Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

It was confirmed that the committee would be scrutinising item 6 and the private urgent report from the Cabinet agenda.

None received.

None received.

·        14 February 2024

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 February 2024 were approved as a true and accurate record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 February 2024 were approved as a true and accurate record.

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

Strategic Equality Plan Annual Report 2022-2023

Following scrutiny, the recommendation was supported to

Cabinet.

Strategic Equality Plan Annual Report 2022-2023

Officers advised members of the following typing errors contained in the report: paragraph 20 should read 2022-2023 and not 2021-2022 as stated, paragraph 21, should reference Cabinet and not Cabinet Policy & Resources Sub-committee, as stated.

Members referred to Action 4.5.4.50 on page 55 of the report contained within the agenda pack and requested a progress update on physical access to committee facilities improvements at Neath Civic Centre.

Officers did not have the requested information to hand; information will be circulated to members outside of the meeting.

Members questioned whether the offer of a guaranteed interview to any person affected by the TATA Steel Plant closure compromised equality.

The Director of Environment and Regeneration advised members that the guaranteed interview offer was for TATA employees or those who worked in the supply chain who met all of the essential criteria linked to a vacancy.

Members questioned whether the Citizens Panel was diverse and representative of all protected characteristics in the community?

Officers confirmed that following recent consultations, work is planned to ensure the Citizens Panel is representative of all communities in the county borough. Where gaps are identified, recruitment to the panel will be targeted accordingly.  Officers will circulate the current representation of the panel to members, with further information provided once available.

Members enquired whether data was held in relation to the number of staff members learning Welsh and whether this figure was increasing or decreasing, compared to previous years.

Officers will circulate this information to members outside of the meeting.

Members referenced page 13 paragraph 17 of the report, and were pleased that Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Impacts was included in the report. 

Following scrutiny, the recommendation was supported to Cabinet.

The Forward Work Programme was noted.

The Forward Work Programme was noted.

Any urgent items at the discretion of the Chairperson pursuant to Section 100BA(6)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

There were no urgent items received.

There were no urgent items received on the Cabinet Scrutiny agenda.

There was one urgent private report on the Cabinet agenda.

Resolved: to exclude the public for the following item(s) pursuant to Section 100A(4) and (5) of the Local Government Act 1972 and the relevant exempt paragraphs of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the above Act.

Resolved: to exclude the public for the following item(s) pursuant to Section 100A(4) and (5) of the Local Government Act 1972 and the relevant exempt paragraphs of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the above Act.

The New Plaza

Following scrutiny, the recommendation was supported to

Cabinet.

The New Plaza

Following scrutiny, the recommendation was supported to

Cabinet.