Cabinet – 01.04.2008

CABINET

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD AT PENALLTA HOUSE YSTRAD MYNACH ON TUESDAY 1ST APRIL 2008 AT 2.00 PM

PRESENT:

Councillor H.A. Andrews - Chairman

Councillors:

D.T. Davies (Regeneration), E.K. Griffiths (Transportation and Planning), G. Jones (Policy and Resources) D.T. Hardacre (Education and Leisure), G.R. Price (Human Resources and Constitutional Affairs), D.V. Poole (Environment and Housing), Mrs. B.M. Toomer (Performance Management), R Woodyatt (Social Services)

Together with:

S. Rosser (Chief Executive), N Barnett, (Director of Corporate Services) A. O’Sullivan (Director of Environment), D. Hopkins (Director of Education)

Also present:

C. Jones (Head of Performance and Policy), L. Lucas (Head of Procurement), K. Webb (SME Development Officer), P. Davy (Head of Economic Development), R. Tanner (Strategic Planning and Urban Renewal), T. Broadhurst (Valuation and Property Information), P. Evans (Head of Information Technology and Communications), G. George (Committee Services Manager)

939. MR JOE HOWSAM DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES

The Chairman informed members that the Director of Social Services, Joe Howsam had retired on ill health grounds. On behalf of the Cabinet he wished to place on record members appreciation for his contribution to Social Services not only in the county borough, but nation wide

940. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest made at the beginning or during the meeting.

941. MINUTES – 18TH MARCH 2008

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held on 18th March 2008 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

561 Cabinet – 01.04.2008 It was noted that a further report on Ysgol Penalltau (min 929) would be submitted to Cabinet on 15th April 2008.

MATTERS ON WHICH EXECUTIVE DECISIONS ARE REQUIRED

942. PUBLIC SECTOR HOUSING CAPITAL PROGRAMME –THREE YEAR ROLLING STRATEGIC PLAN 2008/09 - 2010/11

The Living Environment Scrutiny Committee considered this report on 18th March 2008 and accepted the recommendations in the report.

The report had been prepared to provide a longer- term investment plan to improve and maintain the Council’s housing stock. It incorporated programmes to address health and safety issues, structural defects, energy initiatives and improvements that will contribute towards the requirement to meet the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS). The framework and associated advanced planning will assist the development of the complementary strategies and works provided by other Council services.

RESOLVED that for the reasons contained in the officers report:-

(i) the capital programme and allocation of housing capital resources as detailed in the report and its appendix be approved for implementation in 2008/09.

(ii) approval in principle is granted for the subsequent two financial years, subject to detailed reports being submitted to Cabinet for approval prior to the start of those particular financial years.

943. COLLECTION OF DRY RECYCLABLES

The report provided details of the benefits of expanding the weekly kerbside collection of dry recyclables across the whole borough and outlined the likely financial implications in making this improvement in collection service delivery.

The report set out the preferred option for providing a weekly recycling service across the whole County Borough prior to examining other methods of landfill diversion via collection changes. This was the first of a number of steps required in changing waste collection services to meet Welsh Assembly Government recycling and composting targets. Further reports will be presented to Cabinet on issues such as food waste from the municipal waste stream.

RESOLVED that for the reasons contained in the officers report

(i) The expansion of weekly kerbside recycling across the County Borough during 2008/09 is approved;

(ii) The use of a wheeled bin, co-mingled collection system where appropriate with the use of clear sack/box combinations where wheeled bins are not appropriate be approved;

(iii) The contribution from the refuse and cleansing DSO balances and Public Services 2007/08 projected underspends to the one-off costs outlined above be approved;

(iv) Two existing waste advisory warden posts are made permanent and the appointment of two additional, temporary wardens be noted;

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(v) A further report is presented on the phased introduction of the weekly service including timing and practical service delivery issues;

(vi) An overhead contribution on a reducing basis continues to be made to Community Furniture Enterprise over the next three years.

944. NEWBRIDGE RIVER/RAIL BRIDGE

The purpose of the report was to seek approval to underwrite the commissioning of the Newbridge rail/river bridge development with the Council’s Urban Renewal Budget to aid the wider regeneration of the town.

In partnership with Welsh Assembly Government’s Department for the Economy and Transport a bridge structure had been designed that accommodated both a river and a rail crossing at a key location in Newbridge. Tenders had now been returned for this project but the funding package that had been secured did not fully cover the full costs associated with the bridge development. Cabinet was asked to allow the Urban Renewal budget to be used to underwrite the scheme until a Convergence bid for funding was determined.

RESOLVED that for the reasons contained in the officers report the procurement of the bridge using the Urban Renewal core budget to help underwrite the project until such time as Convergence monies become available be approved and an application be made to Welsh Assembly Government’s Department for the Economy and Transport for 50% of the current deficit amount.

945. POST OFFICE NETWORK CHANGE PROGRAMME

Cabinet received an update on the decisions taken by Post Office Ltd as part of their Network Change Programme for Newport & Gwent Valleys .At its meeting on 19th February 2008 Cabinet agreed a business case setting out its case for opposing the closure of post offices within the Newport & Gwent Valleys.

Following the public consultation Post Office Ltd decided not to close post offices in Christchurch Road, Newport and Pentwyn, Pontypool. Unfortunately the impact of this was that an alternative post office at Pentwynmawr (Newbridge) had been identified for closure. A six-week period of local public consultation will commence shortly in relation to the proposed closure of this alternative branch.

Since preparation of the report a letter had been received from Don Touhig MP regarding a request he had made to the Welsh Local Government Association about the proposed post office closures in Wales. In that letter he asked if the Association would suggest that its members follow the example of Essex County Council who were discussing ways of taking over the running of post offices threatened with closure.

Cllr M Davies had also written regarding Pentwynmawr, which he felt was viable, well used and in a good geographical position. He asked that the council put pressure on the Post office to keep it open and, failing that, to consider ways in order that Pentwynmawr can continue to benefit from Post office services.

RESOLVED that for the reasons contained in the officers report the contents of this report be noted and:-

(i) Chief Executive write to Post Office Ltd expressing its disappointment at the decision to close the above post offices;

563 Cabinet – 01.04.2008 (ii) Cabinet re-affirmed its opposition to the closure of Gilfach Post Office objected to the proposed closure of the alternative post office at Pentwynmawr;

(iii) That consideration be given to the option, along with others, proposed by Don Touhig MP and a local member to secure Post Office services in the county borough threatened with closure.

EXEMPT REPORTS

946. STAFFING RESTRUCTURE CWMCARN VISITOR CENTRE/NANTCARN VALLEY

Members considered the public interest test certificate from the Proper Officer and concluded that on balance the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information and it was:-

RESOLVED that in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting because of the likely disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraph 12 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The report reviewed the staff structure for the new Cwmcarn Visitor Centre and addressed the need to respond to a significant increase in visitor numbers. This increase was imposing considerable strain on the existing staff resources and facilities. The new building presented some additional challenges as well as opportunities to generate additional income, particularly if the opening hours of the visitor centre were extended in line with demands of visitors.

In order to continue with the development strategy and to ensure that the quality of the service offered to visitors is improved in line with their expectations a new staffing structure was required.

RESOLVED that for the reasons contained in the officers report the new staff structure be agreed and the proposed grades be confirmed via the job evaluation scheme and additional seasonal staff be recruited, funded from income generated, to trial the extended hours during the summer of 2008 and be reviewed in the light of experience for subsequent years.

947. CORPORATE PROCUREMENT

Cabinet considered the findings of a recent review undertaken by the Wales Audit Office That report made recommendations on a strategy for developing and deploying a revised staffing structure to facilitate the development of Best Practice procurement within the Authority. A report was presented to Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee on Thursday 27th March 2008. Members of that committee noted the report and endorsed the recommendations from the Wales Audit Office and the recommendation for the implementation of a revised procurement staffing structure.

564 Cabinet – 01.04.2008 Also at that meeting Members requested clarification on the number of new posts associated with the re-structure and also the additional budget requirements to facilitate the implementation of the proposed structure. Both points are clarified in the report before Cabinet.

RESOLVED that for the reasons contained in the officers report the recommendations made by the Wales Audit Office be accepted and the revised staffing structure for Corporate Procurement be approved.

948. LAND NORTH OF FORMER FOUNDRY PONTYMISTER RISCA

RESOLVED that in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting because of the likely disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

An opportunity had arisen for the Council to effect a major regeneration proposal at Risca by offering its land for the development of a Superstore. The regeneration potential for the town of a large food retailer located within walking distance of the centre of Risca is enormous. This inward investment opportunity will greatly improve Risca's commercial stature and significantly reduce the amount of retail spend seeping out of the County Borough. The planning application will be accompanied by a retail impact assessment looking at the potential impact on existing Risca shops.

RESOLVED that for the reasons contained in the officers report:-

(i) The waiver in Standing Order for Contract 19.04 be invoked in this case;

(ii) Land north of the Foundry is transferred conditionally to the Bird Group on the conditions outlined in the report in order to facilitate the regeneration of Risca;

(iii) The detailed proposals are subject to a planning application;

(iv) That officers prepare a suitably worded press statement to be issued as soon as deemed appropriate.

949. BARGOED RETAIL PLATEAU – PREFERRED DEVELOPER

RESOLVED that in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting because of the likely disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

565 Cabinet – 01.04.2008

Members were invited to consider the bids from developers for the Bargoed retail plateau and to provisionally identify a preferred developer for the site and a reserve.

RESOLVED that for the reasons contained in the officers report:-

(i) ASM be approved as the Preferred Developer for the Bargoed retail plateau, subject to contract and assessment of the impact of their proposals on the plateau construction contract;

(ii) Simons be approved as the Reserve developer in the event of failure to reach agreement with ASM;

(iii) Officers negotiate with representatives of ASM to draw up a formal legal contract, to be submitted for approval by cabinet at a later date.

Approved as a correct record subject to any corrections or amendments made at the meeting held on 15th April 2008.

That officers prepare a suitably worded press statement to be issued as soon as deemed appropriate.

The meeting closed at 3.00 pm.

______CHAIRMAN

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