To receive apologies for absence (to include reasons, where appropriate) from Members/Officers

Apologies for absence were received from the following Members / Officers for the reasons so stated:

Councillor E P Foley – Holiday

Councillor J C Spanswick – Holiday

Councillor E Dodd – Holiday

Councillor R Jenkins – Holiday

Councillor D Pugh –  Work Commitments

Councillor C L Jones – Family Commitments

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

None

To receive for approval the Minutes of an Ordinary meeting of Council dated 17 June 2015

RESOLVED:                That the minutes of the meeting of Council of 17 June 2015 be approved as a true and accurate record subject to the amendment of missing Members on the attendance list

(i)            Mayor (or person presiding)

(ii)           Members of the Cabinet

(iii)          Chief Executive

MAYORAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The Mayor informed Council that Bridgend County Borough Council recently participated in the national one minute silence held in memory of those who lost their lives during the Tunisian terrorist attack.  He added that he was sure that members would agree that now more than ever, we need to show solidarity and support.

He informed Council that he had written to the Tunisian Embassy in London and had received a short but apt response from Ambassador Nabil Ammar that he shared with Members.  It read “You have said everything that is to be said in your kind letter of sympathy and support. While expressing to you my deepest condolences for those of your fellow citizens horribly killed and injured, please receive my warmest thanks and best regards.”

The Mayor informed Council that he had recently had a site visit to Parc Prison which involved a royal visit from His Royal Highness Prince Charles who was there to view the prison gardens and the Prince’s Trust project that was seeking to rehabilitate offenders by getting them involved with football.   He added that TV royalty was also present in the form of popular presenters Ant and Dec; he further added it was a great opportunity to highlight what important work was taking place to help people stay out of trouble and succeed in life.

The Mayor informed Council that on the 10^th July he saw an emotional service held at Heronsbridge School as part of the 2015 National Holocaust Memorial commemorations. He explained that the event was aimed at schools and saw representative pupils from every secondary school in the area meet holocaust survivor Eva Clarke, who spoke about her experiences.   He stated that as the theme for this year’s HMD is ‘keeping the memory alive’, a plaque and a tree was planted in the grounds at Heronsbridge and each school received a ‘remembrance stone’ which they were able to write on and place at the foot of the tree.  He added that this year was especially relevant as it marked the 70^th anniversary of the liberation of the notorious camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau, as well as the 20^th anniversary of the Bosnian genocide. He asked that Members joined him in congratulating everyone who played a part in organising the extremely sensitive and moving event.

The Mayor was pleased to confirm that the charities he would be supporting during his mayoral year would be the Bridgend branch of Mental Health Matters Wales, the Guy Chappell Cardio-Respiratory Investigation Unit at the Princess of Wales Hospital, the Bridge Mentoring Plus Scheme and Ysgol Bryn Castell. He added that they are all very worthy causes and was looking forward to raising money on their behalf that will benefit local people in Bridgend County Borough.

Finally, he stated that although it was still July, at the end of the month he had to give the Grand Pavilion in Porthcawl a broad idea of how many tickets the Authority would need to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 508.

The Leader announced he was proud to have seen how the people of Bridgend County Borough turned out in great numbers for the recent Armed Forces Day parade.  He added the town centre streets were packed with people of all ages who sent a clear sign of their support and respect, he stated that this year’s celebration was particularly appropriate as 2015 has also marked the 70^th anniversary of V.E Day, he extended his sincere gratitude, respect, admiration and appreciation to all past and present members of the armed forces and their families. 

The Leader informed Members that nominations had closed for the current years’ Bridgend Business Forum Awards which would be held at the Coed Y Mwstwr Hotel on 18 September 2015. He added that this year a record number of nominations had been received across a range of categories that include the all-new tourism business of the year.  He added that the annual awards which were fully sponsored by private sector organisations are a great way of showcasing the strength of businesses within the area.  They are organised by the Bridgend Business Forum with support from the Authority; he asked that if Members knew of any businesses in their wards that were not involved in the awards to urge them to look into joining. He further added that membership was free and the forum would provide excellent networking opportunities, workshops, business advice and more which is all designed to help strengthen the overall economic heart of the County Borough. 

The Leader informed Members that Bridgend town centre had become the only town in Wales to secure a place in a popular UK wide competition intended to inspire a new generation of young entrepreneurs.  He stated the Council and Bridgend College has teamed up to host the Welsh heat of Test Town 2015 which was an enterprise challenge which would offer innovative young people the chance to test out their business ideas for real.  Aimed at 16 to 30 year olds, the competition would be held over four days in November and would coincide with Global Entrepreneurship Week 2015.  He added that the Bridgend competition entailed setting up a pop up youth enterprise market in the town centre so the young entrepreneurs would have an opportunity to sell and showcase their products and services which will be supported by a variety of workshops and support from established retailers and businesses.  He further added that securing the event is a coup for the area and a great way for young people to nurture their business talents.  He stated that the winner of the Welsh heat would go through to the UK Test Town Grand Final in 2016 with a chance of winning £10,000 towards their new business venture.

This item will be accompanied by a Presentation from the Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing

The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing submitted a report for approval from Council and requested that Members noted the judgements reached locally about Social Care Services in Bridgend.  She also provided Council with a comprehensive presentation on the Annual Report for 2014/15. 

She explained the Annual Council Reporting Framework procedures which were:

·         The Care and Social Services Inspectorate , Wales (CSSIW) has arrangements in place for the inspection, evaluation and review of local authority social services

·         The Framework provides the foundations of the Authorities duty to report on the whole circle of care from commissioning, contracting, and assessment care management to service provision and states that:

Ø  The authorities themselves will report annually on progress and outcomes and their plan for improvement.

Ø  The Inspectorate will undertake a review and analysis of evidence underpinning the annual report including evidence from other inspectors and regulators

Ø  The analysis will result in an individual inspection and review plan for each authority

·       This is the sixth Annual Report of the Director of Social Services

The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing explained the Annual Council Reporting process which is:

•       Each Group Manager/service lead undertakes a review of their service area – with reference to the key areas of priority from the previous year

•       A comprehensive report is written for each service area

•       All statements made are supported by evidence

•       Individual reports and evidence is submitted to CSSIW by 31May each year

•       Individual reports are used to compile two Heads of Service reports

•       The final report, taking into account scrutiny comments, is presented to Council and submitted to CSSIW

The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing informed Council of the key facts in Social Care in Bridgend.  She stated that:

•       Social Services in Bridgend aims to provide a range of support and services that are responsive and proportionate to need whilst also ensuring that children and adults are safeguarded and protected from harm.

•       The Authorities vision is to actively promote independence, wellbeing and choice that will support individuals in achieving their full potential.

•       The Social Services and Wellbeing Directorate are responsible for the planning, commissioning, assessment and, where appropriate, the direct provision of:

Ø  Physical and learning disability services

Ø  Mental Health services

Ø  Services for older people

Ø  Services for people with dementia

Ø  Support to children in need

Ø  Services for looked after children and  children on the child protection register

Ø  Support to care leavers

•       There are 1236 staff (some part time) in the directorate (975 in ASC, 183 in safeguarding, 25 in Sport, Play and Active wellbeing and 53 in business support)

•       The directorate’s budget is £62m (£59m for social services)

•       4718 people were supported (in the community) of these 32% were between 18 and 64 and 68% were over 65.

•       2299 people received a telecare package

•       Over 2100 referrals were received for Primary Mental Health Services 

•       7058 referrals and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 510.

The Head of Finance and ICT reported an update on the Capital Programme and sought approval to present a report to Council for a revised capital programme for 2015-16 to 2024-25. 

He reminded Council that in February 2015 they had approved a capital programme for 2014-15 to 2024-25 of £153,014m, and he highlighted changes to the programme to reflect funding changes to some schemes, slippage from 2014-15, additional external funding approvals and changes to expenditure profiles. 

He reported that a number of schemes for which funding had been identified, required approval for inclusion in the capital programme on the Shopmobility; Joint Vehicle Maintenance; West Park Primary School and Studio 34 schemes.  He informed Cabinet that a revised capital programme allowing for the proposed changes along with anticipated slippage from 2014-15, additional external funding approvals and changes to expenditure profiles. 

The Head of Finance and ICT reported that if there was insufficient funding from clawback the £250k for the provision of a temporary classroom at West Park Primary School is funded from the School Modernisation Retention.   

The Corporate Director Education and Transformation informed Council of the position regarding school surpluses which could be claw backed and that she would be meeting Head Teachers next week to discuss school surpluses.   

Members asked for Cabinet to reconsider the process of clawback of surplus school balances.  They suggested that schools are suffering as a result of the clawback being on an annual basis.  The Deputy Leader agreed that Cabinet will discuss the issue. 

RESOLVED:                That Council approved the Capital Programme and if there was insufficient funding from clawback the £250k for the provision of a temporary classroom at West Park Primary School be funded from the School Modernisation Retention budget.

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

The Head of Safeguarding thanked BCBC for their dedication and generosity of staff that he worked closely with.  He thanked all officers for the fantastic job they do.  He added that his team are appropriately challenged and he respected the difference of opinion amongst Members and Officers. He further added that he had many positive memories of working for BCBC and added his thanks to the Leader and Deputy