Agenda item

The South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee were provided with an overview of the circulated report, in which the following points were highlighted:

·        The desire to establish four separate sub committees to the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee (the details of which were included in the circulated report). It was noted that dates for these sub committees had yet to be determined, and that they will be organised as and when required;

·        The requirement to constitute a Governance and Audit Sub Committee. Following recent discussions with regional partners, it was confirmed that the membership of this meeting had been established;

·        The requirement to establish a Standards Committee. It was determined previously that one Constituent Council’s Standards Committee will assume the responsibility of overseeing standards for the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee. It was proposed that Neath Port Talbot Council would be responsible for this function, subject to Members approval.

·        The requirement to establish an Overview and Scrutiny Sub Committee. Members were informed that the first meeting was scheduled for September 2022, and a regular programme of meetings will continue from thereafter.

·        The proposed South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee meeting timetable had been developed, and a Forward Work Programme will also be developed to inform Members of the items for consideration at each meeting.

It was highlighted that the circulated report was specific in regards to the fact that a lead Chief Executive would be appointed to the Sub Committees, and it was suggested it would be advantageous to change this to a lead Officer from each Constituted Council. The South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee was informed that this change could be incorporated into the documentation.

During a previous meeting of the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee, it was indicated that a meeting would be arranged with Welsh Government in order to discuss matters relating to the National Park Authorities, and clarify their involvement in the Corporate Joint Committees throughout Wales. Officers were asked if there were any updates on this. It was confirmed that Officers of the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee attended a meeting with the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA), to try and obtain clarity relating to National Park Authorities. Following this meeting, correspondence was issued which provided an overview of the statutory provisions in respect of the National Parks; however, further and more detailed discussions will be taking place in the upcoming months. Officers explained that the outcomes of any meetings will be brought to the attention of the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee.

RESOLVED:

That Members approve the creation of the sub-committees identified at paragraph 8 of the circulated report, and the proposed representatives appointed to the sub-committee set out at paragraph 9 of the circulated report;

That Members approve the establishment of the Governance and Audit Sub-Committee Committee for the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee as set out in paragraphs 12-17 of the circulated report;

That Members approve the designation of the Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council Standards Committee as the Standards Committee of the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee;

That Members approve the establishment of an Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee Committee for the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee as set out in paragraphs 21-26 of the circulated report;

That Members approve the timetable for future meetings for the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee as set out in paragraph 27 of the circulated report.