Agenda and minutes
Venue: Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Newport
Contact: Eleanor Mulligan Head of Democratic Services
Media
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Declarations of Interest Additional documents: Minutes: There were no declarations of interest. |
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Preliminaries Additional documents: Minutes: Grenfell Tower Disaster
The Mayor led the Council in a minute’s silence to remember all those affected by the Grenfell Tower disaster. The Leader also gave a statement regarding the Council’s response to these events, which included working with closely with Newport City Homes to support residents living in tower blocks in Newport. |
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Additional documents: Minutes: The Leader of the Council clarified that no Equalities Champion had been appointed at the AGM because the governance structure was currently under review by the Strategic Equalities Group.
Resolved
The minutes of the meeting held on 16 May 2017 were confirmed as a true record by the Council and signed by the Mayor.
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Additional documents:
Minutes: Resolved
The following appointments were agreed:
Internal Appointments
Appointments to External Organisations
Governing Body Appointments
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Police Issues Additional documents: Minutes: The Mayor welcomed Chief Inspector David Morgan to the meeting.
Councillors M Evans, Morris and J Watkins raised concerns relating to illegal encampments by Gypsy and Traveller groups, with particular reference to incidents around Esperanto Way, and of encampments near school sites. Chief Inspector Morgan outlined the multi-agency approach that was being taken in response, and the progress that had been made in addressing the specific issues raised.
Councillor Rahman cited concerns over the recent Colour Clash event at Rodney Parade. The Chief Inspector outlined the coordinated approach taken in preparation for this event, and reported that there would also be a debrief on the event.
Councillors Truman, Routley and Jeavons all referred to concerns relating to illegal parking around the city. Specific references were made to dangerous parking on junctions, and of cars for sale in laybys. The Chief Inspector recognised that illegal parking was an issue across the city, and agreed to take back the specific concerns raised to local policing teams. The Chief Inspector highlighted the 700 parking tickets issued in the city centre last year, and specific actions that could be taken in relation to the sale of cars on the highway.
Councillors J Watkins and Ferris raised concerns relating to the increasing use of gas canisters to inhale. The Chief Inspector recognised this as an increasing problem and advised that spent canisters could be disposed of safely, however intelligence relating to where canisters were being found would be useful in terms of tackling this worrying trend.
Councillor Critchley highlighted problems relating to the 101 service, and the impact this had on public confidence in both the 101 service and the police. The Chief Inspector expressed his disappointment that people were still experiencing difficulties, and highlighted the investment that had been made recently to improve this service.
Councillors Whitehead, Harvey, Whitcutt, Jenkins and J Watkins highlighted specific concerns relating to events or issues in their wards. The Chief Inspector agreed to take those issues back to local teams, or speak to those Members outside the meeting to progress the issues raised.
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Additional documents: Minutes: The Leader of the Council presented the report proposing to amend standing orders to include a session for open questions to the Leader of the Council at full Council meetings. As this was a new initiative, the process had been based on the system for Prime Minister’s Questions in Parliament, with question allocation for party leaders followed by a ballot system. The proposal included a 15 minute time limit, and it was clarified that the existing system for submitting written questions to Cabinet Members and Committee Chairs would remain.
Councillors M Evans and Whitehead both spoke in support of the proposal as a positive development, but both also raised concerns that the 15 minute time limit would be too short.
Resolved
To adopt the proposals in the report and to change Standing Orders accordingly. |
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Director of Social Services Annual Report PDF 515 KB Additional documents: Minutes: The Mayor announced that this would be the last meeting attended by Mike Nicholson before his retirement. The Leader of the Council and the Leader of the Opposition both thanked him for his service to the Council, and passed on their best wishes for the future.
The Director of Social Services thanked Members for their kind words and support.
The Director gave a presentation on his annual report for 2016/17, highlighting the significant progress that had been made in his 8 years working for Newport City Council. The report highlighted the current strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing social services.
A number of Councillors spoke in support of the report, in particular thanking the Director for the improvements made to the service under his leadership.
In relation to concerns raised regarding the financial challenges facing the service, the Leader highlighted that this was a national issue, and she was working together with her counterparts in the other Welsh local authorities to speak with one voice in lobbying national governments, and put the concerns of local government across clearly.
Resolved
To receive the Annual Report of the Director of Social Services 2016/17. |
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Pillgwenlly Public Space Protection Order PDF 452 KB Additional documents: Minutes: The Cabinet Member for Licensing and Regulation presented the report, requesting that Council introduces a Public Space Protection Order for the Pillgwenlly area of Newport. The Cabinet Member highlighted that, while it was recognised that the PSPO was not a panacea, this would be another tool to enable partners to tackle issues in the ward, and make it clear that the anti-social behaviour of a minority of people in the community would not be tolerated.
A number of Councillors spoke in favour of the proposals, welcoming this progress for the people of Pillgwenlly. The importance of the multi-agency approach to this was highlighted, and thanks were expressed for the hard work that had gone into developing the proposals, including colleagues from the Council, the Police, and the community itself.
Resolved
That Council approves the Public Space Protection Order for the Pillgwenlly area as detailed in the report. |
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Democratic Services Committee Annual Report PDF 197 KB Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair of the Democratic Services Committee presented the Annual Report, noting the progress made by the Committee last year, and the work planned for the coming year.
Resolved
To endorse the content of the report. |
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Questions to the Chair of Cabinet 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.
Additional documents: Minutes: There were no questions to the Chair of Cabinet on this occasion. |
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Questions to the Cabinet Members 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:
I. Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Assets and Member Development II. Cabinet Member for Education and Skills III. Cabinet Member for Social Services IV. Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing V. Cabinet Member for Community and Resources VI. Cabinet Member for Streetscene VII. Cabinet Member for Licensing and Regulation VIII. Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure
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. Additional documents: Minutes: There were no questions to the Cabinet Members on this occasion. |
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Questions to the Chairs of Committees
I. Scrutiny Committees
· Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee · Performance Scrutiny Committee – People · Performance Scrutiny Committee – Place and Corporate · Performance Scrutiny Committee – Partnerships
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. Additional documents: Minutes: There were no questions to the Chairs on this occasion. |
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Standards Committee PDF 165 KB Additional documents: Minutes: Resolved
The minutes of the Standards Committee meeting on 29 June 2017 were received by Council. |