adult Social Care and the      Head of Children Social Care to be designated as the Responsible Individual within their own service area on behalf of Bridgend CBC;

Noted that there would be an additional cost pressure associated with registration and training that would need to be considered as part of budget setting over the next few years.

The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing presented a report providing Cabinet with an update on Bridgend County Borough Council’s position in respect of the regional Area Plan and Pooled Fund requirements under the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014. She also asked Cabinet to approve the Western Bay Area Plan 2018-23 and Action Plan 2018-19, to authorise the Corporate Director, Social Services to publish a link to the Area Plan and Action Plan and to authorise representatives from the City and County of Swansea to submit the plans to Welsh Ministers on behalf of the three local authorities and the health board in the Western Bay region.

 The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing outlined the implementation timetable, consultation on the proposed health boundary change and verbal agreements regarding interim arrangements. She explained how the voice of service users, carers and wider stakeholders had been incorporated and how it linked to other strategic plans. Information was also provided on approval and publication requirements, next steps and the financial implications.    

The Cabinet Member for Social Services and Early Help commented that he found the citizen engagement meetings of interest. The outcome of the consultation on the proposed health boundary change was still unknown but he had stressed that an early decision was important because BCBC did not want to be on the fringe of plans or decisions being made.

RESOLVED:       Cabinet:

·      Noted BCBC’s position in respect of the regional Area Plan and Pooled Fund requirements under the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014;

·      Approved the Western Bay Area Plan 2018-23 (Appendix 1) and Action Plan 2018-19 (Appendix 2);

·      Authorised the Corporate Director, Social Services and Wellbeing to publish a link to the Area Plan and Action Plan on the Council’s website; and

Authorised the Director of People, Swansea Council to submit the Area Plan and Action Plan to Welsh Ministers on behalf of the three local authorities and the health board in the Western Bay region, countersigned by the Leaders of Bridgend CBC, Neath Port Talbot CBC, Swansea Council and the Chair of ABMU HB.

The Interim Director of Education and Family Support presented a report seeking Cabinet approval of the Council’s school admissions policy and the published admission numbers for schools. He explained that the local authority was required to publish both an admission policy and guidance on the admission arrangements for its schools. He outlined the consultation process on the admission arrangements and confirmed that no representations were received.  

The Interim Director of Education and Family Support outlined the consultation process for the Published Admission Numbers for each school in Bridgend. He confirmed that one response was received from Maes Yr Haul Primary School requesting an increase from 70 to 75. Officers assessed the impact of the proposal to ensure the school had adequate space and agreed it was achievable and would benefit the local authority, the school and parents.

The Interim Director of Education and Family Support outlined the removal of transition arrangements and the financial implications and stated that any increase in pupil numbers would have to be funded from the existing overall Individual Schools Budget.

The Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration supported the proposals and said that there were no representations which indicated that the public recognised this was a fair and rational document.

The Leader asked for confirmation that no representations had been received from any Members, Assembly Members, schools, head teachers, parents or governors apart from the response received from Maes Yr Haul Primary School.  The Interim Director of Education and Family Support confirmed this was correct.

RESOLVED:            Cabinet :

·                    approved the 2019-2020 School Admission Policy and Arrangements;

·                    approved changes to the schools’ published admission numbers for 2019-2020 (see Table 1);

·                    removed references to transition arrangements for Maes yr Haul, Trelales and Pencoed Primary Schools from the 2019-2020 Admission Policy and future polices; and

removed references to the Linc Cymru development (Trem-Y-Castell) from the 2019-20 Admission Policy and all future admission policies.

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.