Minutes:
The Committee chose to
scrutinise the following Cabinet items:
Cabinet Proposals
5.1 Reduction
in the number of elected member representatives to the board of Tai Tarian
Limited following changes introduced by the Regulation of Registered Social
Landlords (Wales) Act 2018
Members
were provided with information to confirm the number of Neath Port Talbot
County Borough Council nominees to the board of Tai Tarian Limited in light of
amendments which are required by the Regulation of Registered Social Landlords
(Wales) Act 2018 which places a cap on the number of local authority appointed
nominees who can sit on boards of Registered Social Landlords, as detailed in
the circulated report.
The
Head of Legal services informed members of the following amendments to the
report:-
·
That Cllr.
Reynolds name was spelt incorrectly on page 8 of the report.
·
On paragraph 7,
page 8 of the report it states that ‘it has been determined that the following
members shall remain the council’s representatives’ It was noted that it had
not yet been determined.
Members
highlighted their concern in relation to the change of members whether they
will eventually become a private sector. Officers explained that there are no
changes and they are still classified as public sector with such a change being
for accounting purposes only.
Members asked whether a different model could have
been adopted. Officers explained that as a result of the
legislation and given the number of board members currently present with Tai
Tarian the Council would only be entitled to two members. The only way the
model could change is if Tai Tarian were to increase or decrease the number of
board members they were to have. If they want to do this they will have to seek
the consent of the Authority as per the terms of the Transfer Agreement and not
pre-empting any decision that would be made it would be feasible that a caveat
of that would be that the Authority’s representatives increase with it, so that
they remain caught with the percentages allowed as per the legislation but that
will be for Members to make the determination on at the appropriate time. Members raised concerns over the scrutiny
arrangements of RSL’s as it was felt that there needs to be a robust scrutiny.
Therefore, Members asked that the scrutiny arrangements of RSL’s be looked at.
Members
commented that even though they don’t have control over the situation, it
wouldn’t have been their choice to make these changes.
Members
raised that residents were able to join and attend the Tai Tarian Annual
meeting for £1. It was noted that the new act will change the reporting and
asked Officers to gather work on whether Tai Tarian are in compliance with
legislation. Officers confirmed that they would liaise with the Social Services
department.
Members
highlighted to Officers that they had not yet seen a consultation on these
changes. Officers explained that it wasn’t a public consultation to which the
Authority were invited to make representations, that there was a consultation
with the RSL’s. However officers highlighted that they would check and get back
to Members.
Officers
highlighted to Members that it is in Tai Tarian’s best interest to engage with
the Authority. It was noted that the budget will be out for consultation during
the autumn period, which may affect the RSL’s.
Members
highlighted that by reducing the number of nominees from the Council from four
to two would result in losing two very experienced Members and therefore asked
that Cllr. R.Davies remain as one of the Council’s nominees.
The
Cabinet Member for Children Social Services highlighted that Tai Tarian have
worked with the Authority on numerous occasions and are actively engaged. It
was noted that this isn’t Tai Tarian’s decision it was from Welsh Government.
The
Deputy Leader clarified to the Committee the two Members that had been
submitted for today’s decision.
Following
scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the proposal to be considered by the
Cabinet Board.