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

All Officers present other than the Group Manager – Human Resources and Organisational Development and Democratic Services Officers, declared a prejudicial interest in Agenda item 6. and left the meeting whilst this item was being considered.

The following further declarations of personal interest were made by members:-

Councillor S Bletsoe –  Agenda item 11. Question from Councillor S Easterbrook, as a resident of a housing estate that charges a management fee.

Councillor N Farr – Agenda item 12 as a member of a trade union.

Councillor JC Spanswick – Agenda items 6. and 8 as a family member works for BCBC. Agenda item 12. as a member of a trade union.

Councillor M Kearn – Agenda items. 6 and 8. As a family member works for BCBC and Agenda item 12. as a member of a trade union.

Councillor P Davies - Agenda items 6. and 8 as a family member works for BCBC. Agenda item 12. as a member of a trade union.

Councillor E Winstanley – Agenda item 11. Question from Councillor S Easterbrook as an owner of two properties which incur management fees. Agenda item 11. Question from Councillor F Bletsoe as an employee of Awen who manage the venues cited in the question on behalf of BCBC. Agenda item 12. as a member of a trade union.

Councillor F Bletsoe - Agenda item 11. Question from Councillor S Easterbrook, as a resident of a housing estate that charges a management fee.

Councillor C Davies - Agenda items 6. and 8 as a family member works for BCBC. Agenda item 12. as a member of a trade union.

Councillor T Thomas - Agenda item 11. Question from Councillor S Easterbrook, as a resident of a housing estate that charges a management fee.

Councillor JP Blundell - Agenda item 12. as a member of a trade union.

Councillor M Lewis - Agenda item 6. and 9. as a member of a trade union.

Councillor J Gebbie - Agenda item 12. as a member of a trade union.

Councillor RM James – Agenda item 6. and 8. as a family member works for BCBC.

Councillor P Ford – Agenda item 12. as a member of a trade union 

Councillor RC Collins – Agenda item 12. as a member of a trade union 

Councillor HJ David – Agenda item 12. as a member of a trade union 

Councillor H Bennett – Agenda item 12. as a member of a trade union 

Councillor A Berrow - Agenda item 6. and 8. as a family member works for BCBC.

Councillor H Williams - Agenda item 12. as a member of a trade union 

Councillor R Goode - Agenda item 12. as a member of a trade union 

Councillor G Walter - Agenda item 6, 8 and 12. as a member of a trade union

Councillor J Pratt  -  Agenda item 12. as a member of a trade union 

Councillor RM Granville - Agenda item 12. as a member of a trade union  ...  view the full minutes text for item 106.

To receive for approval the minutes of 18/01/2023 and 08/02/2023

RESOLVED:                               That the Minutes of the following meetings of Council be approved as a true and accurate record:-

                                                    18 January 2023

                                                     8 February 2023

Subject to the following paragraph being added to the preamble of the decision on Agenda item 7, entitled Porthcawl Metrolink, of the Minutes dated 8 February 2023:-

‘A Member recognised and acknowledged that the Council had no option than to support the report’s proposal. She raised concerns around access rights being approved from December 2024 to December 2034 with a train provider to operate daily return services to London from Carmarthen and the impact it would have on the Community of Pencoed.

The Member sought assurance that resources would be provided for the proposal works at Penprysg level crossing due to the lack of LUF and asked that consideration be given to a Plan B to progress such needed infrastructure works.

Officers assured the Member and other local Members from Pencoed, that further resources would be sought from all the potential relevant avenues, for this purpose.’

(i) Mayor (or person presiding)

(ii) Members of the Cabinet

(iii) Chief Executive

Mayor

I have had the recent honour of meeting recipients of this year’s Mayoral Awards. There were too many people to mention, but I would just like to say that these are honest, decent folk going about their daily business, to help those less fortunate than themselves.

Together with other key members, I recently met with the Senedd member, Huw Irranca Davies to welcome the First Minister to a Maesteg based company that specialises in fire prevention, Sideris, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of fire prevention technology in tall buildings. The company has expanded, with a £6m investment, doubling their production capacity in recent years. I am sure members will join me in congratulating the company and in wishing them well in their future endeavours.

I have also attended many St. David’s Day Concerts, listening to the various choirs both within our schools and concert halls, which was a privilege. The Deputy Leader and myself also attended the High Sheriff’s Award ceremony in Pencoed with other dignitaries, where it was also a privilege to witness incredible achievements undertaken by young people, with the top award going to the Bridgend Young Carers.

Additionally, our Youth Deputy Mayor Gwynllian Williams recently collected an award for raising awareness and promoting LGBT+ and I would like to congratulate him for this.

Last Sunday I attended Nolton Church, Bridgend, to witness the blessing of the new Standard for the Ogmore Branch of the Welsh Guards. In attendance was the Kings representative for the High Sheriff, Professor Peter Vaughan, the Lord Lieutenant, together with the Bridgend Town Mayor, Councillor Tim Wood.

Finally, can I thank you all for supporting the Mayor’s Charity. The Lonely Dragon sits in the Members lounge waiting to be named. Those who wish to guess its name need to commit a £1 to the Charity, for this purpose.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member – Social Services and Early Help

I was fortunate enough to see our children’s social care workforce this morning, as we launched our practice model, Signs of Safety. I would like to reassure members that we are taking strides to address our challenges here in Bridgend and you will be receiving further information on this in due course

Bridgend County Borough Council has been marking New Family Social and LGBT+ Fostering and Adoption Week once again by encouraging members of the local community who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or other to consider adopting or fostering children in the county borough.

This time, we have been encouraging people to consider how many children they could adopt, and whether they might be able to accept sibling groups.

In Wales last year, there were more than 7,000 looked-after children, but finding adopters and foster carers for children who are also siblings can take a long time.

The service continues to welcome enquiries on fostering and adoption from the LGBTQ+ community, and in 2022, one in four applications came from same-gender couples.

This is a significant increase when compared to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 108.

I am delighted to be able to inform members that Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Social Services and Early Help, Councillor Jane Gebbie, has been presented with a prestigious national award from the Ron Todd Foundation.

Set up following the work of trade union leader Ron Todd, the foundation supports people who are living in poverty and works to prevent its root causes, promote equality and diversity, and to recognise individuals who undertake outstanding work in these areas.

Every year, it announces winners at its annual memorial lecture event, and this year has declared Councillor Gebbie to be the winner of the Ron Todd Award for Equality.

Councillor Gebbie won the award after she was nominated by no less than eleven different organisations and individuals.

The Deputy Leader has a deep-rooted commitment towards social equality, this award recognises that, and I am sure that members will join me now in offering her our warmest congratulations.

I was also delighted to attend Maesteg Sports Centre where its 40th anniversary has been marked by a £400,000 investment and the newest facilities were officially opened by the Mayor in the presence of the Cabinet Member for Wellbeing and Future Generations, Cabinet and local members.

The upgrade includes a larger gym area with new cardio machines, a dedicated strength and conditioning space, a wellness zone, a new exercise studio, additional room for training and workshops, and a new accessible changing space.

The sports centre has been a popular and well-used facility in the Llynfi Valley since March 1983, and since the council partnered with Halo Leisure in 2012, it has recorded well over one point five million users and more than a million gym workouts.

Further improvements are planned, including the soon-to-be-finished strength and conditioning zone, and I know all local members are looking forward to the additional benefits future phases of investment will deliver.

Demolition of Bridgend town centre’s former police station will begin on Monday 20 March as preparations get underway for clearing the site read for the development of the planned new Bridgend College campus.

With work expected to take up to twelve weeks, access to Cheapside and local businesses will be maintained throughout the demolition process.

Some temporary narrowing of the carriageway and minor alterations to pedestrian crossing points will be required, and the contractor has been liaising with local businesses directly to ensure that they are aware.

As you know, the site forms a significant part of our regeneration plans for Bridgend town centre. We intend to lease it to Bridgend College and enable the Cowbridge Road campus to relocate there.

The college plans to create a net-zero carbon building, with 21st century learning and teaching facilities for post-16 further and higher education in Bridgend, with community benefits including a 200-seat theatre space, design workshops and flexible meeting spaces.

It represents a £50 million investment into skills and training for the people of Bridgend County Borough which will cater for at least 1,000 staff and students.

We also  ...  view the full minutes text for item 109.

The Group Manager Human Resources and Organisational Development presented a report, the purpose of which, was to seek Council approval of the Pay Policy Statement for 2023 2024.

She advised that the Pay Policy Statement provided a framework to ensure that employees are rewarded fairly and objectively without discrimination and recognised the importance of having a clear written policy on pay for employees.

She proceeded by confirming that the Council has a statutory requirement under the Localism Act 2011 to prepare a Pay Policy Statement on an annual basis. The first statement was in place in 2012, and they have been produced annually since that year.  The statement is developed in accordance with Welsh Government guidance, added the Group Manager – Human Resources and Organisational Development. 

The focus of the legislation was about transparency of pay for Chief Officers and how their pay compares with lower paid employees in the Council.  However, in the interests of transparency and accountability the Council’s Pay Policy Statement covered all employee groups, with the exception of teachers (as their remuneration is set by Welsh Government and therefore not in local authority control).

The Pay Policy Statement also excluded Members of the Council, as they are not employees and are governed by separate legislation via the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales.

The Group Manager – Human Resources and Organisational Development stated that Members were being asked to note paragraphs 4.5 to 4.7 of the  report, which summarised the changes which have been reflected in this year’s statement, including as follows:

1. the Council’s accreditation as a Real living Wage employer and payment of the Real Living Wage - £10.90 per hour;

2. the changes to the pay structure as a result of the 2022/2023 pay award which included the deletion of spinal column point 1 from the National Joint Council pay spine, with effect from 1 April 2023.

The Pay Policy Statement was attached at Appendix 1 to the report, which set out all pay arrangements including all pay grades, related policies and the Single Status collective agreement, as well as subsequent addenda to the collective agreements.

A Member asked if there was another Policy within the Council for benefits over and above those contained in the report, such as for example, car allowances.

It was confirmed that no car benefits had been made available for any Council Officers, as a result of a Collective Agreement made in 2013 when the Authority implemented Single Status.

A Member referred to page 51 of the report and paragraph 7.5.1 and performance pay related payments. She noted that the Council did not operate performance related pay at any staffing level. There were however, a number of managerial processes in place to monitor, evaluate and manage performance. She asked if the Officer could elaborate on these and their effectiveness.

The Group Manager – Human Resources and Organisational Development stated that, there were a number of processes in place to manage staff performance levels undertaken at an employee/manager level. These included activities  ...  view the full minutes text for item 110.

The Chief Officer – Finance, Performance and Change presented a report, so as to inform Council of the requirement for Members to formally declare any related party transactions for the 2022-23 financial year by completing the declaration attached at Appendix A to the report even if it is a nil return, and that this must be completed no earlier than 31 March 2023 and returned to BCBC by Wednesday 12 April 2023.

The report gave some background information, following which, it confirmed that the requirement to declare related party transactions is not new within the Statement of Accounts. Audit Wales scrutinised these returns closely as part of their audit of the Statement of Accounts and have recommended that the Council should:

• formally remind all Councillors of the importance of completing and submitting their annual related party return by the deadline set by the Finance Department; and

• ensure that any outstanding related party returns are always pursued  promptly.

The Chief Officer – Finance, Performance and Change added that this report was therefore to inform Members of the requirement to complete the declaration attached at Appendix A, with reference to the guidance attached at Appendix B, by 12 April 2023. It was essential that the form was completed as at 31 March 2023 and covered the full financial year or period for which the individual was a Member of the Council.

Members should note that a copy of the declaration will be emailed separately to their Bridgend County Borough Council email address for completion and return.

RESOLVED:                                   That Council noted the requirement for  Members to:

·         formally declare any related party transactions for the 2022-23 financial year;

·         complete and date the return no earlier than 31 March 2023;

·         submit the return the same by Wednesday 12 April 2023

The Human Resources (HR) Service Centre Manager presented a report, in order to seek Council approval for the following 3 local government pension policies:

•           Discretions Policy

•           Early Retirement, Ill Health and Redundancy Policy

•           Flexible Retirement Policy

He advised that as part of the review of HR policies, the 3 pension policies have been updated with a small number of proposed changes.

He confirmed that Trade Union colleagues had been consulted on the amended policies and the three recognised trade unions had confirmed their support in relation to the changes.

The HR Service Centre Manager then briefly outlined the respective policies and their changes.

Discretions Policy

In reviewing this policy, it is proposed to introduce Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contribution (SCAVC) pension arrangement for LGPS members.

This will be implemented through a salary sacrifice scheme, which means that employees will receive tax and national insurance relief.

The Council would also make savings through reduced employer national insurance contributions

Early Retirement, Ill Health Retirement and Redundancy Policy

The revised policy has been updated to reflect the current organisational roles and strengthens the position in relation to re-engagement of leavers under certain circumstances.

Flexible Retirement Policy

The revised policy provides more flexibility for part-time employees to apply for flexible retirement.

RESOLVED:                                   That Council approved:

•           the Discretions Policy (Appendix 1 to the report)

•           the Early Retirement, Ill Health Retirement and Redundancy Policy   (at Appendix 2)

•           the Flexible Retirement Policy (at Appendix 3)

The Monitoring Officer submitted a report, the purpose of which, was to advise Council of the Annual Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales in respect of the level and range of remuneration the Authority must make available to its elected members for the 2023/24 municipal year.

She explained that the Panel’s Determinations for 2023/24 were shown at page 19 of the Annual Report (attached as Appendix 1 to the covering report).

Section 153 of the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011 empowers the Panel to require a relevant authority to comply with the requirements imposed on it by the IRWP Annual Report.

The Panel’s Annual Report 2023/24 proposed some changes to the current remuneration prescribed for elected members at Principal (County Borough) and Town and Community Council levels. The following paragraphs summarised the key elements of the Report applicable to principal councils.

• Basic salaries (to increase to £17,600 – the Monitoring Officer advised that it was the gift of members whether or not to accept such increase);
• Salaries paid to Senior, Civic and Presiding members of principal councils (see paragraph 4.3.2 of the report for further information);

The Monitoring Officer confirmed that there were no further changes to the payments and benefits paid to elected members and therefore, all other Determinations as set out in the 2022 to 2023 Report, still stood and should be applied in 2023 to 2024, including those covering:

•           Travel and subsistence

•           Care and personal assistance

•           Sickness absence

•           Assistants to the Executive

•           Additional salaries and Job-sharing arrangements

•           Co-opted members.

• Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committees (The salary of a chair of a Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee will be £8,800 and £4,400 for a vice-chair.  There are no other changes)

The Authority must implement the Panel’s determinations in this report from the date specified within the Annual Report (April 2023).

The Monitoring Officer concluded by stating that the Panel will monitor the compliance with the determinations in its Annual Report by relevant authorities against those requirements detailed in paragraph 4.5.2 of the report.

RESOLVED:                                   That Council noted  the Annual Report     for 2023/24 and approved:

(1)        The adoption of the relevant Determinations of the Panel contained  within the Annual Report (attached as Appendix 1 to the report);

(2)        Those posts (shown in the revised Members’ Schedule of Remuneration at Schedule 1 of Appendix 2) who will receive a senior / civic salary;

(3)        The revised Members’ Schedule of Remuneration (Appendix 2) and for it to become effective from 1 April 2023;

(4)        That the Members’ Schedule of Remuneration be updated with any changes to senior / civic salary positions subsequently made by Council during the 2023/24 municipal year.

The Chief Officer Legal and Regulatory Services, HR and Corporate Policy, reported on the Information Report which had been published since the last meeting of Council.

RESOLVED:                                         That Council acknowledged the publication of the document listed in the report.

Councillor Richard Collins to the Cabinet Member Wellbeing & Future Generations

I welcomed the opportunity to view the exciting work underway to refurbish and improve Maesteg Sports Centre. Please can the Cabinet Member update us on progress to complete the scheme.

Councillor Steven Easterbrook to the Leader

Management companies operating on Bridgend for residents of new build housing estates have for a number of years been taking a management fee, yet have failed to carry out the maintenance. Issues that have occurred and needed resolving range from street lighting, road repairs, sweeping of leaf litter from gullies and boundary maintenance of hedges. Residents are not only charged Council Tax at the same rate as every other householder but are also subject to this additional fee to a third party maintenance company, there are often issues for residents contacting these companies with contacts within the company not responding to emails, yet residents are still expected to pay the fee every year that varies from house to house. Does the Leader feel that this acceptable that residents in this Borough are charged twice for the same service offered by two separate entities, when it appears neither are delivering a service residents are paying for.

Councillor Martin Williams to the Leader

Junction 36 of the M4 is a notorious bottleneck which causes congestion, restricts development & investment opportunities to the north of our county and causes misery to residents in neighbouring communities, which are being used as increasingly dangerous rat runs. Could the Leader please outline what efforts this authority has made to improve junction 36 and the surrounding highway network (including re-consideration of the once proposed Bryncethin by-pass) to alleviate the traffic issues once and for all.

Councillor Freya Bletsoe to the Cabinet Member Regeneration

In light of the recent announcement that Porthcawl Grand Pavilion will see significant investment from the Central Government “levelling up funding” and the ongoing improvements to Maesteg Town Hall, what undertaking will the cabinet member for regeneration give to all residents in all corners of our Borough that we will see our own county wide “levelling up” that will ensure a full and equitable investment in all areas of our Boroughs cultural heritage?

Councillor RC Collins to the Cabinet Member – Wellbeing and Future Generations

I welcomed the opportunity to view the exciting work underway to refurbish and improve Maesteg Sports Centre. Please can the Cabinet Member update us on progress to complete the scheme?

Response

Thank you for the question regarding the refurbishments of Maesteg Sports centre and also Pencoed Library. Firstly, at Maesteg, this is an exciting project and the result of a number of years of work behind the scenes to access funding to support this development through BCBC, Halo and Sport Wales Capital funding. The centre helped to support the covid vaccination programme and has been identifying how it can further build centre usage since the easing of restrictions on the leisure sector.

The first phase of the works were officially opened on the 1st March 2023 by the Mayor of Bridgend County Borough, Cllr Martyn Jones, the Leader of the Council, Cllr Huw David and myself also accompanied by local members who had been invited. The centre was also celebrating its 40th birthday since opening as a leisure venue.

The most recent works have seen the start of the creation of the new fitness and wellbeing spaces within the site which will grow into a new 54 station fitness and wellbeing area which is twice as big as the previous space. The design has included new toilet provision including an accessible toilet and new ventilation system. This work has taken place within an area of the former Y Llynfi reference library that is planned to migrate to Maesteg Town Hall.This area is now already in use by the public and receiving positive comments.

The next stage of the works will see the redesign of the original and smaller gym space to become a functional fitness area by the middle of April and the mezzanine floor to be a wellbeing area with a focus on a range of health and community programmes being delivered for residents.

These works will then continue through the building with the changing areas being redecorated with new showering facilities, lighting and flooring. This will be complemented by a change to the current family provision making it a “changing places” style space with improved accessibility and still allowing family access alongside towards the end of May

The final stages of the works over the coming months will see the construction of 2 flexible multi use rooms in former office space and another area alongside the previous soft play section towards the end of June. This will allow multiple partner events such as training, meetings and delivery of targeted support such as the health board supported Joint Care Programme amongst others as the centre develops a wider diversity of services.

These works are also underpinned by energy investments into new lighting and energy reduction elements as part of our commitment to the council reducing the carbon footprint.

The works cost when completed will be in excess of £400,000 and when achieved will mean over £500,000 has  ...  view the full minutes text for item 115.

MOTION ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT PAY TO COUNCIL: A FULLY FUNDED, PROPER PAY RISE FOR COUNCIL AND SCHOOL WORKERS

This council notes:

·        Local government has endured central government funding cuts of more than 50% since 2010. Between 2010 and 2020, councils lost 60p out of every £1 they have received from central Westminster government.

·        New research by UNISON has shown that councils across England, Wales and Scotland are facing a collective funding shortfall of £3bn by the financial year 2023/24 and a cumulative funding gap of £5bn by 2024/25.

·        At a local level, Bridgend County Borough Council has made savings totalling nearly £73m since 2010 / 2011. This represents almost 23% of the Council’s current net revenue budget

·        Councils led the way in efforts against the Covid-19 pandemic, providing a huge range of services and support for our communities. Local government has shown more than ever how indispensable it is. But Covid has led to a massive increase in expenditure and loss of income, and as we emerge from the pandemic, local authorities and schools need far more support from Westminster. Recent funding announcements from the Westminster Government relating to schools did nothing to help.

·        Council and school workers kept our communities safe through the pandemic, often putting themselves at considerable risk as they work to protect public health, provide quality housing, ensure our children continue to be educated, and look after older and vulnerable people. Since 2010, the local government workforce has endured years of pay restraint with the majority of pay points losing at least 25 per cent of their value since 2009/10. Staff are now facing the worst cost of living crisis in a generation, with inflation hitting 10% and many having to make impossible choices between food, heating, and other essentials. This is a terrible situation for anyone to find themselves in.

·        At the same time, workers have experienced ever-increasing workloads and persistent job insecurity. Across the UK, 900,000 jobs have been lost in local government since June 2010 – a reduction of more than 30 per cent. Local government has arguably been hit by more severe job losses than any other part of the public sector.

·        There has been a disproportionate impact on women, with women making up more than three-quarters of the local government workforce.

·        Recent research shows that if the Westminster Government were to fully fund the unions’ 2023 pay claim, around half of the money would be recouped thanks to increased tax revenue, reduced expenditure on benefits and tax credits, and increased consumer spending in the local economy.

This council believes:

1.     Our workers are public service super-heroes. They keep our communities clean and safe, look after those in need and keep our towns and cities running.

2.     Without the professionalism and dedication of our staff, the council services our residents rely on would not be deliverable.

3.     Local government workers deserve a proper real-terms pay increase. The Westminster Government needs to take responsibility and fully fund this increase; it should not put  ...  view the full agenda text for item 116.

The above members in turn, gave verbal submissions, outlining their reasons behind supporting the following Notice of Motion:-

“MOTION ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT PAY TO COUNCIL: A FULLY FUNDED, PROPER PAY RISE FOR COUNCIL AND SCHOOL WORKERS

This council notes:

·         Local government has endured central government funding cuts of more than 50% since 2010. Between 2010 and 2020, councils lost 60p out of every £1 they have received from central Westminster government.

·         New research by UNISON has shown that councils across England, Wales and Scotland are facing a collective funding shortfall of £3bn by the financial year 2023/24 and a cumulative funding gap of £5bn by 2024/25.

·         At a local level, Bridgend County Borough Council has made savings totalling nearly £73m since 2010 / 2011. This represents almost 23% of the Council’s current net revenue budget

·         Councils led the way in efforts against the Covid-19 pandemic, providing a huge range of services and support for our communities. Local government has shown more than ever how indispensable it is. But Covid has led to a massive increase in expenditure and loss of income, and as we emerge from the pandemic, local authorities and schools need far more support from Westminster. Recent funding announcements from the Westminster Government relating to schools did nothing to help.

·         Council and school workers kept our communities safe through the pandemic, often putting themselves at considerable risk as they work to protect public health, provide quality housing, ensure our children continue to be educated, and look after older and vulnerable people. Since 2010, the local government workforce has endured years of pay restraint with the majority of pay points losing at least 25 per cent of their value since 2009/10. Staff are now facing the worst cost of living crisis in a generation, with inflation hitting 10% and many having to make impossible choices between food, heating, and other essentials. This is a terrible situation for anyone to find themselves in.

·         At the same time, workers have experienced ever-increasing workloads and persistent job insecurity. Across the UK, 900,000 jobs have been lost in local government since June 2010 – a reduction of more than 30 per cent. Local government has arguably been hit by more severe job losses than any other part of the public sector.

·         There has been a disproportionate impact on women, with women making up more than three-quarters of the local government workforce.

·         Recent research shows that if the Westminster Government were to fully fund the unions’ 2023 pay claim, around half of the money would be recouped thanks to increased tax revenue, reduced expenditure on benefits and tax credits, and increased consumer spending in the local economy.

This council believes:

1.    Our workers are public service super-heroes. They keep our communities clean and safe, look after those in need and keep our towns and cities running.

2.    Without the professionalism and dedication of our staff, the council services our residents rely on would not be deliverable.

3.    Local government workers deserve a proper  ...  view the full minutes text for item 116.

To consider any item(s) of business in respect of which notice has been given in accordance with Part 4 (paragraph 4) of the Council Procedure Rules and which the person presiding at the meeting is of the opinion should by reason of special circumstances be transacted at the meeting as a matter of urgency. 

None.