The Mayor announced with sadness the passing of former Councillor and Cabinet Member LC Morgan, all stood in silence as a mark of respect.

The Leader paid tribute to former Councillor Morgan whom he regarded as a friend as well as a colleague.  He also paid tribute to his lengthy service to the community of Ynysawdre which he represented for 30 years, sitting on the former Mid Glamorgan County Council.  He stated that his lasting legacy was the part he had played in Coleg Cymunedol y Dderwen, Ynysawdre swimming pool, the new Brynmenyn primary School and latterly Ty Ynsawdre coming to fruition.  The Cabinet Communities was saddened at the passing of former Cllr Morgan who served this authority as one of its founder Members and former County Council with distinction and whom he regarded as a confidant.

The Cabinet Member Education and Regeneration paid tribute to formed Councillor Morgan who made him feel welcome as a Cabinet Member and both shared a passion for adult social care services and travelling in Spain.  The Cabinet Member Social Services and Early Help in paying tribute to former Councillor Morgan stated that he had learnt a great deal from him and both had worked in the mining industry.  Former Councillor Morgan working in mines rescue and health and safety.  He stated that he would be sorely missed and his thoughts were with his family. 

Councillor Watts in paying tribute to former Councillor Morgan stated that despite their political differences they had become friends and would be sorely missed.  Councillor T Thomas paid tribute to former Councillor Morgan who was warmly regarded by the community of Ynysawdre which he represented.  Councillor Green stated that she was deeply saddened at the news of former Councillor Morgan’s passing and had all good memories of him.            

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 Declaration of Interest was made:

Councillor DBF White declared a Prejudicial Interest in Agenda item 11 – Redundancy and Early Retirement Costs in Excess of £100,000 as the employee is his wife’s line manager.  Councillor White withdrew from the meeting during consideration of this item.  

To receive for approval the minutes of 20/03/19

I

RESOLVED:            That the minutes of the meeting of Council of 20 March 2019 be approved as a true and accurate record. 

 (i) Mayor (or person presiding)

(ii) Members of the Cabinet

(iii) Interim Chief Executive

(iv) Monitoring Officer

Mayor

The Mayor informed Council of the engagements which he and his Consort had attended in the past month which included the Citizenship Awards for which he thanked officers for their efforts in making the day a success.  The Mayor and Consort had opened the new Pencoed Primary School and attended the opening of Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Calon y Cymoedd in Bettws.  Additionally, the Mayor and Consort had attended the Rockwool 40^th Celebration dinner, the Muslim Council of Wales interfaith Dinner, opening of the Vernon Hartshorn Exhibition, Rotary Club President Dinner, BEM Presentation to Alan Humphreys and the Cor Merched Llynfi’s annual Concert.  He also opened the new disabled toilet and changing area at Halo Bridgend, the prize giving of the Bridgend Rotary Club Charity Cycle ride, the Porthcawl Mayor’s charity ball, the Palm Sunday service at Margam Crematorium and the 60^th Wedding anniversary Mr & Mrs G Evans of Maesteg.

Deputy Leader

The Deputy Leader informed Members of the recent opening of two new primary schools at Pencoed Primary and Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Calon Y Cymoedd, Betws serving the Garw and Ogmore valleys, at which his 3 grandchildren are pupils.  He stated that the Council is extremely grateful for the funding received from the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools and Education Programme, and he commended BAM Construction for their work at Pencoed Primary and Andrew Scott Ltd, who were the constructors for Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Calon Y Cymoedd, who had delivered two extremely impressive schools which enable pupils and teachers to benefit from state-of-the-art learning environments and supporting pupils to excel and fulfil their potential.

The Deputy Leader announced that more than 80 up-and-coming local entrepreneurs have gained the knowledge and tools needed to start their own business after attending a free week-long course with the PopUp Business School.  The event was held at Bridgend Life Centre, supported by the Council’s Employability Bridgend team, funded through the European Social Fund and Welsh Government.  Local entrepreneurs will continue to be supported and details are available on the Council’s website.

Cabinet Member Communities

The Cabinet Member Communities announced that the Council will be participating in the Welsh Government’s latest domestic energy efficiency programme which is being created to tackle fuel poverty across Wales.

Hundreds of local homes will be eligible to receive new funding later this year to carry out energy efficiency improvements, aimed at reducing fuel bills.  Energy saving measures that could be funded through the programme include; draught proofing, low energy light bulbs, loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, external wall insulation, thermostatic radiator valves, central heating systems, radiators, and renewable technologies such as heat pumps and solar panels.  He stated that the Council will be working in partnership with Arbed am Byth and the Welsh Government to decide where the programme will be offered locally to maximise its impact.

The Cabinet Member Communities also informed Council of the recent launch of the “Love It Don’t Trash IT” campaign which had been attended by participating schools.    

Cabinet Member Social  ...  view the full minutes text for item 301.

The Leader informed Council that the recruitment process for a permanent Chief Executive is continuing, which is being supported by Solace in Business.  The closing date for applications was 8 April, with the Appointments Committee meeting tomorrow to undertake the long-listing of applications received.  Selected candidates will attend an assessment centre on 30 April followed by interview with the Appointments Committee and a presentation to the Extraordinary meeting of Council on 1 May. 

The Leader reported that the first of two brand new Extra Care facilities opened last week.  He stated that Ty Ynysawdre is fast becoming a valuable community asset, and represents an entirely new approach towards looking after people who are older and more vulnerable.  Together with its sister development in Maesteg, Ty Ynysawdre will offer huge benefits for local people, and forms a major part of ongoing plans for modernising residential care services.  He stated that the Council is working in partnership with Linc Cymru to provide these vital community assets which would become a widely-recognised and popular landmark development in the County Borough.  He thanked all who had helped make this facility a reality. 

The Leader also informed Council that Brexit preparations are continuing, and as part of this support will be made available to help non-UK EU nationals who wish to continue to live and work locally.  The Home Office had recently launched its EU Settlement Scheme and as part of this process, officers are investigating whether the Council can offer a ‘checking’ service for completed applications to ensure that all relevant identity documentation has been included.  The service is likely to be made available either through the Customer Services Centre or at Bridgend Register Office, and is designed to speed up the application process and offer reassurance and peace of mind to local residents who may be affected.  The service will be free to use and Members will receive further details about this initiative as it takes shape and more details become known.

The Interim Head of Finance sought approval of the revised Financial Scheme for Schools, particularly the updated financial limits for the standing orders for contracts for schools. 

The Interim Head of Finance reported that schools have their own Financial Scheme which sets out the financial requirements of governing bodies.  A review of the Scheme has taken place due to a number of process and procedural changes required, the main changes being summarised in the report.  The draft Scheme has been the subject of consultation, with no comments or amendments proposed by governing bodies.  She stated that the revised Scheme brings the limits within the standing orders for contracts for schools to the same level as those agreed for the Council within its Contract Procedure Rules and where appropriate, schools are advised to seek the support of the Corporate Procurement section.

In a response to a question as to whether governing bodies would be receive training on the revised Scheme, the Interim Head of Finance confirmed such training would take place.

RESOLVED:           That Council approved the revised Financial Scheme for Schools for immediate implementation.  

Our current tipping policy is outdated and does not meet the needs of our residents in Borough. Looking around, other neighbouring Authorities have changed their tipping policy with success and are saving tax payers money.

When are we revising this policy?

Our current tipping policy is outdated and does not meet the needs of our residents in Borough. Looking around, other neighbouring Authorities have changed their tipping policy with success and are saving tax payers money.

When are we revising this policy?

Response by the Cabinet Member Communities

The current permit policy for vans and large trailers was reviewed prior to letting the waste contract in April 2017.

An appropriate efficient system of control and monitoring of the usage of commercial vehicles, at the recycling centres is essential to ensure the sites are used by genuine residential users only. Ensuring the sites are not subject to abuse by trade/commercial enterprises endeavouring to dispose of their waste for free at the expense of the public.

The current system allows genuine residential users with commercial type vehicles to utilise the sites (Not including Brynmenyn due to physical site capacity restraints) via a permit system as long as they book the visit to the site 24 hrs in advance.

Similar permit systems of control exist with neighbouring authorities such as NPT, Swansea & Vale of Glamorgan (VoG charge £15 for the permit).  RCT do not operate a permit system but have an onerous challenging process whereby users have to bring a utility bill, letter from the vehicle company on headed paper stating the user is allowed to use the vehicle for personal use, or a hire agreement, full description of the waste and proof that the waste is not commercial.

Prior to the implementation of the current system of control in 2010 the BCBC amenity sites were the subject of significant trade waste abuse, the controls in place currently are vital and successful. With these having been reviewed recently and now being part of the contractual arrangement with Kier, it is not proposed that they are revisited until the next waste contract is procured.

Councillor T Giffard asked a supplementary question as to where residents could receive information on the tipping policy. 

The Cabinet Member Communities stated that residents can gain information from the Council’s website, together with details of opening hours and how residents can access permits for trailers and trailer sizes.  

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.

The Minutes and Report relating to the following items are not for publication as they contain exempt information as defined in Paragraph 12 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.

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 contained exempt information as defined in Paragraph 12 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.

Following the application of the public interest test it was resolved that pursuant to the Act referred to above, to consider the under-mentioned items in private with the public being excluded from the meeting as it would involve the disclosure of exempt information as stated above.

To receive for approval the exempt minutes of 20/03/19