COUNTY BOROUGH OF BLAENAU GWENT
REPORT TO: / THE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCILSUBJECT: / EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE – 16TH OCTOBER,
2013
REPORT OF: /
EXECUTIVE/SCRUTINY OFFICER
PRESENT: Leader of the Council
Councillor H. McCarthy, B.Sc. (Hons) (CHAIR)
Deputy Leader/Executive Business Manager
CouncillorS.C. Thomas
Executive Member – Governance
Councillor B.M. Sutton
Executive Member – Social Services –
Adult Services
Councillor H. Trollope
Executive Member – Social Services – Children
and Active Living
Councillor A. Hobbs
Executive Member – Highways and Transportation
Councillor D. White
Executive Member – Skills and Works Preparation
Councillor D.H. Wilkshire
Executive Member – Waste Management
and the Environment
Councillor K. Hayden
Executive Member – Financial Strategy
and Management
Councillor J. McIlwee
Executive Member – Economic Strategy
and Development
Councillor G. Bartlett
Education Commissioner
Bethan Guilfoyle
WITH:Chief Executive
Head of Legal and Corporate Compliance
Corporate Director Strategy Transformation
and Culture
Corporate Director Environment and Regeneration
Chief Finance Officer
DECISIONS UNDER DELEGATED POWERS
ITEM / SUBJECT / ACTION1. / WELCOME AND APOLOGIES
The Chair welcomed Councillor Graham Bartlett to the meeting of the Executive, on being appointed as Executive Member – Economic Strategy and Development.
No apologies for absence were reported.
2. / DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND DISPENSATION
No declarations of interest or dispensations were reported.
3. / EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Minutes of the Executive Committee held on 25thSeptember, 2013 were submitted.
RESOLVED that the Minutes be accepted as a true record of proceedings.
4. / SPECIAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Minutes of the Special Executive Committee held on 25th September, 2013 were submitted.
RESOLVED that the Minutes be accepted as a true record of proceedings.
GENERAL MATTERS
5. / CONFERENCES/COURSES
Councillor Training Day – 21st November, 2013 - Birmingham
RESOLVED that approval be granted for two Members to attend.
Wales: A Cycling Nation – A Welsh Government Conference – 16th September, 2013 - Cardiff
RESOLVED that retrospective approval granted for the Leader be noted.
6. / PROGRESS REPORT TO MEMBERS FOR CONTRACTS
OVER £500,000
Consideration was given to report of the Head of Technical Services, which provided updated information on the progress of sizeable capital projects ongoing within the Authority and, where appropriate, seek necessary approval required under Standing Orders to additional expenditure incurred on particular projects.
The Corporate Director Environment and Regeneration highlighted two new Schemes included in the report; Trinant Hall Viaduct, which was a Scheme being undertaken in collaboration with Caerphilly County Borough Council with Welsh Government funding; and, The Walk, Ebbw Vale, in conjunction with the Town Centre Scheme.
The Executive Member – Financial Management and Strategy commended the Head of Technical Services and his Team for arranging for the Ward Members to visit the Trinant Hall Viaduct, which, although not a high profile scheme, was essential work needed.
RESOLVED that the report be accepted and Members continue to monitor progress against the contracts attached at Appendix 1.
7. / CONSULTATON ON THE PROPOSAL TO AMEND
THE DUTY OF A LOCAL AUTHORITY TO ACCOMMODATE
A FORMER PRISONER AS A RESULT OF THEIR
PRIORITY NEED STATUS
Consideration was given to report of the Corporate Director Environment and Regeneration.
The Leader presented the report, which sought support and a response to consultation of the proposal to amend the duty of a local authority to accommodate a former prisoner as a result of their priority-need status.
RESOLVED that the report be accepted and the Executive support the consultation response for Blaenau Gwent.
DEPUTY LEADER/EXECUTIVE BUSINESS MANAGER
MATTERS
8. / WORKPLACE TRANSFORMATION
Consideration was given to report of the Corporate Director Environment and Regeneration.
The Deputy Leader presented the report, highlighting thata previous report had been submitted to the Corporate Overview Scrutiny Committee for comments, who had raised issues that needed to be addressed.
The Deputy Leader stressed that the report referred to the Outline Business Case, highlighting the potential benefits on completing the process, possibly with the establishment of a civic hub with appropriate partners in the future, and he was therefore keen to progress the Programme.
The concerns raised related mainly to Community Asset Transfer; the Deputy Leader highlighted that the report clearly stated that Members would be consulted on individual disposals and this process would continue. Comments had also been raised in respect of monies spent and benefits not yet realised, which emphasised the importance of moving the project forward. He therefore supported the content and recommendations outlined in the report.
The Executive Member – Financial Management and Strategy supported the comments, particularly in respect of the transfer of District Offices. He said that, whilst the report related to potential savings, this Programme would also achieve a better way of working for employees. The Executive Member said that Scrutiny Members had recommended that the Chair be invited to the Executive Committee to relay concerns; however this had been deemed unnecessary following further discussion.
The Deputy Leader confirmed that discussions had taken place with the Chair in respect of the content of the report and the scope of the Programme was to provide a better service. Members would continue to receive updated information being presented to the CorporateOverview Scrutiny Committee and Members would be consulted appropriately.
In respect of the asset transfer in respect of Bedwellty Park Lodge, the Deputy Leader reiterated that all decisions in respect of asset management would be tested and any issues fully addressed and relevant information disseminated.
RESOLVED that the report be accepted and the Executive consider progress to date, and approve the following:-
(i)To proceed in producing the Full Business Case.
(ii)That the Civic functions be retained in the Civic Centre.
(iii)That CMT determine the appropriate uses of available space.
GOVERNANCE MATTERS
9. / REDEVELOPMENT OF CORPORATION YARD, ASHVALE,
TREDEGAR
Consideration was given to report of the Head of Estates and Strategic Asset Management.
The Executive Member – Governance presented the report, seeking consent to the sale of land at Corporation Yard, Ashvale, Tredegar, for residential development purposes.
Upon consulting with Ward Members, the Deputy Leader said that the Ward Members had made the point that the site was land-locked and they recognised the validity of the sale, particularly with current difficulties resulting from ‘Bedroom Tax’, and suggested that Registered Social Landlords take this into account when planning any development.
RESOLVED that the report be accepted and Members approve the sale of land at Corporation Yard, Ashvale, Tredegar for residential development purposes on terms to be agreed.
10. / PROPOSED SALE OF THE FORMERCWMCELYNSCHOOL, BLAINA
Consideration was given to report of the Head of Estates and Strategic Asset Management.
The Executive Member – Governance presented the report, seeking consent to the sale of the former CwmcelynSchool, Blaina. He acknowledged the emotive nature for Ward Members of the loss of such a building, however current circumstances required that the Council dispose of this land in accordance with set procedures.
RESOLVED that the report be accepted and Members approve the sale of the former CwmcelynSchool, Blaina on terms to be agreed and in accordance with the Council’s Disposal Policy.
HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION MATTERS
11. / COMMUNITY TRANSPORT FUNDING 2013/2014
Consideration was given to report of the Corporate Director of Environment and Regeneration.
The Executive Member – Highways and Transportation presented the report, which provided an update on the current Community Transport funding for Blaenau Gwent Council for the Disabled and seeking support to reallocate the remaining CommunityFunding for 2013 / 2014 to Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations.
RESOLVED that the report be accepted and the Executive support the recommendation that £9,000 of remaining Community Transport grant be awarded to GAVO for the financial year 2013/14.
PLANNING MATTERS
12. / THE WORKS SPG – CONSULTATION RESPONSES
Consideration was given to report of the Corporate Director Environment and Regeneration.
The Leader presented the report, which detailed the responses to a recent public consultation exercise undertaken on the draft ‘The Works Design and Masterplan’ with a view to approving the amended document as SPG in support of the Blaenau Gwent Local Development Plan. He highlighted that this document would add significant weight in determining planning applications in the future.
The Executive Member – Skills and Work Preparation said that concerns had been raised at a recent visit to Ebbw Fawr Community Learning in respect of available capacity with the proposed housing development of 350 properties and enquired if contingency arrangements were in place for the future. The Corporate Director Environment and Regeneration said that the document could be amended at 6.25 Education – ‘There are no educational requirements’ to state there could be a need for educational requirements, which would reflect demographic requirements.
The Education Commissioner endorsed comments made and said that there was currently capacity at primary phase however over-capacity could prove problematic in the future.
RESOLVED that the report be accepted and Members of the Executive consider the content of the consultation (Appendix 1) and approve the amended Design and Masterplan (Appendix 3) as Supplementary Planning Guidance.
ECONOMIC STRATEGY & DEVELOPMENT MATTERS
13. / REGENERATION STRATEGY
Consideration was given to report of the Corporate Director Environment and Regeneration.
The Executive Member – Economic Strategy and Development presented the report, seeking support of the new draft Regeneration Framework, prior to consultation with relevant parties, and supported the content and recommendations contained therein.
RESOLVED that the report be accepted and the draft Regeneration Strategy Framework be approved for consultation with relevant parties.
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