·
To select appropriate items from the Cabinet agenda for pre-decision
scrutiny (cabinet reports enclosed for Scrutiny Members)
Minutes:
Welsh
Medium Starter School - Neath Abbey
Councillors James Henton and
Martyn Peters re-affirmed their interest and left for this item.
Members
received an update in relation to the proposal to establish a new Welsh-Medium
Primary School in Neath Abbey. Officers highlighted that concern had been
raised around the traffic and parking element of the school. It was noted that
officers were doing their utmost to relieve potential pressure of traffic or
parking and were Considering measures
which might be put in place in place to mitigate this. It was also discussed that there were
concerns around the age of the School. It was noted that the school had been
well maintained and was in very good condition.
Members
referred to the officer’s response on Coed Darcy detailed within the Circulated
report. It was highlighted that dependant on future pupil numbers there is
potential for the pupils to transfer to Coed Darcy when the new school is built
or alternatively, if the demand for Welsh medium education should grow as
expected, there is a possibility that the Welsh-medium seedling school will
remain in Skewen and an additional Welsh-medium school could be built in Coed
Darcy. It was highlighted that in the interim it was not possible to wait for
the school at Coed Darcy to be built and this was an opportunity to allow the
Council to establish a Welsh Medium School in a short space of time.
Members
were pleased to see the report and highlighted that having the school would go
towards a Welsh Government target of having a Million Welsh Speakers by 2050.
Following
Scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by the
Cabinet.
Welsh
Language Standards Annual Report 2021-2022
Members
were presented with the Welsh Language Standards Annual Report for 2021-2022,
as detailed within the circulated report.
Members
highlighted their desire in learning the Welsh Language but noted that this was
absent from the report and requested that information be cascaded to members
and for it to be recognised in in future reports. Officers highlighted that
there was training available to members and this information would be
circulated outside the meeting.
Members
informed officers of the importance of the list of Welsh Speakers that was
previously available as part of the Employee Directory on the intranet and
requested whether this information could be updated. Officers confirmed that
the list of Welsh Speakers had been updated and reinstated. It was noted that
this information would be circulated to members.
Following
Scrutiny, it was agreed that the report be noted.
Delivery
of the Welsh Government’s Discretionary Cost of Living Support Scheme
At
this point of the meeting the Chair re-affirmed his prejudicial interest and
left the meeting along with the other Members and Officers that had declared
prejudicial Interests.
Cllr.
Chris James undertook the role as Chair for this item.
Members were provided
with information relating to the criteria for the delivery of the discretionary
element of the Welsh Government’s
cost of livings support scheme.
Discussions
took place around Households within Council Tax Bands E-F potentially not
requiring an additional payment of £150 and queried whether an option would be
to have the Households within Council Tax Bands E-F apply for the funding
rather than them automatically receiving it. Officers highlighted that the
practicalities around the suggestion would not be fit for purpose and explained
that a letter would be circulated providing information on the additional money
and suggested that additional information could be included in the letter to
inform Households on how to return the money if they so wished.
It
was clarified that second home owners would not be eligible under the main
scheme and would not receive payment.
Following
Scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by the
Cabinet.
Members
and Officers that declared at the start of the meeting returned to the meeting.
Cllr.
Phil Rogers returned to the meeting as Chair.
Neath
Port Talbot Hardship Relief Scheme
Officers
reminded members that in February 2022, Cabinet had set aside £2m into a
hardship relief reserve and tasked the Chief Finance Officer with developing a
hardship relief scheme. It was noted that the scheme was to target those who
are most in need
Officers
highlighted to members that within the report there were two options to choose
from, the first option being a one off additional ‘cash’ payment of £100 to
households in receipt of Council tax support. The second option being a
delivery of a hardship relief scheme utilising ‘Warm Wales’ a partner agency.
Officers confirmed that the option they would recommend to members would be
option two. It was noted that Katie Cook from Warm Wales was in attendance to
provide a presentation of the service that they would offer.
Members
queried whether the scheme would provide cover for those in need specifically
around issues such as poor quality or single glazed windows. Warm Wales
highlighted that the funding was available for those most in need and if issues
were relating to broken windows or re-glazing concerns then this would require
further discussions to ensure value for money. However, if the issue in
relation to making sure the house be more efficient and warmer then it would be
something that warmer wales would consider doing.
Clarity
was sought around the responsibility of this scheme and where it would lie
within the departments of the Council. Officers explained that in the first
instance approval was sought to agree the scheme. Officers would then be
required to work out the logistics of the scheme and where it would sit within
the authority and will notify members during the autumn period.
Discussions
took place around the initial reasoning for this scheme, it was noted that when
the suggestion of a Hardship Relief Scheme was brought to members in February
it was to provide assistance to all those in need due to cost of living. It was
highlighted that this scheme was providing an emphasis on fuel poverty rather
than a cost of living issue. Officers confirmed that there were other avenues
to ensure those who require support in other areas such as with the cost of
living was available. Members were also reassured that communication was being
provided to those around this support. It was noted that officers would share
the information to councillors in relation to the support that is available
around cost of living.
Members
queried whether there would be a requirement to go out to tender. It was noted
that Legal Services had provided advice on this subject and that a tendering
exercise was not required.
The
issue of residents in rented accommodation was discussed and members queried
whether those residents would be eligible to receive support if the landlords
did not provide it. Warm Wales clarified that residents in rented accommodation
would be more than welcome to have further information and support from Warm
Wales without taking the main responsibility from the landlord.
Following
Scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of option 2 proposal within the
circulated report to be considered by the Cabinet.