17 June 2003

Notice of the Decisions of the Meeting of the CABINET held at the Council Chamber, Neuadd Cyngor Ceredigion, Penmorfa, Aberaeron on Tuesday 17 June 2003.

Notice of the Decisions of the Meeting of the CABINET held at the Council Chamber, Neuadd Cyngor Ceredigion, Penmorfa, Aberaeron on Tuesday 17 June 2003

 

This notice is published at 5.00 pm on Wednesday 18 June 2003. The deadline for the receipt of requests to call-in any decision is 5.00 pm on Wednesday 25 June 2003. The decisions will come into force (if no valid call-in application is received) on Thursday 26 June 2003.

 

PRESENT: Councillor D.Ll. Evans (Chairman); Councillors W.G. Bennett, E.J.K. Evans,

A.Ll. Jones, S.M. Morris, R.P. Quant and

R.E. Thomas.

IN ATTENDANCE: Councillors E.E. ap Gwynn, G. Ellis, H.G. Evans, R.G. Harris, D.M. James and P. James

 

(10.00 a.m. – 2.10 p.m.)

 

C53

 

Apologies

Councillor P.W. Eklund apologised for his inability to attend the Meeting

 

C54

 

Personal

The Chairman congratulated Councillor R.P. Quant on being awarded the MBE for his services to Borth in the Queen’s Birthday Honours and all agreed that it was encouraging to see that this type of commitment to the Community was being recognised.

 

C55

 

Minutes of the Meeting held on 3 June 2003

DECISION

To confirm as a true record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Cabinet held on 3 June 2003.

 

C56

 

Matters arising

Dyfed Powys Magistrates Court Committee – The Chief Executive referred to the decision made by the Lord Chancellor’s Department to retain the existing Courts in Aberystwyth and Cardigan but unfortunately Lampeter Magistrates Court in spite of the Council’s many representations, would be closed. He read a letter advising the Council of the decision and stating that:-

· the Aberystwyth Court would be rebuilt as a multi purpose use building providing both Magistrates and County Court facilities

· Cardigan Court would also be improved as a facility.

 

C57

 

Decisions called in

There were no decisions called in from the Scrutiny Committees in relation to the Meeting of the Cabinet held on 3 June 2003.

 

C58

 

Audit Commission Wales – 2002/04

Consideration was given to the Report of the Chief Executive informing Members in relation to:-

· the Work Programme and the fee Scales of the Audit Commission Wales for 2002/04

· the Draft Public Audit (Wales) Bill

DECISION

(i) to note the content of the Report;

(ii) to respond to the WLGA in relation to the issues raised by them as follows:-

1. to agree and add that it would be sensible to create a single public audit body for Wales

2. to agree and add that the Cabinet feel it important to respect the democratic process

3. to agree with the response and add that it would be better to have a single office in Wales provided full communication and consultation with local government was maintained.

Reason for decision

Need to respond to the WLGA

 

C59

 

Rural Community Action Plan in Ceredigion

Consideration was given to the Report of the Chief Executive upon the Draft Rural Community Action Plan for Ceredigion and the need to respond on the content to Antur Teifi being the Lead Body.

DECISION

(i) to note the content of the Report;

(ii) to support the Draft Rural Community Action Plan for Ceredigion; and

(iii) to request that the term “Lead Body “ not be used in relation to Antur Teifi as this was already being used for Ceredigion County Council in Objective 1 matters.

Reason for decision

In order to progress with Action Plan

 

C60

 

Victoria Climbié Inquiry (VCI)

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Social Services upon recent developments in relation to the recommendations of Lord Laming’s report on the Victoria Climbié inquiry. The Welsh Assembly Government had requested an audit of the present position in the Authority relating to children..

DECISION

(i) to note the content of the Report; and

(ii) to authorise completion of the Audit in consultation with the Cabinet Member with the Social Services Portfolio with the draft response on governance (Standard 7) being presented to the Leader for approval prior to its submission to WAG; and

(iii) that a further report be presented to Cabinet on the results of the Audit in due course.

Reason for decision

In order for the Department to proceed to finalise the Audit.

 

C61

 

“Telling Concerns”

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Social Services upon the report of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales’ review of the operation of Complaints and Representations and Whistleblowing procedures and arrangements for the provision of Children’s Advocacy Services

DECISION

(i) note the content of the Report; and

(ii) that a further report would be presented to Cabinet in relation to this matter.

Reason for decision

To keep Cabinet informed of progress in relation to the position of the Authority in response to the recommendations of the Children’s Commissioner.

 

C62

 

Ysgol Gynradd Gymunedol Pennant

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Education and Community Services in relation to the provision of indoor toilets at Ysgol Gynradd Gymunedol Pennant and the need to acquire a small portion of land adjacent to the school.

DECISION

To approve the acquisition of land in order to facilitate the provision of indoor toilets at Ysgol Gynradd Gymunedol Pennant

Reason for decision

In order to progress with the provision of indoor toilets in the most effective manner

 

C63

 

Home to School/ College Transport – Appeal Panel

Consideration was given to the Report of the Director of Education and Community Services upon the composition of and the procedures for implementing the Home to School/ College Transport Appeal Panel.

DECISION

(i) to note the content of the Report;

(ii) to nominate the Chairman and Vice-Chairman together with 2 elected Members on rota of the Education, Culture and Leisure Scrutiny Committee to serve as Members of the Panel to consider and hear appeals relating to school/ college transport;

(iii) that the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Education, Culture and Leisure Scrutiny Committee be nominated to serve as chair of the Appeals Panel;

(iv) that appellants are afforded the opportunity to make representations to the Panel by attending the Appeals panel hearing or in writing; and

(v) to adopt procedures for considering appeals as outlined in Annex 1 of the report.

Reason for decision

In order to establish the Panel

 

C64

 

Provision of Additional Administrative support to Schools

Consideration was given to the Report of the Director of Education and Community Services upon the allocation of resources to schools for the provision of additional administrative support.

DECISION

To request that a further report be presented to Cabinet as soon as possible giving greater weighting in the distribution of funds to the smaller primary schools.

Reason for decision

Need for further information

 

C65

 

ELWa Sixth Form Allocations 2003/04

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Education and Community Services upon the ELW additional Sixth Form Allocations 2003/04 in the sum of ¦pound;187,910.

DECISION

(i) to note the content of the report; and

(ii) make representations to CCET on the level and type of Sixth Form provision the Council requires in 2004/05 for their consideration in reporting to ELWa on future needs.

Reason for decision

In order to ensure allocation for 2004/05

 

C66

 

Legal Team Structure

Consideration was given to the Report of the Director of Corporate and Legal Services providing information in relation to the current structure of the Legal Team and of the need to recruit and additional staff member to be funded from proposed increase in Local Land charges and Legal fees.

DECISION

(i) to note the content of the report;

(ii) to approve the recruitment of a Legal Officer during 2003/04; and

(iii) to approve the realignment of one member of the support/ secretarial staff from Grade 3 to grade 4/5

Reason for Decision

In order to meet increase in work load

 

C67

 

Local Land Charges and Legal Section

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Corporate and Legal Services in relation to the level of charges for matters connected with Local Land Charges and Legal Sections outlining proposals for the review and revision of current charges.

DECISION

To apply the following level of charges with effect from July 2003:-

(i) that Local Land Charges are set at the level as outlined in Appendix 1 to the Report;

(ii) that the charge for carrying out legal work in connection with Section 38 Agreements be increased to ¦pound;350.00; and

(iii) that the charge for legal work in connection with Temporary, Permanent, and Special Events Traffic Orders which are implemented at the behest of third parties be increased to ¦pound;150.00

Reason for decision

In order to revise current level of fees

 

C68

 

“A Modern Regional Policy for the United Kingdom”

Consideration was given to the Report of the Director of Corporate and Legal Services upon the Consultation Paper “A Modern Regional Policy for the United Kingdom” and the responses to the Paper prepared by the Members Panel at their meeting held on 4 June 2003.

DECISION

To approve submission of the Members Panel responses to the Consultation Paper.

Reason for decision

In order to respond to Consultation Paper

 

C69

 

RTC 57/03/CCC – Objective 1 Application

Consideration was given to the Report of the Director of Corporate and Legal Services upon an application for Objective 1 application and Local Regeneration monies.

DECISION

(i) to authorise the submission of an Objective 1 Bid; and

(ii) to approve a total LRF contribution to the project of ¦pound;93,000subject to the bid being successful.

Reason for decision

In order to proceed with application

 

C70

 

Report of the Director of Highways, Property and Works on Departmental matters

Consideration was given to the Report of the Director of Highway, Property and Works upon departmental matters and the decisions recorded in Minutes C71 to C75 below were taken.

 

C71

 

Ceredigion Section of Cardigan Bay Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) - Consultation

DECISION

(i) to note the content of the Report; and

(ii) to authorise the Director of Highways Property and Works to proceed on the following basis:-

(a) to publish the final SMP

incorporating the amendments listed in the Report and reflecting the changes agreed between Objective 1 partners for the River Teifi Management Units;

(b) to develop further the actions listed in the report following the consultation process; and

(c) to refer the final SMP to the Environmental Services and Housing Department in order to update the Unitary

Development Plan.

(iii) to note Members’ concern in relation to the present conditions at Tanybwlch, Aberystwyth and the ever growing danger of land erosion.

Reason for decision

In order to progress the SMP

 

C72

 

Coast Protection Act 1949 Schedule 4 – River Teifi

DECISION

To authorise the Director of Highways, Property and Works to write to the Welsh Assembly Government accepting the proposed changes.

Reason for decision

In order to implement the proposed changes

 

C73

 

Primrose Hill, Llanbadarn Fawr: Public Exhibition 15 May 2003

DECISION

(i) to authorise that Option 2 be implemented and that detailed design work commences with a view to the works being undertaken within the current financial year, subject to statutory constraints, and that the land requisition negotiations proceed as quickly as possible; and

(ii) to note the Ward Member, Councillor P. James’s gratitude to Officers for the progress made.

Reason for decision

In order to proceed with the preferred option

 

C74

 

Transport Consortium for Mid Wales

DECISION

(i) to authorise that Ceredigion join Powys and Gwynedd in forming TraCC, the Mid Wales Transport Consortium and adopt the Memorandum of Understanding; and

(ii) to nominate Councillors E;J;K; Evans and R.P. Quant to serve on the Management Board.

Reason for decision

In order to form and be part of the Transport Consortium for Mid Wales.

 

C75

 

Possible Parking at Capel Bwlchgwynt, Tregaron

DECISION

(i) to note the content of the Report and that there is no intention of establishing a public car park at Capel Bwlchgwynt, Tregaron; and

(ii) that a further report will be presented to Cabinet in due course outlining the general parking situation in Tregaron.

 

C76

 

Business Plan Quarterly Reporting

Consideration was given to the Quarterly Business Plan reports relating to the services provided by the following departments:-

· Social Services Department

· Personnel Section

· Corporate and Legal Services

· Education Culture and Leisure

· Highways, Property and Works

· Finance

· Environmental Service and Housing

DECISION

(i) to note the exception reports;

(ii) to revise and amend action target dates as listed in the action plan

reports; and

(iii) accept the reports of Directors on Business Plan Performance Indicators

and targets.

Reason for decision.

In order to sign off the Quarterly reports

 

 

 

EXEMPT INFORMATION

The items below contain exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 5,7 and 9 Part 1, Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and in accordance with Section 100B(2) of the Act the papers are not available for public inspection. The Cabinet will be requested, when dealing with the items, to consider whether to exclude the public and press from the Meeting:-

 

C77

 

RTC53/03/TF

Consideration was given to the Report of the Director of Corporate and Legal Services requesting support for an Objective 1` application.

DECISION

(i) to authorise a letter of support towards the Objective 1 application; and

(ii) approve to a total LRF contribution of ¦pound;80,000 subject to the application being successful and agreement of management terms by the Department of Corporate and Legal Services

Reason for decision

In order to support application

 

C78

 

{Councillor D.Ll. Evans declared an interest in the following matter under 12(b) of the Local Code of Conduct and left the Chamber during discussions thereof}

RTC54/03/YM

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Corporate and Legal Services requesting support for an Objective 1` application.

DECISION

(i) to authorise a letter of support towards the Objective 1 application; and

(ii) approve to a total LRF contribution of ¦pound;110,000 subject to the application being successful and agreement of management terms by the Department of Corporate and Legal Services

Reason for decision

In order to support application

 

C79

 

RTC55/03/PT

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Corporate and Legal Services requesting support for an Objective 1` application.

DECISION

(i) to authorise a letter of support towards the Objective 1 application; and

(ii) approve to a total LRF contribution of ¦pound;650,000 subject to the application being successful and agreement of management terms by the Department of Corporate and Legal Services

Reason for decision

In order to support application

 

C80

 

RTC56/03/CRAFT

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Corporate and Legal Services requesting support for an Objective 1` application.

DECISION

(i) to authorise a letter of support towards the Objective 1 application;

(ii) approve to a total LRF contribution of ¦pound;550,000 subject to the application being successful and agreement of management terms by the Department of Corporate and Legal Services; and

(iii) to authorise the signing of declaration of support to the NOF Transforming Waste match funding application

Reason for decision

In order to support application

 

CADEIRYDD/ CHAIRMAN:___________________________

DYDDIAD/ DATE:____________________