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. 

N   None

 (i) Mayor (or person presiding)

(ii) Members of the Cabinet

(iii) Chief Executive

     The Mayor

 The Mayor welcomed all those present to the first ordinary meeting of   council. She reported that a petition had just been received regarding the waste contract and would be passed onto the relevant officers for consideration.

 During the first couple of weeks, the Mayor had been finding her feet and it had been interesting to see the different events going rapidly into her calendar. She was excited to attend her first engagement as Mayor – a fundraising event for a community centre. The Mayor and her consort also had a fantastic time representing the County Borough at the National Eisteddfod.

 The Mayor looked forward to a busy and rewarding year and if anyone knew of any organisation that would like a civic visit in order to support their initiative, they should be directed to the Mayoral office for their request to be considered.

On a more sombre note, the terrible events in Manchester last week had shocked and saddened all and the Mayor was honoured to be asked to speak at the Vigil that was held in Bridgend Town Centre last Wednesday. The Mayor joined the hundreds of local people young and old who came together to remember the victims and their families and thanked Councillor David White for his swift organisation of this special and moving event.

The Mayor had written to the Lord Mayor of Manchester expressing her sorrow and offering thoughts and support during this very difficult time. In remembrance of all the people who were affected by the bombing in Manchester the Mayor asked that all observed one minute’s silence.

Deputy Leader

The Deputy Leader reminded members about forthcoming training events.

Corporate Parenting training would take place on 12th and 19th June, Rights of Way Sub-Committee training on 14th June, Equalities Committee training on 20th June, and Treasury Management training and Audit Committee training on 26th June.

The next meeting of Council on 28th June would feature a pre-council presentation on the theme of ‘Policing in the County Borough’.

Cabinet Member Communities

 The Cabinet Member Communities explained that he was sure that members were already very aware that one of the single biggest changes to a service that touched every home in the county borough would commence on Monday 5 June. He was referring to waste and recycling collections, but as members had already received lots of information about the new scheme and there was a motion tabled as part of the agenda, he did not intend to go into the details of ‘why’ and ‘how’. He did draw members’ attention to the website, “recycleforBridgend.wales”. This had been set up as an easy to use, one-stop-shop of information. It explained the rationale behind the scheme, clarified how people should use the new equipment, and featured a series of frequently asked questions that were regularly updated. It was part of a wider programme of publicity surrounding the new scheme, and as people started to use the new equipment and become accustomed to the new procedures,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

The Leader reported that the funeral service had taken place that morning in the Senedd for Rhodri Morgan. Rhodri Morgan was the first first Minister and had been remembered with real affection and respect across political parties and across Wales as a leader who shaped the modern nation.

Devolution had a difficult and contested birth in Wales, Rhodri’s leadership was essential to building that fragile new institution into the national Assembly for Wales, now at the heart of public life in the Nation.

He was a uniquely gifted politician, genuine, smart, funny and engaging he was able to relate to everyone he met. Whenever he came to Bridgend he had time for everyone and they had time for him. As a proud son of Wales he believed in the great potential of a more, confident can do Wales.  This spurred him on through a life of public service. He would be rightly remembered in history as a founding father of devolution to Wales and his legacy would live for a long time.

The Leader reported that he was very pleased that Maesteg would be receiving a new Sunday rail service once the Wales and Borders rail franchise began in October 2018. For ten years, residents of the Llynfi Valley and their elected representatives had been campaigning and lobbying for this service. Last week the Economy and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary Ken Skates AM confirmed in a meeting with Huw Irranca-Davies AM and himself that it would form part of the Welsh Government’s procurement exercise for the rail network element of the South Wales Metro project. In addition, Mr Skates confirmed that work was underway to look at opportunities for enhancing the line infrastructure so that services between Bridgend and Maesteg could be doubled in frequency.

Fast and efficient public links were essential for all local communities. The authority was continuing to lobby for other parts of the county borough that were not connected via the rail network to benefit from the South Wales Metro by having access to improved and rapid bus services, universal ticketing, digital information for passengers and joined-up timetabling that reduce journey times. In the meantime, he was sure that members would agree that this was a significant step forward, and very welcome news for the county borough.

Finally this was a new Council and the Chief Executive had agreed to convene regular meetings with all the Group Leaders to discuss how they would work together to ensure progress was made. The Leader hoped that all members were settling in well and not too overwhelmed by the volume of information.

The Head of Finance and Section 151 Officer presented a report to obtain approval from Council for a revised capital programme for 2016-17 to 2025-26. On 1^st March 2017 Council approved the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2017-18 to 2020-21, which included a revised capital programme covering the period 2016-17 to 2026-27.

Since the Medium Term Financial Strategy was approved, Cabinet had received a number of reports which required that Council approved changes to the capital programme, either to add in a new scheme or to remove a scheme. There were also changes required to the highways schemes relating to two 21^st Century School schemes.

On 28th March 2017 a report was presented to Cabinet on ‘School Modernisation:  Outcome of the Evaluation Regarding the Proposed Relocation and Enlargement of Mynydd Cynffig Primary School to a Remodelled School Building and New Provision on the Current Cynffig Comprehensive School Site’. The report outlined the outcome of the re-evaluation of both current junior and comprehensive school sites for primary provision and it was considered that the proposal did not represent value for money. Consequently, a recommendation was made to Cabinet to abandon the scheme. Cabinet accepted this proposal and that Council approve the removal of the school scheme from the capital programme, along with the associated highways works.

The current capital programme, approved by Council on 1 March 2017, included the Mynydd Cynffig Primary School total scheme budget at £7.050 million, comprising funding from BCBC and Welsh Government. The removal of this scheme from the programme would release £3.238 million of Welsh Government funding and £3.812 million of BCBC funding, comprising capital receipts, general capital funding and earmarked reserves.

The capital programme also included a budget of £700,000 in respect of highways works. This was also proposed to be removed from the capital programme.

For Brynmenyn Primary School, the initial cost estimates for highways improvements associated with the new school were based on desktop feasibility work and transport assessments undertaken by Capita consultancy at the pre planning application stage . At the planning and development control stage, conditions imposed with the planning application included the additional creation of pedestrian and cycle route links to the new school in light of the new active travel legislation, it also subsequently became apparent that  more comprehensive works to two junctions leading to the school was required, including the movement of some utilities provision. 

More detailed estimates for this work had now been provided following pre tender design work, and this had resulted in a significant increase in the overall estimated cost, leading to a budget shortfall of £620,000. As stated, the increase in cost had occurred in two main areas - the introduction of Active Travel link costs and highway junction improvement cost estimate variance. At the time the initial school scheme was drawn up the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 was in its infancy. However, as a school specific transport assessment and travel plan was developed, as part of the planning process,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

That this Council requests that the 2017/18 budget is reviewed by the Budget Research and Evaluation Panel (BREP) to realign the budget to protect local authority spending on education while ensuring a balanced budget.

2017/18 Budget to be reviewed by the Budget Research and Evaluation Panel to realign the budget to protect local authority spending on education while ensuring a balanced budget.

Councillor Alex Williams proposed amendments to the motion as detailed below:

• That this Council requests that the 2018/19 budget is reviewed now and in subsequent years by the Budget Research and Evaluation Panel, to realign the budget to protect local authority spending on education, whilst ensuring a balanced budget and the Community Action Fund is considered as part of the review.

The amendment was seconded. Councillor A Williams requested a recorded vote and presented the motion. He explained that the election on May 4^th 2017 had resulted in a change to the political dynamic with many new councillors. The 18/19 budget should reflect new council priorities and they should not be bound by previous decisions. In the spirit of collaboration he also welcomed a response from the Leader. He believed that the priorities of the Corporate Plan to support a successful economy and to raise aspirations and drive up educational achievements were laudable. Education was the catalyst and if the authority failed to protect its students, it would be failing generations of young people. There were already significant numbers with no qualifications and Bridgend already had the lowest ratio of spending per pupil. Lack of school improvements, the morale of staff and the loss of teachers in both the primary and secondary sectors were already issues of concern. Recommendations had been made by the scrutiny committees and these should be revisited by the Budget Research & Evaluation Panel as soon as possible, including consideration of the Community Action Fund. It was important to balance the budget but not by penalising children.

A Member welcomed the proposal and said that with the City Deal bringing in thousands of highly skilled, well paid jobs it was important to educate children to the same level.

The Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration said that he couldn’t disagree with some of the comments made and he welcomed the more rational and measured motion. The Budget Research & Evaluation Panel would be involved in future consideration of the budget to balance scarce resources and that he would be disappointed to lose the Community Action Fund because it was a way of empowering councillors.

A Member thanked Cllr Williams for the motion. He had been a former member of the panel and it was a concern that when 98% of the budget went on staffing, any cuts would lead to a loss of jobs, potentially 40 in primary schools. Bridgend was the 21^st lowest funder for schools and the schools were already under considerable pressure.

The Leader welcomed the interest in the budget setting process and the problems identifying savings. If the issue could be considered as one council then it would be easier. Cabinet and CMB had already started to look at various proposals. It was important to have context and to be aware that there were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

That this Council: 1) recognises the overwhelming public concern regarding the new waste management and recycling scheme and 2) refers the operation of the waste contract to Scrutiny for consideration and reporting to Cabinet.

Overwhelming public concern regarding the new waste management and recycling scheme and the operation of the waste contract to be referred to Scrutiny for consideration.

Councillor Alex Williams put forward the following motion and sought Council’s support:

• That this Council: 1) recognises the overwhelming public concern regarding the new waste management and recycling scheme and 2) refers the operation of the waste contract to Scrutiny for consideration and reporting to Cabinet.

Councillor Alex Williams presented the Notice of Motion. A 3000 signature petition had been delivered to Council demonstrating the strength of feeling and Members of the Public were in attendance. He thanked officers for the workshop regarding the new waste contract and accepted that it was unreasonable to reverse the contract. However, a scrutiny committee could be charged with investigating the new system and making recommendations. In order to reach targets it was important to keep up momentum and encourage more socially responsible behaviour rather than penalising residents. A petition had been delivered, concerns had been raised and social media required the authority to act. The vast majority of residents were keen to do their bit.

He raised a number of issues including the bin lorry refusing to collect from certain lanes, the lack of privacy for residents using incontinence bags, 2 bags not being enough for some families and no allowance for pets. Concerns were raised on how it would be policed, poor planning and project management.

The Deputy Leader welcomed the motion and accepted that there was significant rather than overwhelming public concern with many residents just getting on with it.

A member thanked officers for the training and recognised that the contract had been signed so they would need to work within the framework and there could be financial implications. The member requested that exempt minutes from previous scrutiny meetings where this had been considered, be released to inform future discussion regarding the new scheme. The member also suggested that the contract for enforcement should be put on hold until scrutiny had had the opportunity to review arrangements.

The Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration explained that they could not insist on the contract being put on hold. He thanked the officers who recently visited an over 50’s complex to talk about the new arrangements. The audience congratulated the officers on the way it was explained and were already using colour coded bins and the system was working well. He disputed the term “overwhelming” but accepted that social media was being used to “sound off”. A cultural change was needed in Wales to achieve the levels of recycling achieved in other countries such as Germany. A Scrutiny Committee would review the scheme and the meetings would be open to the public.

A Member referred to a discussion with a distressed resident and her concerns regarding the disposal of cat litter. These concerns did need to be addressed and improvements made. The member had researched the information available and claimed  there was no correlation between recycling figures  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

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