The Leader informed Members that they may have seen the recent joint statement issued by Professor Mark Drakeford, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, and Vaughn Gething, Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport, about potential health board boundary changes.  He stated that this confirmed that a formal 12-week consultation would soon be launched to gauge public opinions and thoughts on the principle of a boundary change.  The consultation will include consideration of regulations made under the Social Services and Wellbeing Wales Act 2014 to ensure that regional partnership boards and safeguarding boards reflect the proposed health board boundary change. 

He stated that the proposals were originally revealed in July when a Welsh Government White Paper set out proposals to secure resilience and renewal in local government in Wales.  This included specific proposals on partnership arrangements for Bridgend in order to retain the advantages of close partnership working between local government and health boards.

He informed members that Bridgend is in a unique position in Wales in that it works in partnership across two overlapping footprints.  The Welsh Government proposal is that in future, health services within Bridgend’s area should be delivered by Cwm Taf University Health Board instead of Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board.  This was to ensure clarity and consistency, and so that these arrangements are coherent within the broader local government reform programme.

The Leader also informed Council that the Welsh Government update emphasised that the proposed change would align Bridgend more firmly with its strategic partnership arrangements across many other local authority functions, including participation in the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal.  In their joint announcement, the cabinet secretaries acknowledged the valuable work undertaken by this council, ABMU and Cwm Taf University Health Boards in relation to the development of the proposal, and had recognised this Council’s belief that clarity and understanding over the issue is necessary and in the best interests of the people it serves.

He stated that the Cabinet Secretaries recognise the significant work that has been undertaken as part of the South Wales Programme to determine the effective provision of certain emergency and hospital-based services across health boards in South Wales.  The outcome of the South Wales Programme was a decision to retain Accident and Emergency Services at the Princess of Wales Hospital.  He stated that the statement is clear and explicit that any health board boundary change as a result of this consultation will not re-open those decisions.  He informed Council that details about when the consultation will begin have not yet been released, but were likely to be very soon this autumn and he would bring further details as soon as more information is received.

The Leader announced that he had previously given a commitment to keep Members informed of progress of the Valleys Taskforce, the draft statement ‘Our Valleys.Our Future’ was published at the beginning of the summer.  He stated that very detailed evidence had been submitted for the inclusion of a ‘North Bridgend Strategic Investment Hub’ which would encompass all three Valleys the, Llynfi, Ogmore and Garw.  He informed Council that Welsh Government officials have received this case very positively, and a final strategy document and Ministerial announcement are expected shortly.  He stated that it was as yet unknown whether any additional resources will be invested by Welsh Government in delivering the Taskforce action plan.

The Leader announced that all Leaders from across South East Wales are continuing to meet on a regular basis to progress the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal and working towards finalising a 5 year strategic business plan that can be brought back to all ten authorities for approval.  He stated that the business plan will set out areas of focus agreed in the heads of term agreement with the UK government.  It will not and cannot be a detailed document that sets out every single project that commits every single penny for every year of the City Deal.  He stated that every City Deal project will have to progress through a rigorous and comprehensive 5 stage business case assessment process including, proposal, strategic, outline, full and sign off stage.  The robust assurance framework includes consideration of projects by the Regional Economic partnership, the Regional Business Organisation, the Regional Skills and Employment Board and the Regional Transport Authority.

He informed Council that whilst the business plan may include a small number of strategic schemes that have been taken through the full assurance framework, and all the associated due diligence, it was more likely to give examples of the investments and projects that are envisaged at this stage.  He stated that the challenge for all ten authorities is to balance the need to maintain a focus on high level strategic initiatives that will be real game changers for the region like the Metro and the world’s first semi-conductor cluster and to make it clear how it relates to Bridgend’s individual communities.  He stated that all ten authorities will continue to work hard to maintain this balance and Bridgend has a strong voice and influence in the City Deal, with its Chief Executive serving as the Lead Chief Executive and that he chairs the Regional Transport Authority.