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Agenda and minutes

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

Contact: Democratic Services  Mark Anthony Galvin

Items
No. Item

398.

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:

None.

399.

Approval of Minutes pdf icon PDF 133 KB

To receive for approval the minutes of 22/01/20

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED:                  That the Minutes of a meeting of Council dated 22 January 2020, be approved as a true and accurate record.

400.

To receive announcements from:

(i) Mayor (or person presiding)

(ii) Members of the Cabinet

(iii) Chief Executive

(iv) Monitoring Officer

Minutes:

Mayor

 

The Mayor announced that nominations for the Mayor’s Annual Citizenship Awards have now closed and the winners have been invited to a ceremony to be held in late March.  The standard of entries was particularly high and he thanked all those who took the time to fill in a nomination.  It was great to read about all the fantastic residents of the county borough and the stellar and often hidden work that they do within our communities, and he looked forward to meeting with these people in person next month.

 

Staying with the theme of awards it was a pleasure to welcome all sectors of the building industry to Bridgend to celebrate the fourteenth annual Building Excellence Awards.  The awards are aimed across the building industry and are there to help, encourage and commend high quality building, construction techniques, communication skills and customer satisfaction. The Mayor thanked everyone for participating, Bridgend building control staff for organising the event and extend our congratulations as a council to the winners.

 

One of privileges of being Mayor is an invite to visit local organisations and charities to meet the staff, volunteers and service users.  Last week he was invited to the YMCA in Porthcawl to view their facilities and witness some of the activities that take place at the centre. The centre was established in 1908 and has continued to serve as a support for many different groups. It has become a not just a place to learn but to be safe and make friends. He therefore thanked the Porthcawl YMCA centre for their time and hospitality.

 

On taking office the High Sheriff of Mid Glamorgan decided to work with all local authorities and organise a “Musical Extravaganza”, this was a celebration of young musical talent from across the communities and included solo vocalists, solo instrumentalists and choirs. Heats took place around Mid Glamorgan and the final was held at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama last week.  The evening was a wonderful celebration of our young musical talent and the Mayor thanked Simon Gray our music instructor for all his hard work, all the young people who participated and send congratulations to the well-deserved winners.

 

Deputy Leader

 

The Deputy Leader announced that he was delighted to see three surplus council properties sell at auction recently to help generate some very welcome funds for the authority.

 

The auction saw a former public toilet block in Derwen Road, Bridgend, the former Hyfrydol care home in Maesteg and the former town council offices in Porthcawl sell for £736,000.

 

This was more than a quarter of a million pounds over the reserve price, and a very good result in anyone’s language.

 

The receipts will help fund our capital programme, which includes the 21st Century schools modernisation initiative featuring an estimated investment into band B schools of £68 million.

 

As members were aware, the sale of Hyfrydol was part of the business case for providing the all-new extra care facility in Maesteg, while Porthcawl  ...  view the full minutes text for item 400.

401.

To receive announcements by the Leader

Minutes:

The Leader announced that the UK has been beset by some truly woeful weather recently, and he commended council staff who have worked tirelessly, day and night, throughout the recent storms and heavy rainfall.

 

As always, they have made a maximum effort to protect people and property, and to help keep the county borough moving.

 

Bridgend County Borough luckily escaped most of the widespread damage that was experienced by our near neighbours the Leader added.

 

He believed that a large part of this was again down to the professionalism, experience and commitment of BCBC staff.

 

All around the county borough, culverts and drains were checked and cleared well in advance of the incoming storms, and floodgates were put in place along the Angel Gateway.

 

Thousands of sandbags were filled and made ready, and crews prepared for the worst with equipment ranging from water-based jets and chainsaws to JCBs and hoists.

 

When the storms hit, crews were out in the thick of it, clearing debris from drains, distributing sand bags, removing fallen trees and damaged signs, replacing broken fencing, making street lighting columns safe, and much more besides.

 

Sadly, the Leader added that we did see rainwater flood several properties in the Ogmore Valley, and our staff attended to help householders. Investigations to establish the cause of the flooding is ongoing by officers from our flood management team

 

At the height of the rainfall, several roads were flooded with some being closed until the water subsided and storm debris could be cleared, and crews had to unblock culverts in Pencoed after they became clogged by debris which was washing downstream.

 

A fallen tree temporarily blocked the road between Bridgend and Maesteg, while on the Bwlch, water was discharging with such force that it overtopped walls and drains, and pushed rocks and stones down onto the road.

 

In the wake of the storms, council staff had also been carrying out further precautionary checks to ensure that forty-one former coal mining sites remain safe in the Ogmore, Garw and Llynfi valleys.

 

In the spirit of mutual aid, our staff also offered support and equipment for colleagues in Rhondda Cynon Taf, where several hundred homes and properties have been devastated by the flooding where a major emergency was declared. The Leader took the opportunity to pay tribute to colleagues in the emergency services especially South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, that alongside South Wales Police, NHS and Council staff sometimes at risk to their own lives have been there in their hour of need.   

 

As all the evidence and forecasts are that more extreme weather conditions will be experienced more frequently in the future, BCBC will carefully consider in the coming months how it can increase the resources to reduce the risk of flooding in the future. The Authority will also consider how it can bolster capacity to respond to flooding when it does take place.

 

The Leader announced that he was pleased that the Authority were developing plans for a new £600,000 apprenticeship  ...  view the full minutes text for item 401.

402.

Presentation by the South Wales Fire and Rescue Authority pdf icon PDF 68 KB

Minutes:

The Mayor introduced to the meeting, C Barton, Treasurer and H Jakeway, Chief Fire Officer from the South Wales Fire Authority to the meeting to give a joint presentation.

 

It was confirmed that there were 47 Fire Stations comprising the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) covering the following areas:-

 

·         Bridgend CBC

·         Blaenau Gwent

·         Rhondda Cynon Taf

·         Vale of Glamorgan

·         Caerphilly

·         Merthyr Tydfil

·         Torfaen

·         Monmouthshire

·         Newport, and

·         Cardiff

 

Each of the above Unitary Authorities committed the following towards the SWFRS, with the population of each County Borough area shown in brackets thereafter:-

 

1.    Merthyr Tydfil - £2,790,365 (59,254)

2.    Rhondda Cynon Taf - £11,252,298 (238,945)

3.    Bridgend - £6,746,905 (143,272)

4.    Vale of Glamorgan - £6,047,690 (128,424)

5.    Cardiff £17,437,965 (370,299)

6.    Torfaen £4,336,523 (92,087)

7.    Newport £7,028,029 (149,243)

8.    Monmouthshire £4,382,814 (93,070)

9.    Blaenau Gwent £3,266,932 (69,374)

10.  Caerphilly £8,537,563 (181,297)

 

The 2019/20 Revenue Budget of the SWFRS was just over £70m of which 75% was spent on staff costs. A considerable amount of this was spent on operational personnel, with some services being external but most being internal expenditure.

 

The Officer then gave a resume of what the SWFRS budget covered, which included:-

 

·         Transport

·         Supplies

·         Training

·         Premises

·         Capital Financing Income

·         Other

 

The budget for employees was split into Control, Support, Operational and other costs.

 

Officers confirmed that the SWFRS had to use around 7% of its budget to finance borrowing for its Capital programme, in order to fully discharge its functions. In real terms however, since the inception of austerity and the resulting recession, there had been a change in the Net Revenue Budget equating to a reduction of approximately 17% in real terms.

 

Council were then informed that there were three Fire Authorities in Wales, covering the areas of South Wales, Mid and West Wales and North Wales. The SWFRS also received towards its overall income, Welsh Government grants and funding for pension costs. It was estimated that funding from Welsh Government for pension costs would be cut by £200k next financial year.

 

There were financial pressures with regards to premises costs and the requirement to renew some equipment, i.e. fire engines and other fire-fighting equipment.

 

The SWFRS also had to maintain a level of funding as reserves to cover unforeseen expenditure, for example industrial action costs, where emergency services would still be required.

 

In terms of budget pressures, the SWFRS budget assumed a £0.4m efficiency saving on staffing each year. All other inflation factors were absorbed within existing budgets. A current projected overspend of £0.9m had been absorbed through other methods of expenditure savings.

 

With regards to the risks within the area of South Wales, Officers explained that these related to the Fire Authority playing its part in looking after the infrastructure in the form of the highway network and other structures such bridges, as well as those that related to large sports and other events (music) that attracted a considerable amount of the public in one place at any given time.

 

The Service  ...  view the full minutes text for item 402.

403.

Corporate Plan 2018-2022 Reviewed for 2020-21 pdf icon PDF 76 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Interim Head of Finance presented a report, that sought Council approval of the Corporate Plan 2018-2022 reviewed for 2020-21 (Appendix A to the report referred).

 

The Corporate Plan 2018-2022, described the council’s vision for Bridgend County Borough; its 3 well-being objectives and our organisational values and principles that underpin how the Council will work to deliver its priorities.

 

She explained that the comments received through the overview and scrutiny process had proven valuable and had led to the Corporate Plan being modified accordingly, to incorporate some of their recommendations.

 

The Interim Head of Finance gave a resume of some of the key themes that were included in the Corporate Plan, including the fact that BCBC had 4,225 full time employees, providing over 800 separate services.

 

The Plan included 7 long-term well-being goals, defining 5 clear ways of working. It also included information on how the local authority set its budget and explained also how the Council worked with some key partners and stakeholders, in order to deliver the Plans aims and objectives.   

 

There were a number of new success measures in the Plan (some of which are new national indicators), linked to BCBC’s commitments to ensure the Authority can monitor progress. Where possible targets had been set to help drive improvement, in the case of new indicators with no benchmark information, the target was to establish a baseline.

 

She explained that the Plan would be reviewed annually to take into account changing circumstances and progress made against the well-being objectives and also to ensure that the requirements of Local Government (Wales) Measure 2009 and the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 are met.

 

The Interim Head of Finance concluded her submission, by advising that a well-being assessment of the impact of the Corporate Plan had been completed and was included at Appendix B to the report.

 

The Leader thanked all those who had contributed to the Corporate Plan. He advised that it was ‘refreshed’ annually and though it did not include an exhaustive list of the services the Council provided, it did detail some of the more important ones. The Plan he added, also focussed on the risks of the Council and areas where there was some scope for improved performance

 

RESOLVED:                      That Council approves and adopts the Corporate Plan 2018-2022 reviewed for 2020-21.

404.

Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020-21 to 2023-24 pdf icon PDF 151 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Interim Head of Finance and Section 151 Officer presented a report, the purpose of which, was to seek Council approval of the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020-21 to 2023-24, attached at Annex 3, which includes a financial forecast for 2020-24, a detailed revenue budget for 2020-21 and a Capital Programme for 2019-20 to 2029-30. This is dependent on Cabinet approval on 25 February 2020.

 

She advised that the allocation of budget determines the extent to which the Council’s well-being objectives can be delivered. The Corporate Plan and Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) identify the Council’s service and resource priorities for the next four financial years, with particular focus on 2020-21.

 

This report was presented to Council to provide details of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy for the four year period 2020-21 to 2023-24. The MTFS is complimentary to the Council’s Corporate Plan, and looks to provide the resources to enable the Council’s wellbeing objectives to be met. The MTFS outlines the principles and detailed assumptions which drive the Council’s budget and spending decisions, outlines the financial context in which the Council is operating, and tries to mitigate any financial risks and pressures going forward, at the same time as taking advantage of any opportunities arising.

 

The Interim Head of Finance and Section 151 Officer, explained that the announcement of the final local government settlement for 2020-21 was approximately two months later than previous years, due to the changing Brexit deadline and then the UK general election, and as a result this budget is being proposed on the basis of the provisional settlement received in December 2019. Whilst we do not anticipate any significant change in funding between the provisional and final settlement, how the Authority will deal with any changes, would be made clear in the Medium Term Financial Strategy and reported back to Council at a later date. It was not envisaged that any changes will impact upon council tax.

 

The report outlined the financial issues that Council is requested to consider as part of the 2020-21 to 2023-24 MTFS. The Council’s Section 151 Officer was required to report annually on the robustness of the level of reserves. The level of Council reserves was sufficient to protect the Council in light of unknown demands or emergencies and current funding levels. It must be emphasised that the biggest financial risks the Council is exposed to at the present time relate to the uncertainty of Welsh Government funding, the increasing difficulty in the delivery of planned budget reductions, as well as the identification of further proposals. Therefore, it was imperative that the Council Fund balance is managed in accordance with the MTFS Principle 9, as set out in the MTFS, and it is essential that revenue service expenditure and capital expenditure is contained within the identified budgets.

 

The Section 151 Officer was further required to report to Council if they do not believe that they have sufficient resource to discharge their role as required by S114 of the Local  ...  view the full minutes text for item 404.

Recorded Vote
TitleTypeRecorded Vote textResult
Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020-21 to 2023-24 Resolution Carried
  • View Recorded Vote for this item
  • 405.

    Council Tax 2020-21 pdf icon PDF 123 KB

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    The Interim Head of Finance and Section 151 Officer presented a report, the purpose of which, was to provide Council with details of the Council

    Tax requirement for the County Borough Council together with the

    requirements of the Police & Crime Commissioner for South Wales and

    Community/Town Councils.

     

    The report outlined certain background information, following which the Interim Head of Finance and Section 151 Officer referred Members to paragraph 4.4, that showed the average Council Tax for the County Borough for 2020-21 in Table 3.

     

    She added that, the Council, as the billing authority, is required to formally approve the Council Tax for its area. This must be set to meet the net budget requirement of the Authority and its precepting authorities. Details of this were outlined in Table 5 within the report.

     

    The Council was also required to approve the Council Tax charges for Band D properties for the chargeable financial year beginning 1 April, for each of the community areas. These were shown in Table 6 of the report.  All calculations so highlighted were for a Band D equivalent property.

     

    The Interim Head of Finance and Section 151 Officer concluded her submission by stating that for the sake of clarity, the resulting charges for each Band were reproduced in Appendix A (to the report).

     

    RESOLVED:                        That Council approved:

     

    ·          a Band D Council Tax for Bridgend County Borough Council of £1,537.06 for 2020-21, and

    ·          the Council Tax charges for Band D properties for 2020-21 for

     each of the community areas as outlined.?

    406.

    Treasury Management and Capital Strategies 2020-21 Onwards pdf icon PDF 294 KB

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    The Interim Head of Finance and Section 151 Officer submitted a report, the purpose of which, was to present to Council the Treasury Management Strategy 2020-21 (Appendix A to the report) which includes the Treasury Management Indicators, and the Capital Strategy 2020-21 to 2029-30 (Appendix B) which includes the Prudential Indicators for approval.

     

    The Treasury Management Strategy 2020-21 confirmed the Council’s compliance with the Treasury Management in the Public Services: Code of Practice. It also fulfils the Council’s legal obligation under the Local Government Act 2003 to have regard to both the CIPFA Code and the Welsh Government Guidance.

     

    She advised that, the Treasury Management Strategy is an integrated strategy where borrowing and investments are managed in accordance with best professional practice. The Council borrows money either to meet short term cash flow needs or to fund capital schemes within the capital programme but loans taken are not associated with particular assets. The Council is exposed to financial risks including the potential loss of invested funds and the effect on revenue of changing interest rates. The Council endeavours to minimise the risks by investing its funds prudently, and having regard firstly to the security of investments then to their liquidity and finally to the seeking the highest rate of return, or yield. The Strategy outlined the Council’s definition of specified and non-specified

    investments, the financial limits for each category of investments and the

    approved counterparties with associated credit ratings.

     

    The Interim Head of Finance and Section 151 Officer proceeded, by confirming that the Capital Strategy 2020-21 to 2029-30 (Appendix B of the report) was presented to the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the 13 February 2020 for information. It confirmed the Council’s compliance with the Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities. It sets out the guiding principles for capital decisions as to:-

     

    1.  Focus capital investment on delivery of the Council’s Objectives and  Priorities

    2.  Ensure strong governance over decision-making

    3.  Ensure that capital plans are affordable, sustainable and prudent

    4.  Maximise and promote the best use of available funds

     

    The Capital Strategy set out a framework for the self-management of capital finance and examines the following areas:

     

    • Capital expenditure and investment plans
    • Prudential Indicators
    • External debt
    • Treasury Management

     

    It also reported on the delivery, affordability and risks associated with the long-term context, in which capital expenditure and investment decisions are made.

     

    The Local Authority (Capital Finance and Accounting) (Amendment) (Wales)

    Regulations 2008, also required the Council to produce and approve an Annual Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement before the start of the financial year. Where a Council finances capital expenditure by debt, it must put aside revenue resources to repay that debt in later years and this is charged to revenue.

     

    To conclude her submission, the Interim Head of Finance and Section 151 Officer advised that this Statement was attached at Appendix B - Schedule A, to the report.

     

    RESOLVED:                        That Council approved:

    • the Treasury Management Strategy 2020-21 including the Treasury

               Management Indicators 2020-21 to 2022-23  ...  view the full minutes text for item 406.

    407.

    Urgent Items

    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:

    None.

     

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