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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chambers - Civic Centre

Contact: Anne Jenkins  Governance Team Leader

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 Presiding Member.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

1.i  Apologies

The Presiding Member reported that apologies for absence had been received from members as shown above.

 

1.ii  Declarations of Interest

None.

 

1.iii  Presiding Member’s Announcements

The PM thanked all staff for continuing their work during the heatwave.

He also thanked the Dean for the Civic Sunday service on 26 June 2022 and reminded members about his message to AMs, PMs and Councillors about respecting their position in authority.

 

2.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 470 KB

To confirm and sign the minutes of 1 March and 17 May 2022.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Minutes of 1 March and 17 May 2022, were accepted as a true record.

 

3.

Appointments pdf icon PDF 242 KB

To consider any proposed appointments.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Harvey moved the appointments set out in the report, as agreed by the Business Managers, subject to the additional appointments set out below. The motion was seconded by Councillor Fouweather.

 

Resolved: That the appointments set out in the report to Council be agreed, together with the following additional appointments.

 

Governing Body Appointments

 

Governing Body

No of Vacancies / Re-appointments

Nominations Received

St Marys RC Primary School

Reappointment

Nicholas Clark

Lliswerry High School

Replacement

Cllr Mark Howells

Langstone Primary School

Replacement

Cllr Martyn Kellaway

Llanmartin Primary School

Replacement

Cllr William Routley

Bassaleg School

Replacement

Cllr John Harris

Bridge Achievement Centre

Replacement

Cllr Stephen Marshall

Caerleon Comprehensive School

Replacement

Cllr Claire Baker-Westhead

Caerleon Comprehensive School

Replacement

Cllr Stephen Cocks

Caerleon Lodge Hill Primary School

Replacement

Cllr Claire Baker-Westhead

Charles Williams School

Replacement

Cllr Stephen Cocks

Crindau Primary School

Replacement

Cllr Lauren James

Gaer & Maesglas Partnership School

Replacement

Cllr Dimitri Batrouni

Langstone Primary School

Replacement

Cllr Martyn Kellaway

Llanmartin Primary School

Replacement

Cllr William Routley

Malpas CiW Primary School

Replacement

Jonathan Gibbons

Marshfield Primary School

Replacement

Cllr Rhian Howells

Marshfield Primary School

Replacement

Cllr Allan Screen

Milton Primary School

Replacement

Cllr Tim Harvey

Milton Primary School

Replacement

Cllr Matthew Pimm

Monnow Primary School

Replacement

Neil Griffiths

Newport High School

Replacement

Cllr Lauren James

Rogerstone Primary School

Replacement

Cllr Bev Davies

St Andrews Primary School

Replacement

Cllr James Peterson

St. Woolos Primary School

Replacement

Cllr Pat Drewett

Ysgol Gymraeg Casnewydd

Replacement

Cllr Malcom Linton

St. Patrick's RC Primary School

Replacement

Cllr Alex Pimm

 

Head of Service Appointments

Council was informed that David Walton had been appointed by the Appointments Panel as the new Head of Housing and Communities.

 

4.

2021/22 Treasury Management Year End Report pdf icon PDF 784 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader presented the 2021/22 Treasury Management Year End Report. This report was reviewed by both the Governance and Audit Committee and Cabinet and no comments or observations requiring the Council’s attention were made. It was being presented at this meeting in line with full Council’s responsibility for setting the Council’s Treasury Management strategy and the various indicators and limits that managed this activity.

The report explained the Council’s borrowing and investment activities in 2021/22 and its position against the indicators and limits set.

Regarding borrowing, a substantial difference can be viewed relative to the expected position. The Council had a long-term requirement to borrow and in pursuing an internal borrowing strategy, should normally have minimal investments (spare cash) which it invested over the short term.

 

Due to the on-going impacts of the Covid pandemic, following a second year of significant capital expenditure slippage, the take up of expected borrowing did not materialise. The ‘need’ to borrow was there and would happen but slippage meant that this did not materialise as quickly as expected.

This second year of significant underspending and the resulting increase in reserves, yet to be spent also meant that cash resources were much higher than expected. This allowed some small maturing loans to be repaid without re-financing and for spare cash levels to be high and invested.

 

As outlined in the report, this was a temporary position and as the Council now works to catch up on capital projects and with the financial support linked to Covid now ended, the council should firstly see cash resources and investments reduce, and then borrowing resume, in line with requirements over time.

Officers were undertaking a detailed review of the capital programme to gain a better understanding of delivery timescales; this would be reported in due course.

 

On the indicators and limits, the report highlighted one area where these were not met, which was unusual.

 

The indicator related to the Council’s exposure to interest rate changes. Borrowing costs increase if the interest rate increases and our income from investing activities would reduce if the interest rate dropped. 

 

Regarding the indicator however, it was noted that the issue was highlighted due to a different interpretation of the Council’s LOBO (Lender Option Borrower Option) loans as variable interest loans rather than fixed interest rate loans. It was therefore more of a ‘technical’ issue as opposed to one caused by borrowing decisions made. Indeed, the report confirmed that given the nature of these LOBO loans, if the interest rate did increase; it was more likely to make a budgetary saving rather than being exposed to the risk of costs increasing.

 

Regarding the limit, this breach occurred because the amount invested was much greater than that envisaged when setting the indicator. Again, this was of no concern as the Council’s budget target for interest receivable did not change and even if rates decreased; it would not impact on that budget.

 

It was noted that managing the Council’s cash-flows was particularly challenging over  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Welsh Language Annual Report pdf icon PDF 277 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader presented the document, highlighting that the Council was required to provide an annual progress report in compliance with the Welsh Language Standards under the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011. This report provided a summary of key achievements during the year, and priority areas for future work.  These were:

 

§  Working with refugee, migrant, and minority ethnic communities to better embed Welsh language as part of a shared sense of identify across the city, particularly in the context of the development of our fourth Welsh medium primary school.

 

§  Improved, developed, and began to deliver a new Welsh Language Skills Policy. Processes were implemented to allow delivery next year. 

 

§  Engaged and consulted with key stakeholders and our communities to inform the development of our new five-year Welsh Language Strategy which was passed with the full support of Council.

 

§  Developed creative partnership arrangements outside of the public and voluntary sector to raise the profile of the Welsh language across Newport. This included working with the Dragons Rugby and Newport County AFC to promote the Welsh language.

 

The report also identified priorities for the next reporting period, including:

 

§  Working with stakeholders and partners to deliver the new five-year Welsh Language Strategy and embed a performance monitoring framework to assess delivery of objectives.

 

§  Further engagement with Newport’s diverse communities to promote the Welsh language, raise awareness and visibility of the language, and continue to develop Welsh medium education and the inclusivity of the language.

 

§  Embed our new performance management structure across the council

 

§  Roll out our newly developed Welsh language training videos to all staff

 

§  Continue to scope and consider Welsh language courses for lapsed speakers, or those that need a confidence boost

 

Comments from councillors:

 

Councillor Al-Nuaimi endorsed the report, which should be supported by all members and was very proud to see the difference achieved over the years.  Interesting discussion took place in Scrutiny and Councillor Al-Nuaimi wanted to point out two things.  Councillor Al-Nuaimi firstly thanked the Chief Education Officer for her clarification with regard to the surplus places in nurseries with a plan in place to promote Welsh in early years education.  Secondly it was an ambitious target set by WG to have one million Welsh Speakers by the year 2050, regular reports should progress this yearly to achieve this target and how it was achieved.

 

Councillor Davies was aware that Education Officers were grateful for the support provide by the Welsh Language Officer and that Newport City Council had very positive feedback from WG.  Councillor Davies wanted to therefore convey her thanks for this.

 

Councillor Hughes conveyed his thanks in Welsh:

 

Fel yr Hyrwyddwr Aelod Etholedig dros y Gymraeg am y llynedd rwy'n falch o gefnogi gwaith ein swyddogion wrth hyrwyddo'r Gymraeg ac wrth godi proffil y Gymraeg o fewn y cyngor ac ar draws ein cymunedau.

 

Drwy fod yn rhan o'r broses Grant Cymraeg yn y Gymuned roedd yn arbennig o galonogol gweld faint o ddiddordeb a cheisiadau eithriadol  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Public Spaces Protection Order: PSPO - Dog Control pdf icon PDF 2 MB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Housing and Regulation was pleased to present the new Dog Control Public Spaces Control Order for approval.

 

Prior to 2015, dog control was managed under site-specific Dog Control Orders for different council-owned open spaces. From October 2014, the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 introduced the use of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) as a new power to deal with antisocial behaviour, including irresponsible dog ownership.

 

This meant the pre-existing Dog Control Orders was phased out and replaced by PSPOs. Newport City Council’s approach, in line with other local authorities, was to combine all matters related to dog control and behaviour into a wider Order, which would benefit all members of the community using council owned and managed land – dog owners and the wider public alike.

 

The Order was deemed necessary to manage irresponsible dog walking/exercising behaviour that had a detrimental effect on other persons’ use and enjoyment of Public Spaces. This ranged from the failure to remove faeces to the uncontrolled behaviour of animals towards people, other animals and wildlife. Of particular significance was the need to control behaviour in areas of play activity, formal sports and in cemeteries, the occurrence of which generated formal complaints to the authority.

 

The control measures incorporated to the PSPO included banning dogs altogether from certain sensitive areas such as children’s play areas, a requirement for dogs to be under control and on leads in certain other public places, and a general requirement for dog owners to clean up dog faeces.

 

In accordance with the legislation and the statutory guidance, the Council was required to consult with the Police, the general public and key stakeholders such as dog owner clubs and associations and have regard to any consultation responses before deciding to proceed with the PSPO.

 

The process of public engagement and consultation with key stakeholders was overseen by Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee.

 

The Committee agreed to the public consultation exercise at its July 2021 meeting, following which an extensive consultation was carried out.

 

This included engagement with key groups including for instance sports clubs, sports governing body, kennel club, National Association of Funeral Directors, Wildlife Trust or RSPB.

 

In addition, banners and notices were produced and erected around the various sites and put on gates notifying the public.  The link to the consultation was posted onto social media to help raise awareness.  The result was showed a clear majority in favour of implementing the order.

 

The outcome of the consultation was presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee in January 2022. The Committee considered the consultation responses and was satisfied that wide engagement had taken place and that there was a need for the control measures included in the proposed PSPO and therefore recommended to council that the proposed PSPO be adopted.

 

A Fairness and Equality Impact Assessment was also completed. There were no negative outcomes associated with groups or individuals with protected characteristics, and the PSPO would contribute to the development  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Democratic Services Committee Minutes pdf icon PDF 685 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Presiding Member had before the council the Minutes of the Democratic Services Committee and asked for seconder, Councillor Corten.

 

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:

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

 

Coleg Gwent

Colleagues were aware that proposals to create a city centre college campus, providing first-class further education facilities, was taking another step forward.

 

Pre-planning consultation was launched ahead of an outline application being jointly submitted by the Council and Coleg Gwent.

 

The Council was working closely with Coleg Gwent and Welsh Government on its plans to bring further education provision into the heart of the city centre.

 

The Newport Knowledge Quarter would offer excellent learning environments for further and higher education helping to inspire generations of young people.

 

the Council is also submitting a bid to the UK government’s levelling-up fund to support a National Technology Institute in a city centre location. Such an institute would deliver high quality, higher level technical education and training, which would be another valuable and much-needed asset for the city.

 

These developments were part of our masterplan for the city centre, regeneration projects that would deliver employment, learning and training opportunities, create a more diverse mix of uses and make Newport an attractive place to live in, work in and visit.

 

Details of the pre-planning consultation were available on the Council’s website, and the Leader encouraged colleagues to take a look, share and submit their views.

 

Continuing on the skills and education theme, the Leader was pleased to advise that the latest community learning offering was launched ready for a September start. After a tricky few years, due to the pandemic we are very pleased to be able to present an extended and extensive offer – including essential skills, GCSEs, modern languages, British Sign Language, digital literacy and independent living skills, to subjects such as carbon literacy where learners could understand their carbon footprint and take steps to reduce their impact on the planet.

 

From next week, the Kingsway Centre would be home to a new pop-up library.  The unit, located very close to the main library building, would ensure that we could continue to provide lending services, access to public computers and some family research resources, while improvement works were carried out on the central library and museum.

 

Following the completion of the work, some services based at the Information Station would be delivered from the newly refurbished building. The Council’s contact centre staff would also be based there.

 

The move followed the decision to let two floors of the former railway station in Queensway to Tramshed Tech to create co-working space for start-up businesses in the digital, tech and creative sectors.

 

Upper floors of the building were already occupied by Cardiff University’s prestigious National Software Academy making the former railway station home to the cutting-edge digital entrepreneurs of the future.

 

Our very own Pride Staff Network partnered with Newport Live and PROUD to launch the LGBTQAI+ Community Summer Art Project.

 

The Pride Staff Network were celebrating a year in formation by working on the project, which was supporting the community Pride event ‘Pride in the Port’ which  ...  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 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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were 10 written questions to the Cabinet Members:

 

Question 1 – Deputy Leader/ Cabinet Member: Education and Early Years

 

Councillor Morris:

Please can you explain in plain English your Role and responsibility, including your personal vision for the role and the names of the senior officers who report to you

 

Response:

 

Thank you for your question. 

 

I am the Cabinet member for Education and Early Years.  You will find responsibilities that relate to this role are set out in Appendix 1 of Item 2 on our agenda today – Minutes of 17th May 2022. Members can find this on p.33 of the report pack. 

 

My vision is the shared vision set out by the Labour administration in our manifesto commitments to the people of Newport. These commitments will form the basis of the Corporate Plan from which the Service Area plans will be developed. 

 

I work closely with the Chief Education Officer, Sarah Morgan who is the Head of Service in this area and also with other senior officers. All elected members have been provided with details of the Executive Team and Heads of Service as part of their induction.

 

Question 2 – Cabinet Member: Community and Wellbeing

 

Councillor Morris:

Please can you explain in plain English your Role and responsibility, including your personal vision for the role and the names of the senior officers who report to you

 

Response:

Thank you for your question, I am the Cabinet Member for Communities and Well-being, my responsibilities relating to this role are set out in appendix 1 of item 2 on our agenda today - minutes of 17/05/2022, Members can find this on page 33 of the report pack. My vision is the shared vision set out by the Labour manifesto commitments to the people of Newport. These commitments will form the basis of the Corporate Plan from which the service area plans will be developed. I work closely with my Directors and Heads of Service for People, Policy & Transformation. All elected Members have been provided with details of the Executive Team and Heads of Service as part of their induction after the May election.

 

 

Question 3 – Cabinet Member: Strategic Planning, Regulation & Housing

 

Councillor Morris:

Please can you explain in plain English your Role and responsibility, including your personal vision for the role and the names of the senior officers who report to you.

 

Response:

Thank you Councillor Morris for your question.

 

I am the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Regulation and Housing.

 

My responsibilities relating to this role are set out in the 17 May minutes Page 33 and also in appendix one of Item two in our agenda today.

 

My vision is the shared vision set out by the Labour Administration in our manifesto commitments to the people of Newport. These commitments will form the basis of the Corporate Plan from which the Service Area Plans will be developed.

 

I work with The Strategic Director for Environment and Sustainability as well as working with the Strategic Director  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.