Venue: Via Microsoft Teams
No. | Item |
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Declarations of Interests Minutes: The
following member made a declaration of interest at the commencement of the
meeting: Councillor M.Harvey Re
Healthy Relationships for Stronger Communities Strategy (Cabinet papers), as he
is employed by the South Wales Police. |
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Pre-decision Scrutiny ·
To select appropriate items from the Cabinet agenda for pre-decision
scrutiny (cabinet reports enclosed for Scrutiny Members) Minutes: The
committee scrutinised the following cabinet items: Budget
Update and Monitoring 2020 - 2021 The
budget was discussed in line with the current impact of Covid–19
and the difficulties envisaged for setting a budget for 2021 – 2022. Concerns
were raised as to whether the Authority would comply with Audit Wales
guidelines in relation to holding an adequate level of reserves as some
authorities were contemplating issuing Section 114 notices. It was queried
whether the Local Authority would increase
reserves naturally over time or whether Welsh Government would replace
the gap with additional funding. Officers explained to Members the financial
position from March through to June, detailing the situation regarding claims
which had already been reimbursed and claims that the Local Authority is still
currently waiting for a response on. The Director of Finance and Corporate
Services explained that within the report it is assumed that £2m will be
reimbursed but hopefully the full £4.2m would be received. Meaning that the
£10.8m deficit would reduce. Members were reassured that further updates would
be provided throughout the year and this will continue to be monitored. Members
queried whether they would receive budget seminars to help set the budget.
Officers explained that due to the current officer demand due to Covid-19 the
seminars wouldn’t likely be held before September/October 2020. Members
were reassured that the Council would pursue Arts Council funding to support
the anticipated overspend on the Princess Royal Theatre and Pontardawe
Arts Centre Theatre. There was also reassurance provided in relation to the underspend in Social Services department. This was due
to the Social Services department being unable to recruit during the Covid-19
Pandemic. Discussions
took place around the expectation that services will resume as normal during
the recent outbreak of Covid-19, however, the Committee were informed that this
was not the case. Following
scrutiny, the committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by
cabinet. Healthy
Relationships for Stronger Communities Members
welcomed the Healthy Relationships for Stronger Communities Strategy. Discussions
took place around the community cohesion aspect of the Strategy and the fact
that this would promote community cohesion. Members queried this as it was felt
that it would be difficult to promote community cohesion if without community
cohesion to begin with. Members asked how this Strategy would link up with
other strategies to ensure there is promotion of community cohesion. Officers
welcomed the feedback and highlighted that the National Training Framework, is
intended to raise awareness of domestic violence all across the community. It
was noted that the National Training Framework actions in the Strategy would
address these issues. Members
were informed that the Strategy was a Joint Strategy between the Health Board
and the Local Authority. It was noted that the Health Board had provided minor
amendments to the Strategy following the Strategy being brought before Cabinet.
Therefore, it was asked that members consider an additional recommendation
giving the Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Public Protection delegated
authority to sign off minor amendments. Following ... view the full minutes text for item 2. |