Agenda, decisions and minutes

No declarations of interest were made.

The minutes of the meetings held on 20 March and 29 March 2017 were confirmed as a true record by the Cabinet and signed by the Chair of the Cabinet.

As this would be the last Cabinet meeting before the election, the Leader paid tribute to the Cabinet Member for Regulatory Functions, who would be retiring shortly.  Recognising his 34 years of public service, including an audience with the Queen during his mayoral year, the Leader wished Councillor Poole all the very best for a long and healthy retirement.  Councillor Poole responded with thanks to his colleagues and friends for their support during his time in office.

CAB 24/17 

Corporate Risk Register Quarterly Update

Options Considered/Reasons for Decision

The Leader introduced the report which presented the latest position regarding the Council’s Corporate Risk Register. 

The Chief Executive confirmed that there were no significant changes to note since the last update.  A full review of the risk register was due as part of the service planning process, and would be reported with the next Cabinet update scheduled for July 2017.

Cabinet discussed Risk 2: Increasing Ageing Population, and the work being done, within the Council and in collaboration with partners, to mitigate against this risk.  Cabinet Members also highlighted the significant contribution of unpaid carers in this area.  Although the ageing population was a nationwide issue, and represented an on-going operational and financial risk to the Council, it was considered that the authority was in a strong position to deal with this continuing challenge and the associated pressure on budgets.  This area would continue to be flagged as a risk to ensure it was being properly managed and mitigated.

Decision:

To note the contents of the Corporate Risk Register and request an annual review of the contents of the risk register at the July 2017 meeting.

Consultation

Monitoring Officer; Head of Finance; Head of People & Business Change

Implemented By:   Chief Executive

The Leader introduced the report which presented the latest position regarding the Council’s Corporate Risk Register. 

The Chief Executive confirmed that there were no significant changes to note since the last update.  A full review of the risk register was due as part of the service planning process, and would be reported with the next Cabinet update scheduled for July 2017.

Cabinet discussed Risk 2: Increasing Ageing Population, and the work being done, within the Council and in collaboration with partners, to mitigate against this risk.  Cabinet Members also highlighted the significant contribution of unpaid carers in this area.  Although the ageing population was a nationwide issue, and represented an on-going operational and financial risk to the Council, it was considered that the authority was in a strong position to deal with this continuing challenge and the associated pressure on budgets.  This area would continue to be flagged as a risk to ensure it was being properly managed and mitigated.

Decision:

To note the contents of the Corporate Risk Register and request an annual review of the contents of the risk register at the July 2017 meeting.

CAB 24/17 

Corporate Risk Register Quarterly Update

Options Considered/Reasons for Decision

The Leader introduced the report which presented the latest position regarding the Council’s Corporate Risk Register. 

The Chief Executive confirmed that there were no significant changes to note since the last update.  A full review of the risk register was due as part of the service planning process, and would be reported with the next Cabinet update scheduled for July 2017.

Cabinet discussed Risk 2: Increasing Ageing Population, and the work being done, within the Council and in collaboration with partners, to mitigate against this risk.  Cabinet Members also highlighted the significant contribution of unpaid carers in this area.  Although the ageing population was a nationwide issue, and represented an on-going operational and financial risk to the Council, it was considered that the authority was in a strong position to deal with this continuing challenge and the associated pressure on budgets.  This area would continue to be flagged as a risk to ensure it was being properly managed and mitigated.

Decision:

To note the contents of the Corporate Risk Register and request an annual review of the contents of the risk register at the July 2017 meeting.

Consultation

Monitoring Officer; Head of Finance; Head of People & Business Change

Implemented By:   Chief Executive

The Leader introduced the report, which outlined the progress made by the Council in addressing the recommendations made to it by the Wales Audit Office as part of the Corporate Assessment process.  The Leader highlighted the positive progress made since the first Corporate Assessment report, with many actions completed and others due to be signed off shortly.  One area still requiring some improvement was around Member Development.  In response, and in the event that this Administration regained power on 4 May, the Leader announced that a Cabinet Member post would be allocated with specific responsibility for Member Development, to ensure that all Members received training and support that met the needs of a 21^st century Councillor.

The Chief Executive highlighted that the Council was the first to go through the Corporate Assessment process, and progress had been made in all areas.  The Head of People and Business Change confirmed that three of the seven original  recommendations had been signed off completely, and a further three were close to being completed.  Some work was still required around member development, which would be progressed following the election.  Quarterly updates would continue so Cabinet could be assured of ongoing progress.

Cabinet Members congratulated staff on the excellent progress made against the WAO recommendations.  The Leader also highlighted that Member role descriptions had been approved at the last Council meeting, which would further contribute to progress in the area of member development.

Decision:

To note the progress made towards meeting the recommendations and proposals for improvement, and request further quarterly monitoring reports on progress.

CAB 26/17

Work Programme

Options Considered/Reasons for Decision

The Cabinet work programme up to May 2018 was presented and agreed by the Cabinet.

Decision:

To adopt the suggested programme.

Consultation

Directors, Heads of Service, Monitoring Officer, Head of Finance, and Head of People & Business Change

Implemented By:  Head of Democratic Services

The Cabinet work programme up to May 2018 was presented and agreed by the Cabinet.

Decision:

To adopt the suggested programme.

In concluding the final Cabinet meeting of this Council term, the Chair of Cabinet thanked her Cabinet colleagues for their support during her year in the Leader’s office.  The Leader paid tribute to Councillor Bob Bright and his leadership during the first four years of this Council term, including the negotiations for, and completion of, the Friar’s Walk redevelopment.  Thanks were extended to all colleagues for their support and hard work, including the Chief Executive and the senior leadership team, as well as all staff from the whole authority.