(i) Mayor (or person presiding)
(ii) Members of the Cabinet
(iii) Chief Executive
Minutes:
Mayor
The Mayor welcomed all Members and officers to the first meeting of Council since his inauguration. He informed Council that he has had a very busy first few weeks since taking office and he thanked Ruth Ronan and Merete Bang and the Democratic Services Team for their support. He hoped to be able to announce the names of the charities that he will be supporting shortly. He had been putting forward a number of suggestions for new types of events which will help raise funds for these good causes and he asked Members to look out for more information very soon.
He announced that one of his goals as Mayor is to visit every Ward and to that end he would be grateful if Members could let the Mayoral office know of any local events that are taking place within their areas or even make arrangements for a tour of the Ward.
The Mayor also announced that he had yesterday attended the 5th official opening of the Senedd which was a very moving occasion and one that he was proud to have represented the Council at the ceremony.
The Mayor announced that this morning he and his Consort had attended the Active Wales Annual Conference in Porthcawl and welcomed members of the Wales OAP Association to the Grand Pavilion. He informed Members that it was wonderful to see so many of older citizens enjoying lively debate and looking to the future.
The Mayor also announced that the Council had marked this year’s Foster Care Fortnight with a drive to encourage applications from people in the county borough. Called ‘Get Connected’, the event was the most successful one yet and drew a great deal of publicity, including almost 64,000 people who saw it on Facebook alone, which resulted in enquiries from 35 potential new foster carers. He congratulated all who had been involved for helping make it a success.
The Mayor reminded Members that the Armed Forces flag would be raised at 10.30am on Monday 20 June outside the Civic Offices. The event will mark the beginning of Armed Forces Week and the flag will be flown throughout the week. All Members are very welcome to come and observe the flag raising thereby showing support to Armed Forces colleagues both past and present.
Deputy Leader
The Deputy Leader informed Members that four local girls who have received training as part of the Girls’ Network set up by the Active Young People department have travelled to London to pitch the project to IT services firm CGI. CGI are a well-known sponsor of the Commonwealth Games and the Girls network is seeking funding that will enable it to develop its services, which aim to encourage more young girls to take up sports and physical activity and boost their confidence, skills and self-esteem. He congratulated Rebecca Green from Porthcawl Comprehensive and Maesteg Comprehensive pupils Gerianne Svenson, Angharad Stokes and Megan Curling for acting as ambassadors for this very important scheme.
The Deputy Leader announced that pupils from Litchard Primary joined more than half a million children across the UK for this year’s Big Pedal event, and had clocked up the most school journeys made by bike or scooter of any school in Wales. The pupils’ fantastic efforts recorded a total of 2,970 journeys to and from school, which represents 82% of their daily journeys over a two week period and more than double those of the next highest school in the area, Porthcawl Primary. In total, 23 local schools took part and generated more than 17,200 ‘active’ journeys. He stated that the Big Pedal is organised by cycling charity Sustrans, and is designed to encourage people to lead active, healthier lifestyles and leave the car at home for short local journeys. He congratulated everyone involved for their fantastic efforts.
He had the pleasure of attending Afon y Felin Primary this morning to see the pupils provide a warm welcome for gold medallist paralympic athlete Simon Richardson who was there for the opening of the school’s new ‘cycle shed’, which he was that the pupils would put the new facility to good use.
The Deputy Leader was pleased to advise members that BAM Construction Ltd have been appointed as the contractor for the initial design stage of the all-new Brynmenyn Primary school. The new school will be constructed at the site of the former Archbishop McGrath comprehensive site adjacent to Y Dderwen and construction is anticipated to begin early next year once all necessary permissions are in place. The new school is scheduled to open its doors to pupils in January 2018.
The Deputy Leader announced that Year Five and Six pupils from Ffaldau Primary have produced a short film about the history of Pontcymmer that celebrates the history and positive aspects about life in the community. The opening and closing credits quote the well-known and locally written Welsh hymn, 'Calon Lan', which the children believe mirrors their views about the place where they live. He stated that the short film is definitely worth viewing and he hoped that Members will give it their full support.
Cabinet Member Communities
The Cabinet Member Communities informed Members that South Wales Police have advised they will be providing an escort for a series of ‘abnormal load’ convoys travelling through the area between 13 – 25 June. She stated wind turbine towers, blades and other equipment are being delivered to Mynydd Brombil in Neath Port Talbot and the convoys are likely to cause temporary delays for drivers as they journey from junction 36 of the M4 along the A4063 to Aberkenfig and up the Llynfi Valley. Up to two deliveries are anticipated each day between Monday and Friday and a single delivery on Saturdays. However, the developers and hauliers are making efforts to keep any inconvenience to a minimum, and are working with South Wales Police to schedule the deliveries so that they take place at off-peak times.
The Cabinet Member Communities informed Members that high quality construction work in the County Borough has been recognised at the South Wales Regional Local Authority Building Control Awards. The awards recognise the workmanship and technical innovation that goes into constructing buildings of an outstanding standard. The new Celtic Court rehabilitation centre at Tremains Road in Bridgend won the accolade for ‘best public service building’ and it will now go forward to be considered for national honours at the Welsh leg of the awards later this year. The construction of two new homes at The Retreat in Porthcawl has also been highly commended and shortlisted in the ‘best small new housing’ category. She congratulated everyone involved with Celtic Court which is an outstanding new building that meets customer needs, and will be a strong contender at the national awards in October.
Cabinet Member Adult Social Care and Health and Wellbeing
The Cabinet Member Adult Social Care and Health and Wellbeing
informed Members that Carers are getting an extra helping hand at Princess of Wales Hospital thanks to an integrated partnership between the Council, ABMU and a local charity. The Council has teamed up with the Bridgend Carers Centre for a scheme which is designed to identify the carers of patients that have been admitted to the wards. A full-time carer support worker now based within the hospital, which enables people to make sure that they are getting advice, help, support and information. The support worker’s role involves going around the various wards and departments and liaising with staff to identify carers. Assessments are carried out that ensures carers are directed to relevant services and support networks such as Care and Repair, Age Concern, the hospital discharge service and community organisations. The support worker can also direct people towards services offering legal and benefits advice, information on breaks for carers, counselling and more. This valuable service is available between Monday and Friday, and includes a late session on Thursdays for carers who can only visit during the evening. He requested if any Members are aware of constituents who are carers or who may be going into hospital, they may advise them that this service is available.
The Cabinet Member Adult Social Care and Health and Wellbeing announced that Bridgend Community Transport is currently seeking volunteer drivers who can spare a few hours a week to give something back to their community. More information is available by calling 01656 669665, or visiting www.bridgendcommunitytransport.co.uk.
Cabinet Member Children and Young People and Equalities
The Cabinet Member Children and Young People and Equalities announced that for the second year running, Bridgend County Borough Council has received an excellence award from Action on Hearing Loss Cymru in recognition of the services it provides for people who are deaf or have hearing loss. After winning an excellence award in addition to last year’s Gold award, the Council continues to be one of the most accessible organisations in Wales and has been praised for leading the way. She stated that the Council was the first in Wales to be accredited with the ‘Louder than Words’ charter and were also the first to be recognised by the British Deaf Association for working towards achieving the British Sign Language Charter. She informed Members that the Council also provides regular deaf awareness training for staff promotes excellent engagement with local British Sign Language (BSL) users and has a proactive approach to ensuring assistive technology such as hearing loops are in working order.
The Cabinet Member Children and Young People and Equalities
congratulated everyone who has played a part in achieving this recognition for Bridgend County Borough Council.
The Cabinet Member Children and Young People and Equalities also informed Members that this week is also National Carers Week, and the Council is demonstrating its support with a series of roadshows designed to inform local people about what services are available locally to help and advise them. The roadshows have already included venues such as the Customer Services centre at the Civic Offices and the Princess of Wales Hospital, and will culminate at the Rhiw Shopping Centre on Thursday 9 June between 10am and 4pm. She stated that Members can find out more by visiting www.carersweek.org.
The Cabinet Member Children and Young People and Equalities announced that the Flying Start Team will be holding an open day at Garth Primary School on 10 June.
The Cabinet Member Children and Young People and Equalities also announced that a report had been considered by Cabinet on the work undertaken by the Council to safeguard children and young people and urged Members to read the report.
Cabinet Member Resources
The Cabinet Member Resources announced the following pre-Council briefing which have been scheduled:
Central South Consortium
Anti-Slavery and Human Trafficking
Budget / MTFS Update
He stated that briefings were also planned on the City Deal; Developing Dementia Friendly Communities and a presentation from the Ty Elis Counselling Service. In addition, Member Development Session will include:
Safeguarding / Child Sexual Exploitation
Prevention of radicalisation of young people
The Wellbeing and Future Generations Act
Cabinet Member Regeneration and Economic Development
The Cabinet Member Regeneration and Economic Development announced that Maesteg Town Council and the Maesteg Town Centre Partnership are funding a programme of work that will give the town centre a general makeover in time for the summer. Pavements on Commercial Street and Talbot Street are being deep cleaned, bins replaced, and 15 ageing benches around the town centre replaced with new seating. At the town hall, colourful new window panels are being installed while the market gates will be painted and signage introduced. The market stonework will also be cleansed.
The Cabinet Member Regeneration and Economic Development was delighted to attend the relaunch of the Old Pilot Lookout Tower on Porthcawl seafront recently following a refurbishment of the 150 year old building. The work has been carried out as part of the Townscape Heritage Initiative, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Cadw and the Council.
With new windows, doors, roofing and external staircase, the tower is enjoying a second lease of life and is being manned by volunteers from the National Coastwatch Institution. They will use the tower to help spot danger so that amateur sailors and fishermen can stay safe in Porthcawl.
The Cabinet Member Regeneration and Economic Development announced that the newly formed Shared Regulatory Services has been highly commended for its engagement with businesses at the Primary Authority Awards 2016. The awards are an opportunity to showcase the most innovative and successful business – regulatory partnerships in the UK over the past 12 months. The Shared Regulatory Services was nominated in the ‘Officer / Team Award’ category, with the nominees being whittled down to two from a total of eight. Despite losing out on the Team Award to Hertfordshire County Council, the service was highly commended by the judges, who said that it has “…made a big impact in a short period of time,” and that “Its drive and enthusiasm to offer high quality primary authority services is commendable.” The Cabinet Member Regeneration and Economic Development stated that this was the result of a lot of hard work over the last year which has seen the service come together to establish itself as a shared resource and form close working relationships with a broad range of businesses. He congratulated the Corporate Director Operational and Partnership Services and the Head of Regulatory and Partnerships and all who had contributed towards its success.
Announcement on Behalf of the Chief Executive
The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing announced on behalf of the Chief Executive that since the signing of the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal a Growth and Competitive Commission had been established. An appointment of a Chief Officer had been made, namely Sheila Davies of Newport City Council. She stated that BCBC would host the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal Team.
The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing was delighted to announce the launch of the Wales Community Care Information Solution had taken place which support both health and social care throughout Wales. She stated that the Council had led the procurement of the system with its partner CareWorks Limited and is the leading system used by local authorities and health boards.