·
To select appropriate items from the Cabinet agenda for pre-decision
scrutiny (cabinet reports enclosed for Scrutiny Members)
·
To select appropriate items from the Cabinet (Finance) Sub Committee
agenda for pre-decision scrutiny (Cabinet Finance Sub - Committee reports
enclosed for Scrutiny Members)
Minutes:
The
Committee scrutinised the following Cabinet Board items:
Swansea
Bay City Deal Skills and Talent Programme
Members were provided with information on the Swansea Bay City Deal
Skills and Talent business case, as detailed within the circulated report.
It was noted that Members from the Education, Skills and Culture
Scrutiny Committee and Regeneration, Skills and Culture Scrutiny Committee were
in attendance to participate within the discussion.
A power point presentation on the Skills and Talent project was
provided to Members providing further information on the business case.
Discussions took place around the importance of connectivity being
inclusive within rural and valley areas. It was noted that the Skills and
Talent project would work alongside the Digital Infrastructure project to
ensure optimum results of connectivity. Connectivity would be an important
aspect in future working providing assistance with home working.
Transport links were also discussed to ensure those in all areas could
access job opportunities. Assurance was provided to members that projects such as
the Earth project would provide resources.
Members of both the Swansea Bay City Region Joint Scrutiny Committee
and Cabinet Scrutiny Committee highlighted that this project was a regional
project and would also be under the remit of the Swansea Bay City Region Joint
Scrutiny Committee. Members noted the points raised from today’s meeting would
be captured and the progress be monitored at the Swansea Bay City Region Joint
Scrutiny meetings.
Members commended the report and the detail of the project. It was
highlighted that it was critical that those that were in existing employment
were made aware of the extra training that is available to them to upskill
their education and skills providing them with further opportunities.
Following scrutiny, the Committee were supportive of the
Recommendations to be considered by cabinet.
Pontardawe Arts Centre Cinema Project.
Members were provided with an update on the request for approval to
allocate an additional £600k for the development of a 70 seat new build
external cinema and ancillary accommodation at Pontardawe
Arts Centre, as detailed within the circulated report.
It was noted that Members from the Education, Skills and Culture
Scrutiny Committee were in attendance to participate within the discussion.
Discussions took place around the extra costings. It was asked why the
extra funds were required and why this wasn’t estimated in the first instance.
Officers explained that the build required additional costs due to there being
technical aspects to the build along with more detailed designs to have a
better visual customer facility.
Members queried whether the build would have been eligible for the
levelling up fund. Officers confirmed that they considered the Levelling Up Fund, however, after consideration it was deemed
ineligible.
Members discussed the positive impact the build would have on the
valleys and members were therefore in support of the recommendations.
Following scrutiny, the Committee were supportive of the
Recommendations to be considered by cabinet.
Audit Wales review of the Corporate Performance Management System
(CPMS)
To receive information on the Councils response to the ‘opportunities
for improvement’ identified by Audit Wales following the review of the
Corporate Performance Management System (CPMS), as detailed within the
circulated report.
Members were informed that the implementation of the decision was
omitted from the Audit Wales Review of The Corporate Performance Management
System (CPMS) report within the Cabinet Papers. It was noted that the report
should have stated that the decision was subject to the 3 day call in period.
Members highlighted that there were numerous areas within the action
plan that required completion and it was queried how the Council would address
all the points raised. Officers assured members that the schedule for the
completion of actions were on track and the majority had been completed since
the publication of the report. It was noted that a further update would be
provided in the autumn.
Following scrutiny, the Committee were supportive of the
Recommendations to be considered by cabinet.
Investments from Reserves 2021/22
Members were informed of the request to approve additional investments
in service activities funded from reserves, as detailed within the circulated
report.
Members asked how the Valleys would benefit from these investments, as
detailed within the Valleys Communities Impact. Members were informed that the
community fund scheme would allow each member to have £10k to spend within
their wards, which would be a positive impact to all areas within Neath Port
Talbot. Along with the Vehicle Renewals Programme which would also provide
further support to the whole County Borough.
It was noted that due to the pandemic there had been a lot of pressure
and resource issues within the Environment department and members asked what
support was being provided in this area. It was noted that the report included
several investment proposals for the Environment department to help with these
concerns.
Members queried what the remaining reserves would be if the spends
within the report were approved. It was noted that there would approximately be
£51.5M in reserves left following approval of the recommendation. It was noted
that there would be an opportunity to re-consider reserves in the autumn.
Discussions took place around the Levelling Up
Fund and the potential to have applied for the maximum amount available.
Members discussed the Vehicle Renewal Programme and queried whether
the vehicles would be low carbon. It was noted that the Council were looking to
move to low emission vehicles and considering electric vehicles.
Members made reference to the valleys task and
finish group report and queried how the ‘investment and reserves’ report would
reflect against the valleys action plan. It was noted that current investment
was being managed alongside the effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic, however, it
was noted that consideration needed to be given to what was being delivered in
the valleys.
Following scrutiny, the Committee were supportive
of the
Recommendations to be considered by cabinet.
Swansea Bay University Health Board and Neath
Port Talbot County Borough Council Joint Working Paper on The
Upper Afan Valley
It was noted that there were two separate but
linked issues that would impact on the residents in the Upper Afan Valley within the next 5 year period due to issues
with the highway infrastructure and an ongoing assessment of the facilities to
deliver appropriate healthcare within the area, as detailed within the
circulated report.
The Local Ward Member Cllr. Scott Jones was in
attendance to share his concerns on the structural issues in the Upper Afan Valley. It was noted that the need to ensure
communities within valleys had good communication links.
Members required assurance that the Cymmer White Bridge would remain in place and future
efforts would remain in securing funding to keep it open. Officers highlighted
that they had put measures in place for the bridge to remain open. The Council
and the Health Board would continue to jointly pursue Welsh Government to
provide funding to enable the best services within the upper afan valley.
It was asked where the location of the new
healthcare building would be located. It was noted that the decision would be
for the Health Board to make.
It was highlighted that future planning needs to
be considered for maintaining further listed buildings with Neath Port Talbot
Following scrutiny, the Committee were supportive
of the
Recommendations to be considered by cabinet.
An Anti-Racist Wales: The Race Equality Action
Plan for Wales -
consultation draft response.
Members were informed of the request to approve a
response to the consultation of the ‘Welsh Government’s An Anti-Racist Wales:
The Race Equality Action Plan for Wales’, as detailed within the circulated
report.
Discussions took place around the need to
emphasise and ensure that the action plan would be adhered to in every school.
Officers provided reassurance that the action plan would be raised and adhered
to in schools as it was a requirement.
Following scrutiny, the Committee were supportive
of the
Recommendations to be considered by cabinet.
Recover, Reset, Renew
Members were updated on the ongoing response to
Covid-19 and the request to commence a public engagement exercise to engage
with an external peer panel to inform the Council’s approach to recovery
planning, as detailed within the circulated report.
It was noted that further information would take
place in the Coronavirus-Member Panel, along with an additional All Members
seminar.
Following scrutiny, the Committee were supportive
of the
Recommendations to be considered by cabinet.
The Members Community Fund (protocol for
relaunch)
Members were updated on the relaunch of the Members
Community Fund, as detailed within the circulated report.
Discussions took place around the deliverability
of the scheme, following a shorter timescale of the scheme and a decrease in
staff supporting the scheme. Officers provided reassurance to members on these
concerns.
Following scrutiny, the Committee were supportive
of the
Recommendations to be considered by cabinet.