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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Civic Offices Angel Street Bridgend CF31 4WB. View directions

Contact: Andrew Rees  Senior Democratic Services Officer - Committees

Items
No. Item

158.

Declarations of Interest

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.

 

Minutes:

Councillor R Young declared a personal interest in the information report, Estyn Inspection for Litchard Primary School, because he is a school governor at that school.    

Councillor P White declared a personal interest in the information report, Estyn Inspection for Betws Primary School, because he is a school governor at that school.     

159.

Approval of Minutes pdf icon PDF 100 KB

To receive for approval the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet of 30/01/18

 

 

 

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED:             That the minutes of the meeting of Cabinet of 30th January 2018 be approved as a true and accurate record.  

160.

Renewal of Insurance Cover pdf icon PDF 72 KB

Minutes:

The Interim Head of Finance and Section 151 Officer presented a report seeking approval for the renewal of the Council’s insurance programme and informing Cabinet of the result of the retender exercise for the material damage and contract works policy. Cabinet approval was also being sought to authorise Marsh UK Limited as the Council’s appointed insurance broker to accept cover for the full range of policies on behalf of the Council.

 

The Interim Head of Finance and Section 151 Officer explained that the material damage and contract works policy was subject to a long term agreement which expired on 30 March 2018. A retender exercise had therefore been carried out via the National Procurement Service Framework Agreement.

 

The Interim Head of Finance and Section 151 Officer explained the changes to the net premiums as shown in table 1 of the report. She confirmed that bidders had been advised that awards would be made to the most economically advantageous tender based on a weighting of 60% for price and 40% for quality.  Following consideration of the bids received, Marsh UK Limited recommended a five year long term agreement with a reduction in premium of £120,940.

 

The Deputy Leader welcomed the report and the reduction in premium for the same level of cover which was a good deal for the Council.

 

RESOLVED:            Cabinet approved the acceptance of the quotations in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.15 and the renewal of the insurance programme through Marsh UK Limited as the Council’s appointed Insurance Broker.     

161.

Remodelling Older Person's Accommodation pdf icon PDF 112 KB

Minutes:

The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing presented a report recommending that Cabinet tender as a going concern one of BCBC’s internal residential care homes which was currently in-scope for the Extra Care Housing (ECH) scheme plans.

 

The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing explained the background to the proposals and details of the project timetable provided by Linc Cymru for the sites at Maesteg and Ynysawdre. She explained that following the opportunity for an independent provider to purchase as a going concern one of the 3 Council care homes an appraisal was undertaken. Ty Cwm Ogwr was identified as the most appropriate and in July 2017 Cabinet gave authority for targeted engagement and consultation with individuals, families and staff affected by the proposal. In January 2018, a Subject Overview and Scrutiny Committee welcomed the proposal including the Trade Union’s involvement during the engagement and consultation process. Members raised concerns in respect of survey response rates and recommended that when reporting to Cabinet, additional detail should be provided regarding potential savings and safeguarding processes which had been addressed in the latest report.

 

The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing outlined the engagement and consultation process, including follow-ups with residents who were unsure of the proposals or where further information had been requested. She explained the procurement approach using the Most Economically Advantageous Tender with established criteria and appropriate weighting applied to quality/price. She explained that it was anticipated that approximately 40 staff employed at Ty Cwm Ogwr prior to transfer, would TUPE across at contract commencement depending on how the successful provider proposed to deliver the service moving forward.

 

The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing outlined the benefits and risks of the proposal including the steps taken to mitigate the risks. In light of the positive response to the proposal received from those directly affected and the associated benefits it was recommended that Ty Cwm Ogwr care home was tendered as a going concern. The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing added that there would be no financial implication for BCBC in phasing in new models of care over time as the additional funding of Nursing/Nursing EMI placements would be met by health through Funded Nursing Care payments.

 

The Cabinet Member for Social Services and Early Help thanked the Corporate Director for the comprehensive presentation and in particular the risk and finance elements. This proposal would provide a much welcomed nursing care provision and would maximise the number of beds available in Bridgend.

 

The Deputy Leader commented that he was happy that Ty Cwm Ogwr was in his ward in ward and that this was a good news story for both staff and residents. There would be no changes in terms of performance and BCBC would still be involved in contract monitoring. There were many independent providers in Bridgend and they came under one umbrella when it came to assessment. The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing added that all providers were expected  ...  view the full minutes text for item 161.

162.

Remodelling Children's Residential Services Project pdf icon PDF 427 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing presented a report informing Cabinet of the work that had been undertaken as part of the Remodelling Children’s Residential Services project and seeking approval to implement a proposed new model for Children’s Residential Services.

 

The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing explained that Children’s Social Care Services currently provided residential placements for looked after children through two homes, Sunnybank and Newbridge House located within the County Borough. She explained that feedback from staff during engagement sessions identified a number of issues with the existing service model and the ways homes were currently structured as listed in the report. The Directorate also provided an internal supported lodgings service to young people not yet ready to live completely independently. Reference was also made to the high cost out of county residential placements with on average, 10 young people placed out of county at any one time. A number of individuals could have remained in –county if there was a more effective service model in place.

 

A significant amount of engagement had taken place to inform the proposed model including research into innovation and best practice across the UK and engagement with current and former residents of the residential homes. 

In November 2017 and January 2018, the Subject Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered reports and a presentation on the proposed model. The Scrutiny Committee commended the report and asked for consideration to be given to joint regional training, foster carer contracts and career development and contingency planning when it came to the implementation planning process.

 

The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing outlined the ideal model which created a wider variety of internal placements which were flexible enough to meet the increasingly complex needs of the children and young people becoming looked after. The model also created more placement options for children and young people to be placed closer to home ensuring the option of bringing back young people placed out of county. She explained that a full implementation plan had been developed, with the aim of the model being fully implemented by the end of 2018/19.

 

The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing outlined the key elements of the proposed new model, the increase in spending on therapeutic services, the introduction of transitional carers and the new training programme. She also explained the financial implications based on fundamental assumptions which officers forecast would result in the cost reductions set out in the report.         

 

The Cabinet Member for Social Services and Early Help welcomed the report and he said that he was pleased with the engagement and the comments received and he recognised that there was still a lot of work to do after a young person had left care.  

 

The Leader stated that he was pleased that the proposals had been scrutinised twice and that there was support from the backbench members. Young people had been consulted early in the process and he asked for confirmation that these proposals would meet  ...  view the full minutes text for item 162.

163.

Appointment of Local Authority Governors pdf icon PDF 74 KB

Minutes:

The Interim Corporate Director of Education and Family Support presented a report seeking approval from Cabinet for the appointment of the local authority governor to the school governing body listed in the report. Due to an administrative error, the application was not considered with the other appointments at the end of January 2018.

 

The Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration supported the recommendation and took the opportunity to draw to the public’s attention, vacancies that existed for community minded people to become local authority governors with full training provided.

 

RESOLVED:                Cabinet approved the appointments listed in paragraph 4.1 of the report

164.

Additional Learning Needs Reform pdf icon PDF 77 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Interim Corporate Director of Education and Family Support presented a report providing Cabinet with an opportunity to respond to the recommendations made by Subject Overview and Scrutiny Committee 1 in respect of Additional Learning Needs (ALN) Reform.

 

The Interim Corporate Director of Education and Family Support explained that Subject Overview and Scrutiny Committee 1 considered a report on ALN in September 2017. In December 2017 Cabinet received a report from Subject Overview and Scrutiny Committee 1 in relation to ALN which made several recommendations to Cabinet. He then outlined the committee recommendations and the officers’ responses as detailed in the report.

 

The Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration thanked the Subject Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the recommendations and the officers for their responses. He concurred with the recommendations and thought that officers were also in full agreement and possibly a few steps ahead. He particularly welcomed the response regarding supported internships and work placed learning.

 

The Leader thanked the Subject Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the detailed set of recommendations and responses and stated that the full implications of the act would not become clear until it had been fully implemented. The Leader suggested that a further report be submitted in 12 months.

 

RESOLVED:             Cabinet:

·                considered and approved officer’s responses to the recommendations at paragraph 4 from Subject Overview and Scrutiny Committee 1 in relation to the local authority’s response to the ALN Reform Bill.

requested a further report in 12 months when the full impact of the Bill on learners in Bridgend would be known.

165.

Provision for Pupils with Additional Learning Needs (ALN): Proposal for Changes to Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Learning Resource Centre (LRC) - Objections Report pdf icon PDF 335 KB

Minutes:

The Interim Corporate Director of Education and Family Support presented a report informing Cabinet of the outcome of the statutory objections process conducted by Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC) in respect of the proposal to establish an ASD LRC at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg.

 

The Interim Corporate Director of Education and Family Support explained that in order to progress the proposal, consultation exercises were carried out between 6 September to the 21 October 2017 with staff, governors, parents and pupils of Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd and also the wider community in accordance with the Statutory School Organisation Code. The proposal was subsequently published for a period of 28 days and formal written objections were invited during this time. He reported that no objections were received during this public notice period and therefore the proposal could be implemented with Cabinet’s approval.

 

The Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration explained that this was the end of long formal process and a much needed move forward for this aspect of education.

 

The Leader said that he was encouraged to read the very positive comments from all the stakeholders who had taken part in the consultation. He was delighted that over a quarter of a million was being invested in new classes for children with additional learning needs at both primary and secondary level.

 

RESOLVED:            Cabinet:

 

          Noted that no objections were received during the public notice period and as a consequence;

 

           Approved the implementation of the proposal.

166.

Commissioning and Award of Contracts for Supporting People Programme pdf icon PDF 83 KB

Minutes:

The Corporate Director Operational and Partnership Services presented a report seeking approval to continue service delivery of 3 contracts funded under Welsh Government Supporting People Programme. Approval was also being sought to suspend the relevant parts of the Council’s CPRs and to authorise the Corporate Director Operational and Partnership Services to enter into the contracts with the providers listed in the report.

 

The Corporate Director Operational and Partnership Services gave a background to the three contracts, the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme, the Prisoner Release Empowerment Project and Supported Temporary Accommodation for Homeless Persons and he outlined the current situation and the proposal for each.

 

The Corporate Director Operational and Partnership Services explained that Cabinet needed to be aware that by entering into short-term contracts with the current providers listed in the report, the Council was exposed to the risk of potential challenge from other providers of such services. He added that there were difficulties in the commissioning of these services due to the unknown future funding of such Contracts under Welsh Government funding programmes. The proposed length of the Supported Temporary Accommodation for Homelessness Persons contract was relatively short term and had a low value. The risk set out in the report needed to be weighed against the need to provide a preventative service to prevent homelessness from occurring.

 

The Cabinet Member for Wellbeing and Future Generations supported the recommendations and stressed that it was important to note that this would ensure continuity of a service for vulnerable people.  

 

The Leader stated that the reasons for suspending the Council’s CPRs had been well made in the report.

 

The Corporate Director Operational and Partnership Services confirmed that the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme Syrian scheme was funded by the Home Office and there was no additional cost to authority.

 

RESOLVED:            Cabinet:

·                suspended the relevant parts of the Council’s CPRs in respect of the requirement to re-tender the contracts listed in Appendix 1 of the report.

·                approved the continuation of service delivery of 3 contracts funded under the Welsh Government Supporting People Programme.

authorised the Corporate Director Operational and Partnership Services to enter into the contracts with the providers listed in Appendix 1 of the report.

167.

Member and School Engagement Overview and Scrutiny Panel Recommendation pdf icon PDF 71 KB

Minutes:

The Chairperson of the Subject Overview and Scrutiny Committee 1 presented a report on the findings and recommendation from a Member and School Engagement Panel (MSEP) meeting with Maesteg.

 

The Chairperson explained that Maesteg School had been highlighted as a school for the Panel to consider with the rationale that the local authority issued the school with a cause for concern letter in October 2016.  Information from the Directorate explained that concern was raised about the quality of leadership at the school because in 2016, based on school reported data, there was a decline in nearly all key performance indicators at key stage 4. The decline was significant in mathematics at level 2 and the level two threshold including English/Welsh and mathematics.

 

The Chairperson reported that MSEP met with the Headteacher, Mrs Helen Jones and the Chair of Governors, Cllr Keith Edwards, along with the Officers from the Education and Family Support Directorate on 22 November 2017.The Panel received detailed information to assist them in their deliberations and development of questions including recent school data, the School Improvement plan, the Central South Consortium School Enquiry Report and the Summer Term 2 Progress Report.

 

The Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration thanked the committee for their deliberations and recommendation and confirmed that officers had responded appropriately and were already acting on the key points. 

 

The Interim Corporate Director of Education and Family Support explained that there had been a very positive meeting in November at Maesteg School where a number of issues had been considered. All the recommendations had been taken on and the school was being supported accordingly. One challenge had been brokering a sufficient level of support from the Consortium. The feedback received from the Headteacher and the Chair of Governors since the meeting had been very positive.

 

The Leader added his thanks to the Member and School Engagement Overview and Scrutiny Panel and the Chairperson. He was reassured that a great amount of support had already been put in place. He concurred with the recommendation that support from the Local Authority and the Consortium should be put in place for schools immediately after a cause for concern letter was issued.    

 

RESOLVED:               Cabinet:

 

     Noted the comments and key points of the Member and School Engagement Panel in relation to Maesteg School.

 

           Approved the Panels’ recommendation as set out at 4.2 of the report.

168.

Forward Work Programme pdf icon PDF 76 KB

Minutes:

The Corporate Director Operational and Partnership Services presented a report, seeking Cabinet approval for items to be included on the Forward Work Programme (FWP) for the period 1 April – 31 July 2018.

 

He advised that in line with the Council’s Constitution, the FWP would be prepared to cover a period of 4 months and would contain matters which the Cabinet, Overview and Scrutiny Committees and Council were likely to consider.

 

RESOLVED:                 Cabinet:

 

(1)       Approved the Cabinet Forward Work Programme   shown at Appendix 1 to the report.

(2)       Noted the Council and Scrutiny Forward Work Programme, as shown at Appendix 1 and 2 of the report, respectively.</AI10>

<AI11>

 

169.

Information Reports for Noting pdf icon PDF 57 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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 of Cabinet:-

 

Estyn Inspection Outcomes for Litchard Primary School

Estyn Inspection Outcomes for Betws Primary School

Monitoring Report – Complaints, Freedom of Information and Data Protection.

 

With regard to the Estyn Inspection reports, the Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration offered his congratulations to Litchard Primary School for their performance and encouragement to Betws Primary School. He acknowledged that Betws were moving from one building to another at the time of the inspection and that suitable support would now be put in place. 

 

The Cabinet Member for Communities congratulated all staff involved with Litchard Primary School for the excellent results. The Leader confirmed that the Cabinet Member would be visiting both schools to congratulate them. 

 

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

170.

Urgent Items

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.

 

 

Minutes:

None

171.

Exclusion of the Public

The minutes relating to the following item are not for publication as they contain 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.

 

 

 

 

Minutes:

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.

172.

Approval of Exempt Minutes

To receive for approval the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet of 30/01/18

 

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED:             That the exempt minutes of the meeting of Cabinet of 30th January 2018 be approved as a true and accurate record.  

 

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