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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chambers - Civic Centre. View directions

Contact: Elizabeth Blayney  Scrutiny and Governance Manager

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Preliminaries

      i.        To receive any apologies for absence.

     ii.        To receive any declarations of interest.

    iii.        To receive any announcements by the Mayor.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

i)             To receive any apologies for absence

 

The Monitoring Officer reported apologies for absence.

 

 

ii)            To receive declarations of Interest

 

There were no declarations of interest.

 

iii)           To receive any announcements by the Mayor

 

Stephen Bell

 

The Mayor noted the tragic death of Stephen Bell who worked within the Council’s highways team. The Mayor led the Council in offering its deepest condolences to Stephen’s family, friends and colleagues in this difficult time.

 

The Mayor led a minutes silence as a mark of respect to Stephen Bell.

 

                   Mayors Charity Events

 

The Mayor updated the Council on recent events hosted and attended by the Mayor, including attending Newport County’s match at Wembley Stadium.

 

British Transplant Games

 

The Mayor reminded the Council of the upcoming British Transplant Games being hosted by Newport City this upcoming weekend and encouraged the Council to attend and show support to this event.

 

2.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 132 KB

To confirm and sign the minutes of the last meetings .

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the Council meetings held on 30 April 2019 and 14 May 2019 were approved as a true and accurate record.

3.

Appointments pdf icon PDF 73 KB

To consider any proposed appointments.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Harvey presented the report and updated the Council on the proposed changes to Committee appointments.

 

Resolved

 

Internal Appointments

 

Committee

No. of Vacancies / Replacements

Nominations Received

Planning Committee

Replacement

Cllr Malcolm Linton to replace Cllr Tracey Holyoake

Appointments Sub-Committee

7 Vacancies

Cllr Debbie Wilcox

Cllr Gail Giles

Cllr Paul Cockeram

Cllr Majid Rahman

Cllr Matthew Evans

Cllr Jason Jordan

Cllr Carmel Townshend

Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee

1 replacement

Cllr Phil Hourahine to replace Cllr Malcom Linton 

Performance Scrutiny Committee – Partnerships

1 replacement

Cllr Christine Jenkins to replace Cllr Yvonne Forsey

Performance Scrutiny Committee – People

1 replacement

Cllr Malcom Linton to replace Cllr Ken Critchley

 

 

Appointments to External Organisations

 

Organisation

No. of Vacancies / Replacements

Nominations Received

Police and Crime Panel

Replacement

Cllr Mark Spencer to replace Cllr John Guy

 

Governing Body Appointments

 

Governing Body

No. of Vacancies / Re-appointments

Nominations Received

Caerleon High School

Replacement

Ms Penny Keggie (to replace John Parfitt)

Tredegar Park Primary

 

Replacement

Cllr Ibrahim Hayat(to replace Jeanne Hugo)

Malpas Court Primary

Vacancy

Amy Morris

 

Glasllwch Primary School

 

Vacancy

Mrs Gillian Hyland

Malpas Primary School

 

Reappointment

William Langsford

Malpas Primary School  

 

Reappointment

Cllr David Mayer

Ringland Primary

 

Replacement

Cllr Laura Lacey (to replace Cllr Rehmaan Hayat)

Milton Primary -

 

Replacement

Cllr Rehmaan Hayat  (to replace Cllr Laura Lacey)

YsgolGyfun Gwynllyw

 

Reappointment

John Harris

Rogerstone Primary

Vacancy

Alexandra Mlewa

St Woolos Primary

1 Vacancy

Cllr Tracy Holyoake to be removed. Replacement to be confirmed.

Pill Primary

1 Vacancy

Cllr Tracy Holyoake

 

It was also resolved that the Council agree the appropriate dispensation for Councillor Ken Critchley continued absence beyond 6 months due to ill-health, for the purposes of section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972. 

4.

Police Issues

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Chief Superintendent Mike Richards gave an update on local policing matters, highlighting key developments particularly relating to priority areas of anti-social behaviour, begging and issues with the night-time economy.

 

·         Councillor Roger Jeavons was pleased to note the progress made in addressing the issues with ‘Boy Racers’ and the anti-social behaviour associated with this, which would need a continually robust response during the summer months. Cllr Jeavons also thanked the Police for their support during the first few weeks of the transfer to Civil Parking Enforcement which had been successful.

 

·         Councillor Majid Rahman asked for assurances of increased police visibility in the Victoria Ward, noting several instances of anti-social behaviour including off road biking, and the concerns of the local community in that area. The Police noted that the instances referred to were known to the police, and provided assurances that the Police would be as visible as was possible within the area.

 

·         Councillor David Fouweather asked for an update on whether the additional police officers for Newport City Centre were in place, and whether there was an increase in foot patrols to increase visibility and address the concerns of residents coming into the city centre after 4pm.

 

The Police responded that an additional 8 Police Constables had arrived in the City Centre Team in the last four months, and there had been an increase in foot patrols within the city centre. A plan to address City Centre issues was being developed, and the Police undertook to keep the Councillor informed on this matter.

 

·         In relation to the enforcement of the City Centre Public Space Protection Order, particularly relating to begging within 10 metres of a cash point, Councillor Matthew Evans highlighted that this continued to be an issue for local residents both at night and during the day. Appreciating that it was a multiagency approach, the Councillor sought assurances that this would be a priority for the City Centre Team. The Police confirmed that this continued to be a priority, and agreed to follow up the concerns with the City Centre Policing Team to ensure the police response was as robust as possible.

 

·         Councillor Ray Truman asked the Superintendent to comment on whether the Police non-emergency number was to be discontinued. The Superintendent was not aware of any such proposal, and would confirm with Councillor Truman directly.

 

·         Councillor Gail Giles thanked the Neighbourhood Watch Groups across Newport for the work they undertook, which the Superintendent reiterated this thanks.

 

Councillor Giles also highlighted concerns that had been raised in relation to accessibility at Maindee and Alway Police Station, noting that there was no longer a front desk, only a phone. The Police were asked what forms of communication were available at this police station, as not all residents could communicate via email and there were instances where face to face to face discussions would be useful. The Superintendent agreed to go back to Inspector Cawley who covers this area to comment on this and reply to Councillor Giles.

 

·         Councillor David Williams  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Notices of Motion: Friends of the Earth Bee Initiative

To receive the following motion for which the necessary notice has been provided:

 

This authority supports the Friends of the Earth Bee Cause initiative, and will continue to ensure that where suitable, planting undertaken within the parks, gardens and green areas owned by the Council will support bee and other pollinating insects’ lifestyles.

 

It is of vital importance to Newport’s economy of pollinators and the fact that the Council is well placed to make a significant contribution to reversing their decline.

 

In addition this authority will strive to make Newport one of the first major Welsh cities to have bee friendly accreditation.

 

The motion is to be proposed by Councillor Debbie Wilcox and seconded by Councillor Laura Lacey.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council considered a motion for which the necessary notice had been provided. The motion was moved by Councillor Debbie Wilcox, and seconded by Councillor Laura Lacey:

 

This authority supports the Friends of the Earth Bee Cause initiative, and will continue to ensure that where suitable, planting undertaken within the parks, gardens and green areas owned by the Council will support bee and other pollinating insects’ lifestyles.

 

It is of vital importance to Newport’s economy of pollinators and the fact that the Council is well placed to make a significant contribution to reversing their decline.

 

In addition this authority will strive to make Newport one of the first major Welsh cities to have bee friendly accreditation.’

 

In moving the motion, Councillor Debbie Wilcox outlined that the Council was committed to helping the UK’s pollination by ensuring that the needs of pollinators were considered within the delivery of the Council’s works and duties.  The Council would do this through:

·         Ensuring the needs of pollinators were represented in local plans, policy and guidance;

·         Protecting and enhancing the amount of quality pollinator habitats in Newport to prevent extinction and improve the status of local species;

·         Increasing awareness of pollinators and their habitat needs;

·         Improving knowledge and understanding of pollinators in our local area.

 

A number of Members spoke in favour of the motion.

 

Resolved

 

It was unanimously resolved to support the motion.

 

 

6.

Notice of Motion: Guangxi Province Twinning

To receive the following motion for which the necessary notice has been provided:

 

This Council deeply regrets the lack of response from Guangxi Province to the letter sent on 19th February 2019 urging them to stop the Yulin Dog Meat Festival and the horrendous treatment of animals. It feels it has no option but to cease the twinning arrangement it has had since 1996 as the City cannot sit idly by and let the barbaric inhumane behaviour towards animals go unchallenged. Therefore, the Council formally resolves to discontinue all twinning arrangements with Guangxi Province with immediate effect.

 

The motion is to be proposed by Councillor Matthew Evans, seconded by Councillor Chris Evans.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council considered the following motion for which the necessary notice had been provided. The motion was moved by Councillor Matthew Evans, seconded by Councillor Chris Evans.

 

‘This Council deeply regrets the lack of response from Guangxi Province to the letter sent on 19th February 2019 urging them to stop the Yulin Dog Meat Festival and the horrendous treatment of animals. It feels it has no option but to cease the twinning arrangement it has had since 1996 as the City cannot sit idly by and let the barbaric inhumane behaviour towards animals go unchallenged. Therefore, the Council formally resolves to discontinue all twinning arrangements with Guangxi Province with immediate effect.’

 

An amendment was proposed by Councillor Debbie Wilcox, seconded by

 

‘This Council:

 

1.    Deeply regrets the lack of response from Guangxi Province to the letter sent on 19th February 2019 urging them to stop the Yulin Dog Meat Festival and the horrendous treatment of animals.

2.    Further calls upon her majesty’s government to present the City’s case via both the Great Britain-China Centre, a non-departmental public body established by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1974, together with the Foreign Office to make direct representations from both bodies to the Governments of the People’s Republic of China about the ending of this appalling festival and to relay their response to Newport City Council. This action will focus the wider attention upon this issue as the twinning arrangements has become defunct by default of non-engagement for many years and all references to it have already been removed from Newport City Council’s current webpages.’

 

In moving the amendment, Councillor Debbie Wilcox stated that the twinning arrangements had not been active for 15 years and all references to it had been removed from the Council’s online and offline presence. Councillor Wilcox suggested that the amendment put forward a stronger course of action to engage the actions of the Foreign Secretary and Great Britain-China Centre (GBCC) in partnership,to help the Council send this the message to China and underlined the seriousness of this matter.

 

During the debate, a number of points of clarification were raised including:

-       Confirmation of when the twinning arrangements were defunct, and;

-       Confirmation that any signage indicating the twinning arrangements would be removed.

 

In seconding the amendment, Councillor Mark Whitcutt spoke in support of the need to seek the intervention of the Government and the GBCC to carry this forward to end this animal cruelty associated with this festival. 

 

Councillor Debbie Wilcox addressed the points of clarification and noted that confirmation of that the twinning arrangement was defunct had been given to the Council in the amended motion, any reference to this on signage would be removed as soon as possible.

 

When put to the meeting the amendment was carried unanimously and became the substantive motion.

 

Resolved

 

The substantive motion was unanimously carried.

 

7.

Treasury Management Report - Financial Year 2018/19 pdf icon PDF 189 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council presented the Treasury Management report to the Council, outlining that the report looked back to the Council’s financial borrowing for 2018/19 and assessed how the Council has adhered to the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy.

 

Resolved

 

It was unanimously resolved to note the report.

 

8.

Questions to the Leader of the Council

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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

-       The opening ceremony of the British Transplant Games was being held this weekend, and the Leader encouraged all Councillors to attend and support the event.

-       Western Powerhouse

A new report had been unveiled by the Leader at the House of Lords that set out the Council’s recommendations to supercharge our regional economy and the potential for a new economic powerhouse for the UK.The potential powerhouse would stretch along the M4 corridor from Swindon, across the Welsh border to Newport, Cardiff and Swansea, and in the north from Gloucester and Cheltenham to Bath and Bristol. The Leader outlined the opportunities that this proposal would present for Newport. 

-       The Leader updated Council on the positive feedback from the public on the implementation of Civil Parking Enforcement.

-       Following Keep Wales Tidy week last week, it had been confirmed that Belle Vue Park, Beechwood Park and Gwent Crematorium had all retained the international mark of a quality in recognition for their excellent floral displays, facilities and commitment to delivering great quality green space.The Council had made the top ten, and was the highest placed Welsh authority, in a recent survey of local authorities praised for recycling plastic waste following recent Council initiatives to improve recycling. . The Leader thanked all residents for participating in the initiatives and contributing to the Council’s increased recycling rate.

 

 

Leaders Questions

 

M4 Relief Road

 

In relation to the Welsh Government’s recent decision not to build the M4 Relief Road, Councillor Matthew Evans asked the Leader whether this meant that Newport residents would continue to face the same issues with heavy congestion and air pollution, and sought assurances that the Leader would stop any attempts by the Welsh Government to close motorway junctions in Newport.

 

The Leader stated that her support for M4 relief road was unequivocal in this city and that she had signed the CBI letter to Welsh Government in support of the M4 Relief Road.

 

The Leader outlined that decisions on the M4 junctions was a matter within the jurisdiction of Welsh Government and as such it was not within the remit of Newport City Council’s Leader. Representations had been made to the First Minister to make the Council’s position clear, and the Leader had written to the First Minister asking that the terms of reference be revised to ensure that there was a Newport voice on the commission.

 

The Leader assured the Council that the huge importance of appropriate transport within the city was understood by the administration, and that the Leader would continue to fight in every way possible to ensure that Newport got the best deal possible following this Welsh Government decision.

 

Councillor Evans asked a supplementary question to seek assurances that the funding outlined by the First Minister would spent in Newport to address transport and congestion issues.

 

The Leader reiterated that a letter had been written to the First Minister and that she would do everything possible within the role to ensure that the funding was spent to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

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 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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

i)          Questions to the Cabinet Member – City Services

 

Councillor Ray Mogford asked the follow question that had been submitted:

 

‘Given the current ongoing problems regarding the horrendous traffic congestion going into the Tip / Recycling Centre on Docks Way, the Council have indicated that a second Centre will be opened on the East side of the City. However, will the Cabinet Member commit to reviewing the opening times of the Tip by adopting seasonal opening hours with the tip open later in the summer months and shorter in the Winter? Does the Cabinet Member believe that the present 4:10pm closing time is too early and should be extended to 6pm which is in line with most other Welsh Councils?’

 

The Cabinet Member – City Services responded:

 

‘I am at this time looking to extending the opening hours at the CA site, we have undertaken major works at this site to alleviate some of the issues around congestion and its effects. I have to take into account ever decreasing budgets, operational commitments and staffing implications for this multifunctional site, so cannot at this present moment comment as to actual times. I hope to have a positive update shortly. Work around the site on the eastern side of the city is still ongoing.

 

The Cabinet Member was asked a supplementary question relating to the residents accessing Monmouthshire’s recycling centre, and asked the Cabinet Member if he had any comments ono this now that it is being discussed at Welsh Assembly level.

 

The Cabinet Member responded that the Council had spent millions of pounds reducing the size of the bins in the city looking to increase the recycling rates to 70% and commented that it was hoped that Newport City Residents would take recycling to Newport facility to contribute to Newport’s figures on recycling and assist the City in reaching targets and not be subject to fines from Welsh Government. It was also noted that the new site on the East of the City would assist all residents concerned. 

 

ii)         Question to Cabinet Member – Regeneration and Housing

 

Councillor Ray Mogford asked the following question that had been submitted:

 

Recently over 3000 people signed a petition launched by Newport Resident Christine Davies, demanding action to clean-up and regenerate our City Centre. Since this petition was submitted, the Council have refused to accept its requests in terms of a cross party solution. Does the Cabinet Member feel this is a ‘slap in the face’ for all those who signed the petition? Will the Cabinet Member(s) take a close look then at this petition and acknowledge the concerns raised within it and agree to meet with Christine Davies, local businesses, employer’s and politicians to discuss improvements being made in the City Centre?

 

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing responded:

 

‘I am aware of the petition. One Newport, our Public Services Board issued a public response to the petition on behalf the partner organisations that we work with.  In addition,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Questions to the Chairs of Committees

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.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no questions to the Chairs of Committees.