Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest received.

There were no declarations of interest received.

The minutes of the meeting held on 9^th January 2024 were approved as a true and accurate record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 9^th January 2024 were approved as a true and accurate record.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

Members considered the report as circulated within the agenda pack. Officers outlined some of the key points raised within the report.

Officers advised that during the forthcoming year, it is planned to introduce NPT Prepared, which will work to increase community resilience. Elected members will be invited to contribute to assist putting in place ward specific resilience plans.

Members were aware that business continuity and the risk register have been continually considered and updated regularly. However, it is acknowledged that there are difficulties in keeping the items updated and also ensuring that the importance of continuity business plans within each individual department within the local authority is recognised. It is important that members fully appreciate how critical they are to maintaining the infrastructure of the Council.

Officers confirmed that the risk register is updated and taken to CDG and Governance and Audit Committee quarterly and considered by Cabinet every six months. With reference to the business continuity plans, every accountable manager is responsible for ensuring that there is one in place for their services. The details contained within the plan will be determined by the type of service and any identified critical delivery actions.

In relation to schools, a ‘Resilient Schools’ scheme is going to be launched in conjunction with the Education Department. Previously there has been difficulty in setting resilience plans for schools as the corporate business continuity planning framework did not suit the needs of the schools. However, work has been carried out over the past year to adapt the framework so that schools are fully covered by business continuity.

Members queried if there was liaison with Town and Community Councils. Officers confirmed that the scope of the Emergency Planning Team only covered the local authority itself.

Officers confirmed that the Emergency Planning Team is established to respond to very specific emergencies. It is established under the Civil Contingencies Act. If there was a major incident declared, under the Act the Council has statutory responsibilities under the Act to respond accordingly. The team is not designed to respond to anything that is described as an emergency. It is very specific in its role under the Act.

Members queried the extent of the work that has been carried out in relation to site specific terrorism evaluations, security action plans and hostile vehicle mitigation and plans. Officers advised that specific information on this item cannot be provided due to security issues. Members were reassured that there were ongoing items being developed.

Officers provided some details on the exercises that have been carried out in relation to civil contingencies. The first exercise relates to NPT connect and tests the response of the CCTV Team in relation to potential phone calls from South Wales Police or Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. The second part of the exercise involves the strategic duty officer team of the authority and practising their response to a request for a strategic coordination call. The second exercise is the internal rest centre exercise which is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

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

There were no items for scrutiny.

There were no items for scrutiny.

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.

There were no urgent items.

To resolve 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.

No items were scrutinised in private, therefore this item was not required.

No items were scrutinised in private, therefore this item was not required.

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

No items were scrutinised.

No items were scrutinised.