Agenda and minutes

      i.        To receive any apologies for absence.

     ii.        To receive any declarations of interest

    iii.        To receive any announcements by the Mayor.

Mayor’s Announcements

The Mayor informed Members that he had been pleased to host the annual visit by children from Belarus. He thanked all those involved in the organisation of the visit and those elected members who had participated and generously donated.

The Mayor mentioned that he had been informed that this was possibly the last opportunity for this visit but expressed hope it would continue. The Mayor thanked Mr and Mrs Doyle who had worked so hard on these events over the years. 

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 28 April 2015 and of the Annual general Meeting held on 26 May 2015

Two drafting errors were corrected. Subject to those amendments, the minutes of the meetings of the City Council held on 28 April 2015 and 26 May 2015 were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Mayor

To consider any proposed appointments.

The following appointments were agreed:

A question and answer session with the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Executive  

This replaces for this meeting the regular discussion with the Local Commander

The Mayor welcomed Mr Ian Johnston the Police and Crime Commissioner and Mrs Shelley Bosson, the Chief Executive of the Commissioner’s Office to the meeting for a question and answer session

In response to Councillor Jeavons’s concerns about a non – pursuit policy and the issue of off road motor bikes, the Commissioner stated that teams were available to pursue people causing issues in this way. He was very complimentary about police liaison in the Liswerry area. He said he would raise issues in the ward with local officers.

Councillors Fouweather was concerned that the Leader of the Council had not been consulted on the proposal for a designated area for prostitution in the Pill area. The Commissioner explained his understanding of the history and chronology of how this issue had emerged and had received press interest despite the fact that this was only being considered as a possibility among alternatives. His view was that this was not a proposal and had serious doubts that there would be any progress in Newport. The Leader of the Council clarified that he was not consulted at any point, that he had not agreed any press statement and there was no information on the issue from Senor Police Officers.

Councillors Whitehead also expressed concerns about the issue and how it had emerged following discussions with other agencies. The Commissioner repeated that he would be very surprised if the project proceeded

The Commissioner agreed with Councillor Cockeram and Councillor Hannon that this was a matter that impacted on very vulnerable people and that there was the issue of protecting vulnerable people that needed to be addressed.  He also agreed with Councillor Guy that this was matter which would benefit from the involvement of a range of agencies working together

The Commissioner agreed with Councillors Matthew Evans and Poole that it was important that safety in the City Centre was a priority, particularly as the Friars Walk development neared completion. The Commissioner stated that an Inspector for the City Centre had been appointed with this specifically in mind and he would work with local councillors on this issue.

Councillor Rahman was concerned about verbal abuse of Muslim women wearing head scarves in Newport. The Commissioner mentioned dedicated hate- crime officers to help alleviate this national problem. He mentioned the new victim’s hub in Blackwood and said it was an issue the police was alive to.  It was important for all incidents to be reported. Information on the Hate Crime Officer would be circulated to members.

Councillor Mlewa was concerned about press reports about the issue of 12 year old children working in the sex industry in Newport. The Commissioner stated that this was reported to the press by an individual member of the public and not to the police. He responded to Councillor Mlewa by saying that agencies were working together to address the issue and it was important that any such incidents were reported. Councillor Mlewa pointed out this was a child safeguarding issue.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To consider the Annual Report

The Council was presented with the Director of Social Services’ Annual Report

The Director stated that the year 2014/15 had been a period of great challenge and also opportunity for Social Services staff and for people who had been receiving our services. He referred to the under-spend achieved in the service area in the 2014-5 financial year. He also referred to the significant improvement against targets and key indicators

The Service had faced the challenges of significant budget reductions at a time of increasing need. Newport’s population is growing quickly and indicators for deprivation in Newport show that we have some of the highest rates of vulnerable children and adults in Wales.

The Director referred to the risk to our preparedness for the Social Services and Wellbeing Act and ability to deliver statutory duties from the potential threat of unprecedented cuts and any decision by Welsh Government to protect Health and Education.

In terms of demographics, the Director reported a predicted 2% increase in children and young people in the city aged 0-18yrs and a 14% rise in the number of adults aged 70yrs+ by 2020. He also pointed out that the Wales Index of Multiple Deprivation showed that Newport ranked fourth highest in terms of rates of deprivation.

Details of performance against indicators were provided. The quality of service provision as determined by inspections was also set out in detail.

Despite having improving and mostly good performance indicators across Social Services, there had been areas of poor practice discovered during the year. The youth offending service and social work services for older people with complex needs had received critical inspection reports and work was being done to turn these services around as quickly as possible.

The introduction of an integrated pathway was a priority. This would provide a seamless continuum of services designed to promote good outcomes for vulnerable people.

Details of the successful older people’s integrated pathway were described to members. Work with the Local Education Authority on an integrated learning pathway was also described. This initiative brought together services such as education welfare; behaviour support, inclusion, and education psychology are now either devolved or are working closely into school clusters.

The Director also provided information on proposals for the Children and Families integrated pathway and the Team around the Cluster.

The Director referred to work carries out and continuing to develop a regional approach through effective partnerships

In conclusion the Director stated that, despite the challenges faced, the evidence indicates:

•       Children’s Services continue to maintain good financial management and upward trend of performance.

•       It has a strong vision for prevention and early intervention that is integrated with acute prevention through IFSS.

•       It is tackling poor performance in the Youth Offending Service

•       Children’s Services will be ready for the implementation of the Social Services and Wellbeing Act (2014) which is set for April 1^st 2016.

Adult Services has now recovered from the financial and performance crisis of 3 years ago.

•       There has  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider the Annual Report

The Chair of the Democratic Services Committee reported  that the Committee is required by the Local Government Measure to provide the Council with an annual report.

The Chair of the Committee presented the Committee’s report setting out the activities of the Committee in the past year of operation.

He reminded members that the Council had extended the remit of the Committee beyond that which was set out in the Local Government Measure and said that this had been continued to be a real success.

He considered that the Committee had worked well in a non- partisan way and thanked officers for their support.

Resolved

To received and endorse the Annual Report by the Democratic Services Committee

To consider the Welsh Government’s Wales Retail Relief Scheme for 2015-16.

The Council was informed that Welsh Government had made available funding to billing authorities to continue in 2015-16 the Wales Retail Relief Scheme that was first introduced in 2014-15. The Council’s allocation of funding amounts to a maximum of £691,814.

The Scheme sets out the various categories of retail premises that will benefit from relief. Broadly the premises included are those that have a rateable value of £50,000 or less; are occupied; and are wholly or mainly used as shops, restaurants, cafes and drinking establishments. (These categories are intended to cover premises that are being used for the sale of goods and/or services, or food and/or drink, to visiting members of the public).

The means of making the awards of rate relief is the Council’s discretionary powers under section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988. The Council is required to make a formal determination (Section 47(1)(a)) and decision (Section 47(3)) to adopt the scheme so that this discretionary power may be exercised by the Head of Finance under delegated powers. The Council is reimbursed for the Rates income foregone as a result of the Scheme when calculating monies to be paid over to the Welsh Government ‘pool’.

The Wales Retail Relief Scheme forms part of a package of Welsh Government measures available to support business and reflects the Business Rates Panel’s advice that Wales should maintain a competitive business rates regime. The extension of the scheme for 2015-16 sits alongside other recent decisions in that context, such as the extension of the Small Business Rates Relief Scheme until March 2016.

In 2014-15, 343 awards of Retail Relief were made to Newport businesses, at a maximum of £1000.00 per premises. A total of £291,770 was awarded. In 2015-16, the maximum award increases to £1,500.00 and it was expected that a similar number of businesses will benefit. Ratepayers are required to apply in writing and invitations will be sent to all premises that appear, from their Valuation Office Agency description code, to qualify. Awards must be made by 31 March 2016.

Resolved

To adopt the Welsh Government’s Wales Retail Relief Scheme for 2015-16 by making the appropriate determination and decision, as required by Sections 47(1)(a) and 47(3) respectively of the Local Government Finance Act 1988, and set out in the Appendix to this report.

To consider adoption of the revised Statement of Licensing Act Policy 2015.

The Cabinet Member for Regulatory Functions, Councillor Pool, informed memebrs that the Council has to review the Statement of Licensing Policy every 5 years.

The Cabinet member stated that the existing policy had proved extremely satisfactory and has guided applicants, officers, and more importantly, the Licensing Committee, in the consideration and determination of applications.

The intention of the new policy was to make it more helpful in the way it is set out for applicants and anyone wishing to make representations. Changes had also been made to ensure the Policy complies with updated guidance and regulations from the Home Office that have come in since 2011.

The Licensing Committee supported these changes and it has been out for consultation to the trade, the public and responsible bodies such as Gwent Police and the Health Board

Resolved

To adopt the revised 2015 Statement of Licensing Policy Licensing under the Licensing Act 2003.

To provide an opportunity for councillors to ask questions to the Chair of the Cabinet in accordance with the Council’s Standing Orders.

Process: No more than 30 minutes will be allocated at the Council meeting for oral questions to the Leader

If members are unable to ask their question orally within the allocated time, remaining questions will be answered in writing. The question and response will be appended to the minutes.

The question must be addressed through the Mayor or the person presiding at the meeting and not directly to the person being questioned

Two questions were submitted to the Chair of the Cabinet. The details of the questions and the Leader’s responses are set out in Appendix A

To provide an opportunity to pose Questions to Cabinet Members in line with Standing Orders

Process: No more than 10 minutes will be allocated at the Council meeting for questions to each Cabinet Member.

Members will have needed to submit their proposed questions in writing in accordance with Standing Orders. If members are unable to ask their question orally within the allocated time, remaining questions will be answered in writing. The question and response will be appended to the minutes.

The question must be addressed through the Mayor or the person presiding at the meeting and not directly to the person being questioned.

Questions will be posed to cabinet members in the following order:

Deputy Leader

Cabinet Member for Adult & Community Services

Cabinet Member for Education and Young People

Cabinet Member for HR, People & Business Change

Cabinet Member for Regulatory Functions

Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Investment

Cabinet Member for Skills and Work

Cabinet Member for Streetscene & City Services

For Information: A digest of recent decision schedules issued by Cabinet, Cabinet Members and Minutes of recent meetings of Committees has been circulated electronically to all Members of the Council.

Three questions were submitted to Members of the Cabinet. The details of the questions and the Cabinet Members’ responses are set out in Appendix B

To pose questions to the Chairs of the Committees in the following order:

      I.        Scrutiny Committees

·         Community Planning and Development

·         Learning, Caring and Leisure

·         Street Scene, Regeneration and Safety

    II.        Planning Committee

   III.        Licensing Committee

  IV.        Democratic Services Committee

Process: No more than 10 minutes will be allocated at the Council meeting for questions to each Chair.

Members will have needed to submit their proposed questions in writing in accordance with Standing Orders. If members are unable to ask their question orally within the allocated time, remaining questions will be answered in writing. The question and response will be appended to the minutes.

The question must be addressed through the Mayor or the person presiding at the meeting and not directly to the person being questioned.

There were no questions to the Chairs of Committees on this occasion.