COUNTY COUNCIL

13^TH APRIL, 2011

PRESENT:	Councillor T. Devichand (Chair);
Councillors:
S. M. Allen		D.T. Enoch	C.M. Jones	H. C. Scourfield
M. J. P. Burns		H.A.L. Evans	Mrs. E. A. Jones	H. B. Shepardson
S. M. Caiach		Ms. L.D. Evans	G. O. Jones	A.D.T. Speake
A.P. Cooper		M.H. Evans	I.G. Jones	Mrs. L.M. Stephens
J. D. G. Crossley		W.J.W. Evans	J. E. Jones	T. Theophilus
A. Davies		W.T. Evans	Mrs. P. E. M. Jones	D. Thomas
D. B. Davies		Mrs. M. Gravell	T. J. Jones	Mrs. G. Thomas
D. J. Davies		W.G. Hopkins	W.J. Lemon	Mrs. S. E. Thomas
D.M. Davies		F. Hughes	P. H. Lewis	W. David Thomas
D. R. Davies		M.B. Hughes	S. J. Lloyd-Janes	W. Dorrien Thomas
J.J.J. Davies		P. Hughes Griffiths	K. Madge	Mrs. J. Tremlett
M.L. Davies		P. M. Hughes	A.G. Morgan	J.E. Williams
T. Davies		I. J. Jackson	D. H. Morgan	Mrs. J. S. Williams
W.R.A. Davies		S. R. James	Mrs. P.A. Palmer	P. M. Williams
E. Dole		D. M. Jenkins	R. T. Price	G. H. Wooldridge
S.P. Dunn		J.P. Jenkins	K.D. Rees	Ms. H. E. Wyn
J.G. Edwards		A. W. Jones	D.W.H. Richards
The following officers were also in attendance:-
Mr. M. James - Chief Executive;
Mr. D. Gilbert – Director of Regeneration;
Mr. R. Workman – Director of Technical Services;
Mr. R. Sully – Director - Department for Education and Children;
Mr. E. Bowen – Head of Planning;
Mr. C. Burns – Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Focus and Policy);
Mr. P. Thomas – Assistant Chief Executive (People Management and Performance)
Mr. C. Moore – Head of Financial Services;
Mr. L. Thomas – Head of Administration and Law;
Mr. P. Davies – Head of Public Protection
Mr. J. Morgan – Area Housing Manager
Mrs R. Lake – Consultation Co-ordinator
Ms. D. Williams – Press Manager;
Mr. K. Thomas – Democratic Services Officer.
(Council Chamber, County Hall, Carmarthen – 10.00 a.m. – 12.00 p.m.)

1. OPENING PRAYER

At the commencement of the meeting a short prayer was offered by the Chair, Councillor T. Devichand.

2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors D.J.R. Llewellyn, D.A. Lloyd, K.P. Thomas and D.A. Williams.

3. DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTERESTS

Councillor	Minute Reference	Nature of Interest
S.P. Dunn	29 – Licensing Committee – 29th March 2011	Taxi Proprietor

4. PERSONAL MATTERS AND CHAIR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

● The Chair expressed her appreciation to all who had attended and supported her Charity Ball held at the Stradey Park Hotel on the 18^th March 2011

● The Chair offered condolences to Councillor Marie Binney and her family on the death of her father;

● The Chair welcomed to the meeting Councillors D.T. Enoch and C.M. Jones who were attending their first meeting of the Council following their recent ill-health

● References were made to the recent retirement of Mr Trevor Sage – Former Head of Transport and Engineering and to the excellent service he had provided to the Council during his employment. The Chair advised that she would send a letter to Mr Sage conveying the Council’s best regards for the future

● The Chair advised that the Council had recently become the first local authority in Wales to introduce fully electric cars as part of its fleet by purchasing two electric cars. She outlined their main capabilities and running costs and advised that one of the cars would be parked in the county hall car park for members to view after the meeting. Additionally, a supporting information display had been set up in the foyer.

● The Chair reported that as the meeting that day would be her last as Chair prior to the Annual Meeting she would like to have recorded in the minutes her appreciation to her Vice Chair, Chief Executive, Principal Democratic Services Officer, Chauffeurs and to the Members and Officers who had supported her during her term of office and supported her charities.

5. RESIDENTS’ ATTITUDE SURVEY

The Council received a presentation from Mr Peter Davies of BMG Research on the outcome of the Council’s 2010 Residents’ Attitude Survey. The Survey had been undertaken in the last quarter of 2010 using a Random Stratified sample of 3,000 addresses throughout the County, from which, 1,000 interviews were undertaken. The survey’s main themes were:

● Satisfaction with the Council / Council Services

● Contacting the Council

● Obtaining information from / about the Council

● Satisfaction with the neighbourhood.

The Council was advised that, for comparative purposes, the 2010 results had been compared with those undertaken in previous years. In that regard, the comparison between the 2010 and 2005 surveys had revealed that on the following Key comparative points, satisfaction with the Council’s services had increased by between 1 and 7 percentage points:

- Satisfaction with services +5% points

- Value for Money +4% points

- Dual Language Services +1%

- Keep residents informed +1%

- Satisfaction with the Neighbourhood +7% points

Mr Davies concluded by advising that whilst the presentation covered the main elements and results of the survey, the full written report would shortly be available to view on the Council’s website incorporating a break down of the information provided into geographical areas

Members were afforded the opportunity of asking questions, following which the Chair thanked Mr Davies for his presentation.

6. COUNCIL MINUTES

6.1. 28^th February 2011

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED, that the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on the 28^th February 2011 be signed as a correct record.

6.2. 9^th March 2011

Arising from Minute 11 on the future viability of the branch libraries identified for closure, the Director – Education and Children’s Services, in response to a question, confirmed that discussions were proceeding with different groups on the continued provision of a library service in the four areas concerned. If satisfactory alternatives could be agreed, the Council would provide training for the volunteers that would be operating the service

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on the 9^th March 2011 be signed as a correct record

7. PETITION – SAVE OUR BEACHSIDE TOILETS FROM CLOSURE

The Chair welcomed Ms A. Jones to the meeting.

Ms Jones presented a petition in the following terms, together with further supporting remarks:

"“As a cost cutting measure, the County Council have closed the public conveniences every weekend. Unless the Community Council pay the cost of keeping this facility open the toilets will also become permanently closed throughout the week. We the undersigned strongly object to the extra cost this would incur to the Community.

In order to protect our environment and, in the interests of public health, we strongly object to the closure of this basic essential service”

RESOLVED, that the petition be received and referred to the Decisions Meeting of the Executive Board Member for Environment and People Management.

8. NOTICE OF MOTION

The Council considered the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Mrs P.A. Palmer on behalf of the Independent Group and Councillor K. Madge on behalf of the Labour Group:

“That the Council makes representations to the Right Honourable Phillip Hammond, M.P. Secretary of State for Transport regarding the Department’s decision not to proceed with the electrification of the Rail Line from London to Swansea, as announced by the previous government in July 2009.

The current announcement to electrify the rail line between London and Cardiff only is a massive disappointment to businesses in the South and West Wales Region and electrification of the rail line to Swansea was a vital step in the recovery of the Welsh economy. The Wales and Welsh economy does not begin and end in Cardiff and this decision does not take into account that South West Wales is also open for business and needs a modern, efficient rail service so that it can fulfil its enormous economic potential.

It would also be more cost effective to include electrification of the rail line to Swansea at the same time as Cardiff, rather than trying to upgrade the line in two stages and this decision sends the wrong message to business investors about the South West Wales economy”.

The motion was duly proposed and seconded.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED, that the Notice of Motion be supported.

9. NOTICE OF MOTION

The Council considered the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor A. Davies:

‘It is with deep regret but I have no alternative but to put forward a Vote of No Confidence in Cabinet Member for Social Care, Councillor Pat Jones, following the decision of full Council not to close Caemaen and St Paul’s care homes. Her previously fixed views of the urgent need to close these homes and her lack of sensitivity to the plight of the elderly residents’ does not convince me that she will be fully committed to follow the new direction that Council has dedicated.

The flawed consultation procedure was not only severely criticised by the elderly residents; their relatives; the public, local councillors but also the Elder People’s Commissioner. Despite the public’s tremendous outcry, the emotive public meetings, the numerous newspaper articles and the petition, Councillor Pat Jones’ support for the Officers’ proposal was unrelenting.

In conclusion, the manner in which this serious issue has been conducted has been both insensitive and impassive. Councillor Pat Jones’ indifference to the desperate appeals from the elderly residents has damaged the credibility and standing of the Council demonstrating a serious defect in her objectivity and leadership.”

The motion was duly proposed and seconded.

The following amendment to the Notice of Motion was proposed by Councillor P. Hughes- Griffiths and duly seconded:

‘That Council rejects and condemns the personal attack on the Executive Board Member as the future of Caemaen and St Paul’s Care Homes was decided in the County Council meeting of the 28^th February 2011.

We as a Council should now move forward with commitment to implement this decision and so maintain Caemaen and St Paul’s as residential care homes in local authority ownership for the foreseeable future.”

The proposer and seconder of the Notice of Motion were afforded the opportunity of speaking in support of the Motion and outlined the reasons for its submission.

Contrary Views were expressed in support of the Amendment to the Motion where the Council was reminded that the decision to retain the care homes was democratically made following extensive discussion and consultation over an 18-24 month period.

Following a request, in accordance with Corporate Procedure Rule 13(j), “That the question be now put” a vote was taken whereupon it was:-

RESOLVED, that the Amended Notice of Motion be supported.

10. CARMARTHENSHIRE DEPOSIT LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN – CONSULTATION

Further to Minute 8 of the meeting held on the 9^th March 2011, the Council considered a report on the Carmarthenshire Deposit Local Development Plan, which included the under-mentioned elements. It also noted that in accordance with resolution 8.4 of its previous meeting, the documentation on those elements had been placed on the Council’s website for members to view.

● The Deposit Local Development Plan Written Statement (including Appendicies)

● Inset Maps,

● Deposit Local Development Plan Summary

● Sustainability Assessment (SA)

● Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) Report

The Head of Planning advised that subject to the Council’s acceptance, the Plan would be subject to an 8 week consultation period during the summer of 2011 prior to being resubmitted to Council later in the year for final approval. Thereafter, it would be forwarded to the Welsh Assembly Government which would appoint an independent Planning Inspector to undertaken an examination of the Plan prior to making a formal decision thereon in 2012.

RESOLVED

10.1. that the Deposit Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan be approved and endorsed for public consultation (8 weeks).

10.2. that the Head of Planning be authorised to correct typographical, cartographical and grammatical errors, and to make amendments in order to enhance clarity of meaning, and to update the plan following receipt of comments from the Environment Agency, Countryside Council for Wales and Dwr Cymru

11. NOMINATION FOR THE CHAIR OF COUNCIL FOR THE 2011/2012 MUNICIPAL YEAR

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that Councillor I.J. Jackson be nominated Chair Elect of Carmarthenshire County Council for the 2011/12 Municipal Year.

12. NOMINATION FOR THE VICE-CHAIR OF COUNCIL FOR THE 2011/2012 MUNICIPAL YEAR

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that Councillor Mrs S.E. Thomas be nominated Vice-Chair Elect of Carmarthenshire County Council for the 2011/12 Municipal Year.

13. EXECUTIVE BOARD RECOMMENDATION – A NEW ACCESS TO SOCIAL HOUSING POLICY – POST CONSULTATION

Council was reminded that at its meeting held on the 14^th July 2010 (minute 9 refers) it had approved for consultation the ‘New Access to Social Housing Policy’. Subsequently, the Executive Board, at its meeting held on the 14^th March 2011 (Minute 3 refers) having considered a revised Policy, which had been amended and improved as a result of the feedback received to the consultation from a wide range of stakeholders and service users, had recommended that the amended policy be approved.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED

13.1. that the amended Access to Social Housing Policy be approved,

13.2. that Local Lettings Policy be designated in three specific areas subject to a detailed report being provided to the Executive Board Member Decisions Meeting for Housing, Property and Building Services

14. EXECUTIVE BOARD – 7^TH MARCH 2011

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED, that the report of the above meeting be received.

15. EXECUTIVE BOARD – 14^TH MARCH 2011

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED, that the report of the above meeting be received.

16. EXECUTIVE BOARD 28^TH MARCH 2011

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED, that the report of the above meeting be received.

17. REGENERATION AND LEISURE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE – 24^TH FEBRUARY 2011

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED, that the report of the above meeting be received.

18. HOUSING SCRUTINY COMMITTEE – 2^ND MARCH 2011

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED, that the report of the above meeting be received.

19. SOCIAL JUSTICE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE – 7^TH MARCH 2011

Reference was made to the recent introduction by the Government of amendments to the Benefits System within the U.K and to how this would impact on the residents of the county. A view was expressed that a Seminar should be arranged for all members of the Council to be apprised of the changes in order that they may be in a position to help and advise their electorate.

The Chief Executive confirmed that the Council’s Management Team were examining the potential impact the Benefit changes could have not only on residents of the County but also for the Council itself in terms of funding for social projects such as the ‘Coastal Project’. He confirmed that a seminar would be arranged for members in the future when the impacts of the legislation on the County had been fully understood and assessed.

Reference was also made to a television programme that morning, where it had been reported that up to 75% of eligible pensioners were not claiming pension tax benefit. A view was expressed that the Council needed to ensure the elderly within the County were aware of, and received, their full benefit entitlements, and that this aspect should be examined before next winter.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED, that the report of the above meeting be received.

20. ENVIRONMENT SCRUTINY COMMITTEE - 10^TH MARCH, 2011

Reference was made to Minute 3 – Carmarthenshire County Council Waste Disposal Company CWM Environmental – and to the statement made therein that whereas previously the Council’s 20% representation on that company’s Board of Directors had been by an elected member, it was now being represented by Mr J Rees, an ex-official of the Council. A view was expressed that the Council should examine the company’s rules and regulations to ensure the Council was represented on the Board by an elected member.

The Chief Executive advised that the Council’s representation was restricted to 20% by legislation under the Companies Act, and that if its representation were to exceed that level it could have significant financial and other liability affects on the Council. Whilst the Council could replace the current Director with an elected member if it so wished, he did not advocate such a move at the present time in light of both the major changes that would impact on food and residual waste disposal in the near future and the current tendering exercises being undertaken in connection therewith. He assured the Council that as 100% shareholder of the Company, officers closely monitored its operation and it regularly consulted with, and sought the Council’s approval on numerous issues.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED, that the report of the above meeting be received.

21. HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE – 16^TH MARCH 2011

Arising from minute 6 – Eligibility Criteria – the Council was advised that arrangements had not yet been finalised for the convening of a development session for members on the Eligibility Criteria for Social Care Services under Fairer Access to Care Services. Additionally, arrangements would be made for members to be provided with the outcome of enquiries being made with another Welsh Authority on how it provided social services that met Critical, Substantial, Moderate and Low needs.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED, that the report of the above meeting be received.

22. EDUCATION AND CHILDREN’S SERVICES SCRUTINY COMMITTEE – 24^TH MARCH 2011

Reference was made to minute 6 of the above meeting – The Fourth Annual Review of the Welsh Education Scheme to the Welsh Language Board – and the Council’s attention was drawn to the situation again being faced at Ysgol Dewi Sant where there was insufficient capacity to accommodate all new applicants to the school for the 2011/12 academic year. In view of this situation, clarification was sought on when the difficulties being encountered with the level and availability of Welsh Language Education provision, in Llanelli in particular, would be resolved.

The Director – Education and Children’s Services confirmed that the Council had sufficient provision within the Llanelli area, and elsewhere, to ensure every child who wished to receive welsh medium education would be able to do so. However, some schools were more popular than others, and the Council could not guarantee that provision would be in the school of first choice. The Director noted that it was practically not possible to offer a place to every child in the school of first choice on every occasion and, on this basis, the Council had long established procedures to govern the allocation of places in instances when applications exceeded the number of places available at a particular school. With regard to the situation at Ysgol Dewi Sant, the Council had been in discussion with the school for a number of years regarding its capacity but that the Council’s position was that it was not in favour of allowing any school to grow beyond a 2 form entry (60 pupils in each school year) as it would not be conducive to the effective provision of education. The Director advised that following the completion of the present admissions round another review of provision in and around Llanelli would be carried out to ensure that the strategy implemented by the Council in 2008 continued to achieve the desired outcomes. The findings of that review would be reported later in the year.

Similar concerns were raised regarding the provision of welsh medium education in the Ammanford area where a view was expressed that the Council should give consideration to abandoning its category A schools and to re-classify them as Welsh Medium. Whilst both the category A and welsh medium schools provided the same level of welsh education, it was contended that parents did not support that view.

The Director in response, again confirmed there was sufficient capacity for all children to receive welsh education if they so desired but, not always in the school of choice, and that Estyn had confirmed that provision to be available within the Ammanford area. The Director noted that the categorisation of schools had changed in recent years and that school categories were now defined according to guidelines set out by the Welsh Assembly Government according to the proportion of the curriculum delivered through the medium of Welsh. Under this system the former category A for schools no longer existed. Schools were now defined simply as Welsh Medium. The Council would also be shortly undertaking a review of primary sector provision within the Ammanford area.

The Director also reminded the Council that its policy on the provision of welsh language education was to encourage schools to progress along the language continuum, as was happening at Ysgol Y Felin. However, that progression had to be carefully managed with the Council providing appropriate support and training.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED, that the report of the above meeting be received.

23. APPEALS COMMITTEE - 11^TH MARCH 2011

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED, that the report of the above meeting be received.

24. APPEALS COMMITTEE – 14^TH MARCH 2011

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED, that the report of the above meeting be received.

25. AUDIT COMMITTEE – 30^TH MARCH 2011

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED, that the report of the above meeting be received.

26. PLANNING COMMITTEE – 3^RD MARCH 2011

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED, that the report of the above meeting be received.

27. PLANNING COMMITTEE - 15^TH MARCH 2011

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED, that the report of the above meeting be received.

28. PLANNING COMMITTEE – 31^ST MARCH 2011

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED, that the report of the above meeting be received.

29. LICENSING COMMITTEE – 29^TH MARCH, 2011

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED, that the report of the above meeting be received.

30. STANDARDS COMMITTEE – 18^TH MARCH, 2011

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED, that the report of the above meeting be received.

_________________________ _______________

CADEIRYDD/CHAIR DYDDIAD/DATE