CABINET Tuesday, 11 October 2016 at 2.00 pm Council Chamber, Bodlondeb, Conwy Present: Councillor Dilwyn Roberts (Leader) Councillors: Dave Cowans, Philip C. Evans J.P., Chris Hughes, Wyn Ellis Jones, Susan Lloyd-Williams, Mike Priestley, Graham Rees J.P. and Dilwyn Roberts In Attendance: Councillors: Sara Allardice, Frank Bradfield, Cheryl Carlisle, Brian Cossey, Ian Jenkins and Anne McCaffrey Officers: Iwan Atherton (Accountant), Lowri Brown (Interim Head of Education Services – Chief Education Officer), Iwan Davies (Chief Executive), Phillip Davies (Head of Corporate Human Resources), Wendy Dearden (Housing Strategy Manager), Robert Dix (Section Head: Tourism and Enterprise), Geraint Edwards (Head of Service - Environment; Roads and Facilities), David Ellis (Valuer, Estates and Asset Management, Estates and Asset Management), Bleddyn Evans (County Valuer and Asset Manager), Rhian Gwyn Evans (Translator), Simon Griffiths (Management Information Officer), Marianne Jackson (Head of Community Development Service), Delyth E. Jones (Head of Law and Governance), Wyn Jones (Strategic Manager, Property & Site Management), Claire Lister (Head of Integrated Adult and Community Services), Deryl Mahon (Member Support Officer & Personal Assistant to the Leader), Cheryl Ozbilen (Service Manager - Quality Standards), Tim Pritchard (Project Manager), Jane Richardson (Strategic Director - Economy and Place), Rochane Vye (Property Officer), Andrew Wilkinson (Head of Neighbourhood Services) and Jenny Williams (Strategic Director - Social Care and Education) 366. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Goronwy Edwards, Ronnie Hughes and Andrew Kirkham (Strategic Director – Finance and Efficiencies). 367. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: CODE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONDUCT Councillor Cheryl Carlisle declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 14 (i) – Charging Policy for Adult Care and Support Services, as a member of her family was in receipt of services, therefore Councillor Carlisle left the meeting whilst the item was being discussed. 368. URGENT MATTERS None. 369. MINUTES OF THE CABINET The minutes of the Cabinet held on 13 September 2016 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED- That the minutes of the Cabinet held on 13 September 2016 be approved and signed as a correct record. 370. ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE LEADER The Leader informed Members that he had received a letter from Cartrefi Conwy congratulating the Council for the organisation of the Proms in the Park event, which had recently been held in Parc Eirias, Colwyn Bay. Members were also informed that Lesley Griffiths AM (Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs) had written to the Leader thanking him for the copy of North Wales Growth Vision and Position Statement and had requested that she be kept informed of developments. 371. ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE The Chief Executive informed Members that the Council had received a compliment (via the Council’s Compliments and Complaints process) from the President of the Welsh Pony and Cob Society. The President had written to the Council expressing his gratitude for all the help the Leader had provided in helping to arrange for their AGM to be held in Venue Cymru, Llandudno in 2018. 372. REVIEW THE CABINET FORWARD WORK PROGRAMME Members were presented with the Forward Work Programme for the Cabinet. RESOLVED- That the Cabinet Forward Work Programme be approved. 373. RELOCATION OF LLANRWST DEPOT TO FACILITATE DEVELOPMENT OF PLAS YN DRE The Cabinet Member for Highways, Environment and Sustainability presented a report seeking approval, in principle, for the relocation of the Environment, Roads and Facilities (ERF) Depot in Llanrwst and to initiate the process of identification and appraisal of regeneration options for the subsequent development of the Plas yn Dre site. The existing ERF Depot at Plas yn Dre was a key strategic site for the regeneration of the town and had potential for commercial, retail or mixed development. This opportunity could only be realised by relocating the depot and delivering a site with vacant possession. The feasibility of options for the relocation of the Plas yn Dre and Cerrigydrudion Depots to a single site in Llanrwst area were currently being explored. Members were informed that there were considerable commercial sensitivities involved and it might be necessary to move quickly to secure a purchase or option on a preferred site. However, prior to progressing with a preferred option, further democratic approval would be sought accordingly. The Cabinet Member for Communities urged Members to get involved in the consultation process, which would be carried out as part of the consultation on the new Llanrwst Place Plan. RESOLVED- (a) That approval be given, in principle, to the relocation of Llanrwst and Cerrigydrudion ERF Depots to a single site, in order to release Plas yn Dre for regeneration purposes. (b) That approval be given for Officers to negotiate with owners of potential relocation sites and that these findings are brought back to Cabinet, along with other investigations as to their feasibility, prior to progressing with a preferred option. (c) That full engagement with the community regarding the development of Plas yn Dre be carried out, as part of the consultation for the new Llanrwst Place Plan. 374. GROWTH VISION FOR THE ECONOMY OF NORTH WALES The Leader presented a report on the ‘Growth Vision for the Economy of North Wales’. The North Wales Economic Ambition Board was seeking formal support and approval of the six Local Authorities across North Wales for the vision and strategy contained in the ‘Growth Vision’ document, which was attached as an appendix to the report. The document would be used as the basis for negotiations with the UK and Welsh Government over a Growth Deal Bid for the region and clearly set out the strategy, priorities and action plan of strategic projects to deliver sustainable economic and employment growth across the region. Extensive consultation had been undertaken during the process of preparing the ‘Growth Vision’, which included organisations such as FE and HE Colleges, and the private sector through the North Wales Business Council. The document set out a clear ambition for North Wales, particularly in relation to infrastructure development, skills and employment, and business growth. In order to ensure that Conwy was able to influence negotiations, it was essential that Conwy was fully engaged and was seen to be playing its part in this important regional initiative. The Principal Overview and Scrutiny Committee had considered the report in detail at its meeting on 3 October 2016 and had supported the ‘Growth Vision’ document, as the basis for negotiations with the UK and Welsh Government, over a Growth Deal Bid for the region. RESOLVED- That the ‘Growth Vision for the Economy of North Wales’, as the basis for negotiations with the UK and Welsh Government over a Growth Deal Bid for the region, be approved. 375. STRATEGIC STATEMENT ON THE ARTS IN CONWY The Cabinet Member for Tourism, Marketing and Leisure presented a report, seeking approval for the Strategic Statement on Arts in Conwy. In order to apply for funding and to give clear guidance on funding it was essential that the Authority had a statement of its arts strategy. The strategy was also important in guiding how the Authority would deliver both corporate outcomes and the Well Being of Future Generations outcomes by using the arts. Members were informed that work was beginning on a forward-looking Arts Strategy, which would be linked to the new Corporate Plan, the new Economic Strategy for Conwy and also to particular pieces of work such as the Colwyn Bay Masterplan. The forward-looking Arts Strategy for the County Borough would be produced in the early part of 2017. The Customers Overview and Scrutiny Committee had supported the Strategic Statement at its meeting on 10 October 2016. RESOLVED- That the Statement of Arts in Conwy be approved. 376. HIGHWAY SAFETY INSPECTION POLICY The Cabinet Member for Highways, Environment and Sustainability presented a report seeking approval for the Council’s revised Highway Safety Inspection Policy. The Policy set out the methodology, frequency and criteria for inspection and repair of the County Highway Network and it had been reviewed, revised and updated on the advice of the Council’s insurers and in consultation with experts in Highways Law. The Cabinet Member for Democracy, Law and Regulation referred to Section 6 of the policy, which made reference to defect categories and response times. The Cabinet Member had some concern in relation to Paragraphs 6.10 and 6.11 and the response times for missing or defective signs and worn or indistinct markings; missing/defective signs could have serious safety implications and indistinct markings could cause a significant nuisance on the highway. In response to these concerns, the Head of Environment, Roads and Facilities (ERF) would expect Inspectors to determine the overall seriousness of the risk and the speed of the response required; if safety was a major concern, then the Head of ERF would expect it to be given a higher risk factor. In relation to worn or indistinct markings, supplementary guidance would be provided for Inspectors to help determine the risk accordingly; this guidance would be circulated to Members for information. The Cabinet Member for Tourism, Marketing and Leisure also expressed concern regarding the 9 monthly inspection frequency for unclassified