Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed the Committee.

The Chair highlighted that there was an error in the Annual Governance Report that was detailed within the Cabinet Papers. It was noted that the implementation period was missing and should be amended to read ‘The decision is proposed for implementation after the three day call in period’.

The following members and officers made declarations of interest at the start of the meeting:

·        To select appropriate items from the Cabinet agenda for pre-decision scrutiny (cabinet reports enclosed for Scrutiny Members)

Welsh Medium Starter School - Neath Abbey

Councillors James Henton and Martyn Peters re-affirmed their interest and left for this item.

Members received an update in relation to the proposal to establish a new Welsh-Medium Primary School in Neath Abbey. Officers highlighted that concern had been raised around the traffic and parking element of the school. It was noted that officers were doing their utmost to relieve potential pressure of traffic or parking and were Considering measures which might be put in place in place to mitigate this. It was also discussed that there were concerns around the age of the School. It was noted that the school had been well maintained and was in very good condition.

Members referred to the officer’s response on Coed Darcy detailed within the Circulated report. It was highlighted that dependant on future pupil numbers there is potential for the pupils to transfer to Coed Darcy when the new school is built or alternatively, if the demand for Welsh medium education should grow as expected, there is a possibility that the Welsh-medium seedling school will remain in Skewen and an additional Welsh-medium school could be built in Coed Darcy. It was highlighted that in the interim it was not possible to wait for the school at Coed Darcy to be built and this was an opportunity to allow the Council to establish a Welsh Medium School in a short space of time.

Members were pleased to see the report and highlighted that having the school would go towards a Welsh Government target of having a Million Welsh Speakers by 2050.

Following Scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by the Cabinet.

Welsh Language Standards Annual Report 2021-2022

Members were presented with the Welsh Language Standards Annual Report for 2021-2022, as detailed within the circulated report.

Members highlighted their desire in learning the Welsh Language but noted that this was absent from the report and requested that information be cascaded to members and for it to be recognised in in future reports. Officers highlighted that there was training available to members and this information would be circulated outside the meeting.

Members informed officers of the importance of the list of Welsh Speakers that was previously available as part of the Employee Directory on the intranet and requested whether this information could be updated. Officers confirmed that the list of Welsh Speakers had been updated and reinstated. It was noted that this information would be circulated to members.

Following Scrutiny, it was agreed that the report be noted.

Delivery of the Welsh Government’s Discretionary Cost of Living Support Scheme

At this point of the meeting the Chair re-affirmed his prejudicial interest and left the meeting along with the other Members and Officers that had declared prejudicial Interests.

Cllr. Chris James undertook the role as Chair for this item.

Members were provided with information relating to the criteria for the delivery of the discretionary element of the Welsh Government’s cost of livings support  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Any urgent items (whether public or exempt) at the discretion of the Chairman pursuant to Section 100B (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972

There were no urgent items.

To resolve to exclude the public for the following items pursuant to Regulation 4 (3) and (5) of Statutory Instrument 2001 No.2290 and the relevant exempt paragraphs of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972

·        To select appropriate items from the Cabinet agenda for pre-decision scrutiny (cabinet reports enclosed for Scrutiny Members)

Levelling Up Fund Bids

Members were updated and provided with a presentation on the proposed package of bids for Aberavon constituency, Neath constituency and a Transport-only bid to submit to UK government in application for funding from the UK Levelling Up Fund, as detailed within the private report.

Following Scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by the Cabinet.

Potential Neath Port Talbot Freeport Opportunity

Officers highlighted to members that they were seeking approval for the Council to engage in further exploration, research and discussions with potential partners to explore the potential of the Council submitting a Freeport bid, either in isolation or in partnership with other organisations, as detailed within the private circulated report.

Following Scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by the Cabinet.