To receive apologies for absence from Members.

Cllr CE Smith

Cllr P White

Cllr S Vidal

Cllr T Giffard

Cllr J Radcliffe

Cllr JR Mcarthy

Cllr R Shaw

Cllr JH Tyldsley

Cllr S Aspey

Cllr K Rowlands

Cllr RM James

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 were made by Members

Cllr David White – Personal Interest in Item 8 as a family member is employed by the Council

Cllr Spanswick – Personal Interest in item 8 as a family member is employed by the council

Cllr B Jones – Personal Interest in item 8 as a family member is employed by the Council.

The Corporate Director Operations and Partnership Services declared an interest on behalf of all officers in the chamber in item 8 and stated that all would leave the chamber while this item was discussed.

To receive the minutes of the Annual Meeting of Council of 17^th May 2017 and the minutes of Council of 31^st May 2017.

Resolved:   That the minutes of the meeting of Council on 17 May and 31 May 2017 were approved as a true and accurate record of the meeting

 (i) Mayor (or person presiding)

(ii) Members of the Cabinet

(iii) Chief Executive

The Mayor

The Mayor announced that after a short break with her consort she had returned to a busy couple of weeks and with the warmer weather they had a lovely time at various community events and openings.  On Saturday 24^th June they attended the Brackla Funday and flower show and it was great to have seen so many people there enjoying the attractions and supporting their local community.

The Mayor stated that anyone who knew her, knew what a great animal lover she was and on Sunday therefore, she was pleased to be asked to open the Dogs Trust Bridgend funday in the grounds of Pencoed College. This was the biggest event in the re-homing centre’s calendar and drew thousands to watch the dog show. She and her consort were honoured to be asked to judge the first class in this event, although choosing was always going to be difficult for her as she thought that they all deserved to win.

The first event in support of her charity fundraising was held last week and she wished to thank all who attended and showed their support.  Events would be happening throughout the year and dates would be put into calendars so that Members were aware of the dates.  Details of her charities were still being finalised and she advised she would let Members know as soon as they were confirmed.

The Mayor recently attended an event with the Lord Lieutenant to present an MBE award to Mr. Dennis Jones.  Mr. Jones is 91 and for the last 25 years has been a volunteer with the Citizens Advice Bureau.  His dedication and hard work is truly inspiring and it was great to celebrate his achievements with his colleagues, friends and family. 

On a more sombre note, the Mayor referred to the dreadful events in Kensington where people lost their lives and scores of families lost their homes and in the Grenfell fire.  She stated that all our thoughts were obviously with those affected and our gratitude with the emergency services particularly the fire service who risked their own lives in saving others. In remembrance of all the people who were affected by the shocking event she asked all present to observe one minute’s silence.

A one minutes silence was observed by all present.

The Deputy Leader

The Deputy Leader announced that hundreds of local high street retailers could benefit from reduced rates bills as part of the Welsh Government’s High Street Rates Relief Scheme.  Eligible retailers will receive up to £1,500 off their non-domestic rates bill if they have a rateable value of £50,000 or less in the 2017-18 financial year.  In Bridgend County Borough, it is estimated that 449 ratepayers fit the criteria and could potentially benefit from the scheme, which he added, will also be offered in conjunction with the Small Business Rates Relief and Transitional Relief initiatives.

Members will be aware that many businesses have expressed concern about increases in non-domestic rates as a result  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

The Leader stated that plans to improve the local network of walking and cycle routes will move up a gear this summer.  The Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 requires local authorities to develop a 15-year vision for an active travel network so that residents can rely less on their cars for short everyday journeys, such as travelling to work or school or to access shops and services.  Following an initial public consultation in 2015 to find out which routes were being used, the council has launched a new consultation and wants residents to comment on our proposals.  These include links between Newton and Porthcawl town centre, Cornelly to Pyle railway station, Bridgend town centre to the Bridgend Designer Outlet, Broadlands to Bryntirion Comprehensive School, and more besides. 

He informed Members that the proposals focus upon shorter urban routes in the first instance due to the greater potential number of people who would make use of them, but other longer-term schemes have also been earmarked, such as Pyle to Porthcawl, Bridgend to Porthcawl and Pencoed to Bridgend.  He added that Members would no doubt want to encourage people to have their say.  He informed Members they could do this by visiting the consultation pages of the council website before the closing date of 1 September.

Porthcawl was set to host the Seniors Open for the second time at the end of next month, and he stated that this is a major coup which would showcase the county borough to a global audience.

He added that when the town first hosted the event back in 2014, players praised the excellent course conditions, more than 43,000 spectators lined the fairways, and visitors poured into the area to provide a welcome boost for local trade.   This year features a world-class line-up of golfing legends, including former Ryder Cup captains Bernhard Langer and Colin Montgomerie, and he was sure that it will be an even greater success.

The Leader stated that Members would be aware that Bridgend County Borough Council actively promotes participation in sport, and a ‘youth ticket’ scheme has been made available.  He added that this lets 17-24 year-olds watch all the action for just £16, while anyone aged 16 or under who is accompanied by an adult will be admitted free of charge.  He stated that residents could find out more by visiting the senior open championship website.

The Chief Executive welcomed Chris Hadfield from South Wales Fire and Rescue and David Todd-Jones, Development and Building Control Officer for the Authority. 

The Chief Executive gave condolences to families involved in incident and thanked colleagues in South Wales Fire and Rescue Service that were providing ongoing support to colleagues in London in dealing with the aftermath of incident. 

The Chief Executive gave a Fire Safety Briefing to Members with the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service.  They explained to members the facts about the Grenfell Tower fire, where it started and how it had spread throughout the tower.  They advised that although the cladding was not the only contributing factor to the spread of the fire.   The Chief Executive informed Members that the Authority had received lots of information and advice from the National Fire Chiefs Council so we could learn and resource accordingly. 

The Chief Executive advised Members that we do not have any high rise accommodation in Bridgend County and where external insulating materials have been added to housing by V2C it was not rain screen cladding as used at Grenfell Tower, the insulation improvement work was undertaken in compliance with building regulations. 

The Head of Fire Safety was responsible for Fire Safety legislation and that their focus at this time was on high rise premises in South Wales, and they were looking at premises over 6 storeys, of which there were 109 in Wales, which had all been inspected within the last 7 years and that a number of them had gone under gone refurbishment with cladding.   The Fire and Rescue Services and relevant Local Authorities were working closely with the owners and landlords of these properties to re-evaluate their fire assessments and to reassure the public that high rise living was safe.      South Wales Fire and Rescue were focussing their efforts on life risk, and would be taking a steer from public inquest of the fire in Grenfell Tower.  They would be visiting all 109 premises over a period of time and have been reassured we can lean on other colleagues for assistance.

A Member stated that whilst buildings were being checked to ensure they complied with Fire Safety regulations she was concerned that unsafe electrical equipment was being used in the properties.  She asked if like the Commercial Sector has PAT Testing for equipment, could a similar approach be taken forward in private properties where there were Houses in multiple occupations.

The representative from South Wales Fire and Rescue stated that this would not possible to implement as these were peoples private homes, and they were unable to regulate against that.  But, they do offer free home safety fire checks so if members of the public were concerned they could contact them to carry out these checks but they could not enforce them.  The free checks involved local fire crews going out from local fire stations to give advice on electrical items, and smoke tests and alarms.  The Chief Executive added that housing association  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

The Corporate Director Communities submitted a report to Council to seek approval from the Council to make a change to the Capital Programme to include a budget of £68,000 for the purchase of a Civil Parking Mobile Enforcement Vehicle. 

He stated that on the 1^st April 2013, Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC) was given the powers to undertake civil parking enforcement (CPE) under the legislative powers of the Traffic Management Act 2004, to deliver effective parking enforcement.  Drivers who park their vehicles in areas such as on school ‘keep clear’ markings, bus stops and where a loading ban is in place, are a danger to road users and pedestrians, especially children, as well as causing traffic congestion. Road safety outside of schools is vitally important, and concerns in this regard have been expressed by schools, parents and local members representing the communities.

He advised Members that the Authority currently employs 12 Civil Enforcement Officers, exclusively operating within the County Borough of Bridgend to provide parking enforcement, both on-street and off-street across the Authority. They currently issue in the region of 10,000 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) per annum.  While enforcement resources were appropriate for the majority of parking infringements, it was of concern that it had been suggested that enforcement consistently fails to meet expectations in the areas of schools, bus stops and other locations where short-term parking is prohibited i.e. zig-zags associated with pedestrian crossing facilities, no loading/unloading restrictions, double yellow lines with kerb markings. (Note: these are not areas where blue badge holders would be exempt from penalty charge notices being applied).  He added that whilst officers are regularly deployed to these areas their physical presence prevents parking only whilst they are there. Once officers leave the area, inappropriate parking reoccurs.

The Cabinet Member Communities stated that the vehicle would be targeting improving road safety in the borough and inappropriate parking When parking enforcement officers were visible, parking and driving was generally fine but when they aren’t visible the inappropriate behaviours returned causing chaos.  Therefore, he endorsed the purchase of the Civil Enforcement Vehicle and equipment as a good investment stating that it would be a deterrent as it is mobile, therefore, holds back inappropriate behaviour.  He added that this decision had come from requests from schools, residents and some members.  He advised that it would be strictly controlled and not to be used outside areas identified in the report and the vehicle is bright yellow to ensure its visibility. 

Several Members welcomed the initiative around schools, as they had seen many occurrences of inconsiderate and dangerous parking with PCSO’s on duty getting verbal abuse on a regular basis. They welcomed the vehicle as a deterrent and as a good initiative to reduce putting our children in danger.

One Member added that as the dangerous and inconsiderate parking and driving did not only occur at the beginning and end of the school day but also during the middle of the day when younger nursery children were being dropped  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

All Officers present at the meeting left the meeting during the consideration of the Pay policy Statement 2017/18

The Corporate Director Operational and Partnership Services submitted a report to Council on the updated Pay Policy Statement for Council’s consideration for the year 2017/18 is attached as Appendix A.

He advised that the Pay Policy Statement is fully compliant with the Localism Act 2011.  Agreement was reached previously in respect of a two year pay negotiations for:

• The Chief Executives who received  a 1% rise as of 1^st April 2016 and who will receive a further 1% rise as of  1^st April 2017
• Chief Officers who received  a 1% rise as of 1^st April 2016 and who will receive a further 1% rise as of 1^st April 2017

He added that similarly a two year deal was agreed for those employed under Soulbury and JNC Youth & Community terms and conditions.  In line with their national terms and conditions the effective date of their pay rise for 2016 was 1^st September in that year and the effective date of their 2017 pay rise will be payable as at 1^st September 2017.

RESOLVED:     That Council approved the updated Pay Policy Statement  as  attached as Appendix A to the report

The Corporate Director Operational and Partnership Services submitted a report to Council which provided details of the new Overview and Scrutiny Committee Structure, Terms of Reference and its processes. 

He advised Members that the new Overview and Scrutiny Structure would be kept under review and any issues and outcomes would be identified in the Scrutiny Annual Report  2018.  The Corporate Director Operational and Partnership Services explained to Members the new membership of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees and that it would continue to reflect the political balance of the Authority, the Forward Work planning procedures and annual Budget Consultation Process and how the Call in and pre-decision Scrutiny would work for the new Overview and Scrutiny Structure. 

A Member referred to para 4.18 of the report where it stated that Overview and Scrutiny could call-in a total of 6 decisions per year and was concerned that although we were a relatively low call-in authority that this procedure left little flexibility to call in further items if required and stated that there could be a year in which more than the allocated 6 decisions may need to be called in. 

The Corporate Director Operational and Partnership Services stated that the Authority had never had this amount of call-ins previously and stated that this would be quite extraordinary to receive this number.  He added there needs to be a limit, to allow the Authority to operate effectively.  He added that if this level is found to be too low then this could be reviewed at such time.

A Member referred to Appendix B of the report where it stated that the term of office for Councillors was every 4 years, he stated that this should read every 5 years. 

The Corporate Director Operational and Partnership Services stated that this appendix was included in the report to demonstrate the changes needed to the constitution as a result of the restructure of Overview and Scrutiny, he advised that this would also be updated as required.

J Spanswick

A Member welcomed the report with caution adding that Bridgend is one of the best in wales for Scrutiny but supported the changes provided that changes could be made if required when the structure is reviewed in due course.  He also urged all members to fully engage in the scrutiny process and to fully take part of scrutiny process in Bridgend

A Member referred to page 68 of the report para 4.12.1 where if stated that there was also an opportunity for Corporate Directors to propose items for the Scrutiny Forward Work Programme and advise on their appropriate timing, he was concerned that this would be deemed to be an officer led process.    The Corporate Director Operational and Partnership Services stated that Corporate Directors are able to add value to the Scrutiny process Situation by suggesting items as they are in the unique position where they are aware of what is planned for the future and changes to legislation for example – This would allow Corporate Directors  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

Question from Councillor J Williams to the Cabinet Member for Communities

“In view of the continuing and overwhelming number of complaints being received by Councillors regarding the poor standard of service currently provided by Kier, what action is the Cabinet Member for Communities taking to address mounting public anger and genuine frustration at this totally unacceptable situation in which we now find ourselves?”

Question from Councillor T Thomas to the Cabinet Member for Communities    

“What KPI’s are specially attached to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the Kier recycling and refuse contract?”

Question from Councillor J Williams to the Cabinet Member for Communities

“In view of the continuing and overwhelming number of complaints being received by Councillors regarding the poor standard of service currently provided by Kier, what action is the Cabinet Member for Communities taking to address mounting public anger and genuine frustration at this totally unacceptable situation in which we now find ourselves?”

Response:

‘Obviously, the service Kier have provided over recent weeks has fallen short of what the Council expects and what local residents deserve, and this position is totally unacceptable to this Council. I completely understand the frustration and anger of some of those residents that have experienced problems and received a poor service.

Since the last Council meeting on May 31^st  officers have continued to be in regular contact with senior Kier managers every day, including most weekends,  and Kier are in absolutely no doubt about how disappointed we are about the underperformance issues and their failure to resolve some of them quickly enough.   Senior officers also meet regularly with the Leader, Deputy Leader and Cabinet colleagues about this matter and the Leader has escalated our concerns to the highest level within Kier, writing a very strongly worded letter to the overall Kier Chief Executive last week demanding immediate action.

Additionally the Leader and Corporate Director Communities insisted last week that the Managing Director of Kier Environmental Services, Mr Julian Tranter, attend an urgent meeting in Bridgend to  address our most immediate concerns, particularly with regard to a build-up of missed collections throughout the County Borough. This resulted in a number of short term actions to clear waste from the streets including;

1. a short term arrangement to allow in some cases the ‘ mixing ‘ of waste to allow collection rounds to be completed more quickly in view of the exceptionally hot temperatures experienced last week.

2. the induction and employment of over 20 additional staff [ including 5 drivers ] to provide greater resilience and allow all available resources to be deployed and targeted appropriately

3. additional rounds arranged to collect recycling from Monday June 26^th ,so that there are now 18 rounds ‘ manned ‘ by a driver plus 2 operatives to collect the significantly increased amount of recycling material that is being generated.

4. an additional vehicle deployed to collect AHP waste

5. a ‘courier’ type company engaged to accelerate the delivery of outstanding recycling container and bag deliveries and remove the backlog. These have again been much more than originally envisaged as each household in theory should have already had a food caddy, but there have been many thousands of requests for new ones.

All of these actions are at no additional cost to the Council.

In addition, the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities, together with the Head of Neighbourhood Services, visited the Kier Depot in Tondu this week   to meet local managers and look at and discuss the current operation. It is very clear that the contract is now much better resourced  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

Question from Councillor C Webster to the Cabinet Member for Social Services & Early Help

“'Following publication of the CSSIW report Inspecting Children's Social Services June 2017, can the Cabinet Member for Social Services tell this Council what he is doing to implement the requirements of the Social Services and Wellbeing Act (Wales) Act 2014?”

Question from Councillor C Webster to the Cabinet Member Social Services & Early Help

'Following publication of the CSSIW report Inspecting Children's Social Services June 2017, can the Cabinet Member for Social Services tell this Council what he is doing to implement the requirements of the Social Services and Wellbeing Act (Wales) Act 2014?'

Response from the Cabinet Member Social Services & Early Help to Councillor C Webster

A project team was recruited for a 6 month period, made up of professional lead managers from children and adult social care, a training and development officer and a strategic development project manager.

The scope of the project was developed to review and identify gaps in policies and practice and ensure the directorate was able to work and align practice to the requirements of the Act. The team developed a work schedule and plan outlining the requirements with timescales, itemising the work necessary with managers, teams, partners, service users and members across adults and children’s services, including the work with welsh government and western bay over the 6 month period to the full implementation of the Act.

A project milestone action plan developed identified 68 key milestones necessary to the implementation and imbedding of the Act into practice. The team engaged with the Western Bay Regional Implementation Team, and also represented Bridgend at the national working groups looking at common approaches to implementation of specific areas of work across Wales (eg. information, advice and assistance).

Progress was reported, monitored and reviewed by a management board made up of the Director Sue Cooper, Head of Adult Services Jackie Davies and Head of Safeguarding and Assessment for Children’s services Laura Kinsey, with representation from legal and workforce development colleagues. The tight timescale for this work required monthly meetings to evaluate progress. A final report outlining all the work undertaken was produced in May 2016. A number of further reports have been written for members, and for western bay reporting purposes in relation to embedding the changes required by the Act into our practice. As Cabinet Member for Social Services I have been kept informed throughout.

Implementation of the Act is now an ongoing piece of work and the focus is now to embed new ways of working into everyday practice.

Member’s induction about the Social Services and Wellbeing Directorate is scheduled for the afternoon of 20^th July and following this meeting the CSSIW Children’s Services Inspection report will be presented to Scrutiny by the lead inspector. In addition to this the Director of Social Services and Wellbeing will be     presenting her annual report to full Council on 26^th July. There will be an opportunity at these meetings for there to be a greater debate about both the implementation of the SS&WB Act and the recent CSSIW inspection

A Member asked what involvement  the Council has had with local partnership agencies affecting the need of vulnerable children

The Leader advised Members that partner agencies are involved in decisions for vulnerable young people and Looked  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

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