Agenda, decisions and minutes

The chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

It was confirmed that the committee would be scrutinising items 7, 8 and 12 from the Cabinet Board Agenda.

There were no declarations of interest recorded.

There were no declarations of interest recorded.

·        24 January 2023

·        7 March 2023

·        18 April 2023

The minutes of the meetings held on the 24^th January 2023, 7^th March 2023 and 18^th April 2023 were approved as a true and accurate record.

The minutes of the meetings held on the 24^th January 2023, 7^th March 2023 and 18^th April 2023 were approved as a true and accurate record.

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

Registry Office - Celebrants Service

Following scrutiny, the report was supported to cabinet board.

Neath Port Talbot Welsh Church Act Trust Fund - Annual Report

2022-23

Following scrutiny, the report was supported to cabinet board.

Update on the Ongoing Work to Support the Armed Forces

Community in Neath Port Talbot

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

Registry Office – Celebrants Service

Members complimented the report and commented that the service was well-run and supported the plans for expansion. However, members questioned the accuracy of the information contained within the Integrated Impact Assessment; the narrative of items 3, 4, 5, 7 & 10 on pages 15-19 stated there was no impact but the corresponding matrix showed a positive impact.

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services confirmed that the matrix should have shown a neutral impact.  The Integrated Impact Assessment is an important part of the decision-making process for members and officers will be reminded of the importance of ensuring that any narrative and text corresponds.

Members thanked the officers in the Registry service for their work in recent years on income generation.

Members questioned whether there was a need for officers to receive further Integrated Impact Assessment training. The Head of Service confirmed that a work programme was being developed, and work is ongoing within the Corporate Policy Team to embed the training and principles.

Following scrutiny, the report was supported to cabinet board.

Neath Port Talbot Welsh Church Act Trust Fund – Annual Report 2022 – 2023

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services brought members attention to information missing from the table of approved applications on 31 of the agenda pack.

The reference to The Rectorial Benefice should state The Rectorial Benefice of Aberafan St Marys Church and the reference to Sardis English Baptist Church should read Sardis English Baptist Church Resolven.

Members questioned the table on page 25 of the agenda pack which did not include figures relating to re-evaluation, members requested this is added to the table for clarity.

The Head of Service confirmed that this request would be forwarded to the Chief Finance Officer and in future any re-evaluations would be reported.

Members questioned the inclusion of an application from 2004/2005 in the table on page 31 and queried whether it should be included due to the time period elapsed. Members also questioned whether the organisation was still active.

The Head of Service confirmed that the funds are still available but haven’t been drawn down by the organisation and therefore the application remains on record. If the organisation wished to claim the funds, additional due diligence may be required due to the time elapsed. There has been no contact from the organisation in recent times; once addressed the money can be removed from the system should the organisation no longer be in existence. Members commented that they were content with the situation as long as due diligence is carried out going forward.

Members questioned the table on page 25 of the report pack and commented that the summary did not clearly show that income is coming from investment. The Head of Legal and Democratic Services confirmed that this narrative will be included in future reports.

Following scrutiny, the report was supported to cabinet board.

Update on the ongoing work to support the Armed Forces Community in Neath Port Talbot

The Officer commented  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The Forward Work Programme 203/24 was noted.

The Forward Work Programme 2023/24 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 none.

There were none.