Agenda and minutes

        i.           To receive any apologies for absence.

      ii.           To receive any declarations of interest.

     iii.           To receive any announcements by the Presiding Member.

1.i  Apologies

Councillors Whitehead and Routley.

1.ii  Declarations of Interest

Councillor Mogford declared an interest in relation to Item 10.

Councillor Reynolds declared an interest in relation to Item 5.

1.iii  Presiding Member’s Announcements

This is the last meeting for Elizabeth Bryant, Head of Law and Standards who is leaving to work for Plymouth Council. The Presiding Member and council colleagues wished her all the very best for the future.

The Presiding Member requested a minute’s silence for the recent passing of former Councillor Margaret Cornelious’ husband Ken.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the last meeting.

The Minutes of the last meeting held on 28 November 2023 were accepted subject to the following:

Councillor Lacey was in attendance at the meeting of 28 November, this was corrected for the approved Minutes.

To consider any proposed appointments.

To consider the proposed appointments set out in the report.

Councillor Clarke moved the appointments set out in the report, as agreed by the Business Managers as set out below.

Councillor Reeks seconded the report.

Resolved: That the following appointments be agreed.

Governing Body Appointments

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

The Presiding Member introduced Superintendent J White of Gwent Police, who provided Council Members with an update on police issues within East, West, and Central Newport.

The Presiding Member invited the Leader to address Superintendent White.

The Leader welcomed Superintendent White’s feedback on acquisitive theft, which was a positive outcome for shop owners.

There was concern raised by residents and ward councillors regarding the crossing outside the school on Almond Drive.  Could the police add this to their patrols and provide more police presence. 

The Superintendent would raise this with Inspector Welty and would make sure that maximised efforts were in place going forward.

Questions to the Police raised by Councillors:

§  Councillor Morris asked if there was a definitive guide on what was allowable concerning parking on pavements. The Superintendent advised that the pavement formed part of the highway and if the car straddled the pavement and road where there are double yellow lines, then the Local Authority was responsible for enforcing penalties.  If, however, the vehicle was causing an unnecessary obstruction or harm by parking in a dangerous position this could be dealt with by the Police.  The Superintendent was happy to discuss in further detail outside of the meeting.

§  Councillor Al-Nuaimi paid tribute to Inspector for the city centre, Richard Shapland who kept Stow Hill ward members informed on the incidents in relation to shoplifting and the recent cannabis seizure. Inspector Shapland had also attended a recent ward meeting. The Superintendent thanked Councillor Al-Nuaimi for raising this and would convey his thanks to the Inspector.

§  Councillor James referred to drug dealing on Wheeler Street, residents raised concerns regarding needles found outside residents front doors.  Councillor James said residents had raised this with Shaftesbury ward members and police for six months. The Superintendent confirmed that Inspector Welty had returned to that area which would strengthen the support in Shaftesbury.  The Superintendent also encouraged residents to link in with local community support officers and report issues as the police appreciated the importance of community led intelligence. The Superintendent said that he would contact Inspector Welty and this would be acted upon.

§  The Presiding Member was pleased that Inspector Welty was coming back to Shaftesbury and also wanted to pass on his thanks on behalf of residents. The Superintendent mentioned that positive outcomes were measured by performance and that Inspector Welty would be contacted to link in with Councillor James.

Councillor Hourahine mentioned that the Superintendent’s predecessor talked about new initiatives coming into Newport regarding off road bikes. Councillor Hourahine asked if the Superintendent could look into what could be done regarding a pro-active response from police. The Superintendent highlighted that the most important action was prevention of sales of these bikes, and this needed to be addressed with better legislation.  It was a nationwide issue and Inspector Giles was the force lead in seizing bikes in Newport, with far more seizures than anywhere else.  This is an ongoing challenge and as well as prevention, it was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Newport City Council acknowledges that the Children and Young People’s Education Committee established by the Senedd Welsh Parliament recommended that care experience becomes a protected characteristic in UK legislation and supports the Corporate Parenting Charter in Wales which the Welsh Government has recently published inviting other public sectors organisations to become a Corporate Parent for care experienced children and young people in Wales.

This council recognises that:

•           Care experienced people face significant barriers that impact them throughout their lives;

•         Despite the resilience of many care experienced people, society too often does not take their needs into account;

•         Care experienced people often face discrimination and stigma across housing, health, education, relationships, employment and in the criminal justice system;

•         Care experienced people may encounter inconsistent support in different geographical areas;

•         As corporate parents, councillors have a collective responsibility for providing the best possible care and safeguarding for the children who are looked after by us as an authority;

•         As corporate parents Newport Council will commit to acting as mentors, hearing the voices of care experienced children and young people and to consider their needs in any aspect of council work;

•         Councillors will be champions of the children in our care and challenge the negative attitudes and prejudice that exists in all aspects of society;

This Council therefore resolves: 

•           That it recognises that care experienced people are a group who are likely to face discrimination;

•         That it recognises that Newport Council have a duty to put the needs of disadvantaged people at the heart of decision-making through co-production and collaboration;

•         That future decision, services and policies made and adopted by the Council should be assessed through Equality Impact Assessments to determine the impact of changes on people with care experience, alongside those who formally share a protected characteristic.

•         That in the delivery of the Public Sector Equality Duty the Council includes care experience in the publication and review of Equality Objectives and the annual publication of information relating to people who share a protected characteristic in services and employment.

•         To formally call upon all other bodies to treat care experience as a protected characteristic until such time as it may be introduced by legislation.

•         For the council to continue proactively seeking out and listening to the voices of care experienced people when developing new policies based on their views.

Motion proposed by Councillor Jane Mudd and seconded by Councillor Stephen Marshall.

The Presiding Member invited the Leader of the Council to introduce the motion, with Councillor Marshall to second:

Newport City Council acknowledges that the Children and Young People’s Education Committee established by the Senedd Welsh Parliament recommended that care experience becomes a protected characteristic in UK legislation and supports the Corporate Parenting Charter in Wales which the Welsh Government has recently published inviting other public sectors organisations to become a Corporate Parent for care experienced children and young people in Wales.

This council notes:

·        Care experienced people face significant barriers that impact them throughout their lives.

·        Despite the resilience of many care experienced people, society too often does not take their needs into account.

·        Care experienced people often face discrimination and stigma across housing, health, education, relationships, employment and in the criminal system.

·        Care experienced people may encounter inconsistent support in different geographical areas.

·        As corporate parents, councillors have a collective responsibility for providing the best possible care and safeguarding for the children who are looked after by us as an authority.

·        As corporate parents Newport Council will commit to acting as mentors, hearing the voices of care experienced children and young people and to consider their needs in any aspect of council work.

·        Councillors will be champions of the children in our care and challenge the negative attitudes and prejudice that exists in all aspects of society.

This Council therefore resolves:  

·        That it recognises that care experienced people are a group who are likely to face discrimination.

·        That it recognises that Newport Council have a duty to put the needs of disadvantaged people at the heart of decision-making through co-production and collaboration.

·        That future decision, services and policies made and adopted by the Council should be assessed through Equality Impact Assessments to determine the impact of changes on people with care experience, alongside those who formally share a protected characteristic.

·        That in the delivery of the Public Sector Equality Duty the Council includes care experience in the publication and review of Equality Objectives and the annual publication of information relating to people who share a protected characteristic in services and employment.

·        To formally call upon all other bodies to treat care experience as a protected characteristic until such time as it may be introduced by legislation.

·        For the council to continue proactively seeking out and listening to the voices of care experienced people when developing new policies based on their views.

Councillor Mudd reserved the right to speak at the end of the debate.

Councillor Marshall reserved the right to speak at the end of the debate.

Comments of Councillors:

§  Councillor Davies mentioned that whilst protected characteristics were acknowledged under the Equalities Act 2010. Sadly, care experience is not one of these characteristics, whilst evidence showed it is clear that this has a life changing impact. There is discrimination against those growing up in the care system and the outcomes of children growing up in care has been extensively researched. There is a clear pattern of lower educational  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Presiding Member invited the Leader to present the first report which detailed the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2024-25 that required Council approval.

Council Tax Reduction provides reductions for low-income households reducing the council tax they are liable to pay.

Unlike in England, there is an all-Wales scheme that provides a framework for assessing applications and removes the postcode lottery that could result from individual schemes.

The all-Wales scheme, along with some discretionary areas must be approved annually by Council.

The report today also laid out some technical amendments to the scheme. The technical amendments to the scheme are relatively minor in nature and cover the annual uprating of personal allowances and non-dependant deductions, as well as some technical regulation changes as detailed in the report.

There are areas where the Council has discretion in the operation of some aspects of the scheme which are beneficial for both the Council and recipients of the reduction.

If the scheme in the report is not formally adopted, the discretionary areas would be lost, and the default standard all-Wales scheme would instead apply.

Councillor Harvey seconded the report.

Comments of Councillors:

§  Councillor Davies mentioned that Newport had one of the lowest Council Tax in Wales, however, there are always residents that would struggle to pay for a variety of reasons. It is important that those receiving benefits applied for support.  The money specifically set aside in the Council budget supports these individuals.  This also applies to those eligible for discount such as people living alone, or those who had been assessed as mentally impaired, entitling them to 25% reduction in payments. Registered Carers in receipt of carers allowance are also eligible. 

Resolved:

Council unanimously approved the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2024/25 in accordance with the Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Prescribed Requirements and Default Schemes) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 ("the Prescribed Requirements Regulations") exercising its local discretions as indicated in the report.

The Presiding Member invited the Leader to present the next report which dealt with long-term empty and second homes in the city and the possibility of introducing Council Tax premiums for these properties. Increasing demand for housing and the shortage of housing in the city have ‘financial’ costs to the Council and ‘societal’ costs in terms of the impact of this on individuals and families.

In addition to a general lack of available housing, Newport has a large number of unoccupied properties that remained persistently high: Council Tax premiums, if introduced, would encourage owners to take steps to bring their properties back into use.

At its January meeting and following a public consultation exercise, Cabinet decided to recommend that Council should adopt the proposal to introduce council tax premiums for both long-term empty properties and second homes in the city. The report set out the proposal.

Council tax premiums, if introduced would see owners of second homes and those that left properties empty for more than a year charged additional council tax.

The objective was to encourage owners to take steps to bring properties back into use.

Whilst second homes are fewer in number, a consistent approach should be taken for these underused properties.

The report summarised the support from the public for both of these changes to go ahead as noted in the 470 responses gathered during the public consultation.

The report therefore included recommendations to adopt council tax premiums in Newport, for both second homes and long-term empty properties.

The legislation provided some exceptions that prevented a premium being charged in some circumstances. Following feedback from the consultation and to address stakeholders’ concerns, some additional limited ‘local’ exceptions were also recommended.

Comments of Councillors:

§  Councillor Evans had mixed views on the report and referred to figures in the corporate plan as inadequate.  Whilst he recognised that radical action was needed, empty properties are a complex issue which may not be addressed under this approach. Whilst there were statutory exemptions to the payment of premiums, a more pragmatic approach should be taken.  There are only 15 second homes in Newport and Councillor Evans did not believe that their council tax should double and may not be worth collecting or chasing. Councillor Evans was not against taking reasonable actions against the backlog of empty properties blighting the city but could not support the changes regarding second homes and would therefore abstain from supporting the report.

§  Councillor Davies referred to empty homes abandoned in Newport and commented that one house that was in a state of disrepair and seen as a blight by neighbours could be utilised for one of over 9,000 registered people in Newport needing affordable homes additionally these homes being used could also prevent anti-social behaviour.  There were 2,565 empty properties.

§  Councillor Clarke mentioned that the position in Newport was similar throughout UK.  Newport wanted to work with property owners and by working together, produce positive outcomes.  We also had to listen to residents of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The Presiding Member invited the Strategic Director, Transformation and Corporate to present the report.

The was the first Annual Report from Newport’s Governance and Audit Committee. The report looked at work undertaken by the Committee in the year 2022/23 and represented best practice.

The role and function of the previous Audit Committee was changed as a result of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021. This created the Governance and Audit Committee as it currently stood. The terms of reference of the Committee were included within Appendix 1 of the report.

The committee consists of three Lay Members – Mr Gareth Chapman (Chair), Mr Don Reed (Vice Chair) and Dr Norma Barry, along with five Elected Members, Councillors Cocks, Harris, Horton, Jordan, and Mogford.

The Strategic Director thanked all Members of the Committee for their challenge and assessment of various governance arrangements. This is a critical part of the Council’s assurance processes and the robust work of the Committee should provide a level of comfort to Council regarding collective management of financial controls, risk, and governance arrangements.

The report summarised the key activities undertaken by the Committee during 2022/23.

The Annual Report concluded that the Committee acted in accordance with the requirements set out in the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 and discharged its legislative duties.

Councillor Evans seconded the report.

Comments of Councillors:

§  Councillor Cocks as a member of Governance and Audit Committee reflected on the thoroughness of internal audit and officers.  It also gave a tremendous view of the work of the officers during a difficult financial climate and how well they delivered services.

Resolved:

§  Council accepted that the Governance and Audit Committee had met its legislative responsibilities and agreed the Committee’s annual report.

§  Council thanked committee members for their robust challenge and hard work during the year.

The Presiding Member introduced this item to Councillor colleagues providing the dates for committee meetings for 2024/25.

Resolved:

To adopt the schedule of meetings as the basis for arrangements for May 2024 to May 2025, recognising it is subject to change and amendment to meet the needs of the work programmes of each committee or other group.

Presiding Member asked the Leader to present this item regarding the nomination of the Mayor for 2024/25.

The Leader formally moved Councillor Ray Mogford as the Mayor for the municipal year 2024/25, which was seconded by the Opposition Leader, Councillor Matthew Evans.

Councillor Mogford was councillor for Langstone Ward since 2012 and sat on a number of committees including Planning, Governance and Audit Committee and is currently the Chair of Democratic Services Committee.

Councillor Mogford is also on the board of governors for Langstone and Llanmartin Primary Schools.

The Leader took the opportunity to wish both Ray and Sallie all the very best for their term in the Mayor’s office for 2024/25.

The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Evans also supported the nomination of Councillor R Mogford as Mayor for 2024/25.

Resolved:

Council supported the nomination of Councillor R Mogford as Mayor.

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.

Before Commencement with questions, the Leader made the following announcements to Council:

Tata announcement

At the end of last week, Tata made its shattering announcement of massive job losses in its steel businesses in the UK, mainly in Port Talbot whose employees include Newport residents.

Its statement also talked about potential redundancies in Llanwern steelworks here in the city.

The council understands that up to 300 jobs could be lost at Llanwern steelworks over the next few years while 2,500 people are to lose their jobs in Port Talbot. This is another terrible blow for an industry that was once so important to the economy of Newport and South Wales.

I am sure we are all thinking of those workers, and their families, who now face yet another period of uncertainty while waiting to find out how the announcement will affect them.

Our work and skills team will be available to offer advice and support to our residents who are facing redundancy, at either Llanwern or Port Talbot, when they need it.

Warm Spaces

I am pleased to update colleagues that we have again been able to support the provision of warm spaces in Newport this winter.

To date, 16 grants have been awarded to community groups across the city offering a safe, welcoming, and comfortable environment to residents who may be struggling to heat homes or who are at risk of isolation.

In partnership with GAVO, more than £35,000 has already been given using funding from the UK government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.

It follows the success of a similar scheme last year when grants were given to 21 groups who delivered 448 sessions, attended by more than 6,300 people.

This is just one of the ways that we are supporting organisations and residents during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

There is an incredible amount of excellent work across the city with support being provided by our staff and partners. This has included providing shopping vouchers, Newport Live memberships and pantomime tickets for carers, and financial assistance to food banks.

Another of those initiatives was a wide range of free activities for families and children that were held across the city during the recent school Christmas holidays. And as an added benefit, we were also able to partner with Newport Bus to offer free transport for those sessions.

Christmas tree collections

We also kicked-off the new year with another positive scheme – the collection of real Christmas trees.

Residents were able to book a free doorstep collection – over 2,000 bookings were made, and every tree has made its way to our in-house composting facility to be chipped and composted.

New and improved play areas

Earlier this month I was honoured to join the Heddlu Bach students from Malpas Court Primary, the Mayor and Mayoress and Cabinet colleagues to mark the completion of the new and improved Darwin Drive play area in Malpas.

The play area has benefitted from a complete replacement of the play equipment and flooring, as well as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

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 Education and Early Years

      ii.           Cabinet Member for Community and Wellbeing

     iii.           Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Regulation and Housing

    iv.           Cabinet Member for Social Services

      v.           Cabinet Member for Organisational Transformation

    vi.           Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Bio-Diversity

   vii.           Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Assets

Question 1: Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Assets

Councillor Reeks:

The proposed 2024/2025 budget is looking to raise revenue by increasing charges across car parks including the Kingsway Centre car park by 9%, potentially putting off more shoppers from heading into the city centre.

Would the Cabinet Member not agree with me that by better managing the car park itself, such as not having the lighting running all night and opening up the car park on all Rodney Parade match days to bring more trade into the car park, then potentially more revenue could be raised, and shoppers would not be penalised for bringing their trade into the city centre?

Response from Councillor Lacey:

Kingsway car park provides an excellent facility for visitors to the city, being a modern car park close to the City’s attractions. The facility, which utilises energy efficient lights, operates emergency level lighting when the car park is not in use. Along with our other work in reducing the carbon emissions of the Councils activities such as the increase in our own EV fleet, we are currently progressing a scheme to install a solar panel system on the roof of Kingsway that will provide energy for the car park.

The car park is typically open everyday bar Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, with opening on Boxing Day being considered on an annual basis. As such, any demand from Rodney Parade match days would be accommodated apart from those two days per year. In the event of Kingsway being closed, the Council’s other surface car parks will be available.

Question 2: Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity

Councillor Mogford:

Within the previous NCC corporate plan (2017-2022) it was stated “We have restored the “Pride in Newport” waste and litter programme and established zero tolerance initiatives for fly tipping throughout the city.”

In a recent response to my ‘question at any time’ regarding worrying levels of fly tipping in the city the Cabinet Member simply stated “With regards to fly tipping Newport has the second highest successful prosecution rate in Wales”

However, if we look closely at the statistics for the previous period 2022/2023 (source Welsh Government) there were 5,631 investigations carried out by NCC and less than 40 fines issued (of which only 14 prosecutions made).

Can the Cabinet Member confirm that continuing on as part of the corporate plan and now on their watch; this NCC administration has really established and maintained a zero-tolerance approach to fly tipping and if so, why does the Cabinet Member think the trend remains one of increasing fly tipping across Newport?  

Response from Councillor Forsey:

The Council has, over the last few years, increased the resources available to tackle fly tipping, with the expansion of the waste engagement and enforcement team. There has also been increased work with partner organisations and volunteer groups, and a number of key projects such as covert operations or the successful Road to Nature project.

The Council actively encourages people to report fly  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.