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.

i.          To receive any apologies for absence

The Monitoring Officer reported apologies for absence.

ii.          To receive any declarations of interest

No declarations were made.

iii.         To receive any announcements by the Mayor

Newport Male Voice Choir

The Mayor congratulated Newport Male Voice Choir on their 75^th anniversary.  Councillor Allan Morris paid tribute to the Choir and the incredible amount they have raised for charity over the years.  He thanked the Council on behalf of the Choir for the city’s ongoing support and urged Members to continue this support.

Spirit of Newport Awards

The Mayor welcomed Liz Johnson and Michael Flynn to the meeting, to receive their Spirit of Newport awards.  Ron Jones was also receiving the award, but sadly was unable to attend the meeting. 

The Leader introduced the awards, explaining the purpose of the new accolade in celebrating the fantastic and varied achievements of people connected to the city.   The Leader paid tribute to the first three recipients of this award, outlining why each of them had been awarded with the new honour. 

The Mayor presented the awards, echoing the sentiments of the Leader and congratulating the three recipients on behalf of the city of Newport.

Ms Johnson thanked the Council for the award, stating what it meant for her to be from Newport and have the support of the city.  Mr Flynn also thanked the Council for the award, and said that he was proud to be from Newport. 

Following the awards, the meeting was briefly adjourned to mark the end of the presentation ceremony.

To consider any proposed appointments.

Resolved

The following appointments were agreed:

To confirm and sign the minutes of the last meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 January 2018 were confirmed as a true record, subject to the addition of Councillor Suller’s question under Police Issues.

30 minutes is allocated for questions to the Gwent Police representative.

Superintendent Ian Roberts attended, providing a brief update on points raised at the last meeting, and the latest policing priorities in the city, before inviting questions from Members. 

-       Councillor Allan Morris asked a question about attacks on emergency services personnel.  Superintendent Roberts accepted that this came with the job to a certain extent, but reassured members that any attacks on personnel were taken incredibly seriously and investigated, and services were working together to make sure that these events were both prevented where possible and dealt with fully when they occur.

-       Cllr Truman thanked the Superintendent for recent activity tackling parking in his ward, and looked forward to seeing more proactivity on this issue whenever possible.

-       Cllr Jeavons thanked the Superintendent for dealing with anti-social behaviour on the retail park.  In response to Cllr Jeavon’s question, the Superintendent reassured members that enforcement of parking would continue while civil parking enforcement powers were being sought.

-       Cllr Whitehead paid tribute to local PCSO Steve Metcalf for his hard work in the ward.  He also praised the mini police initiative.  The Superintendent confirmed that this initiative was in place at Millbrook Primary, and was planned to be rolled out more widely.

-       In response to Cllr Harvey’s question about issues on Alway Crescent, the Superintendent agreed to follow this up outside the meeting. 

-       Cllr Linton thanked officers for their response to a recent major fire in the ward.  He also highlighted recent incidents of arson and ASB in the ward, which the Superintendent agreed to follow up outside the meeting. 

-       Cllr Hourahine praised the new initiative against people trafficking.  He also thanked the police for their response to the recent incident of harassment in Old Barn.

-       Councillor Kellaway asked for support dealing with off road bikes in his ward, which the Superintendent agreed to follow up.

-       Councillor Cornelious reported finding evidence of drug use in her ward, and the Superintendent agreed to follow up with the local inspector.

-       Cllr Dr Hayat thanked the Sergeant who had recently moved from Pill, for the difference the Sergeant had made during her time working in the ward. 

-       Cllr Hughes thanked the Superintendent for recent activities in Caerleon.  The Superintendent agreed to follow up the specific issues raised by Cllr Hughes.

-       In response to Cllr Guy’s question, the Superintendent described the approach used by the police in using technology to investigate and prepare evidence to prosecute crimes, outlining the specialist expertise available in the local force. 

The Mayor thanked the Superintendent for his attendance. 

The Leader of the Council presented the report on the 2018/19 Revenue Budget and Medium Term Financial Plan. 

The Leader stated that this budget was the culmination of 6 months hard and diligent work, alongside officers, to respond to the impact of on-going austerity whilst ensuring this Council continues to provide the essential services and support that residents require from Local Government.  The Leader thanked colleagues for their hard work on the budget. 

The Leader explained that it was for Council to agree:

·         the Council Tax increase for the City Council, with Cabinet agreeing how and where the Council’s budget is spent .

·         the overall Council Tax Resolution, so the authority for the Council to then charge Council Tax in 2018/19, which also included the precept requirements coming from the Police and Crime Commissioner and the various Community Councils around the city.

·         the annual Treasury Management strategies and borrowing limits coming out of the Capital programme.

The revenue budget was finalised at Cabinet on 14 February following a comprehensive consultation exercise, and the Leader thanked all who had contributed to the consultation activities.  The Leader highlighted the good response rate to the consultation, with 2,680 individual proposal responses, 47 people attending the market event and 75 people attending specific sessions on individual proposals. There were also responses from the scrutiny committees, schools forum and the Fairness Commission.  

The Leader highlighted that in finalising the budget the Cabinet had

·         reduced the Council Tax increase

·         provided more funding for schools

·         re-considered the respite care budget saving  

The Leader highlighted the legal duty to set a balanced budget within the context of significant increases in demand for services, from the most vulnerable in society, and no increase in central funding. 

The Leader stated that the budget would build on the success of the previous 5 years, and gave examples of capital and revenue investment projects introduced.  The Leader also highlighted that the Council still had the second lowest Council Tax level in Wales and one of the lowest in the UK, while still spending around £8m under Newport’s Standard Spending Assessment.

The Leader stated that the revenue budget would see the Council’s net budget set at just under £275m and this requires a Council Tax Increase of 4.8% for 2018/19, just over £48 per annum on an average Band ‘D’ property or 93p per week.  This increase was consistent with other unitary councils in Wales and England, and it was being recommended to Council as a fair balance between an increase in Council Tax and making savings to fund the essential investments required.

In relation to the capital programme, the Leader highlighted the continuation of significant investments in the city over the last 5 years, including

·         £70m over the next 5 years or so to continue the investments in school buildings and capacity

·         A number of key schemes in the city centre such as the Market arcade and the development of grade ‘A’ offices in Mill Street

·         The annual cyclical programmes, including disabled  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To provide an opportunity for Councillors to ask questions to the Leader of the Council in accordance with the Council’s Standing Orders.

Process:

No more than 15 minutes will be allocated at the Council meeting for questions to the Leader of the Council.

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

Leader’s Announcements

In answer to the first question from the Mayor, the Leader made the following announcements:

·         Congratulations to Newport athlete Mica Moore on her recent success in the bobsleigh competition at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.

·         The appointment of Professor Simon Gibson, one of Wales’ leading business figures, as Chair of the Newport Economic Network.

·         The planning work now starting, following in principle support received for the recently submitted funding bid to the Welsh Government to support £70 million of improvement to school buildings as part of the 21st Century Schools and Education programme.

City Centre Footbridge

Councillor Matthew Evans asked a question on improvements to the subway between Gold Tops and the city centre.  He questioned why money was being spent on this project instead of the proposed footbridge.

The Leader responded that discussions were ongoing with Network Rail to progress the footbridge as quickly as possible.  It was understood that improvements to the subway were being funded by developers, not the Council. 

In response to Councillor Evans’ supplementary question, the Leader agreed that the footbridge was needed and that the Council was continuing to lobby Welsh Government for progress on this project. 

Newport Market

Councillor Kevin Whitehead raised concerns over the management of Newport Market, and asked that a cross-party working group be set up to bring the property management company back under the Council’s control.

The Leader stated that the market was a priority for this administration, and was included in the city centre master plan.  Regular meetings were held between market traders, Newport Norse and the Council, which the Leader of the Opposition had attended last time.  The Leader recognised that the market needed to move with the times, and the model needed a revision for the 21^st century.  The Leader highlighted that resources had been put into improving engagement with the market traders, and the administration were listening to what people were saying.  The Leader promised to follow up Councillor Whitehead’s comments on Newport Norse and provide a response in writing. 

Footbridge

In answer to her question, Councillor Carmel Townsend was assured that delivery of the footbridge continued to be a priority for the administration.

The Value of Social Care

In answer to Councillor James Clarke’s question, the Leader highlighted the importance of educating people in Newport on the value of social care, and demonstrating the impact and value of the Council’s services.  The Leader cited the impact of austerity on individuals and communities, and spoke in favour of investment in preventative services, in line with the philosophy of the latest future generations and social care legislation.

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 must submit their proposed questions in writing in advance 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.

The following questions were submitted and answered:

Cabinet Member for Education and Skills

Councillor Joan Watkins asked:

The Cabinet Member for Education has been in post for some two years during her time of office two thirds of our Secondary Schools have fallen either into the red zone or indeed special measures.  Additionally the Alternative Education Facility and Maesglas Primary school are also in the red Zone.  I would add there are schools in the amber zone which also gives rise to concern.

Would she please tell this Council what has gone wrong and is she responsible for this sorry state of affairs?

The Cabinet Member responded:

There were nine secondary schools in Newport.  One third of those were currently categorised as red (not two thirds as stated in the question).  Almost two thirds of Newport secondary schools were in yellow or green category, recognising their excellent standards and strong upward trajectory.  

Newport had the highest level of green secondary schools in the region.  55% of Newport secondary schools were categorised as yellow and green, compared to the regional average of 41%.

GCSE outcomes across Newport were contextually stronger than they had ever been. This year Newport ranked at 10th place in Wales for the Level 2+ measure (5 GCSE’s A*-C). This was a 5 ranking place rise from the previous year and 6 places above where Newport should sit within its Free School Meals national ranking position.

Newport has 57% green primary schools. This was 12% more than the regional average in 2016-17.

All schools, regardless of their categorisation had areas of strength, as shown in very school’s national categorisation or Estyn report. The Cabinet Member highlighted the good work of Newport schools linked to high academic standards, the strong focus on well-being, improving attendance and excellent parental engagement.  She stated that there was a lot to be proud of, and schools should be congratulated for their hard work and commitment.

The Cabinet Member clarified that some levels of categorisation were in place for a short amount of time. High levels of support could be required when a school was amalgamated, had a new or temporary leadership structure or had a series of unavoidable staff absences.  Estyn and the EAS were experts in assessing areas which require further attention. In most circumstances the school had identified these themselves, through effective self-evaluation. Support plans, with clear milestones were put into place to address these short comings.

A red categorisation ensured that the school had the highest level of support from the EAS and LA. However there was also an expectation that the school (Head, Governing Body and all staff) drove the school forward. The Council was consistently assessing their capacity to do this.  The Chief Education Officer, the Principal Challenge Adviser and the Cabinet Member met with red schools on at least a termly basis to monitor progress and hold the school to account.  This high level of support allowed schools to resolve issues and move forward. 

Supplementary question:

In  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To provide an opportunity to pose questions to the Chairs of the Committees in line with Standing Orders.

Process:

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

Members must submit their proposed questions in writing in advance 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 Committee Chairs in the following order:

      i.        Scrutiny Committees

a.    Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee

b.    Performance Scrutiny Committee – People

c.    Performance Scrutiny Committee – Place and Corporate

d.    Performance Scrutiny Committee – Partnerships

     ii.        Planning Committee

    iii.        Licensing Committee

   iv.        Democratic Services Committee

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.

No questions were submitted on this occasion. 

To note the minutes of the latest meeting of the Standards Committee.

The minutes of the last Standards Committee meeting were noted.