Venue: Council Chambers - Civic Centre
Contact: Anne Jenkins Governance Team Leader
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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
Councillors Cleverly, Townsend, Sterry and Linton.
1.ii Declarations of Interest
Councillor Adan Declared an interest under Item 5: Notice of Motion. Councillor Marshall, Thomas, Adan, Al-Nuaimi and Perkins declared an interest under Items 7-9: Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs).
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To confirm and sign the minutes of the last meeting. Additional documents: Minutes: Minutes of the last meeting held on 16 July 2024 were accepted subject to the following:
Councillor Al-Nuaimi considered that the minutes were not correct and suggested the following amendments:
Item 5 Treasury Management Year End Report: Councillor Al-Nuaimi urged that the note circulated by the Newport Palestine Solidarity Campaign needed to be responded to by the Council/ the Greater Gwent Pension Fund. The note had published a summary of investments and figures on the involvement of the Pension Fund in schemes operated in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian Territories.
Resolved: Council agreed to the amendments as outlined above by Councillor Al-Nuaimi.
Matters Arising:
Item 10: Leader’s Questions Councillor Routley mentioned that he had submitted a Question in the ballot but was not present at the meeting to ask the Question in person. Councillor Routley stated that he had not yet received a written response. The Monitoring Officer confirmed that Councillor Routley would be provided with a response once he had submitted a Question At Any Time in line with the Standing Orders to the relevant officers.
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To consider any proposed appointments. Additional documents: Minutes: To consider the proposed appointments set out in the report.
Councillor Drewett moved the appointments set out in the report, as agreed by the Business Managers as set out below.
Councillor Evans seconded the report.
Resolved: That the following appointments be agreed.
Governing Body Appointments
Outside Bodies
EAS Commissioning Group: Councillor D Davies and Councillor P Bright as substitute
Newport Transport Board: Councillor M Linton to replace Councillor A Screen Further membership to be agreed at Councillor K Thomas
Fairness Commission: Councillor Routley
Book Council Wales: Councillor E Stowell-Corten
Gwent Archives: Councillor P Drewett to replace Councillor C Baker-Westhead
Internal Drainage District Board: Councillor Yvonne Forsey (Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity) Councillor Phil Hourahine Councillor Stephen Cocks Councillor Rhian Howells Councillor Trevor Watkins Councillor Allan Screen Councillor Ray Mogford Councillor Mark Howells Councillor Alan Morris Councillor Andrew Sterry Councillor James Peterson |
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Police Issues 30 minutes is allocated for questions to the Gwent Police representative. Additional documents: Minutes: 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.
When the Superintendent had addressed Council, the Presiding Member invited the Leader to address Superintendent White.
The Leader, Councillor Batrouni, thanked Supt White for his update, particularly on the reduction in crime and suggested a meeting to collaboratively address the issue of negativity on social media, which can cause unnecessary anxiety and concern amongst residents. Supt White agreed and mentioned that the police had a dedicated corporate communications officer, and it was hoped that more positive feedback, especially on Facebook would put residents at ease and challenge misinformation.
Questions to the Police raised by Councillors:
§ Councillor Lacey provided figures in relation to violence against women between January 2020 and December 2022 and asked what steps were being taken by police to address this and whether there was more to be done for victim support to strengthen these efforts locally. Supt White introduced a new approach called Domestic Abuse (DA) Quality Matters. Senior Officers in Newport reviewed dip samples of Domestic Abuse incidents to make sure they were supporting victims appropriately as well as looking into Domestic Violence protection notices and taking robust action to arrest offenders. There was also more work to be done by working with partners and raising education and awareness with businesses and taxi drivers about safeguarding.
§ Councillor R Howells referred to the Friends of the Road to Nature Community Group within the Tredegar Park and Marshfield ward. The area was being used by dirt bikes at unsociable hours in the meadow and on the adjoining Welsh Government land. Councillor R Howells asked what steps could be taken to tackle this as it was under reported due to happening late at night. Supt White urged resident to make report this so the police could understand the scale of the issue. The police had a dedicated rural crime team as well as access to drones that could support this. Supt White confirmed that Inspector Welty would make contact with Councillor R Howells to discuss further.
§ Councillor Morris raised the issue of fireworks and the effect it had on pets, particularly as fireworks were often set off in the lead up to Bonfire Night through to December. Councillor Morris asked what the police do to address this. Supt White advised that there was an annual dedicated operation from Halloween to Bonfire Night as well as preventative work in the weeks/months leading up to the dates. The police collaborate closely with Trading Standards and Inspector Giles to educate people around the appropriate use of fireworks. Supt White confirmed that Inspector Giles would make contact with Councillor Morris to discuss further.
§ Councillor M Howells asked whether mobile, deployable CCTV was available for Gwent Police to use. Councillor M Howells also referred to Spytty Retail Park in the Lliswerry ward where he had heard it mentioned that 65% of the police resources ... view the full minutes text for item 4. |
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Motion at Council: Winter Fuel Allowance Councillor Evans raised the following Motion: The UK Government's decision to remove the winter fuel allowance will leave up to 30,000 pensioners in the Westminster constituencies covering Newport, wondering whether to heat their homes this winter, or put food on their table.
This cut means that potentially more than £4 million being taken out of their pockets.
This Council urges the UK Government to reinstate the winter fuel payment in full to support pensioners in Newport.
The Motion is to be proposed by Councillor Evans and seconded by Councillor Routley. Additional documents: Minutes: The Presiding Member invited Councillor Evans to introduce the Notice of Motion, with Councillor Routley to second.
The UK Government's decision to remove the winter fuel allowance will leave up to 30,000 pensioners in the Westminster constituencies covering Newport, wondering whether to heat their homes this winter, or put food on their table.
This cut means that potentially more than £4 million being taken out of their pockets.
This Council urges the UK Government to reinstate the winter fuel payment in full to support pensioners in Newport.
Councillor Evans read out the Notice of Motion and took the opportunity to add:
‘I think the Chief Executive of Age Cymru, Victoria Lloyd, sums up the situation nicely.
“Age Cymru firmly believe that cutting the winter fuel payment this winter, with virtually no notice and no compensatory measures to protect poor and vulnerable pensioners, is the wrong decision.??
“People have been sharing with us how they’ll struggle this winter without the winter fuel payment, we have heard from people who have long term health conditions who need to have a warm home and will need to cut back on food to ensure that their homes are warm.”
With fuel prices increasing and many pensioners living just above the threshold, to qualify for pension credit, this policy will undoubtedly cause a large number of pensioners to switch off their heating this winter, from Alway to Allt-yr-yn and Rogerstone to Ringland’.
Councillor Routley supported the motion and reserved the right to speak.
The Presiding Member invited members to propose the Amendment.
The Leader proposed the following Amendment to the motion:
Leader’s Amendment to the Notice of Motion:
The Council notes the UK Government’s Decision to means test the winter fuel allowance and that might leave some pensioners in a difficult financial position this winter. Newport City Council will work tirelessly to support those affected pensioners in Newport via this approach: · To identify those pensioners in most need. · To work alongside third sector organisations to identify those pensioners not claiming pension credit, despite their eligibility. · To maximise the use of the Welsh Government’s Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) to support Newport’s pensioners during this winter. · To investigate bespoke plans to offer further support.
In the meantime, residents can call the DWP Pension credit helpline on 0700 991234.
Councillor Lacey seconded the amendment to the motion highlighting that it provided a practical, action-oriented response to the challenges faced by some of Newport’s pensioners. The amendment offered a clear plan to make that happen by taking steps to help those in need.
The original motion focussed on a letter to the UK government. By acting locally, the Council could ensure the most vulnerable pensioners got the support they needed this winter.
This amendment identified a meaningful approach to help pensioners most in need, working with third-sector organizations to claim pension credit and access the Welsh Government’s Discretionary Assistance Fund.
By seconding this amendment Councillor Lacey supported real action to make sure pensioners did not have to make impossible ... view the full minutes text for item 5. |
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Welsh Language Annual Monitoring Report 2023-2024 Additional documents: Minutes: The Presiding Member invited the Cabinet Member for Communities and Poverty Reduction to present the report.
Rydw i’n hapus i rannu'r adroddiad yma heddiw [I am happy to share today’s report].
This annual monitoring report sets out Newport City Council’s progress against its Welsh language commitments during the financial year 2023-2024.
The attached monitoring report is required to be published on the Council’s website in accordance with statutory responsibilities under the Welsh Language Standards.
The Leader seconded the report.
Comments of Councillors:
§ Councillor Fouweather supported the report and added the only way to improve Welsh Education was to improve the provision in English speaking schools.
Resolved: Council approved the Welsh Language Annual Monitoring Report 2023-24. |
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City Centre Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) Additional documents: Minutes: The Presiding Member invited the Cabinet Member for Communities and Poverty Reduction to present the report.
Councillor Drewett mentioned that councillors might want to refer to PSPOs in their wards that were not on the Council Agenda and would be happy to discuss this outside the meeting.
The PSPO has been in place for the City Centre area for several years. The latest Order was established on 13 December 2021 and would expire on 12 December 2024.
Councillor Drewett outlined the prohibitions of the PSPO as highlighted within the report and included in the Agenda Papers.
Council was therefore asked to consider and agree the renewal of the City Centre PSPO.
Comments of Councillors:
§ The Leader hoped that the report would receive unanimous support.
§ Councillor Fouweather added that this was in place in various forms over the past 10 years and it was disappointing that the public consultation response was poor.
§ Councillor Al-Nuaimi agreed with Councillor Fouweather and was disappointed with the responses. But overall supported the report.
§ Councillor Evans supported the report.
§ Councillor Jones welcomed the report and asked how quickly this would be adopted for results to be seen. Councillor Drewett replied that there were improvements already taking place and hoped this continued.
§ Councillor M Howells welcomed Councillor Drewett’s opening statement regarding other areas and would contact him after the meeting, adding his support to the report.
Resolved: Council renewed the City Centre Public Spaces Protection Order. |
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Maesglas Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) Additional documents: Minutes: The Presiding Member invited the Cabinet Member for Communities and Poverty Reduction to present the report.
Councillor Drewett outlined the prohibitions of the PSPO as highlighted within the report and included in the Agenda Papers.
Council was asked to agree the extension of the Maesglas PSPO.
Comments of Councillors:
§ Councillors Marshall, Perkins, Whitehead and Thomas supported the PSPO. § Councillor Fouweather requested that Councillor Drewett look at prevention measures and engage with offenders.
Resolved: Council extended the Maesglas Public Spaced Protection Order. |
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Pillgwenlly Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) Additional documents: Minutes: The Presiding Member invited the Cabinet Member for Communities and Poverty Reduction to present the report.
Councillor Drewett outlined the prohibitions of the PSPO as highlighted within the report and included in the Agenda Papers.
Council was asked to agree to the renewal of the Pillgwenlly PSPO.
Comments of Councillors:
§ Councillor Adan referred to new measures added in the report by Gwent Police and hoped that they would follow this up. Councillor Adan also supported the report.
Resolved: Council renewed the Pillgwenlly Public Spaces Protection Order. |
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Scrutiny Annual Report 2023-2024 Additional documents: Minutes:
Councillor Hourahine outlined topics discussed over the past year for each of the Performance Scrutiny Committees.
The actions planned for the reporting period were completed and had improved the scrutiny function. Future actions sought the continuation of this improvement and to further engage stakeholders at every level in local democracy.
Councillor Hourahine looked forward to chairing the Overview and Scrutiny committee and took the opportunity to thank his scrutiny colleagues and Cabinet Members, Officers of the Local Authority and partners for their continued support.
Comments of Councillors:
§ Councillor Fouweather considered that Scrutiny had improved over the years and wanted to thank officers for their work on the scrutiny committee, adding that all attendees were respectful and polite. Councillor Fouweather was pleased that Cabinet Members attending no longer turned to officers for advice as they learned their brief and were able to answer questions.
Resolved: Council reviewed, note and commented on the Scrutiny Committee Annual Report 2023-24 and endorsed the actions set out in section 4 of that report. |
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Standards Committee Annual Report 2023-2024 Additional documents: Minutes: The Presiding Member invited the Chair of Standards Committee, Mr Andrew Mitchell to introduce the report.
The annual report covered the period from April 2023 to March 2024.
The Chair was pleased to report that there were no serious complaints of misconduct referred to the Standards Committee by the Ombudsman during the reporting period and no complaints were referred for determination by the Committee under Stage 3 of the Local Resolution Protocol. The training requirements for City Councillors, community councils and their clerks continued to be monitored as part of the Committee’s forward work programme.
The Chair took the opportunity to thank the committee members for their work during the period and looked forward to delivering the work programme of the Committee during 2024.
The Chair also thanked Democratic Services Officers who supported the Chair and his committee colleagues.
Comments of Councillors:
§ On behalf of all members Councillor Routley added that all committees benefitted from the support of Democratic Services.
Resolved: Council received the Standards Committee Annual Report for 2023/2024 and noted the forward work programme. |
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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 Questions, the Leader gave the following announcements.
Leader’s announcements Food festival Our next showcase event was the Newport Food Festival on 11,12 & 13 October.
Urdd Newport to host Eisteddfod yr Urdd for the first time ever in 2027, encouraging the Welsh language by targeting the youth.
Funding for schools Cabinet allocated an extra £600,000 of funding to the city’s secondary schools. The Leader visited all secondary schools at the end of the summer term, to speak to head teachers about their work and get a feel for the challenges they faced.
The extra funding was made by using money available through the prior year’s residual underspend and was targeted at relieving various pressures across our city’s secondary schools.
It was important to ensure secondary school pupils had as much opportunity to gain experience and gain qualifications that they needed. This support would help protect those opportunities and allow schools to continue delivering quality education for the city’s young people.
Summer Fun and Splash ‘Port More than 1,000 children and young people – and their families – took part in free activities over the summer holiday organised by the council’s youth and play service. More than 500 hours of sessions included playschemes, stay and play, bracelet, bath bombs and pizza making, multi-sports, podcasting, NERF battles, and pottery workshops. Hundreds of people attended National Play Day in Rodney Parade in August, which was a huge success, despite the showers.
Plans were already being made for the October and Christmas breaks.
Another highlight of the summer was the opening of Splash ‘Port and the new play facilities at Tredegar Park.
It would reopen next spring and even more improvements to the area and facilities were on the way.
The Leader and Leader of the opposition were due to attend on Friday next week, taking the plunge to raise money for the Mayor’s charities - children’s centre Sparkle and the voluntary group SARA (Severn Area Rescue Association).
The Leader asked his colleagues to join them at 4.30pm to watch them get soaked by the big bucket.
Quality mark Newport’s youth and play service received a prestigious award from the Education Workforce Council, achieving the silver quality mark for youth work.
Newport’s team previously held the bronze award and to attain silver had to demonstrate the promotion of inclusive practice, celebration of equality and diversity, and that it met the needs of young people.
The Leader passed on his congratulations to all the staff.
The Leader also briefly listed other achievements including the recent Green Flag Award at Beechwood.
The Leader accompanied the Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour team on Monday for Acton Week, meeting residents in the city centre discussing and tackling issues
The Leader was also undertaking ward visits, starting with Caerleon, Bettws and Lliswerry, and would visit all wards in due course.
Winter wonderland was taking place over the Christmas period with free parking from 16 November to end of December, with an Ice-skating rink in place.
The Cenotaph was cleaned, and the ... view the full minutes text for item 12. |
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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: Question 1: Question to the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning
Councillor Evans: There are some good examples of Houses in Multiple Occupation, but these are sadly few and far between. Others blight neighbourhoods with poor substandard, accommodation with overgrown, unkempt frontages and can change the character of an area with their sheer number. What is the Cabinet Member going to do to reduce and remove poor quality HMOs?
Response from Councillor Adan: Mandatory and additional licensing schemes enable the regulation of safety standards in HMOs ensuring that the “licence holder” and “manager” are ‘Fit & Proper’ to undertake these roles. The Additional Licensing scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation in Newport has now been presented for a further five years helping to regulate and improve property conditions for residents’ health and safety and is awaiting consideration through the democratic process.
This limits the opportunity for ‘rogue’ landlords to operate in Newport. Officers also have other powers to regulate conditions of all properties across in the city. Supplementary Planning Guidance provides thresholds to prevent over-concentrations of HMOs in an area (with a maximum threshold of 15%). The HMO policy will be considered further and incorporated into the Replacement Local Development Plan, which will be subject to public consultation in due course.
Supplementary: The Council had prosecuted an estimated three out of the 450 companies and wanted reassurance that residents’ safety was put above everything else.
Response: The Council was under extreme pressure regarding the budget and resources. Steps were taken to mitigate this by way of technology. It was not appropriate to comment on individual cases but taking steps to pin down landlords and the Council was encouraging community led intelligence to help with prosecutions.
Question 2: Question to the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning
Councillor Reeks: Following my continued questions about the Local Toilet Strategy over the last six months the Cabinet Member has now confirmed that the strategy has been reviewed in line with chapter 10 of the original strategy and it is available online. Chapter 10 lays out timescales set out by The Public Health (Wales) Act 2017, which as we know have not been followed, and also states that “the council will publish a statement of steps it has taken in accordance with the strategy” – again this has not been done. The review undertaken has essentially slimmed the initial 16 action plan points down to 14, removing such actions as point 1 which originally ensured that the council would protect publicly accessible toilets for the future and point 13 which was a feasibility study about providing temporary nighttime public toilets to reduce anti-social behaviour thereby assisting the police in their duties. The new action plan simply says that all points are “ongoing”.
Can the Cabinet Member please explain why in the five years since it was first published there has been very little action on this strategy by the Council apart from removing action points and thereby continuing to leave the residents of Newport in ... view the full minutes text for item 13. |