The Corporate Director – Communities submitted a report, the purpose of which, was to initiate debate with Town and Community Councils (TCCs) and gauge appetite for collaborative working with Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC).

By way of background information, the Chairperson of Subject Overview and Scrutiny Committee 3 who presented the report, confirmed that it has been highlighted that BCBC should work closer in partnership with TCCs in a bid to maintain community services that are at risk of future budget cuts and to ensure the best services and outcomes for the citizens of Bridgend.

On 22 October 2018 he confirmed that Subject Overview and Scrutiny Committee 3 received a report (attached at Appendix A), that detailed the outcome of the Independent Review Panel in relation to TCCs and the impact the implementation the recommendations would have on BCBC.

Several comments and recommendations were made by Members at the above Committee meeting (see Appendix B to the report), which included the suggestion for the submission of the report, along with the outcomes of the meeting to the Town and Community Council Forum.

The Chairperson of the Subject Overview and Scrutiny Committee 3, then picked out some salient points contained in the reports Appendices, such as for example:-

·        That Bridgend had 100% coverage of TCCs which compared favourably with neighbouring authorities;

·        A total precept of £2.5m had been generated by TCCs in the Bridgend County Borough in 2018/19;

·        He felt that attendance levels needed to improve at future meetings of the Forum, particularly by nominated representatives of TCCs;

·        The possibility of the Town and Community Council Forum meeting more frequently than quarterly, in order to ensure momentum and consistent monitoring of any future collaborative work between the two tiers of Authority; and

·        Detailing the number of CAT projects either completed or in the process of being considered

·        The comments and recommendations made by Subject Overview and Scrutiny Committee 3 at its meeting on 22 October 2018, on the topic of ‘Collaboration with Town and Community Councils.’

The Chairperson advised that Welsh Government had undertaken a review of the role provided by Town/Community Councils, and through the suggestion of a Member, he felt that it would be advantageous if a representative from Welsh Government be invited to the next/a future meeting of the Forum, to explain to Members the outcomes of the review so conducted.

He referred Members to page 97/overleaf of the report and of the services and amenities currently being provided by TCCs which were considerable in the support of respective communities. In addition to what had already been done, this section of the report confirmed that a total of 71 TCCs confirmed their intention to take on services in the next 12 months, for example, maintenance of playing fields/village greens/other open space, public conveniences, village halls/community centres and playgrounds/areas and play equipment.

A Member felt also that skills of TCC Clerks was important, as well as TCCs taking on work collectively through providing services through joint funding and pooling of precepts, including on behalf of BCBC.

A Member was also of the opinion, that the Town and Community Council Forum should not only meet more often, but also have greater powers in order to determine issues and take things forward, as opposed to just noting reports on topical issues that came before it.

RESOLVED:                    That the Town and Community Council Forum noted the recommendations previously proposed by Subject Overview and Scrutiny Committee 3, attached at Appendix 3 to the report.