7 October 2003

This notice is published at 5.00 pm on Wednesday 8 October 2003. The deadline for the receipt of requests to call-in any decision is 5.00 pm on Wednesday 15 October 2003. The decisions will come into force (if no valid call-in application is received) on Thursday 16 October 2003.

PRESENT: Councillor D.Ll. Evans (Chairman); Councillors W.G. Bennett, P.W. Eklund, E.J.K. Evans, A.Ll. Jones, S.M. Morris and R.E. Thomas.

IN ATTENDANCE: Councillors E.E. a Gwynn, R.G. Harris and D.J. Evans.

(10.00 a.m. – 12. 20 p.m.)

C238

Apologies

Councillor R.P. Quant and Messrs Huw Morgan and Parry Davies apologised for their inability to attend the Meeting

C239

Minutes of the Meeting held on 23September 2003

DECISION

To confirm as a true record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Cabinet held on 23 September 2003 subject to the following:-

Recruitment and Retention Issues: Minute C236(i): to change “ encourage” to read “engage”

C240

Matters arising

Minute C221:  Appointment of WLGA Advisers : The Chief Executive advised that he had requested nominations to be with him during the day and would advise the Leader accordingly

Minute C227: Countryside Research: Councillor A.Ll. Jones reported that the Panel had been established and had held one meeting, the outcome of which would be reported back to Cabinet as soon as possible.

Minute C237: Bus Service 516 – Aberystwyth to Tregaron – withdrawal of Arriva route: It was reported that a report would be presented to Cabinet upon the alternative service.

C241

Decisions called in

There were no decisions called in from the Scrutiny Committees in relation to the Meeting of the Cabinet held on 23 September 2003.

C242

Council House Stock Condition Survey

The Chairman welcomed Gary Jackson of Michael Dyson Associates to the meeting to give a presentation to Members on the survey carried out by the company on the condition of the Council’s Housing Stock.

Mr. Jackson outlined the work undertaken in carrying out the survey and the final conclusions for a thirty year period, being that although the stock was in a fair condition, it however required considerable investment in respect of planned maintenance peaking around years 6-10.  The Council would be well advised to level out the costs over a greater number of years with an increases but steady annual; commitment

Following questions from the floor on matters relating to the above the Chairman thanked Mr. Jackson on behalf of Members for an enlightening and worthwhile presentation.

Following further discussion it was RESOLVED to note  that further reports would be presented to Cabinet on a regular basis in order to keep Members updated on progress in this matter.

C243

Emergency Planning

Consideration was given to the Report of the Chief Executive upon Emergency Planning and in particular in relation to:-

·         Temporary Mortuary Service Provider arrangements

·         Standby Generator for Rest Centres

DECISION

(i) to approve the selection of Global Partnership (DVI) as a Temporary Mortuary Service Provider within the County;

(ii) to approve the purchase of a generator response capability to be located at Glanyrafon and Penrhos Depots to provide North and South cover for the County; and

(iii) to refer the capital costs involved in the sum of ¦pound;30,000 to the Capital Expenditure Working Group in order to identify suitable funding.

Reason for decision: to ensure provision of emergency cover in the event of a multi fatality or weather related emergency within the County.

C244

Ceredigion 2020

It was RESOLVED to note the content of the Report of the Chief Executive updating Members with the Community Strategy Partnership Steering Board notes and actions in relation to Ceredigion 2020.

C245

Social Services Departmental Emergency Plan

Consideration was given to the Report of the Director of Social Services outlining the process of establishing the Social Services Departmental Emergency Plan in consultation with the Emergency Planning Officer.

DECISION

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

(ii) to support the initiative to produce a departmental plan and ongoing training procedures to ensure staff are adequately prepared for a potential major incident.

Reason for decision: in order to support establishing a suitable Departmental Emergency Plan.

C246

Unified Assessment Process 2002/06

It was RESOLVED to note the Report of the Director of Social Services updating Members on the:-

·         progress made in meeting the Welsh Assembly Government’s Milestones in relation to “Creating a Unified and Fair System for Assessing and managing Care – Ceredigion Joint Action Plan 2002/06

·         resource implications for the future

C247

Carers’ issues, Carers’ Special grant 2003/04

Consideration was given to the Report of the Director of Social Services upon Carers’ issues, Carers’ Special grant 2003/04 and details of the Carers’ Special Grant submission.

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

(ii) note the allocation of the Carers Special Grant for 2003/04; and

(iii) to support the commitment of maintaining the Carers Special Grant to Support Carers Services when it is placed in revenue after 2005.

Reason for decision:

In order to support the submission of the Carers’ Special Grant for 2002/03

C248

Reports 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 C249 to C256 below were taken.

C249

Coast Protection - North Beach, Aberaeron

DECISION

(i) to note the content of the Report;

(ii) to authorise the Director of Highways, Property and Works to submit the Project Appraisal Report to WAG in support of a grant aid application for the proposed coast protection scheme;

(iii) that, subject to WAG approval, detailed design of the preferred option scheme be undertaken and submitted for planning approval;

(iv) that the funding of the Scheme be submitted to the Capital Expenditure Working Group for inclusion in the Council’s Capital Programme and

(v) that the local Member should be kept informed of the progress made.

Reason for decision: to maintain and strengthen coast protection at North beach, Aberaeron

C250

Council Land to the rear of numbers 10,12 and 26 Heol Tyn y Fron, Penparcau, Aberystwyth

DECISION

To sell the land to the rear of numbers 10,12 and 26 Heol Tyn y Fron, Penparcau, Aberystwyth subject to terms and conditions including the retention of a three metre strip of clear land behind the extended gardens for maintenance purposes.

Reason for decision: in order to comply with the request of the owners to extend their gardens

C251

Council Land at the front of 1 Penlon, Llwyncelyn

DECISION

That the land at the front of 1 Penlon, Llwyncelyn be sold subject to terms and conditions

Reason for decision: : in order to comply with the request of the owners to extend their gardens

C252

Council Chamber – presentations at Penmorfa

DECISION

(i) to approve purchase of new projection equipment at a cost of ¦pound;15,000 to be installed in the Council Chamber, Penmorfa, Aberaeron; and

(ii) the purchase to be funded from the Corporate Budget (Other expenses)

Reason for decision:  to improve the quality of the presentations.

C252

Council Entrance and car Park behind Bethlehem Chapel, Llandre

DECISION

To approve use of the Council entrance and car park by members of Bethlehem Chapel, Llandre subject to terms and conditions.

Reason for decision: in order to provide better access and parking

C253

Council Land at Maes Chwarae Tal-y- Bont

DECISION

To consent to the request of Ceulanamaesmawr Community Council for additional council land to be added to their existing lease subject to terms and conditions.

Reason for decision: to provide a new “BMX” type cycle facility

C254

Consultation on Ceredigion’s Waste Strategy

DECISION

(i) that 50 copies of the Waste Strategy document are ordered to be available to members of the public at a cost of ¦pound;20 plus VAT to cover administration costs; and

(ii) that the CD Rom be made available at a cost of ¦pound;1 plus VAT per copy.

Reason for decision: to provide easier access of the document to the public

C255

Development of a balcony over the inner Harbour, Aberaeron

DECISION

(i) to defer a decision to the next Meeting of the Cabinet; and

(ii) to request the Director of Corporate and Legal Services for legal advice on the implications of granting the easement requested.

Reason for decision :in order to receive further information

C256

A487/B4548 Junction, Cardigan – Prohibition of Right Turn

DECISION

To approve the Traffic Regulation Order for the A487/B4548 Junction, Cardigan – Prohibition of Right Turn

Reason for decision: to implement the Traffic Regulation Order following consultation

C257

Departmental Reports for Information

DECISION

To note the following reports for information

·         Planning Applications

·         Tenders

·         Consent to use Council Land

·         Land Drainage

·         Wales and Borders – new Rail Franchise

·         Waste Management

C258

Lottery Scheme Proposal for Ceredigion

Consideration was given to the Report of the Director of Corporate and Legal Services outlining a proposal for implementing a Lottery Scheme in Ceredigion and requesting Cabinet support for the project.

DECISION

To note the content of the report but not to support the proposed Lottery project

Reason for decision: not felt to be a suitable project for the Authority.

C259

Membership of Mid Wales Tourism

Consideration was given to the Report of the Director of Corporate and Legal Services upon Ceredigion County Council Membership of Mid Wales Tourism.

DECISION

The Ceredigion County Council representation on Mid Wales Tourism be withdrawn.

Reason for decision: Mid Wales Tourism targeted at private sector representation

C260

Re-profiling of LRF Indicative Allocations

It was  RESOLVED to note the oral report of the Director of Corporate and Legal Services upon the possible ramifications of the re-profiling of LRF Indicative Allocations

C261

Archives Department

Consideration was given to the Report of the Director of Education and Community Services upon a request from the County Archivist.

DECISION

To approve closure of the Archives Department to the public for a two week period from Monday 1 December to Friday 12 December.

Reason for decision: to enable a stock-take to place during this period.

C262

Ceredigion Sports and Recreation Strategy – Three Year Review

The Chairman welcomed Mr. Trevor Miles, recreation Manager to the Meeting to present the Final Draft of the Ceredigion Sports and Recreation Strategy: Three Year Review. 

DECISION

(i) to request that a further report be presented to Cabinet to include the Steering Group’s priorities, action plan, costings and time scale;

(ii) that further thought be given to include equine sports, motor sports, skate boarding and athletics in the Strategy; and

(iii) to thank and congratulate Mr. Miles and staff for the work involved in devising the Strategy.

C263

Ceredigion Local Access Forum

It was RESOVLED  to note the content of the Report of the Director of Environmental Services and Housing updating Members in relation to the work of the Ceredigion Local Access Forum.

C264

The Condition of Rights of Way in Wales

It was RESOVLED  to note the content of the Report of the Director of Environmental Services and Housing updating Members in relation the Condition of Rights of Way in Wales.

C265

The Operation of the New Political Management Structures

Following a discussion on the response by the Scrutiny and Overview Coordinating Committee to the “Operation of the New Political Management Structures” consultation.

DECISION

To prepare a response to be circulated to the Chairs of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees and Members of the cabinet for consultation before submission to NAFW and the WLGA.

Reason for decision: in order to inform NAFW of the experiences of the Council

Procedure - Urgent Business It was RESOLVED to note that the Chairman in exercise of his powers under Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 was of the opinion that the matter referred to in Minutes C266 to C277 below was for the attention of the Cabinet in view of the need to take an urgent decision

C266

The Authority’s Discretionary Grants Policy

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Education and Community Services upon amendments to be carried out to the Authority’s Discretionary grants policy.

DECISION

To approve the amendments to the Authority’s Discretionary Grants Policy

as outlined in the Report.

Reason for decision: in order to bring the eligibility criteria of discretionary awards in line with those for National Legislation and to ensure consistency.

C266

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

Cwmni Iaith

Consideration was given to a letter dated 3 October 2003 received from Cwmni Iaith requesting the Council to provide a financial warranty to the Court.

DECISION

To delegate authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader, Councillor R.E. Thomas and the Director of Finance to respond to the letter.

C267

Council Houses

DECISION

(i) to request Members of the Environmental Services and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee to nominate three or four Members to monitor the condition of Council houses and estates throughout the County and report back to Cabinet on a regular basis on their findings; and

(ii) to request that they contact local Members for their input when in their given Ward.

Reason for decision: in order that the condition of the Authority’s Council houses and estates be better monitored.