To receive apologies for absence from Members/Officers for the reasons so stated.

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

Councillor S Aspey – Work Commitment

Councillor P A Davies – Holiday

Councillor D K Edwards - Holiday

Councillor N Farr – Holiday

Councillor E P Foley – Holiday

Councillor A D Owen – Work Commitment

Councillor H J Townsend – Unwell. 

Councillor P James – Hospital Appointment

Councillor C J James – Hospital Appointment

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. 

Councillor G Phillips declared a personal interest under agenda item 4(ii) in the announcement made by the Deputy Leader in relation to the accreditation achieved by the Catering Services Team as his wife is employed as a trainer / supervisor in the Catering Service.    

To receive the minutes of a meeting of Council dated 2 September 2015

RESOLVED:               That the minutes of the ordinary meeting of Council of 2                                          September 2015 be accepted as true and accurate record. 

 (i) Mayor (or person presiding)

(ii) Members of the Cabinet

(iii) Chief Executive

MAYORAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Mayor hoped that Members are enjoying the Rugby World Cup as he is and it was fitting that Wales’ recent victory has coincided with a new initiative that is encouraging young people to read and exercise more by presenting every child who borrows a library book during the World Cup with collectable cards featuring a rugby-themed superhero.  The cards were created after pupils from Caerau and Litchard primary schools worked with local illustrator Rianne Rowlands.  With 20 cards to collect in total, the characters range from Prop-er-Sassy, Captain Hooker, Kee-run and Mog the Handsome Scrum Frog.  Swop shops are being set up at local libraries where children can meet to exchange their cards, listen to stories and much more. Details of this very creative scheme and cards could be found by visiting the libraries page on the Council’s website.

The Mayor announced that he was delighted to attend the recent unveiling of Porthcawl’s first Blue Plaque commemorating the area’s historic links with the Dyffryn Llynfi railway line and the South Wales coal industry.  The plaque has been installed at Station Hill as part of a project led by the Porthcawl SHOUT forum which the Council has supported.  He stated that the town of Porthcawl had a long association with the railway, from the coal deliveries that began nearly 200 years ago to the steam trains bringing holidaymakers to the town.  He stated that the Blue Plaque is a fantastic focal point and a reminder of the town’s heritage and he commended the enthusiasm and drive that has been shown by the members of Porthcawl SHOUT to bring this idea to fruition. 

The Mayor thanked everyone who had attended the civic service at Nolton Church and gave special thanks to chaplain Father Comor for conducting the service, and the Ogmore Silver Band and local singing group Harmony for providing music during the ceremony.  He stated that it was a wonderful day and he hoped Members enjoyed the service as much as he and his Consort did.

He also informed Members that this Friday night, he will be hosting a Russian choir at All Saints Church in Porthcawl in aid of the mayoral charity appeal.  Some places are still available and tickets could be obtained from Councillor Marlene Thomas and Mari Major.

MEMBERS OF THE CABINET

Deputy Leader

The Deputy Leader announced that recent figures from the Central South Consortium Joint Committee have demonstrated that schools across the Central South Wales region have risen above the national average in 2015 as a result of the hard work of pupils, parents, teachers and school staff.  He stated that provisional GCSE results for schools in areas that include Bridgend County Borough indicate that the percentage of pupils achieving five GCSE passes at grades A* - C including English/Welsh and mathematics has improved from 47.8 per cent in 2012 to 58.1 per cent in 2015.  Teacher assessment outcomes demonstrate that pupil performance at foundation phase and key stage two has also improved  ...  view the full minutes text for item 529.

The Leader reminded Members that tomorrow is the final day for making their feelings known about the proposed closure of Bridgend Magistrates Court as part of a review by the Ministry of Justice.  He stated that not only would the closure of this building force people to travel to Cardiff and not be in the interests of justice, it would have a direct impact on Council staffing costs and the ability to fund public protection litigation as well as access for criminal and childcare litigation issues.  He urged Members take part in the official consultation before 8 October, which can be found at www.gov.uk\m-o-j

The Leader announced that more than 200 local businesses took part in the recent Bridgend Business Forum Awards and the quality of entries was again highly impressive.  He stated the Council is keen to encourage enterprise and the Bridgend Business Forum Awards is an excellent example of how it can help showcase the fantastic talent and skills we have in the local business community.  Among the winners were T? Elis Porthcawl Counselling Service, LouChi’s Tearoom, Best Western Heronston Hotel and Spa, ITCS Ltd, Nemein Limited and Customised Sheet Metal Limited who won Manufacturing Business of the Year, the Creative Industries Award, and the overall Bridgend Business of the Year 2015.  Geraint Robson and Caitlyn Corless of Ddraig Valley Farm Park won Business Student of the Year, and Suzanne Bourne of Nemein Limited was named Entrepreneur of the Year.  He stated that it was interesting to see how local businesses are continuing to be vibrant and innovative, and he congratulated everyone who participated or helped organise this event.

The Leader also announced the recent news that Ford Bridgend has been selected for the production of a range of new, fuel efficient petrol engines.  The move will safeguard up to 750 jobs following an investment of £181m and demonstrates ongoing confidence in the area.  It will help to secure the future of the plant and its workforce and is a real boost for the County Borough.  He stated the area has long been identified with major names such as Bridgend Ford and this latest news exemplifies the many advantages that the area can offer.  He had been informed by the Cabinet Member Regeneration and Economic Development that that the Bridgend engine plant has been open now for 35 years and employs a total of 1,860 staff who produce 3,400 engines a day, which equates to one every 24 seconds. 

The Chief Executive presented the Council’s Annual Report 2014-15, which evaluated the Council’s performance against the priorities set in the Corporate Plan 2013-17 and also reiterated the Council’s Improvement Objectives (priorities) for 2015-16.  He reported that the Annual Report was prepared in order to meet the requirements of the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2009, which summarised how well the Council did in progressing these priorities in 2014-15.  He stated that the Council had carried out to completion 47 (81%) of its 58 commitments and missed only marginally in a further 11 (19%).  Targets had been set for 62 of the 69 indicators included in the Corporate plan, with 44 (71%) of the 62 indicators meeting their target, 9 (14.5%) missed the target by more than 10%.  He informed Council that it had successfully managed both revenue and capital budgets and achieved the savings target. 

The Chief Executive informed Council that Annual Report also evaluates the Council’s performance against the 43 national indicators and the Council in 2014-15 is among the five local authorities in Wales that had improved the most and among the nine that had performed the best. 

The Chief Executive reported that once approved, the Annual Report would be published on the Council’s website and shared with stakeholders.

A member of Council stated that she would like to see improvements in that children in receipt of free school meals have as much success throughout their education as those who do not receive free school meals as it was not consistent across all schools as the gap had widened in the academic year 2013-14 of pupils achieving GCSE A*-C in English or Welsh first language and Mathematics.  The Deputy Leader informed Council that 50% of pupils in receipt of free school meals had achieved 5 GCSEs Grade A*-C in English / Welsh and mathematics in 2014-15 and that the gap had been narrowed across the authorities which made up the Consortium.    

A member of Council questioned whether the target set by 2017 that every school was improving at a faster rate so that at least two thirds of young people achieve a minimum of 5 GCSEs Grade A*-C in English / Welsh and Mathematics was realistic.  The Deputy Leader informed Council that there is a significant difference across secondary schools, however the three schools which were the lowest performing had seen improvements but middle ranked schools had not seen improvements.  The Head of Strategy Partnerships and Commissioning informed Council that a lot of the data for this year’s GCSE results had yet to be validated but results in Bridgend had seen greater improvements than the authority’s partners in the Consortium.  The Chief Executive informed Council that some of the targets had been designed in order that there was a deliberate push behind them.  He stated that the data included in the Annual report was historic and that the performance for achieving GCSEs would be reflected in the Corporate Plan, which could be looked at by the Children and Young  ...  view the full minutes text for item 531.

The Corporate Director Resources sought approval for a revised capital programme 2015-16 to 2024-25. 

She informed Council that it had approved a capital programme for 2024-25 in February 2015 of £153,014m, which was subsequently revised by Council at its meeting in July 2015 to reflect funding changes to some schemes, slippage from 2014-15, additional external funding approvals and changes to expenditure profiles.  The Corporate Director Resources highlighted changes to the programme to reflect further funding changes, additional external funding approvals and changes to expenditure profiles since July 2015.   

The Corporate Director Resources reported that the Council had been rigorously pursuing an enhanced disposal strategy over the past eighteen months and as at 31 March 2015 held capital receipts of £14.5m and of this figure £1m arose from the disposal of school sites earmarked for the 21^st Century Schools Programme.  A further £5.3m was supporting commitments already in the capital programme leaving £8.2m available to support the Council’s capital investment requirements. 

The Corporate Director Resources also reported that in addition to the £8.2m capital receipts available now more are forecast in the current financial year, with the target being £6m for 2015-16, of this £2m is for the 21^st Century Schools Programme.  As part of the review of the MTFS it would also identify and prioritise investment pressures against the available capital receipts that have been realised up to January 2016 for inclusion in the MTFS.  Decisions were needed in the meantime before February 2016 on a number of schemes that meet the Council’s proposed new corporate priorities in relation to rationalising the Administrative Estate, by committing investment to agile working and improvements to the external envelope of the Civic Offices.  The total capital investment needed to deliver agile working was estimated (subject to procurement) to be £1.217m, however no capital expenditure would be incurred until a tenant for the whole of the Raven’s Court building had been secured.  The total estimated cost of works to the external envelope of Civic Offices (subject to procurement and detailed feasibility) to replace the roof and windows, repair the parapets and clean/protect the stonework is £2.55m, including fees and a 10% contingency. 

The Corporate Director Resources also reported on the requirements of the 21^st Century Schools Programme in relation to the amalgamation of the Mynydd Cynffig and Junior Schools in that there is £4.5m built into the capital programme.  The Corporate Director resources informed Council that the Welsh Government had committed to fund 50% (£22.475m) of the total cost of the 21^st Century Schools Programme with the Council meeting the remaining 50%, this being met from core allocations of £5m, anticipated Section 106 funding of £4m and projected receipts from the sale of school and other sites of £13.475m.  She stated following a review of the receipts likely to be realised from the sale of school sites it was estimated that there would be a match funding shortfall of around £1.1m.  There was also a risk of further shortfalls  ...  view the full minutes text for item 532.

            The Section 151 Officer reported that the Council’s Treasury Management activities were regulated by the Local Government Act 2003 which provided the powers to borrow and invest as well as providing controls and limits on this activity.  The Local Authorities (Capital Finance and Accounting) (Wales) Regulations 2003 as amended, develops the controls and powers within the Act.  The Council is required to    operate the overall treasury function with regard to the CIPFA Code of Practice for Treasury Management in the Public Services.

The Section 151 Officer reported on the treasury position for 2014-15 which showed £19.25m as maturing in 2054 which related to Lender’s Option Borrower’s Option loans.  The Section 151 Officer stated that the long term liabilities figure of £21.58m as at 31 March 2015 included £19.30m for the Council’s Private Finance Initiative (PFI) arrangement for the provision of a secondary school in Maesteg.  Included in this figure is the short term liability of £0.51m included as current financial liabilities in the Council’s balance sheet in the Statement of Accounts.

The Section 151 Officer reported that the Co-operative Bank had announced that they did not wish to support local government banking beyond 2015-16 and therefore a bank retendering exercise was undertaken in 2014 with Barclays bank being appointed the Council’s bankers with effect from 5 January 2015.    

The Section 151 Officer reported that the Treasury Management function had been reviewed by the Council’s External Auditors, KPMG and by Internal Audit during 2014-15, which found many key positives and no areas of concern and one of “substantial assurance” of the areas selected for examination, with no control weaknesses identified and no recommendations were made. 

            The Council’s Treasury Management advisers were currently Arlingclose who provided the services indicated in the report to the Council.  The Section 151 Officer referred to the Treasury Management Strategy which set out the parameters for the management of risks associated with Financial Instruments.  The Council also produces Treasury Management Practices specifying the practical arrangements to be followed to manage these risks.  The Borrowing Strategy for 2014-15 was based on the Bank rate remaining at 0.50% for 2014-15.  Given the significant cuts to public expenditure and in particular to local government funding, the Council’s borrowing strategy continues to address the key issue of affordability without comprising the longer term stability of the debt portfolio.  The uncertainty over future interest rates increases the risks associated with treasury activity with short term interest rates currently much lower than long term rates.  Short term and variable rate loans expose the Council to the risk of short term interest rate rises and are therefore subject to the limit on the net exposure to variable interest rates as shown in the treasury management indicators.  The Council’s primary objective for the management of its debt was to ensure its long term affordability, with the majority of its loans borrowed from the Public Works Loan Board at long term fixed rates of interest, with no long or short term borrowing taken in 2014-15.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 533.

The Group Manager Development presented the report of the Corporate Director Communities on the outcome of the consultation exercise on the draft Affordable Housing Supplementary Guidance (SPG) document and sought endorsement of the proposed amendments to the draft document and adoption of the amended version as SPG to the Bridgend Local Development Plan. 

He reported that the Development Control Committee at its meeting on 3 September 2015 considered representations received during public consultation, endorsed the reasoned responses, decisions and changes to the draft Affordable Housing Supplementary Housing Supplementary Planning Guidance and recommended that Council adopts SPG13 – Affordable Housing as Supplementary Planning Guidance to the adopted Bridgend Local Development Plan. 

The Group Manager Development reported that following a 6 week period of public consultation three individuals and external organisations had submitted comments on the draft SPG.  He stated that responses to those representations had been included in the Consultation Report and he summarised the main areas of change in the document arising from the consultation. 

A member of Council requested clarification as to how the percentages had been arrived at for the provision of affordable housing Market Area targets and how the percentage for affordable housing had been arrived at in a recent housing development in Newton.  The Group Manager Development informed Council that the development in Newton was funded entirely by a Registered Social Landlord and there was no contribution required for affordable housing.  Other development in Porthcawl would be subject to a 30% contribution to affordable housing.  The Deputy Leader informed Council that he had recently visited that development and he was pleased that all the residents accommodated within the development are from the County Borough, many of whom had seen their lives transformed.  The Cabinet Member Adult Social Care and Wellbeing commented that the percentage targets varied due to the attractiveness of areas for developers. 

The Cabinet Member Communities in commending the Supplementary Planning Guidance and that housing development was subject to a Housing needs Assessment to determine where there is need.  

A member of Council requested that Brackla be listed in the areas showing Housing Sub Markets in Appendix A.         

A member of Council commented on the sustainability of the 30% target for affordable housing in rural areas and the need for consideration to be given to develop housing near to amenities such as bus routes, railway stations and to shops as people living in rural locations could have difficulty in accessing any of these amenities.  The Group Manager Development informed Council that all housing has to be sustainable and there was a general presumption against development in the countryside.  He stated that the same principle was adopted for affordable housing as with all housing.  The SPG and LDP does allow provision of affordable off site or to be pooled elsewhere. 

RESOLVED:               That Council:

(1)  Considered the representations received and endorsed the suggested reasoned responses, decisions and changes to the draft Affordable Housing Supplementary Guidance;

(2)  Adopted SPG 13 – Affordable Housing (as amended) as Supplementary  ...  view the full minutes text for item 534.

The Monitoring Officer reported that a number of vacancies have arisen on the Standards Committee and appointments were necessary to fill these vacancies.

He stated that three vacancies for Independent Members and one vacancy for a Town and Community Council Member and Council had previously delegated authority to him to oversee a recruitment process and to report to Council the outcome of those appointments.

He reported that following interviews by the Standards Committee of candidates the following appointments were made:

·         Mr Clifford Jones, Independent Member with effect from October 2015;

·         Mrs Judith Kiely, Independent Member with effect from October 2015;

·         Mr Jeff Baker,  Independent Member with effect from February 2016;

·         Cllr Alana Davies, Town and Community Councillor Member with effect from October 2015. 

RESOLVED:               That the appointments to the Standards Committee be noted.    

            Information Reports for Noting

The Monitoring Officer presented a report, the purpose of which was to inform Council of the Information Reports which had been published since the last meeting.

RESOLVED:               That Council acknowledged the publication of the documents listed in the report:-

                                    Title                                                     Date Published

                                   Final Statement of Accounts                1 October 2015

                                    2014-15                                              

                                    Urgent Delegated Decision                  1 October 2015

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. 

There were no urgent items.