Civic Centre, Castle Street, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8AN Main Tel: 01685 725000 www.merthyr.gov.uk FULL COUNCIL REPORT Date Written 19th August 2019 Report Author Ann Taylor Service Area Democratic Services Exempt/Non Exempt Non-Exempt th Committee Date 11 September 2019 To: Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen CHARTER BETWEEN MERTHYR TYDFIL COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL AND BEDLINOG AND TRELEWIS COMMUNITY COUNCIL 1.0 SUMMARY OF THE REPORT 1.1 To approve a Charter between Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and Bedlinog and Trelewis Community Council, which sets out how they will work together for the benefit of local communities whilst recognising respective responsibilities as autonomous, democratically elected statutory bodies. 2.0 RECOMMENDATIONS that 2.1 The Charter between Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and Bedlinog and Trelewis Community Council be approved. 3.0 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND 3.1 In response to a study by the University of Wales Aberystwyth in 2008, the Welsh Government produced non-statutory guidance and a model Charter to support good practice as a means of establishing effective collaboration between a principal council and community councils within the local authority area. It is based on equality of partnership and is not a top-down arrangement. 3.2 The Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011 subsequently gave Welsh Ministers the authority to require the adoption of these charters, but this authority was not employed and the introduction of a Charter is still optional, as it was recognised that charter agreements may not always be the most desirable method of working and should only be in place when both the principal council and community council are fully committed to it. 3.3 In 2018, following a review of Welsh Town and Community Councils the Welsh Government strengthened their advice by recommending that all local authorities should have regular partnership forums with community and town councils based on equal partnership in a common goal. They stated that there should be meaningful charters, or other ways of formalising the relationship. In addition, local authorities should have a dedicated liaison officer for liaising with Community and Town Councils in the region. 3.4 In February 2019 the Leader of the Welsh Local Government Association encouraged all local authorities to take forward this recommendation and implement Charters as a priority. 3.5 Merthyr Tydfil has only one Community Council and on 17th July 2019, in accordance with Section 76 of the Local Government Act 1972 Full Council approved the change of name from Bedlinog Community Council to Bedlinog and Trelewis Community Council. The change was brought about to fulfil the Community Council’s desire to give local people a voice and encourage greater participation in the activities of the Council. It is hoped that this would be further strengthened by the introduction of a Charter with Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. 4.0 CHARTER 4.1 Appendix 1 is a draft Charter drawn up in accordance with the Welsh Government model and sets out joint working protocols and expectations on the part of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and Bedlinog and Trelewis Community Council. 4.2 If introduced, the Charter would be reviewed every four years, or more often if there is a need to do so, and progress will be assessed annually against measures contained within a jointly agreed action plan. 5.0 FINANCIAL IMPLICATION(S) 5.1 There are no direct financial implications, although the Head of Democratic Services will be required to devote resources to the development and assessment of an action plan and the Charter as a whole. 6.0 INTEGRATED IMPACT ASSESSMENT Positive Negative Not Impacts Impacts Applicable 1. Merthyr Tydfil Well-being 0 of 4 0 of 4 4 of 4 Objectives 2. Sustainable Development Principles - How have you considered the five ways of working: Long term 5 of 5 0 of 5 0 of 5 Prevention Integration Collaboration Involvement 3. Protected Characteristics (including Welsh Language) 0 of 10 0 of 10 10 of 10 4. Biodiversity 0 of 1 0 of 1 1 of 1 Summary: The Charter would positively impact on four of the five ways of working for local residents within the Bedlinog and Trelewis area through improved integration between Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and the Community Council. No negative impacts ELLIS COOPER COUNCILLOR ANDREW BARRY DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE CABINET MEMBER FOR GOVERNANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES BACKGROUND PAPERS Title of Document(s) Document(s) Date Document Location Welsh Government March 2014 Welsh Government Website Guidance : Local Government (Wales) Measure 201 : Part 7 : Communities and Community Councils Welsh Government Review October 2018 Welsh Government Website of the Community and Town Council Sector Merthyr Tydfil County 17 July 2019 MTCBC Website Borough Council : Full Council Report : Bedlinog Community Council Change of Name Does the report contain any issue that may impact the Council’s Constitution? No Consultation has been undertaken with the Corporate Management Team in respect of each proposal(s) and recommendation(s) set out in this report. .