Agenda and minutes

Council - Wednesday, 25th April, 2018 15:00

Venue: Council Chamber, Civic Offices Angel Street Bridgend CF31 4WB. View directions

Contact: Gary Jones 

Items
No. Item

156.

Minutes' Silence

Minutes:

The Mayor referred with sadness to the recent death of former Councillor Colin Teesdale who was a former Mayor of the County Borough, Cabinet Member and also a former of Maesteg Town Council.  The Mayor requested Members observe a minutes’ silence.

 

All present stood in silence in tribute.   

157.

Declarations of Interest

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.

Minutes:

The following Declarations of Interest were made:

 

Councillor DG Owen declared a personal and prejudicial interest in agenda item 6 – Nantymoel Workmen’s Institute as a Trustee of the Nantymoel Boys and Girls Club and Community Centre and withdrew from the meeting during consideration of this item.

 

Councillor JC Spanswick declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 6 – Nantymoel Workmen’s Institute as a family member is a Trustee of the Nantymoel Boys and Girls Club and withdrew from the meeting during consideration of this item.

 

The Group Manager Legal declared an interest in agenda item 16 – Appointment of Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer and withdrew from the meeting during consideration of this item.

158.

Approval of Minutes pdf icon PDF 128 KB

To receive for approval the minutes of 28/03/18

Minutes:

RESOLVED:   That the minutes of the meeting of Council of 28 March 2018 be approved as a true and accurate record.    

159.

To receive announcements from:

(i) Mayor (or person presiding)

(ii) Members of the Cabinet

(iii) Chief Executive

 

Minutes:

Mayor

 

The Mayor informed Council of the engagements which she had attended in the past month which included opening the annual Book Fayre in the Westward Centre, Cefn Glas in conjunction with the Lions which had raised £180,000 for local charities.  The Mayor had also attended events to mark the Centenary of the RAF within the County Borough, in Swansea and in the Vale of Glamorgan.  The Mayor was also pleased to have visited residents, Mr and Mrs Thomas who were celebrating their 60th Wedding Anniversary.  The Mayor and Consort attended a social evening in the Heronston in aid of her charities, 2 further events are to be held to support her chosen Charities with a Tom Jones Tribute evening on 17 April at the Hi Tide and the Gala on 28 April taking place at the Heronston.

 

The Mayor also announced that she had opened the Veterans ‘call in’ for Veterans and families held in the Zone.  She thanked the ladies in the Zone and the franchise holder of Subway for providing the catering and Mr Gareth Evans and the veterans who belong to a charity called ‘stepping out’ which is a charity for the forces for organising everything.  She also thanked Madeleine Moon MP and members of the Cabinet for their presence at the event.  

 

The Mayor announced that she had attended the Senedd to celebrate the Centenary of the St Johns Ambulance.  She had also visited the Westward Centre for a celebration of the ‘Young at Heart’ and wished this Group well for the future.  The Mayor was asked by the Lord Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan Dame Kate Thomas if she could think of a person who  deserved to go to the forthcoming Royal Wedding and of the worthy recipients she had recommended the Hodge family from Bettws who were nominated by Councillor Martin Jones.  She stated that the family had lost their son two years ago through Leukaemia and had had raised over £20,000 for Cancer. 

 

Deputy Leader

 

The Deputy Leader informed Members that nearly 10,000 households had signed up to the absorbent hygiene products collection since it was launched in June 2017.  So far, 662 tonnes have been diverted from going to landfill, and sent to the pioneering Nappicycle plant in Ammanford instead who produce recyclable materials.  He requested Members’ assistance in reminding their constituents of a scheme whereby parentsof young children can take advantage of a discount deal on re-usable ‘real nappies’.

 

He also announced that new rates of pay had been agreed for all NJC employees effective from 1 April 2018 and the increase will be paid from May 2018.  He stated that the minimum wage will therefore reach £9 per hour by 1 April 2019, which is in line with the Chancellor’s wish that the national minimum wage should be £9 an hour by 2020.

 

Cabinet Member Communities     

 

The Cabinet Member Communities informed Members that the large tulip tree located directly opposite the Civic Offices following an assessment is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 159.

160.

To receive the report of the Leader

Minutes:

The Leader reported that he had requested a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transportrequesting an increase in the frequency of rail services to Maesteg.  He had also met with Network Rail to seek the removal of the level crossing at Pencoed. 

 

He, along with the Cabinet Member Communities and officers had met colleagues in the Vale of Glamorgan Council to discuss the improved links between Junction 34 of the M4 motorway and the A48 which are under consideration.  He stated that officers of this Council are looking into areas for improvement such as at Sarn Junction 36.

 

The Leader referred to the recent arson attack at the playground in Heol Las, Cornelly, the cost of the damage and structural condition was being assessed and as such the playground continues to be unavailable.  He thanked the Fire Service for their prompt response to the incident, and he was sure that colleagues in South Wales Police will be pleased to hear from anyone who may have further information that will support their investigation, and which can be reported by calling the 101 number and quoting reference number 1800 1300 11.

 

The Leader was delighted to see the local community playing a central role in naming the new Extra Care developments currently underway in Maesteg and Ynysawdre.  The extra care facility being developed in Maesteg will add a total of 45 apartments to the ongoing initiative and has been named ‘Ty Llwynderw’ by resident Barry Walters in recognition of the former Lywnderw secondary modern school.  Ty Llwynderw will be located on ‘Cae’r Ysgol’ which translates as ‘School Field’.  He announced that the Ynysawdre scheme which is being constructed on the site of the former Archbishop McGrath School on land that is next to both Coleg Cymunedol Y Dderwen and the new Brynmenyn Primary School, will offer 25 Extra Care apartments, 15 residential care rooms and a range of communal facilities and has been named Ty Ynysawdre by residents Sally Hallett and Ann Szopa. The new road on which the development will sit, has been named by resident Jayne Taylor as ‘Lôn Derw’ or ‘Oak Lane’.

161.

Nantymoel Workmen's Institute pdf icon PDF 76 KB

Minutes:

The Corporate Director Communities sought the approval of Members in their capacity as Trustees of the Charity, the Nantymoel Workmen's Institute, to close and wind up the existing charity and to exercise their statutory powers under sections 267-274 of the Charities Act 2011 to transfer all of the charity’s assets to a charitable incorporated organisation established with substantially similar charitable objectives, the Nantymoel Boys and Girls Club and Community Centre.

 

He reported that following the closure of the Berwyn Centre in 2012, the consent of the Charity Commission had been sought for the proposed demolition of the building, who had advised that its demolition would cause other long term issues which would need to be addressed in due course.  He stated that the Berwyn Centre was held in trust by the Council, with each of its elected membersacting as a trustee of the charity responsible for it, namely the Nantymoel Workmen’s Institute.  Following the demolition of the Centre, the Council would no longer be able to fulfil the charitable purpose of the Institute and the Charity Commission set out a range of options for consideration.  He stated that the preferred option which emerged   was the land on which the Berwyn Centre was sited (not the wider piece of land that surrounded the centre) and the funds held by the existing charity be transferred to another local charity with substantially similar charitable objectives.  To that end the Council supported the establishment of a new Charitable Incorporated Organisation, the Nantymoel Boys and Girls Club and Community Centre, which was established with charitable purposes substantially similar to all of the purposes of the Nantymoel Workmen’s Institute. 

 

The Corporate Director Communities reported that work had gone on locally for a number of years to develop a business plan and proposal to spend the capital sum of £200,000 that was allocated in the Capital Programme when the Berwyn Centre closed, towards the development of alternative or enhanced community facilities in Nantymoel.  He stated that Cabinet approval was given in November 2017 to the release of the capital allocation to Nantymoel Boys and Girls Club based on a plan to extend and improve the existing facilities to accommodate additional community use.  It was highlighted to Cabinet at that time that the community group had requested that the Council follow the necessary process to release the sum of money held in trust, in order to supplement the £200,000 of allocated capital funding.  Cabinet was informed at that time that the sum of money held was approximately £46,000 and the current value of the fund is £49,274.69.

 

He reported that further advice was sought from the Charity Commission on the process of transferring the assets of the existing charity based on this preferred option.  A public meeting for the purpose of seeking local public opinion on the dissolution of the existing charity, Nantymoel Workmen’s Institute, and the transfer of all of the charity’s assets to a charitable incorporated organisation established with substantially similar objectives, the Nantymoel Boys  ...  view the full minutes text for item 161.

162.

Departure Planning Application P/17/1083/FUL pdf icon PDF 199 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Group Manager Development reported that the Development Control Committee at its meeting on 15 March 2018 considered planning application P/17/1083/FUL as a departure from the Local Development Plan.  She stated that the Committee resolved not to refuse planning permission and the application referred to Council requesting that it approve the application subject to conditions.

 

The Group Manager Development reported that the application is for an extension to the existing grid substation at Bridgend Grid Substation, off Great Western Avenue, Bridgend.  He stated that the proposed extension to the west of the existing substation will provide space to erect a building which provides the opportunity to upgrade the existing substation by transforming the incoming voltage for distribution to the local network and providing power to the wider Bridgend area.  He informed Council that the existing infrastructure was in need of upgrading and modernisation.  The application site is located within the Primary Key Settlement of Bridgend, as defined by the adopted Bridgend Local Development Plan (LDP) and is within the Regeneration and Mixed Use Development Site – Coity Road Sidings, Bridgend as defined by Policy PLA3 of the Local Development Plan.  The site site is allocated for regeneration and mixed use schemes which includes 140 residential units (COM1(4)) an employment function (REG1(3) already developed) and a Park and Ride facility to serve Wildmill Train Station (PLA7(21)).

 

The Group Manager Development reported that the site offers opportunities for development to take place over the plan period to help meet the visions and objectives of the Local Development Plan and the allocation will result in the provision of comprehensive residential, employment and commercial development, whilst providing new transportation, community, education and recreation facilities to serve the community.

 

RESOLVED:              That Council is minded not to refuse the development the Corporate Director Communities be given delegated authority to issue a decision notice in respect of this proposal subject to the conditions contained in the report of the Corporate Director Communities. 

163.

Bridgend Local Development Plan (LDP) - Draft Review Report pdf icon PDF 75 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Group Manager Development sought approval to undertake targeted consultation on the draft Bridgend LDP Review.  He stated that draft Review Report sets out the proposed extent of likely changes to the existing LDP (2006-2021) and seeks to confirm the revision procedure to be followed in preparing a replacement LDP.  He informed Council that it was proposed that the Replacement LDP will cover a plan period up to 2033, which is the end of a 15 year plan period that will commence in 2018. 

 

He reported that the LDP was adopted by Council on 18 September 2013 and sets out the Council’s objectives for the development and use of land in Bridgend County Borough over the 15 year plan period 2006 to 2021, and its policies to implement them.  He stated that an up to date LDP is an essential part of a plan-led planning system in Wales.  In order to ensure that there is a regular and comprehensive assessment of whether plans remain up to date, the Council is statutorily required to undertake a full review of the adopted LDP at intervals not longer than every 4 years from the date of adoption.  As such, a full review of the adopted LDP was triggered in September 2017.  Since its adoption, the LDP has been reviewed on an annual basis with the publication of 3 Annual Monitoring Reports. 

 

The Group Manager Development reported that any revision to an LDP must be preceded by a Review Report to determine the appropriate procedural route and key issues to be considered when taking the LDP forward.  He stated that the Review Report also considers whether the process of producing a replacement LDP should be undertaken on an individual basis or jointly with neighbouring Local Planning Authorities.  He highlighted the main findings of the draft Review Report in terms of Contextual Changes; Assessment of likely changes required to the current LDP; Review of the Evidence Base and LDP Review Options.

 

A member of Council questioned what mechanisms would be in place for Members to be actively involved in the consultation on the LDP.  The Development Planning Manager stated that Topic Groups will be set up and local Members and members of Town and Community Councils will be invited to participate in this process at the review stage. 

 

A member of Council referred to the decision of Council to pursue its own plan and questioned whether joint working would take place with neighboring authorities such as RCT Council, in view of proposals for a large scale housing development within RCT which is in close proximity to its boundary with Bridgend.  The Group Manager Development confirmed there are joint working arrangements with neighbouring local authorities especially when planning applications raise cross boundary issues.  He stated that RCT Council’s LDP would expire at around the same time as this Council’s LDP.  He also stated that the impact of the proposed large scale development on Bridgend will be looked at by officers.

 

A member of Council asked whether  ...  view the full minutes text for item 163.

164.

Bridgend Local Development Plan (LDP) Revision - Draft Delivery Agreement pdf icon PDF 68 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Group Manager Development sought approval to undertake targeted consultation on the Bridgend Replacement LDP draft Delivery Agreement.   He stated that draft document sets out how and when the local community and other stakeholders can contribute to the preparation of the Replacement Plan and a timetable for its preparation.  He informed Council that it was proposed that the Replacement LDP will cover a plan period up to 2033, which is the end of a 15 year plan period that will commence in 2018.

 

He reported that the draft Delivery Agreement consists of 2 parts, namely a timetable for preparation of the Replacement LDP, and a Community Involvement Scheme.  He presented a timetable which sets out the key dates including statutory consultation periods for each of the different stages of Plan preparation and publication.  It also included key stages for the Sustainability Appraisal, which is an iterative process undertaken as an integral part of the Plan preparation process.

 

He reported that the Community Involvement Scheme outlines the Local Planning Authority’s principles of community engagement, its approach in relation to who, how and when it intends to engage with the community and stakeholders; how it will respond to representations and how these representations will inform later stages of plan preparation.  Following consultation on the draft Delivery Agreement it was proposed to report the final Delivery Agreement back to Council for approval.  The consultation on the draft Delivery Agreement will take place alongside consultation on the draft Review Report and it was proposed to submit both documents to the Welsh Government before the end of June.

 

RESOLVED:              (1) That Council approved the draft Delivery Agreement for the purposes of targeted consultation.

 

 (2) That Council authorised the Group Manager Development, Communities Directorate to undertake consultation on the draft Delivery Agreement.

 

(3)  That Council gave delegated authority to the Group Manager Development, Communities Directorate to make any factual corrections or minor amendments to the draft Delivery Agreement as considered necessary.    

165.

Annual Report Independent Remuneration Panel For Wales 2018/19 pdf icon PDF 111 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Group Manager Legal reported on the draft Annual Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales in respect of the level of remuneration the Authority must make available to its Members for the 2018/19 municipal year. 

 

Representatives of the Panel had carried out visits to all principal Councils in 2017 to discuss the remuneration framework and how it was implemented in each council.  The Panel had made 52 proposed determinations in its 2018/19 Annual Report.     

 

The Local Authorities (Allowances for Members) (Wales) Regulations 2007 provided for the establishment of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales.

 

The Panel determined there would be an increase of £200 per annum in the Basic Salary for elected members, the salary for elected members of principal councils for 2018/19 would be £13,600.  The Panel had not changed its previous decisions in respect of the senior salaries paid to Senior Salary Post holders and is inclusive of the Basic Salary increase.  The Salary for the Leader and Deputy Leader has been based on the population of the County Borough (100,000 – 200,000), with the Leader receiving £48,300 and the Deputy Leader receiving £33,800.  The Panel has removed the differing levels of payment to Cabinet members and all are now entitled to receive a senior salary of £29,300.  The Panel has also removed the differing levels of payment to Committee Chairpersons and all Chairs will be paid a salary of £22,300 and has re-iterated that it is a matter for individual authorities to determine which chairs are paid.  The Group Manager Legal stated that Council at its Annual Meeting in May 2017 determined that the following Committee Chairpersons be remunerated:

 

                Appeals Panel

                Audit Committee

                Development Control Committee

                Licensing/Licensing Act 2003 Committee

                Subject Overview and Scrutiny Committee 1

Subject Overview and Scrutiny Committee 2

Subject Overview and Scrutiny Committee 3

An Independent Member chairs the Standards Committee and receives £256 for a meeting lasting over 4 hours or £128 for a meeting under 4 Hours

 

The following Committees are chaired by members who were already in receipt of a Senior/Civic salary and therefore did not receive any further remuneration

 

·         Council

·         Appointments Committee

·         Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee

·         Town & Community Council Forum

·         Right of Way Sub-Committee

·         The Democratic Services Committee Chairperson is not currently remunerated

 

The Group Manager Legal reported that the Panel previously determined that Council must make a senior salary of £22,300 available to the leader of the largest opposition group who represents at least 10% (6 Members) of the Council before qualifying for a senior salary.  The Council currently makes a senior salary available to the leader of the Independent Alliance group.  A senior salary of £17,300 is also available to any another group leader who represented at least 10% (6 Members) of the Council.  The Council currently makes a senior salary available to the leader of the Conservative group.  The Panel has prescribed that Bridgend could not remunerate more than 18 Senior Salaries posts and its Annual Meeting in May 2017 determined that only  ...  view the full minutes text for item 165.

166.

To receive the following Questions to the Executive from:

Question to the Cabinet Member Social Services and Early Help from Councillor A Hussain

 

Can the Cabinet Member for Social Services tell the Council how many community care assessments for residential rehabilitation have been undertaken in the last three years within BCBC and how many resulted in placements in residential rehabilitation centres and which ones?

 

 

Question to the Cabinet Member Education and Regeneration from Councillor R Stirman

 

Bearing in mind Government plans to prohibit the sale of diesel and electric cars in the near future, does the Council plan to implement a strategy for the introduction of electric charging points throughout the County  If  so, when will this policy be introduced? Will this also become a consideration in future LDP development?  Additionally, what provision will be made for the anticipated increase in demand for the supply of electricity within BCBC?

 

Minutes:

Question to the Cabinet Member Social Services and Early Help from Councillor Altaf Hussain

 

"Can the Cabinet Member for Social Services tell the Council how many community care assessments for residential rehabilitation have been undertaken in the last three years within BCBC and how many resulted in placements in residential rehabilitation centres and which ones?"

 

Response:

The Community Resource Team (CRT) is the amalgamation of Intermediate Care Services in Bridgend into a single service; one of these services being Residential Reablement. Referrals to CRT are made through a single point of contact, the Common Access Point, which is staffed by experienced call handlers and a Multi-Disciplinary Triage team who screen the referrals to identify the most appropriate CRT response and the priority of response. This streamlines the process of referral ensuring interventions are delivered by the most appropriate service element, therefore avoiding duplication of referrals. As referrals are not made for an explicit element of the CRT we are unable to provide the specific data requested. The following data shows the numbers of referrals to the CRT for the last three years.

 

2015 – 2601 CRT Referrals and Re-referrals

2016 – 2404 CRT Referrals and Re-referrals

2017 – 2542 CRT Referrals and Re-referrals

 

The small decline in referral rates is largely due to the fact that we have been working on referral pathways and ensuring they are all routed through the Common Access point.  This has helped us to reduce any duplication, i.e. Referrals to a number of services and wait for the first to respond.

 

The Bryn y Cae Reablement Unit is suitable for individuals who, for short periods of time, are likely to need more intensive support with activities of daily living than it would be possible to provide at home. The Unit is able to accommodate a total of 6 people at any one time and the usual length of stay is up to 6 weeks but there is flexibility around this depending on an individual’s progress.   The Reablement Unit is situated in a dedicated wing of the Bryn y Cae Residential Care Home, Brackla, Bridgend.

 

In the table below, the number of new placements commenced in Bryn Y Cae Residential Reablement unit is provided for the last 3 years together with the occupancy rates.

 

Year

Number of new placements commenced

 % Occupancy

2015

43

76%

2016

44

83%

2017

45

82%

 

There a few factors that affect occupancy rates:

  • these beds are ring fenced for hospital discharge means that we are relying on one source of referral
  • we may have beds available but we may not receive referrals
  • referrals may come through but are then actioned by taking the person to their own home, instead, to undertake the Reablement
  • the referral may be inappropriate as the person may be too ill, not have goals or may have cognitive issues making Reablement inappropriate.

 

Councillor Hussain informed Council that he would ask the Cabinet Member Social Services and Early Help a supplementary question in writing.

 

Question to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 166.

167.

Notice of Motion Proposed by the Plaid Cymru Group

Plastic Free Bridgend County

Council acknowledges:
The concerns of the wider community over the amount of plastic waste pollution and its adverse effect upon wildlife and our coastline

Council proposes:
As part of our responsibilities towards global sustainability under the Well-being of Future Generations Act, we support Bridgend County becoming a ‘plastic free authority.’

Council highlights:
We will work towards this in the following ways:

1.    We will review our own organisation and replace single use plastic items, encouraging the replacement of single use plastic items such as plastic straws, plastic coffee cups with biodegradable items.

 

2.    We will contact County Borough businesses to encourage them to replace single use plastic items, reduce un-necessary packaging and apply principles of sustainability within their everyday businesses.

 

3.    We promote 'Plastic free Bridgend' through social media and other appropriate marketing and communications methods.

 

4.    We will continue to support community initiatives to ‘Keep Bridgend Tidy’, including our beaches, parks and streets, and promote alternatives to throwing away materials, in keeping with principles of the circular economy and waste hierarchy.

 

5.    We will promote fair trade policies and a shop local scheme.

 

6.    We will write to the Welsh Government Ministers asking them consider what measures, including guidance and legislation, can be introduced to reduce plastic waste across Wales, in keeping with the principles previously outlined.

 

Council believes:

The effectiveness of the proposed policy should be monitored at least annually to highlight progress for members as part of the scrutiny process.

 

 

 

Minutes:

Councillor T Thomas proposed the following Notice of Motion on behalf of the Plaid Cymru Group.

 

Plastic Free Bridgend County

Council acknowledges

The concerns of the wider community over the amount of plastic waste pollution and its adverse effect upon wildlife and our coastline

Council proposes

As part of our responsibilities towards global sustainability under the Well-being of Future Generations Act, we support Bridgend County becoming a ‘plastic free authority.’

Council highlights

We will work towards this in the following ways:
1. We will review our own organisation and replace single use plastic items, encouraging the replacement of single use plastic items such as plastic straws, plastic coffee cups with biodegradable items.
2. We will contact County Borough businesses to encourage them to replace single use plastic items, reduce un-necessary packaging and apply principles of sustainability within their everyday businesses.
3. We promote 'Plastic free Bridgend' through social media and other appropriate marketing and communications methods.
4. We will continue to support community initiatives to ‘Keep Bridgend Tidy’, including our beaches, parks and streets, and promote alternatives to throwing away materials, in keeping with principles of the circular economy and waste hierarchy.
5. We will promote fair trade policies and a shop local scheme.
6. We will write to the Welsh Government Ministers asking them consider what measures, including guidance and legislation, can be introduced to reduce plastic waste across Wales, in keeping with the principles previously outlined.

Council believes

The effectiveness of the proposed policy should be monitored at least annually to highlight progress for members as part of the scrutiny process.

 

The Notice of Motion was seconded by Councillor A Williams.

 

The Cabinet Member Communities expressed some sympathy with the principles of the Notice of Motion as the Council supports the Welsh Government’s target of zero waste and the promotion of plastic free and the keep Bridgend tidy initiative.  He stated that the Council already does a great deal within the spirit of the Notice of Motion and requested the withdrawal of the Notice of Motion and instead send the matter to the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee so that the Council can identify what it is doing and where the gaps are from which the Council can identify the next steps.

 

Councillor T Thomas withdrew the Notice of Motion.

 

The Leader informed Council that he and the Corporate Director Communities had met the Minister for Communities who had confirmed that the Council had made significant strides with its recycling targets.  The Leader stated that he had asked the Minister what his plans are to influence retailers in reducing the use of plastic packaging and he confirmed to Council that he would seek those assurances from the Minister in writing.           

 

RESOLVED:            That the original Notice of Motion be withdrawn and that and instead send the matter to the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee so that the Council can identify what it is doing and where the gaps are from which the Council can identify the next steps.

 

168.

Urgent Items pdf icon PDF 95 KB

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. 

Minutes:

The Mayor agreed to the following item being considered as an urgent item of business in accordance with Part 4 (paragraph 4) of the Council Procedure Rules to allow for the approval of Prudential Borrowing and for the inclusion of the schemes in the Capital Programme forthwith and in order to take forward the delivery of the Enterprise Hubs Development Programme without delay.

169.

Enterprise Hubs Development Programme pdf icon PDF 95 KB

Minutes:

The Corporate Director Communities reported on an update on the development of the Enterprise Hub Development Programme and sought agreement to the prudential borrowing of £878,957 for the delivery of two separate schemes within the overall programme at the Bridgend Science Park of £544,182 and Brocastle of £334,775 and sought approval for these schemes to be included within the capital programme.  This represented the largest single programme of business property development undertaken by the Council. 

 

The Corporate Director Communities reported that approval had previously been given by Cabinet for the submission by Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council of a bid to WEFO for a regional Enterprise Hub Development Programme.  Since that time, WEFO had advised that each of the partners could take forward their projects separately. 

 

He reported that there were no start up units currently available from the Council or Business in Focus and both have waiting lists as was the case with the Sony Incubation Units at Pencoed.  He stated that the Enterprise Hub Development Programme proposed to support the refurbishment and creation of business premises at Bridgend Science Park, Village Farm Industrial Estate and Brocastle. 

 

A member of Council asked for details of the numbers of businesses on the waiting lists for start up units, their cash flow forecasts and for details of occupancy rates.  The member of Council also commented there were a number of units which could not be let and lessons needed to be learnt so that the units had flexibility.  The Corporate Director Communities stated that he would provide members with the detail requested in relation to the start up units. 

 

RESOLVED:          That Council approved prudential borrowing of £878,957 with the assigned borrowing values of Enterprise Hub Development (Bridgend Science Park and Village Farm Industrial Estate) (£544,182) and Enterprise Hub Development (Brocastle) (£334,775) which, subject to approval of the Section 151 Officer, Corporate Director, Operational and Partnership Services, and WEFO will enable the Corporate Director, Communities to take forward the delivery of the Enterprise Hubs Development Programme.  Council also approved the inclusion of these schemes within the capital programme for delivery once all funding sources have been approved.           

170.

Exclusion of the Public

The Minutes and Report relating to the following items are not for publication as they contain exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 12,13,14, 15 and 16 of Part 4, and Paragraph 21 of Part 5 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007.

 

If following the application of the public interest test the Committee resolves pursuant to the Act to consider these items in private, the public will be excluded from the meeting during such consideration.

Minutes:

RESOLVED:           That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business as they contain exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16  of Part 4 and Paragraph 21 of Part 5 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

 

Following the application of the public interest test it was resolved that pursuant to the Act referred to above to consider the following items in private, with the public excluded from the meeting, as it was considered that in all the circumstances relating to the item, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.  

171.

Approval of Exempt Minutes

To receive for approval the exempt minutes of 28/03/18

 

172.

Appointment of Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer

173.

Announcement by the Monitoring Officer