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 M Butcher – Personal commitment

Councillor CA Green – Holiday

Councillor R Jenkins – Hospital appointment

Councillor P John - Holiday  

Councillor CL Jones – Holiday

Councillor RC Jones – Other Council Business

Councillor D Sage – Medical appointment

Councillor G Thomas – Attending a funeral

Councillor E Venables – Holiday

Ness Young – Corporate Director Resources & Section 151 Officer - Holiday

Mark Shephard – Holiday

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. 

The following Declarations of Interest were made in relation to agenda item 8 – Notice of Motion. 

Councillor R Young – Personal interest as a member of the GMB Union.

Councillor DBF White – Prejudicial interest as a member and shop steward of the City and County of Swansea Unison Branch and withdrew from the meeting during consideration of the Notice of Motion.

Councillor C Reeves – Personal interest as a member of the Public and Commercial Services Union. 

Councillor RL Thomas – Personal interest as a member of the GMB Union.

Councillor JC Spanswick – Personal interest as a member of the GMB Union.

Councillor R Williams – Personal interest as a retired member of Unison.

Councillor H Townsend – Personal interest as a member of the GMB Union.

Councillor M Reeves – Personal interest as a life member of the Public and Commercial Services Union and a member of Unite the Union Westminster Branch.    

Councillor M Gregory – Personal interest as a member of Unite the Union.

Councillor HJ David - Personal interest as a member of Unite the Union.

Councillor AD Owen – Personal interest as a member of the Fire Brigades Union.

Councillor M Jones - Personal interest as a member of the GMB Union.

Councillor JE Lewis - Personal interest as a retired member of Unison.

Councillor DK Edwards - Personal interest as a life member of Unite the Union.

Councillor CE Smith – Personal interest as a member of the University and College Union and a member of Unison.  

Councillor N Farr – Prejudicial interest as a member of Unison.

Councillor G Phillips – Personal interest as a retired member of the University and College Union.

Councillor J McCarthy - Personal interest as a retired member of Unite the Union.

Councillor PJ White – Personal interest as a member of the National Union of Mineworkers.

Councillor PA Davies - Personal interest as a retired / life member of Unite the Union.

Councillor M Thomas - Personal interest as a retired member of Unite the Union.

Councillor G Davies - Personal interest as a retired member of the AMPS Union.

Councillor D Pugh - Personal interest as a retired member of Unison and the National Union of Mineworkers.

Councillor MEJ Nott - Personal interest as a retired member of the RMT Union.

Councillor HM Williams - Personal interest as a member of the National Farmers Union.    

To receive and confirm the minutes of a meeting of Council dated 7 October 2015

RESOLVED:              That the minutes of the ordinary meeting of Council of 7 October 2015 be accepted as a true and accurate record subject to the inclusion of the names of Councillor CJ James and Councillor P James in the list of apologies for absence in minute no. 526. 

To receive a Presentation from Mr J. Rae of the WLGA on the ‘Financial outlook for local authorities in Wales’

Council received a presentation by Mr Jon Rae Director of Resources of the WLGA on the Financial Outlook for Councils in Wales.  He outlined to Council the real terms decreases in Welsh local government spend 2009-10 to 2015-16 compared with comparable decreases in expenditure in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland. He also outlined the inexorable pressures on budgets up to 2019-20 on Education, Social Services, fixed budgets and other services; funding and spending projections and the budget shortfall implications for controllable budgets. 

The Director of Resources of the WLGA informed Council of forthcoming key dates in the local government calendar which would see the announcement of the Local Government Paving Bill on 24 November 2015; the Chancellor’s Spending Review on 25 November 2015, the Welsh Government Draft Budget on 8 December 2015; the Provisional Local Government Settlement on 9 December 2015, the Welsh Government Final Budget would be laid on 1 March 2016 with the final Local Government Settlement on 2 March 2016. 

The Director of Resources of the WLGA also informed Council of the various options favoured by the political parties of the Assembly for the reform of local government.  He also outlined some lessons learnt from local government in England.  He referred to the findings of the Grant Thornton 20-20 Report on the future of Welsh local government whereby Councils need to be adaptive but are only able to act with a short-term view.  The WLGA had proposed the introduction of 3 year financial settlements to assist planning and to de-hypothecate £915m of specific grants for councils to prioritise locally, saving up to £70m and the transfer of public health into local government would save £72m.  The WLGA also advocated the end of protection of schools budgets and proposed investing in preventative services by creating a £400m Better Care Fund.  It also advocated the integration of health and social care and to give local government access to the £22m plastic bags levy.  The WLGA also proposed the ending of the £60 cap on domiciliary care costs and the creation of a new £20m fund to invest in service mergers and ADMs. 

The Mayor on behalf of Members thanked Mr Rae for his informative presentation. 

Members considered the need to look at economic regeneration and growth in order to create the right conditions for private sector investment by looking at practices in English local government.  The Director of Resources of the WLGA stated there had been a change in focus by the Scottish Government in relation to creating conditions for economic regeneration and growth, whilst the finance system in English local was incentivised towards business.  He stated that economic regeneration and growth could be strengthened by giving local authorities statutory powers for economic development. 

Members also considered the need to increase collaboration across the public sector due to reductions being made to visible services.  Concern was expressed at Councils’ ability to provide services in the future leaving little option but to merge with each other.                                                   

 (i) Mayor (or person presiding)

(ii) Members of the Cabinet

(iii) Chief Executive

MAYORAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

     The Mayor announced that he and the Mayoress had hosted the Stroke Club’s coffee      morning in Evergreen Hall recently and were happy to support the start of their ‘Give a      Hand’ campaign which is up and running this half-term week.  The campaign invites       locals to take part in a range of fundraising activities, by only using their ‘other’ hand –      the one they normally would not use.  Further information was available online at  give.stroke.org.uk/giveahand.  He stated that this was a fun campaign to raise        awareness of a serious subject which affects so many by using the hand which you             would not normally use, which puts into perspective challenges faced by stroke     sufferers daily.  The Mayor stated that the Stroke Association provide wonderful      support for stroke survivors during rehabilitation, and he was personally delighted to          ‘Give a Hand’ to support this initiative.  The Mayor thanked Karyl Carter and her team      for the amazing work they do, and he congratulated her once again for her award of         the BEM in the last Mayoral year.

     The Mayor announced that the Mayor’s Parlour had once again hosted official British       Empire Medal      presentations.  Kate Thomas, Lord Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan, on          behalf of the Queen, awarded Town Councillor and Past Bridgend Borough Mayor,   Doug John, his medal for services to the community in Pencoed and to Mrs Jean Schofield, her medal as Chair, of the Porthcawl Branch Kidney Research Unit for             Wales Foundation for services to kidney research.  He stated that it had been a    wonderful afternoon and as Mayor was proud to offer use of the Parlour for such an            auspicious occasion, and to be part of honouring these special Bridgend citizens.

     The Mayor also announced that following the success of the recent Bridgend        Business Awards a schedule was being drawn up to visit the local companies and he        was looking forward to meeting winners and their teams during the next few months.

     The Mayor announced that he and the Mayoress had attended Dixie Dean’s annual          Poppy Concert last week which was a very moving event and was honoured that he       was asked to speak.  He stated that those who had died and were wounded in       conflicts from the First World War up to the present will be remembered on Sunday 8^th      November in Bridgend Town Centre to lay wreaths on behalf of Bridgend County            Borough.  He felt certain that many would also be gathering at local memorials to give    their thanks too.  He hoped that everyone would take a moment on Wednesday 11^th       November to remember the 11^th hour of the 11^th day together. 

     The Mayor also announced that he would be hosting a Charity Luncheon at The Great      House, Laleston on Friday 30 October 2015.  Tickets for the event were available from     Councillor Marlene Thomas or Mari Major.  Huw Irranca-Davies MP would be        speaking and Janice Gregory AM has kindly offered to compere. 

     MEMBERS OF THE CABINET

     Deputy Leader

     The Deputy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 542.

The Leader announced that last weekend saw a particularly nasty accident occur in John Street, Porthcawl which he was sure Members were as much appalled at the incident as they were relieved that there were no fatalities.  He stated that the response from the police, ambulance service and local businesses was absolutely first rate, and they all deserve a note of thanks for their prompt actions.  The Council has made sure that appropriate support is in place while the police investigate the circumstances of the crash and he understood that they have already charged a 24 year old local man with offences ranging from theft and causing serious injury by dangerous driving to drink driving and driving without insurance.  Meanwhile, thirteen people injured in the incident are continuing to receive treatment for lower-body injuries, and he wished them all a full recovery.

The Leader also announced that he had recently attended the opening of the Ty Richard Thomas facility, which is the official name given to the all-new joint vehicle maintenance building where council and police vehicles are being looked after as part of a unique new collaboration.  He stated the facility is the first of its kind in Wales and is named after a police sergeant who was killed during World War One while fighting for the 16^th Battalion Welsh Regiment. First Minister Carwyn Jones and Police and Crime Commissioner Alun Michael were in attendance and heard how the facility will handle up to 595 vehicles, including specialist plant and heavy duty equipment, while providing an excellent opportunity for the council and the police to save money, offer better value for taxpayers and establish improved levels of fleet maintenance and customer service.  It also demonstrates the Council’s ongoing commitment towards meeting the Welsh Government’s agenda for shared services.  He stated the Council already has an excellent working relationship with South Wales Police, and he looked forward to seeing it improve even further as a result of this ambitious new initiative.

The Leader hoped that all Members are encouraging their constituents to take part in the Council’s consultation over the new priorities and budget proposals.  He stated there is still plenty of time as the consultation does not end until 22 November.  Around 140,000 people live in the County Borough, and he wanted to ensure that everyone has the chance to have their say. Residents can make their voices heard and help shape Bridgend’s future by visiting www.bridgend.gov.uk/future to complete an online survey and find out more about community consultation events.  Everyone who completes the online survey will receive a free seven-day pass to a Halo leisure centre plus a chance to win a full year’s free membership. Alternatively, they can call the Council on 01656 643664 to request a paper copy, or pick one up from their local library.

Question from Councillor E P Foley to the Cabinet Member – Regeneration and Economic Development

“At a time of drastic financial retrenchment, would the Cabinet Member for Economic Development consider the feasibility of developing BCBC as a not-for-profit energy supplier, working with solar panel engineering companies, for example, to produce green energy at a vast range of possible sites, including school buildings, surplus land, car parks and other council-owned premises. Would the Cabinet Member also consider researching the success of Nottingham City Council in this regard, which has launched Robin Hood Energy, to save customers circa £200 each per year on gas and electricity bills, the first not-for-profit company of its kind since nationalisation in 1948. Similar energy initiatives include Cheshire East Council which has recently launched Fairer Power, in partnership with OVO Energy; and Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester City councils, whose plans for civic energy generation are well advanced, and which would be happy to advise BCBC on matters of detail.”

QUESTION FROM COUNCILLOR E P FOLEY TO CABINET MEMBER REGENERATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

“At a time of drastic financial retrenchment, would the Cabinet Member for Economic Development consider the feasibility of developing BCBC as a not-for-profit energy supplier, working with solar panel engineering companies, for example, to produce green energy at a vast range of possible sites, including school buildings, surplus land, car parks and other council-owned premises.

Would the Cabinet Member also consider researching the success of Nottingham City Council in this regard, which has launched Robin Hood Energy, to save customers circa £200 each per year on gas and electricity bills, the first not-for-profit company of its kind since nationalisation in 1948. Similar energy initiatives include Cheshire East Council which has recently launched Fairer Power, in partnership with OVO Energy; and Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester City councils, whose plans for civic energy generation are well advanced, and which would be happy to advise BCBC on matters of detail.”

RESPONSE BY CABINET MEMBER REGENERATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO COUNCILLOR E P FOLEY

Historical Context

Prior to the Second World War it was common practice for local corporations to deliver water, gas and electricity supplies to local residents through boards.  These local boards created the energy infrastructure that was regionalised and eventually nationalised after 1945 that ultimately created the centralised energy distribution model that was privatised in the 1980s.  Over the last decade several local authorities across the UK have begun to look at local generation and distribution and for widely different reasons e.g. social (address fuel poverty) or financial (generating new revenue streams).

Options for Local Authorities wishing to become energy providers

Across the UK many local authorities (Nottingham, Aberdeen and Southampton) are establishing energy service companies (ESCO), with a view to providing affordable energy solutions for residents and businesses as well as generating revenues which are to the benefit of local communities.

An ESCO is a commercial structure created to deliver a de-centralised energy service.  The structure of the ESCO can take several different forms with some of the most widely used being:

1.    ESCO created as an arm’s length special purpose vehicle wholly owned or majority owned by the Council.  The governance structure of this model would include individuals from the public, private and community sectors as well as elected members with the required skills and knowledge.  Aberdeen Heat and Power Company Ltd is an example of this.  An ESCO of this type does not have to preclude private sector involvement and commercial terms can still be offered to a private sector partner/s that may de-risk the project from a local authority perspective that does not have experience in this sector.  The important element of this model is that the local authority retains majority influence over the ESCO.

2.    ESCO created as an arm’s length special purpose vehicle with the Council having less than 20% interest in it.  The majority shareholding would sit with the private sector with the local authority still having an influence over the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 544.

Council received the following Motion:

Council notes:

The Notice of Motion and the following information provided by the Members in support of their notice of motion in accordance with Part 4 Rules of Procedure of the Council’s Constitution: 

• The Trade Union Bill 2015 is intended to give effect to the commitments in the Conservative Party’s manifesto for the 2015 General Election.  During the Queen’s Speech in May 2015 it was announced that the Government would introduce legislation to reform trade unions and to protect essential public services against strikes;
• One element of the Bill is the decision to give excessive new powers to the Certification Officer (CO), the government regulator for trade unions and employers’ association;
• The Bill is expected to provide  the CO the ability to investigate a trade union without reason The CO is also expected to receive powers to obtain detailed administrative information on industrial disputes and political expenditure;
• The Bill is also expected to tighten rules on strike action by creating minimum turnout thresholds for strike ballots to lead to industrial action. In public services, at least 40 per cent of eligible union members would need to back a strike. This has been attacked by opponents of the Bill as effectively counting some abstentions as no votes;
• Diane Abbott, shadow International Development Secretary, has commented that “the Bill was an attack on the rights of working people across the UK”;
• The Members ask that this Council oppose the introduction of the Trade Union Bill 2015.

Council believes that:

• There are real concerns about the Trade Union Bill which is currently being proposed by the UK Government and which would affect this Council’s relationship with our trade unions and our workforce as a whole.

Council resolves to:

• Oppose the introduction of the Trade Union Bill 2015;
• Write to urge the Conservative Government to abandon this Bill and make a commitment to work in partnership with the Trade Union movement to achieve a fairer society. 

Councillor Reeves in proposing the Motion stated that the Trade Union Movement is the largest voluntary group in the UK.  The Bill requires any ballot on strike action to have a turnout of at least 50% and then a 50% majority in favour for it to be valid, for what are designated ‘important public services’ the rules would be even more draconian, 80% of those entitled to vote would have to vote for industrial action, however the request from unions for online voting has been rejected.  Councillor Reeves stated that this was from a Government that was elected by a simple majority for each seat.  She believed that the Bill is an attack on civil liberties, attacking the democratic right to protest, with Picketing supervisors and plans including social media having to be declared in advance.  Employer would have to be informed 2 weeks in advance of any action to be taken, such as strike action, or even if a union intended to post anything on Facebook, or carry a loudhailer or  ...  view the full minutes text for item 545.

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.