Minutes:
The Committee chose to
scrutinise the following Cabinet Board items:
Cabinet Board Proposals
1.1 Members Community Fund
Members received information on the Members Community
Fund that is to be financed in 2018/19 from Council Reserves. It was noted that
permissions are sought to set aside £10,000 for each Ward Member to facilitate
investment in projects that support the delivery of the Council’s policies and
priorities, as contained within the circulated report.
Members welcomed the report and asked whether
privately owned rear lanes and school crossing patrols would be eligible under
the criteria, and if so how can they be sustainable when the project is for a 2
year period only. Officers highlighted that the project will eventually expire,
and the responsibility would lie with the Member. The director of environment
highlighted that the Authority currently does not adopt un-adopted rear lanes.
It was noted that the proposals will be looked at in detail prior to submitting
them to Cabinet for their approval.
Members asked that in relation to the applications
of the projects, members are required to declare an interest if they have an
interest in a subject that is being discussed. It was noted that members are
able to apply for dispensation, however there was concern that the Head of
legal services would be inundated with applications. It was noted that the
Cabinet would have the decision and therefor would be the Cabinet that would
have to be concerned with the Declarations of interest. It was noted that there
would be an all members seminar for members on the Community fund that will
include more detail.
It was noted that the money can be used for match
funding and highlighted that this is a community benefit fund and needs to
benefit the Community.
Members asked whether projects involving purchase
of land would be eligible. It was noted that money could get tied up in that
type of a project and therefore precautions have been put in place to protect
the money from getting ring fenced.
Following
scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the proposal to be considered by the
Cabinet Board
1.2 Local Government Reorganisation
Members were provided with advice on the Welsh
Government’s Green Paper “Strengthening Local Government, Delivering for
People” issued on 20 March 2018 (at Appendix 1) and the terms of a suggested
response, as detailed in the circulated report.
Members highlighted that they were supportive of
the response that the Chief Executive had included in the circulated report. In
relation to the proposed merger between Neath Port Talbot and Swansea councils,
members were concerned about the financial impact of such a change on the
residents of Neath Port Talbot. Members also highlighted concerns that an
enlarged authority might see a re-focusing of activity into the city to the
detriment of Neath Port Talbot and its valley communities. Members felt
strongly that local government should remain “local” not “regional”. The Leader
of the Authority highlighted that the letter had been sent to opposition party
leaders prior to the meeting for their views.
Members requested that should the Cabinet agree to send the proposed
letter, then the report of the Chief Executive should be appended for further
information of the Welsh Government.
Following
scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the proposal to be considered by the
Cabinet Board, subject to the Chief Executive’s report being reproduced in full
to accompany the letter included in the papers.
1.3 Welsh Language Promotional Strategy
The Chair of the Cabinet Scrutiny Committee
presented a draft Welsh Language Promotional Strategy that had been created by
a task and finish group of the Scrutiny Committee.
It was noted that the Group had met on several
occasions between 29 January 2018 and 1st May 2018.
It was highlighted that the Council needed to
achieve an increase in the number of Welsh Speakers in Neath Port Talbot over
the next five years.
In presenting the work, the Chairman thanked the
members of the task and finish group, officers, Mr O.Glenister
of Menter Iaith Castell Nedd
and Mr C.Campell of Sbectrwm
for their efforts and help in producing the draft Welsh Language Promotional
Strategy for Neath Port Talbot.
The Chair asked the Cabinet to consider the
following recommendation:
· That approval be granted
for the Welsh Language Promotional Strategy to go out to consultation for a 4
week period.
· That the Consultation responses are considered by the Welsh Language Promotional Strategy Task and Finish Group and the final Welsh Language Promotion Strategy be proposed to Cabinet for approval.