minutes of a meeting of the council of torfaen...

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE COUNCILOF TORFAEN COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL

held on Tuesday, 21 July 2015 at 10.00 am to 12.35 pmin the Civic Centre, Hanbury Road, Pontypool NP4 6YB

NB this meeting was broadcast live over the internet. The meeting and agenda items can be viewed via the following link:

http://www.torfaen.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/115859

The agenda for and the reports presented to this meeting are also available to view at:

http://www.torfaen.gov.uk/en/CouncillorsAndCommittees/Committees/CommitteeDirectory.aspx

The Mayor reminded everyone present that the meeting was being broadcast live over the internet, welcomed everyone and outlined the usual procedural arrangements, such as the need to use microphones and sit when speaking, muting noisy devices, the emergency evacuation procedures and the need for motions or amendments in writing

ATTENDANCE

Councillors:

Giles Davies (Mayor)

Mary BarnettHuw BevanStephen Brooks KSS JPRon BurnettPamela CameronGlyn CaronGwyneira ClarkRichard ClarkJohn Cunningham MBE KSGDavid Daniels

Nigel DaviesMaria GrahamKelvin Harnett JPElizabeth HaynesAnthony Hunt Mike JeremiahAlan JonesLewis JonesRobert KempBrian Mawby

Raymond MillsNorma ParrishJessica PowellJeff ReesPhilip SeabourneGraham SmithBarry Taylor JPNeil WaiteBob Wellington CBE (Leader)David Yeowell

Officers on the dais

Nigel Aurelius Richard Gwinnell Alison Ward

Assistant Chief Executive (Resources)Lead Officer Council and Shadow Lead Officer Elections Chief Executive





Lynda Willis Chief Legal Officer and Monitoring Officer

Other Officers attending or observing from the gallery for parts of the meeting

David CongreveRichard EdmundsSue EvansDana EynonDelyth Harries

Tim JamesDarren JosephChris LathamDavid LillyTom RobertsDuncan SmithGeraint Thomas Rebecca TrussellPeter Williams

Assistant Chief Executive, Communities Head of Strategic and Democratic ServicesChief Officer, Social Care and HousingHead of Streetscene and WasteAssistant Chief Legal Officer and Deputy Monitoring OfficerAssistant Chief Legal OfficerHead of Safeguarding & Support, Education Communications OfficerHead of Financial ServicesSenior Corporate Improvement and Scrutiny OfficerChief Officer Planning and Public ProtectionMembers Services Officer (webcasting)Communications OfficerHead of Internal Audit

Other people attending

2 members of the press and public (in the public gallery)Ian Johnston Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Gwent Shelley Bosson Chief Executive of the Office of the PCC for Gwent

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – COUNCILLORS:

Stuart Ashley, Leonard Constance, Veronica Crick JP, Fiona Cross, Stuart Evans, Alan Furzer, Mike Harris, Keith James, John Marshall, Neil Mason, Amanda Owen, Colette Thomas and Wayne Tomlinson

Action3 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

3.1 No personal interests were declared.

4 COUNCIL MINUTES - 23 JUNE 2015

4.1 COUNCIL CONFIRMED the minutes of the Council meeting held on 23 June 2015 as a correct record and agreed that they be signed by the Mayor.

5 UPDATES ON ACTIONS

5.1 COUNCIL NOTED the updates listed in the agenda.

6 RECEIPT OF PETITIONS

6.1 No petitions were submitted for this meeting.

7 PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

7.1 No public questions were submitted for this meeting.

8 ORAL UPDATE FROM THE POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER FOR GWENT

8.1 Ian Johnston, Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, informed Council of key developments since the last time he had met with members – and replied to comments and questions from members. In particular he stated that:

there had been a shift of emphasis recently, away from purely reporting crime statistics, which meant very little on their own, and instead towards ensuring greater public engagement, higher public confidence and more victim satisfaction with the Police

recorded crime was up 3%, contrary to the statistical falls of several previous years, which no-one had really believed

there had been a much greater focus recently on providing effective service to victims

over the same period, public confidence with the Police had increased significantly

the rise in public confidence and victim satisfaction in Gwent was one of the highest in the country

public confidence and victim satisfaction rates were measured independently, by the Office for National Statistics

he agreed with some people, that PACT (Police and Community Action Team) meetings in many areas (with the exception of 4 – one of those being Thornhill in Cwmbran) were largely ineffective

PACT meetings had been very poorly attended by the public and were a significant time burden for police officers, with few positive outcomes

the few PACT meetings which worked well were chaired by community representatives, e.g. local councillors

the new “Your Voice” model was much better: he was closely monitoring its effectiveness

the quality of PCSOs (Police Community Support Officers) had

increased significantly since their introduction 12 years ago, but people still wanted to see a “Bobby on the Beat”

there was a problem, whereby some police officers felt certain duties were more appropriate for PCSOs than for them

people also wanted to see police officers, not PCSOs, at their town and community meetings, including council meetings – these were a vital link between the Police and the community

members were invited to speak to Mr Johnston if their council meetings were not regularly attended by a police officer

there was a need for more action by the police on illegal/ inconsiderate parking, e.g. on pavements and junctions

roads were not built for the number of cars now using them such action however needed to be proportionate – the public

would not support the police if tickets were handed out every time; and local authorities should be careful of employing private parking attendants, as public confidence would suffer as a result

he had met with One Voice Wales last year to discuss the roles of the Police and community councils

intolerance was generally on the increase, e.g. of people from different races or backgrounds

Gwent Police had specialist Hate Crime officers and helped fund local race equality initiatives

he had chaired a Hate Crime Conference recently and was personally very much involved in this agenda

PCSOs and police officers were different and had different roles; it was important to respect and retain these differences

new types of crime were on the increase, such as cyber crime and child sexual exploitation

Gwent currently had fewer such issues, compared to many other areas of the UK, but there was no room for complacency; these issues could occur anywhere

only 22% of calls to the Police were about actual crimes he wished to thank Councillor Philip Seabourne and Councillor

Lewis Jones in particular for their service on the Police and Crime Panels and wish their successors every success.

8.2 The Mayor thanked the Police and Crime Commissioner. The PCC and the Chief Executive of the Office of the PCC then left the meeting.

9 ANNOUNCEMENTS

9.1 No announcements were made by the Leader of the Council or by the Chief Executive.

10 PEER REVIEW OF NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES

10.1 Council considered a report of the Chief Executive, which she outlined in detail, informing Council of the outcomes of the Peer Review of Neighbourhood Services which was carried out in March 2015, seeking agreement to an action plan to implement the recommendations of the Peer Review, and seeking agreement to the establishment of and recruitment to a single chief officer post, to lead both Neighbourhood Services and Planning and Public Protection.

10.2 The Chief Executive referred in particular to:

the background to and reasons for the Peer Review the fresh perspective of the Peer Review Team members, all of

whom came from English local authorities, many of which had dealt with more severe cuts than local authorities in Wales

the many strengths of Neighbourhood Services the areas for improvement identified by the Peer Review Team,

in headline terms the action plan appended to the report, the components of which,

it was intended, would be implemented this year the need for a single chief officer post, to realise savings as well

as improve value for money and service delivery through bringing together Neighbourhood Services and Planning and Public Protection

the Peer Review Team’s extensive engagement with everyone affected including staff, unions, elected members and partners

the risks and inevitability of service rationalisation, given the financial constraints faced by public services across the UK.

10.3 The Leader of the Council proposed that a cross-party working group of

members (including Councillors Mandy Owen and Brian Mawby) be established to drive forward the recommendations of the Peer Review.

10.4 COUNCIL (with 2 members voting against and all others in favour):

(1) NOTED the outcome of the peer review of Neighbourhood Services set out at Appendix 1 to the report

(2) AGREED the outline action plan and timeline attached at Appendices 2 and 3 to the report for the implementation of the recommendations of the Peer Review;

(3) AGREED to the creation of a single Chief Officer post with a strategic remit to lead both Neighbourhood Services and Planning and Public Protection, with a view to a further report being submitted to Council on a later date with regard to the merger of those two service areas;

(4) AUTHORISED the Chief Executive to set up the necessary arrangements for recruitment to the newly created Chief Officer post

Chief Exec

Chief Exec

Chief Exec

Chief Exec

and (5) AUTHORISED the Chief Legal and Monitoring Officer in consultation

with the Members Constitution Working Party to make any necessary changes to the Constitution in respect of the newly created Chief Officer post.

CLO&MO

11 ANNUAL REPORT ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SOCIAL SERVICES

11.1 Council considered a report of the Chief Officer, Social Care and Housing (COSC&H), advising members of the contents of the above report, of herself, as statutory Director of Social Services, for 2014-15.

11.2 The COSC&H outlined the report in detail, commenting particularly on:

the significant level of feedback on the services provided, by staff, service users, partners and other stakeholders

the difficult decisions which had to be taken as a result of the diminishing level of resources available

the slower than hoped-for improvements in services, due to less money, less staff and the increasing demands of an ageing population

the increasing demand for social care services, as welfare cuts and benefit changes also impacted on people and families

the overspend last year of approximately £300,000, mostly due to a small number of out of county placements of young people with complex needs

the substantial efforts of Social Care and Housing staff her particular tribute to Ruth Derrick, Head of Children’s

Services, who would be leaving the Council soon after 19 years’ service, and Keith Rutherford, Deputy Chief Officer

key service highlights and developments over the last year, including the Family Focus Team, Ty Cae Nant, joint working with housing associations and other partner organisations, the Serious Case Review held last year, the new Extra Care Facility on the former Brookfield School site, a significant reduction in the time taken to deal with Disabled Facilities Grants thanks to the efforts of the staff involved, a recent rise in the number of Delayed Transfers of Care, top up fees for care homes and other issues

that complaints were being handled effectively, with very few cases progressing to the Ombudsman

the increase in the number of appeals, as a result of funding cuts leading to lower service levels and criteria changes

the significant involvement of Torfaen in regional working and the substantial challenges ahead, including more demand, less

resources and new legislative requirements.

11.3 Members thanked the COSC&H for her report and commented or questioned (in brief):

that delivering social services was increasingly difficult, with budgets falling and demand increasing

that it was difficult to see where future savings might be made on the dedication of the staff to the communities they served on the good contribution of the Healthier Communities Overview

and Scrutiny Committee and its Chair, Councillor Mills on the hard work of the social services management team with tributes to Ruth Derrick for her outstanding contribution over

many years, and regret at her departure with congratulations to the Chief Officer on her election as

President of the Association of Directors of Social Services with concern at the effects of welfare cuts and austerity with concern at the rise in child poverty and that elderly people

had to sell their homes to pay for their care with concern that the authority could only now afford to help

people in “critical need” seeking examples of the type of circumstances in which people

might not be helped in future due to the budget cuts with concern about other government policies – e.g. reducing

taxes on banks while reducing care for people in need what the impact of welfare cuts would be in Torfaen that staff were the Council’s biggest asset that frontline social workers were under ever more pressure and

had had to bear several years of real terms pay cuts whether this was causing a recruitment and retention problem how support to carers was being safeguarded how the authority was working with other councils and support/

benefit agencies that the government was wrong to cut welfare to force people

back into work; some people could not work that Labour Members of Parliament should have voted against

the government’s welfare reforms.

11.4 The COSC&H and the Assistant Chief Executive, Communities (ACEC) responded in brief to members’ questions and comments. The ACEC undertook to email members with statistics on the impacts of welfare cuts on people in Torfaen and the work being done by the council to help.

11.5 COUNCIL (unanimously):

(1) NOTED the contents of the report attached at appendix 1 and (2) SUPPORTED the publication of the report, promoting general

awareness of its content.

ACEC

COSC&H

12 CORPORATE SAFEGUARDING POLICY AND GUIDELINES

12.1 Council considered a report of the Chief Officer, Social Care and Housing (COSC&H), which she outlined, informing Council of the development and introduction of the above.

12.2 She referred in particular to the:

similarities between the safeguarding process for children and vulnerable adults

Corporate Safeguarding Leads Group, with named officers responsible for safeguarding in every department of the Council

process for staff and members to highlight concerns various roles, responsibilities and functions of key officers safeguarding training being delivered across the Council and performance indicators which were under development.

12.3 In answer to questions from members, the COSC&H stated that:

lessons had been learned from the serious case, two years ago, involving the sad deaths of three female members of the same family in Cwmbran

new policies and procedures had been put in place in several areas, to try and prevent anything similar happening again in future

the definition “sheltered housing” (in relation to vulnerable adults) also included other forms of accommodation.

12.4 COUNCIL NOTED the development and introduction of the Corporate Safeguarding Policy and Guidelines, in line with the Auditor General’s recommendations.

13 ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT 2014-15

13.1 Council considered a report of the Chief Legal Officer and Monitoring Officer (CLO&MO), which she outlined briefly, seeking approval to the Annual Governance Statement for 2014/15.

13.2 In response to comments from Councillor Mawby, the CLO&MO stated that the legal action referred to in paragraph 6.1.3 of the statement concluded with a not guilty verdict. Clarifying the fourth sentence of that paragraph, she stated that full reporting to each of the organisations involved would take place, with appropriate recommendations put forward and, where appropriate, implemented. These sentences would be amended in the final document.

13.3 COUNCIL APPROVED (unanimously) the Annual Governance CLO&MO

Statement at appendix 1 to the report, subject to the amendments in paragraph 13.2 above being made.

14 STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS 2014/15

14.1 Council considered a report of the Assistant Chief Executive, Resources (ACER), which he outlined briefly, seeking consideration and approval of the Statement of Accounts for 2014/15, following the conclusion of the external audit.

14.2 The ACER stated that Torfaen was the only authority in Wales to have its accounts finished and audited at this time of the year. The accounts were normally reported to Council in September. The auditors intended to issue an unqualified audit opinion on the accounts. He paid tribute to colleagues, particularly David Lilly, for their efforts in this regard.

14.3 COUNCIL (unanimously):

(1) NOTED the successful conclusion of the external audit process(2) APPROVED the authority’s 2014/15 Statement of Accounts (3) AUTHORISED the Mayor to sign the Statement of Accounts for

2014/15 and (4) APPROVED the Letters of Representation, in respect of the Council

and the Pension Fund, for authorisation by the appropriate members.

15 DELIVERING CORPORATE PLAN 2: THE COUNCIL'S 2015/16 FORWARD FACING IMPROVEMENT PLAN

15.1 Council considered a report of the Chief Executive, seeking approval to the Council’s Forward Facing Improvement Plan.

15.2 The Chief Executive outlined the report and the plan in brief, commenting particularly that:

this was not Corporate Plan 3 – that would be developed over the coming months, and involve extensive engagement with members and the public; 2015/16 was the last year of Corporate Plan 2

the plan should have been published in June, but was deferred by Council until this meeting

given the principle political priority of protecting vulnerable people, the Estyn report and the Government’s waste and recycling targets, the Council’s primary focus had to be on education, social care and waste and recycling

the Council still aimed towards achieving the many objectives and outcomes originally agreed in 2011, but given the resource constraints, there needed to be more focus on fewer priorities

this Forward Facing Plan detailed the improvement objectives and measures for the year ahead.

15.3 COUNCIL (with 2 members voting against and all others in favour) APPROVED the Forward Facing Improvement Plan for 2015/16 financial year, attached as appendix 1 to the report.

16 MEMBER ATTENDANCE - EXTENSION OF TIME LIMIT

16.1 The Mayor informed Council that Councillor Marshall had attended a joint meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees last week, so this report was not now required.

17 PHOTOCOPYING AND PRINTING FOR ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL

17.1 Council considered a report of the Head of Strategic and Democratic Services, which he outlined briefly, seeking Council’s agreement of a policy position on the above matter.

17.2 COUNCIL AGREED (unanimously):

(1) To restrict access to Council multi-functional devices (MFDs) for members, to core business usage only

(2) To specifically exclude from core business usage any communications (such as newsletters/flyers) prepared for distribution to people living in their wards, or specific interest groups operating within the County Borough

(3) That the Democratic Services Committee should bring further exclusions to Council as required.

18 CONSTITUTION - DEMOCRATIC SERVICES COMMITTEE - TASK GROUPS

18.1 Council considered a report of the Chair of the Democratic Services Committee (DSC), which he outlined briefly, seeking approval to amend the Council’s Constitution to allow the DSC to establish task groups.

18.2 The Chair, responding to a question, stated that recommendations of any task groups would need approval by the committee prior to implementation, but that officers would have a clear political steer in the meantime on the issue in question, as a result of the task group’s conclusions.

18.3 COUNCIL AGREED (unanimously) that:

(1) Part 11.2 of the Council’s Constitution be amended to include the

Council’s Democratic Services Committee and (2) The Chief Legal Officer and Monitoring Officer be delegated

authority to amend the Council’s Constitution accordingly, subject to consultation with the Members Constitution Working Party.

CLO&MO

19 MOTIONS ON NOTICE FROM COUNCILLORS

19.1 Councillor Hunt moved and briefly explained the motion he had submitted, as listed on the agenda (and shown in the decision listed in paragraph 19.3 below). The motion was seconded.

19.2 Several members of various political groups commented, in brief that:

the motion was well thought through and structured but the member concerned did not know enough about the impact of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) to be able to support or oppose it

it was hoped that MEPs were doing their jobs properly and knew enough about TTIP to be able to decide upon it

governments were not above the law, nor were they infallible European Union law presumably prevented discrimination in

favour of local suppliers EU requirements on food standards were stricter than those of

the USA, for example in relation to genetically modified (GM) foods

this was an important issue, reflecting that the economy was now global and that opportunities were there to trade across whole continents

there was no evidence to support the assertion in the motion that the ISDS mechanism had been used by corporations to overturn democratic decisions by all levels of governments

the potential impacts of the TTIP had not been scrutinised or assessed properly by local government, by MPs etc

the level of secrecy surrounding the TTIP proposals did not give people confidence about its potential impact; if it was that good, why was there such secrecy and lack of public scrutiny?

19.3 COUNCIL AGREED (with 3 members abstaining from the vote and all others in favour):

This Council notes:

1. That the EU and USA launched negotiations in July 2013 on a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).

2. That negotiations are underway to determine which goods and services TTIP will apply to and if new rules can be agreed to protect investors, harmonise standards, reduce tariffs and open new markets throughout the EU and USA.

3. That there has been no impact assessment about the potential

impact on Local Authorities.4. That there has been no scrutiny of the negotiating texts by Local

Government and no consultation with Local Government representatives.

5. That MPs are also unable to scrutinise the negotiating documents.

This Council believes that:

1. TTIP could have a detrimental impact on local services, employment, suppliers and democratic decision-making.

2. A thorough impact assessment of TTIP on Local Authorities must be undertaken before the negotiations can be concluded.

3. The proposed Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism has been used by corporations to overturn democratic decisions by all levels of Governments, and that local decision-making must be protected.

4. The EU’s food, environmental and labour standards are better than those in the US and TTIP negotiations must raise and not lower standards.

5. Sourcing supplies and employment locally is important to strengthening local economies. TTIP must not impact on Local Authorities’ ability to act in the best interests of their communities.

This Council resolves:

1. To voice our concerns about TTIP publically. 2. To write to Welsh MEPs to raise our concerns about the impact of

TTIP on Local Authorities, and about the secrecy of the negotiating process.

3. To call for an impact assessment on the impact of TTIP on Local Authorities.

19.4 The Council adjourned for a 10 minutes recess at this point.

Lead Officer Council

20 MEMBER QUESTION TIME

20.1 Questions asked by members of the Council, and the replies to those questions, are set out in appendix A to these minutes. The order of some of the questions listed on the sheet circulated before and at the meeting was varied, with the agreement of the Mayor and the members concerned. The questions submitted by Councillor Colette Thomas were not dealt with, as she was absent from the meeting.

21 DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING

21.1 COUNCIL NOTED that its next meeting was scheduled for Tuesday 22 September 2015 at 10am in the Civic Centre, Pontypool, NP4 6YB.

22 CABINET DECISIONS - 17 JUNE 2015

22.1 COUNCIL NOTED the above Cabinet decisions.

23 CABINET DECISIONS - 7 JULY 2015

23.1 COUNCIL NOTED the above Cabinet decisions.

Signed as a correct record by the Mayor……………………………………

Minutes produced by Richard Gwinnell, Lead Officer Council and Shadow Lead Officer Elections

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APPENDIX A TO THE MINUTES OF COUNCIL HELD ON 21 JULY 2015

COUNCIL MEETING – 21 JULY 2015 - MEMBERS’ QUESTIONS AND REPLIES

QUESTION REPLY

1. From Councillor Graham Smith:

Since TCBC noted the Pollinators in Torfaen policy in January 2014, what actions have the Pollinators Working Group taken to measure the effectiveness of the policy, and how effective has the policy been judged to be?

From Councillor John Cunningham MBE KSG, Executive Member, Neighbourhoods:

During 2014, a survey of both wildflower and meadowland areas was undertaken and the number of pollinating species counted as against amenity grass, that is, areas that are cut fortnightly. The study, which is available from the Ecology Team Leader and will be reported back to Council, noted that the wildflowers had attracted a maximum of 23 different pollinating species and the meadowland a maximum of 35 different pollinating species. The report noted that the meadowland was yet to fully establish and so the pollinating species were expected to increase. The report also noted that the amenity grassland had received no pollinating species in the same timeframe, thereby proving that the wildflower corridor and changing the cutting regime and creating meadowland areas had resulted in an increase in pollinating species.


In the formulation and monitoring of the Pollinators in Torfaen policy, what methods were used to evaluate the likely displacement effects on leisure activities from affected areas of public green space?


The areas were identified by a small team comprising the Ecology Team Leader, Streetscene Operational Manager and Head of Streetscene and Waste. Once identified, the areas were visited to firstly determine their ecological value and whether the conditions would support and encourage native species to grow. The area was also assessed in terms of amenity value to the local community and whether changing the cutting regime would adversely affect use of outdoor space. Where it was found that the area identified was the only open space within a locality, it was not put forward.

However, where an area identified was only one of a number of green spaces of an area that could be used as an alternative, it was put forward for consideration by Cabinet and Council. Following the unanimous Council decision to the Action Plan for Pollinators, which included a list of all the identified sites, an email was sent to affected ward members, detailing the areas within their ward and seeking any comment, concern or representation. Where no such concerns were raised, the scheme was implemented.


How does TCBC manage the conflict between the Pollinators in Torfaen policy and the Welsh Government’s Play Policy which emphasises the need for the provision of play environments that compensate for the loss of spaces and opportunities to play that children and young people experience in today's world?


This question was partly answered as part of the last question. In addition, Torfaen currently offers a wide range of play opportunities in hearts of communities in various settings including open spaces. The Play Service has stated that they do not feel the Action Plan for Pollinators causes a conflict with children’s play spaces and as yet, has not demonstrated a reduction in play space. It is their intention to consider this when next doing the Play Sufficiency Assessment which will be completed and handed back to Welsh Government in 2016.


What has been the cost or saving to TCBC of the Pollinators in Torfaen policy in relation to areas of land that have not been specifically seeded with wildflowers?


Changing the cutting regime resulted in a budget saving of £30,000, which was removed from the base budget in the 2014/15 financial year, and all subsequent years after. However, the impetus for the scheme was not financial, but environmental in that the Council recognised pollinating populations were decreasing and it was felt the Council should take proactive action to help slow or halt this decline.


Does TCBC have a cost figure for the transportation of equipment to and mowing of a typical piece of open level public green space, and if so what is it?


These costs are not shown separately within the budget, however, if we assumed it would take two operatives (one litter picking, one mowing, then one strimming and one blowing) an hour to do a small area, this would equate to a cost of about £42 plus the ancillary fuel costs for the equipment and transportation.


To what extent are the positive effects of the Pollinators in Torfaen policy considered to be offset by negative effects such as the perception of neglect and the increased difficulty of litter and removal of dog faeces from areas of land affected?


The positive effects of the policy were answered as part of an earlier question. This is the second year of the scheme and to date we have received more positive comments about the wildflowers and meadowland than negative. There have been some concerns expressed in certain areas and where these have been raised formally, officers have worked with ward members and the community to overcome the concerns and make alterations that provide for increasing pollinators and biodiversity while also meeting the community amenity need. The meadowland areas have wide margins and some have wide desire lines which show that the area is being managed differently rather than neglected and the margins and desire lines also help balance the biodiversity needs with that of the community. The areas are still cleansed, albeit less frequently, and we have not witnessed a particular increase in either litter or dog fouling. Concerns around vermin and other pests have proven to be unfounded to date.

Supplementary:

What is the frequency of the reduced frequency cut?

Supplementary:

Once or twice a year, depending on the area.

Supplementary:

Has Torfaen contacted other landowners in the area, to see if they want to adopt a similar approach to their land management, to avoid losing recreational space?

Supplementary:

Yes. Bron Afon Community Housing have taken a similar approach on some of the land they control.

7. From Councillor Jessica Powell:

Are we expecting further strain on council services as a result of the proposed changes to social security and other benefits – and do we have the necessary resources to meet that challenge?

From Councillor Anthony Hunt, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Resources and Corporate Governance:

Yes, we are expecting to see an increased demand for Council services as a result of the changes announced on July 8th. We are attempting to model the impacts to ensure we meet this as best we can and I will provide further information to members in due course.

It is important to remember we are already dealing with the changes made to the welfare system as a consequence of previous UK Government measures, including the bedroom tax. A commitment has already been made to protect the administration of our Benefits service and to ensure there is sufficient funding to meet increased applications for discretionary housing payments.

The UK Government has indicated that it will be increasing the fundingd allocated to local authorities to assist with discretionary housing payments in the current financial year. We will continue to work with partners such as the CAB and Housing Associations to ensure advice and support is available to residents. It is also likely there will be an increased demand for services, particularly in the area of housing, as a consequence of the reductions in support for young people.

On the wider issue of resources to cope with the challenge, those of us in local government continue to be concerned about the impact of further funding cuts on our ability to meet demand and protect the vulnerable; concerns that I hope all levels of government will take into account.

8. From Councillor Norma Parrish:

How much money has the average Torfaen household lost due to welfare reform, since 2010?


A study undertaken by the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research at Sheffield Hallam University, commissioned by the Industrial Communities Alliance (Wales), was published in September 2014. This stated that £34 million had been taken out of the local economy due to the welfare reforms, equating to £590 per working age adult. I will do my best to inform members as and when updated figures are released to show the additional impact of the recent budget.

9. From Councillor Nigel Davies:

How many Torfaen residents will be affected by the July budget's proposed changes to tax credits?


The impact of the measures in the Budget are being reviewed and modelled by the Council at the moment. It should be noted that many of the changes to tax credits and allowances take effect from April 2017 and apply to new claimants only.

However, the proposed four year freeze of working age benefits will have an immediate effect. The Institute for Fiscal Studies in their post-Budget analysis stated that 13 million families in the UK will lose £260 per year on average as a result of the changes, with 7.4 million people who are in work losing £280 a year on average. With the changes announced on July 8th, many low paid parents who rely on tax credits will lose much more.

10. From Councillor Jeff Rees:

What strategic role does the Leader envisage this Council taking in the regeneration of The British site?

From Councillor Bob Wellington CBE, Leader of the Council:

The Council has played a strategic and central role, over many years, in seeking the regeneration of The British. The site has been identified in successive Local Plans for regeneration purposes. Furthermore, officers, with considerable support from leading Council Members, have engaged with successive owners to encourage the creation of a valued scheme. These efforts have been greatly assisted by Welsh Government. Negotiations

continue to take place with the current owners.

Supplementary:

When can you update us on the timetable of the negotiations and when do you think they will be concluded?

Supplementary:

They are ongoing. Negotiations about the future of the site have taken place with successive owners over the last 15 years or so. It seems to me, every time we hit a problem, it is because of fluctuations in the price of coal.

11. From Councillor Jessica Powell:

How many Torfaen households will benefit from the increased £1 million inheritance tax threshold - and what is TCBC doing to make the concerns of Torfaen residents heard at Westminster?


Few households in Torfaen, if any, will benefit from this change. Although inheritance tax does not exclusively relate to property, it is a major factor in the level of inheritances across the country. The average Torfaen house sale price in May 2015 was £102,000, according to the Land Registry. The highest property value sold in Torfaen last year was recorded at £600,000. Therefore, the numbers are likely to be very small.

I would also question whether this measure, which will benefit the wealthy, should be the priority at a time when people are struggling to get by, food bank use is soaring and local services are facing cuts.

12. From Councillor Nigel Davies:

How many residents currently in receipt of tax credits will be better off after the proposed reduction in tax credits, and the rise of the national minimum wage?


In their post-Budget analysis, the Institute for Fiscal Studies indicated that after this date, 3 million families in the UK will lose an average of £1,000 per year, with the biggest losses faced by working parents on a low income. Increases in the National Minimum Wage will affect 1.4 million workers, increasing for those over 21 to £6.70 per hour, with further rises phased in between 2016 and 2020, with the aim of reaching 60% of median UK earnings by 2020. The Council is seeking to model the impact of the changes being made, alongside the other changes to benefits and allowances. I will report back to members with a more detailed impact assessment later in the

year.

13. From Councillor Jeff Rees:

The Welsh Revenue Authority (WRA) will be established as a non-Ministerial department that will be operationally separate from Welsh Ministers, but it will not be fully independent of them, for example Welsh Ministers will be empowered to give general directions to the WRA. Will the Leader take that opportunity and put the case to Minister of Finance and Government Business for the WRA to be located in Cwmbran?

From Councillor Bob Wellington CBE, Leader of the Council:

Through the Welsh Local Government Association, Welsh councils support the principal of establishing a Welsh Revenue Authority to handle Land Tax and the Welsh Land Transaction Tax, which replaces Stamp Duty. Given the experience that Welsh councils have of collection systems, we have played a part in liaising with the Welsh Government via the Minister’s Tax Advisory Group. Councillor Aaron Shotton represents Welsh councils on the group, but as our Deputy Leader Councillor Anthony Hunt is his deputy, he has attended in his place or with him. Councillor Hunt has a heavy workload, is very highly regarded and is gaining quite a reputation with Ministers and the Welsh Assembly. As Leader of Torfaen Council, I will of course continue to put the case to Welsh Ministers for Torfaen as an excellent place to do business and site new jobs.

Supplementary:

As part of the developing Cardiff City Deal and with more devolution to Wales, there could be an opportunity for lots more jobs to come to Torfaen. Should we commit to prepare and fund a strategy now to bring those jobs here?

Supplementary:

This isn’t really the same issue but I will answer it. We have invested £30,000 in the City Deal and a series of projects will be put forward by local authorities and prioritised on a regional basis as part of the process going forward. This Council will be part of that process and officers are engaged in that work.

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minutes of a meeting of the council of torfaen...

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