Agenda and minutes

1.i  Apologies

Councillors Whitcutt, K Thomas, Dudley and C Evans

1.ii  Declarations of Interest

None received.

1.iii  Mayor’s Announcements

The Mayor held a moment’s silence for former Councillor Peter McKim.  Peter was the Labour ward member for Graig and served two terms, leaving the council in 2004. 

The Mayor also  mentioned the recent resignation of another Graig ward member, Councillor Cornelious on grounds of ill-health, and wished her all the best of the future.

The Mayor invited the Leader to announce that Councillor Stephen Marshall  had been invited to become a member of the Order of St John’s, which was an incredible achievement.  The Leader continued that most of her colleagues would be aware that Councillor Marshall had been a volunteer for St John’s Ambulance and was supporting the vaccination programme.  The award also recognised his dedication to training younger members.  This award was sanctioned by the Queen and was therefore a tremendous honour for one of the councillors in Newport.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meetings from 27 April and 11 May (AGM).

The Minutes from 27 April and Council AGM 11 May 2021 were recorded as a true and accurate record.

To consider any proposed appointments.

To consider the proposed appointments set out in the report

Councillor Harvey moved the appointments set out in the Report, as agreed by the Business managers, subject to the additional appointments set out below.

Resolved: That the following appointments be agreed.

Governing Body Appointments

Outside Bodies Appointment

Charles Williams Trust: Councillor Gail Giles.

In addition to the above appointments, Councillor Harvey informed Council of the need to agree dispensation for Councillor Val Dudley’s absence, due to ill-health in accordance with section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972.

Resolved:

To approve six month’s absence for Councillor V Dudley.

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

Superintendent Mike Richards provided an update on current local policing priorities, before inviting questions from Members.

The Leader welcomed Supt Richards to the Council meeting and referred to the demand on service provision and the safer streets funding.   She also reflected on partnership working and moving forward, recognising the different pressures of moving  into covid recovery.  As custodians of our communities, we should highlight to resident services that aren’t provided by the police and we all have a role to play in accurately signposting residents to the right services.  The Leader also commented that it was fantastic news on the new Police recruits.

The Leader also asked  about the active travel bids and being able to introduce safer streets pilot with 20mph speed limit.  Residents were still expressing concern  about people breaching speed limits and asked MR if we could work together with Go Safe around speeding enforcement, as we didn’t want to lose the momentum.

The Superintendent endorsed the Leader’s comments about the need for partnership work  between the Police and the Council.

Questions from Councillors:

Councillor Holyoake asked which streets in Pill would be benefitting from the Safer Streets initiative and have speed cameras installed.  Supt Richards highlighted that these would be Commercial Road and Francis Drive.  Insp Blakemore would also make contact with Cllr Holyoake to discuss this in detail.

Councillor Jeavons thanked the Superintendent for the update on Operation Snap in Alway and Ringland.

Councillor Suller congratulated the Superintendent on the apprehension of the drug dealers and raised concern regarding ‘boy racers’ in Coedkernew, A48 and Imperial Way and asked whether traffic calming measures could be put in place.  Supt Richards would ask the local inspector to make contact with Councillor Suller in relation to this.

Councillor Harvey thanked the Superintendent on the speed of the arrests made in relation to the tragic incident in Always that took place in early June.

Councillor Rahman thanked the Superintendent for the street surgery arranged for the Bryn Derwin Road area and referred to incidences where a vehicle which was related to drug dealing a couple of years ago was spotted recently on Bryn Derwin Road.  Residents wanted assurance that by ringing 101 to report crime that the Police would act on the intelligence received so as not to lose faith in the police. Supt Richards assured Councillor Rahman that all 101 calls were responded to and would ask Insp Cawley to make contact with the Councillor.

Councillor Forsey referred to the increase in cycling its related accidents, including one fatality in Newport and asked if Operation Close Pass would be implemented in Newport.  Supt Richards advised that Gwent Police were looking to implement this in Newport imminently and would provide timeframes to the Councillor.

Councillor Linton informed the Superintendent that the local arsonist had returned to Ringland and referred to an incident which took place the previous evening at the Friendship Pub.  What were the police doing to look into this?  Supt Richards advised the councillor that he  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Newport City Council recognises that much work has been undertaken in the last decade in Wales to measure and improve the diversity of councils. More work is in the pipeline in preparation for the 2022 elections. There is a national communications campaign to encourage people from underrepresented groups to vote, engage with local democracy and stand for office. New mentoring programmes are being delivered with the Womens’ Equality Network Wales and the Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team Wales. Stonewall Cymru and Disability Wales will also soon be offering mentoring programmes. The Welsh Government and Senedd Commission are working with Councils, schools and youth councils and developing resources to encourage 16 and 17 yr olds to get involved and vote. The WLGA has a new Be a Councillor website and, is part of the Pan UK civility in public life campaign and are working with Councils to continue to improve the range of support and development provided to members.

Newport City Council commits to being a Diverse Council.

We agree to:

·        Provide a clear public commitment to improving diversity in democracy

·        Demonstrate an open and welcoming culture to all, promoting the  highest standards of behaviour and conduct

·        Continue to take forward the recommendations of the WLGA Diversity in Democracy working group

The motion is to be proposed by the Leader of the Council, J Mudd and seconded by Baroness D Wilcox.

The Council considered the following motion, for which the necessary notice had been given.  The motion was moved by the Leader and seconded by Baroness Wilcox.

Newport City Council recognises that much work has been undertaken in the last decade in Wales to measure and improve the diversity of councils. More work is in the pipeline in preparation for the 2022 elections. There is a national communications campaign to encourage people from underrepresented groups to vote, engage with local democracy and stand for office. New mentoring programmes are being delivered with the Womens’ Equality Network Wales and the Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team Wales. Stonewall Cymru and Disability Wales will also soon be offering mentoring programmes. The Welsh Government and Senedd Commission are working with Councils, schools and youth councils and developing resources to encourage 16 and 17 yr olds to get involved and vote. The WLGA has a new Be a Councillor website and, is part of the Pan UK civility in public life campaign and are working with Councils to continue to improve the range of support and development provided to members.

Newport City Council commits to being a Diverse Council.

We agree to:

·        Provide a clear public commitment to improving diversity in democracy

·        Demonstrate an open and welcoming culture to all, promoting the highest standards of behaviour and conduct

·        Continue to take forward the recommendations of the WLGA Diversity in Democracy working group

Comments from Councillors:

In seconding the motion, Baroness Wilcox comment that, on Friday 5 March  this year on the eve of International Women’s Day, the WLGA Council endorsed a series of significant recommendations from a cross-party working group, which included the use of voluntary quotas, local targets, and council declarations to become ‘Diverse Councils’. This was as a result of the setting up of a cross- party working group on underrepresented groups under Baroness Wilcox’s former leadership of the WLGA and Baroness Wilcox was pleased to chair it until November 2019 when its initial proposals were delivered to the WLGA Council.

The WLGA agreed to take steps to advance gender equality and diversity in Councils before the 2022 elections. This was in recognition of the lack of diversity in Welsh Councils. The group’s remit was to explore broader underrepresentation in democracy and bring about change through a series of actions and pledges.

Local communities were diverse in their life experience, priorities, and needs. Councillors from all parties  should reflect this diversity in the skills and experience that they bring to council.

This was not simply a matter of equality, important though that was, but a need for council chambers to be filled with people who had a diverse range of life experiences and different aspirations; better diversity will lead to better decision-making.

Councils and councillors played a critical, central and prominent role during the COVID 19 pandemic. Councils demonstrated that they were uniquely placed at the heart of their communities and public service delivery and councils and councillors had invariably  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Newport City Council resolves to appoint the Royal British Legion as Honorary Freeman of the City of Newport in recognition of their 100th Year Anniversary on 15th May 2021 and to honour the charitable work of the organisation supporting ex-service men and women and their families.

This motion is to be proposed by the Leader of the Council, J Mudd and R Truman and seconded by Councillor M Spencer

The Council considered the following motion, for which the necessary notice had been given.  The motion was moved by The Leader and seconded by Councillor Spencer.

Newport City Council resolves to appoint the Royal British Legion as Honorary Freeman of the City of Newport in recognition of their 100th Year Anniversary on 15th May 2021 and to honour the charitable work of the organisation supporting ex-service men and women and their families.

The Royal British Legion was formed in May 1921 by the merger of four veterans associations of the First World War.  Its purpose was to:

·        provide help to veterans and their families who are in need of help,

·        campaign for improved conditions, and

·        to champion Remembrance.

In moving the motion, the Leader Commented that, in 1921, the British Legion Founder and President Earl Haig announced that Armistice Day on 11 November would be known henceforth as Remembrance Day and that it would be a ‘Poppy Day’ to raise funds for veterans relief.

Over six million men served on the front line during the war and of those who came back, 1.75 million suffered some kind of disability and half of these were permanently disabled.  We also needed to remember the emotional and financial impact this had on those who were left behind – wives and children, widows and orphans as well as the parents who had lost their sons.

Out of this concern, the Legion was established and they have helped the Armed Forces community and their families ever since.  The Legion provided lifelong support to serving members of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, veterans and their families.  Their wide ranging activities included support through debt and emergency situations, employment, dementia care and supporting places with Remembrance parades and services.

In Newport we were fortunate to have four branches of the Royal British Legion – the Newport Men’s branch, the Newport Women’s branch, the Rogerstone branch and the Caerleon branch.

The difference that the Royal British Legion made to people’s lives could not be underestimated and as they marked their 100^th year in May, the Leader believed it was important for Newport to formally recognise the contribution this organisation made to the people of Newport.  Granting them honorary Freedom of the City felt like an appropriate honour, on behalf of the people of the City of Newport and elected members of this Council, the Leader was privileged to formally request that in their centenary year, Newport City Council granted the Royal British Legion honorary Freedom of the City.

If this request was granted, a more formal presentation ceremony would be held later in the year and it was hoped that such an event would enable the Council to fully celebrate the work of this incredible organisation and fully recognise the honour bestowed on them.

Comments from Councillors:

Councillor M Evans welcomed and fully supported the motion, although he was disappointed not to have been consulted beforehand.

Councillor Cleverly supported this motion with her member  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Chief Executive presented the report to Council, highlighting the consultation with political group leaders and union representatives as well as working closely with the Welsh Local Government Association.  A phased approached in recruitment would take place along with a recruitment panel of members.  This would be conducted in an open and transparent manner.  In terms of the financial implications, this would be kept to a minimum level of investment in line with the council’s revenue budget.

The Leader moved the report, which was seconded by Councillor M Evans.

The Mayor invited councillors to ask the Chief Executives if they had any questions in relation to the report.

Councillor Cleverly asked the Chief Executive if staff would have to re-apply for post or would they be job matched and in addition to this, would there be redundancies.  The Chief Executive advised that no existing Head of Service  would be detrimentally affected and therefore they would be matched to a role within the proposed structure, with tweaks to the aligned service areas and, during the initial implementation phase, there would be no staff redundancies.

Councillor T Watkins asked what was the timescale for these posts to be in situ. The Chief Executive advised that recruitment process would take place with immediate effect and that it was anticipated  to be in place within the next three to five months.

Councillor Fouweather mentioned that there were difficulties in past recruiting senior officers and therefore were the salaries competitive within the market.  The Chief Executive agreed that it was good to encourage competition and director’s salaries were competitive.  The Heads of Services were commensurate with other salaries within Local Government.

The Leader was pleased to support the Chief Executives report to implement much needed revisions to the senior management structure of the Council.

Over the last few months, the Chief Executive, in her role as Head of Paid Service, worked closely with the WLGA to review the chief officer structure at Head of Service and Director level.  

The senior structure was reduced by 39% since 2011, but the Council’s change agenda and its expectations for the City continued to grow significantly at the same time – the review therefore supported the need to create strategic capacity to maximise the Council’s opportunities.

The Chief Executive, in her report, detailed the need to strengthen the senior leadership team to ensure that the council continued to take the City forward and maximise the Council’s role at a local and national level.   We were engaged in ambitious regional and national agendas such as the Western Gateway and Cardiff Capital Region. Community expectations were increasing and the council would be dealing with the legacy of the Covid-19 pandemic for many years to come – all of which required robust senior leadership. 

The Chief Executive presented this report to Council to seek approval for a future proof structure – to enable senior officers to refocus on the Council’s strategic priorities and the transformation of our services in a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The Cabinet Member for Licensing and Regulation presented the report to Council.

A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) was designed to prevent individuals or groups committing anti-social behaviour in a public space. They could be used implement restrictions where the behaviour was having, or is likely to have, a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality; and the behaviour was, or was likely to be, persistent or continuing in nature.

Only the Council could make a PSPO, but they could be enforced by Gwent Police and Council Officers.

The PSPO before Council today would be the second PSPO to be implemented within the Pill Ward. The previous PSPO expired in July 2020 and contained three restrictions. This new PSPO implemented an increased number of restrictions that were specifically targeted at addressing Anti-Social Behaviour in the defined area.

Anti-social behaviour was being experienced in Pill, to the detriment of its residents. The previous PSPO was limited in its application and use. Through close working between the Council and Gwent Police, it was proposed that the Council implement a new PSPO to provide additional and relevant enforcement powers to Gwent Police and Council staff to help deal with the issues residents were experiencing.

A public consultation exercise ran for one month in March 2021 and was responded to by over 150 individuals and organisations. Almost all of these responses were from people who lived or worked in Pill. The public consultation was overwhelmingly supportive of the restrictions within the new PSPO.

The Oversight and Scrutiny Management Committee oversaw the drafting and consultation process for this new PSPO and also reviewed the outcomes of the consultation. In its April meeting, the Committee recommended that the Council adopted the PSPO.

At the request of the Police, the Scrutiny Management Committee recommended that Prohibition 8 should be removed from the draft Order that was the subject of public consultation. In the light of the subsequent objections however, that were received from the local community about the removal of this measure and the widespread public support for the restriction of “kerb-crawling”, it was recommended that the draft PSPO set out in Appendix A to the report be amended to include an additional prohibition number 8

“No person shall enter the restricted area and attempt to buy sexual services from another person”

Subject to this amendment,  the Cabinet Member moved that the Council formally approves and adopts the new Pill PSPO as set out in the Report

Councillor I Hayat thanked Cllr Truman and considered that it was vital to have this in place.  This PSPO with additions would help the police.  Pill was a multi ethnic and diverse place that welcomed people to invest within the ward therefore Councillor I Hayat fully supported the report.

Councillor Lacey as Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee, advised that cross party discussion took place and the recommendations were carefully considered and therefore fully supported the amendment.

Councillor Holyoake, referred  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

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.

The Leader shared the following announcements with Council:

·        Levelling up fund

Earlier this month, Cabinet supported a proposal to make a significant bid to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund with the aim of further boosting the regeneration of our city.

It was a competitive bidding process and up to £20m of capital funding was available for regeneration and cultural investment schemes. There was no guarantee that we would be successful, but an ambitious bid, for the full £20 million would be submitted, which would see the further transformation of the Northern Gateway area of the city centre.

A number of transformational schemes were already underway or were in the pipeline in this area including the refurbishment of the Newport Indoor Market and Market Arcade, the proposed creation of a co-working and incubator hub in the Information Station building and the provision of a new active travel footbridge between Devon Place and Queensway.

This additional money would be used to enhance the public realm in this area, it was hoped that  when people arrived to Newport, that they would be met with a view that reflected the quality of the place that Newport actually was, that represented our ambitions and was positive and welcoming for visitors and investors alike.

There would be a focus on green infrastructure, active travel, the wider Newport Offer and of course reflecting the ethos of the Placemaking Charter.

The Leader would provide a regular update on the bidding process at it progressed.

·        Clean air day

Earlier this month the Council marked Clean Air Day 2021 with an excellent event at the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome for Wales.

The purpose of Clean Air Day was to highlight air pollution, build awareness of how it affected health, and explore some of the things that could be done to tackle the problem.

Every year, air pollution caused?up to?36,000?deaths in the UK.??The World Health Organisation and the UK Government recognised that air pollution was the largest environmental health risk we faced today.

The Leader was delighted to welcome Lee Waters MS, the new deputy minister for climate change, to the event where we showcased some of the work that both the council and our public sector partners were doing to improve the air quality in the city.

This included installing renewable energy generating solar panels on 27 of our buildings, including the largest rooftop installation in Wales at the Velodrome itself.

The showcase also featured a number of electric vehicles, which included our electric refuse collection vehicle, the first of its kind in Wales, one of Newport Transport’s electric buses, and an electric taxi.

We still had a long way to go in making our air cleaner for future generations, but there was a lot of good work already throughout Newport, and the actions being taken today would deliver a greener, healthier city for tomorrow.

·        Success of No Mow May

Another project we have recently taken part in that focused on sustainability in Newport was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

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 City Services

     ii.        Cabinet Member for Education and Skills

    iii.        Cabinet Member for Assets

   iv.        Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development

     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

There are five written question to the Cabinet Members:

Question 1 – Cabinet Member: Culture and Leisure

Councillor C Ferris

Given the importance of the National Trust’s stewardship of Tredegar House and the hope that this would provide a boost for tourism in Newport, may I ask when you last had a meeting with the National Trust?

Response

Whilst the Lease agreed by the previous administration bound the Council to ongoing financial payments which added pressures to budgets year on year, surprisingly the lease did not set out any formal requirements for the National Trust to meet with representatives of the Council. 

However under my direction this financial burden has now been settled and the Culture and Continuing Learning Manager meets property managers to discuss property developments, repair and conservation work and marketing. The Culture and Continuing Learning Manager has also attended the regular Team Tredegar workshops arranged by the National Trust staff at Tredegar House.  All of this information is provided to me during my briefings with officers and up until the start of the pandemic, I have been satisfied that the stewardship arrangement is being well managed. I am sure you are fully aware of the impact the pandemic has had on tourism and the ability of tourist attractions to operate.  However the National Trust have managed to successfully navigate their way through a very difficult time and I am pleased to see that access to parts of the house as well as the café, parks and gardens is open throughout the week and that advance booking are recommended for the weekends, such is the popularity of the venue. 

Supplementary Question

Given the importance of this and although Pandemic has had an impact, would there be an opportunity to meet up sometime in the future.

Councillor Harvey thanked councillor Ferris for his supplementary question and referred to her previous response.

Question 2 – Cabinet Member: Leisure and Culture

Councillor M Evans

Since August 2017 you only appear to have taken 4 formal decisions according to the Council’s website, that’s just one a year. Whilst I appreciate you would have been involved in the Transporter Bridge funding which we fully support, and the proposed new Leisure Centre, can you tell Council why you haven’t taken any decisions over the Medieval Ship for instance, and why you didn’t consult with members when you decided to introduce a pedal power scheme?

Can you also give Council an update on this scheme?

Response

The Medieval Ship project has yet to complete the freeze drying process.  Progress on this was significantly affected by the pandemic.  As you will appreciate, until this is complete it is premature to formally propose the next stage of the project.  You are right to point out that the Transporter Bridge has been the focus of my efforts and I have been directly involved with negotiations and meetings which supported and championed the project.  The Cabinet report in February detailed the work and commitment which had gone into this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

The minutes of Democratic Services Committee 29 April and Governance and Audit Committee 27

were before the council for noting.

But there were recommendations from both Committees for Council to agree the necessary changes to the Constitution as a consequence of the amendments to the name, terms of reference and membership of the Governance & Audit Committee.  The Mayor moved these recommendations from the chair and this was duly seconded

Agreed:

That the recommendations from the Democratic Services Committee and Governance and Audit Committee regarding the proposed changes to the name, terms of reference and membership of the Governance & Audit Committee be approved and adopted and that the necessary changes should be made to the Constitution to reflect these changes.

As agreed in item 11 (above).