Agenda and minutes

No apologies were received.

i.              Best wishes were extended to Kay Davies, Democratic Services Officer, on her retirement.

ii.            Congratulations were extended to Councillor Alun Williams on his appointment as Mayor of Aberystwyth.

iii.           Best wishes were extended to Rhys Norrington Davies who is currently in Baku with the Wales Football team for the Euros 2020 Championships.

iv.           Congratulations were extended to Osian Jones, Ysgol Ciliau Parc, winner of the under 12 competition to create a new football chant to support the Wales football team.

v.            Congratulations were extended to Meinir Mathias for winning the People’s Prize with the Royal Cambrian Academy.

vi.           The Carer’s Unit were congratulated on organising a successful Carer’s Week.

vii.          Ceredigion pupils were congratulated on their prizes at a very successful Eisteddfod T, held from Llangrannog recently. Congratulations were also extended to the Urdd for a successful week of competition.

viii.         Congratulations were extended to Ann Jones on being elected National Chair of the Women’s Institute.

Elin Prysor declared a personal and prejudicial interest in minute 34 below and withdrew from the meeting during discussions.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn, provided a verbal update in relation to COVID-19. 

She stated that he Delta variant is causing concern in Wales and throughout the UK and that the number of cases are rising. Seven new cases were recorded in Ceredigion during the last week, which is equivalent to 9.6 per hundred thousand; however the positivity rate remained relatively low at 1.2%.  The rate for the whole of Wales is equitant to 20.1 per hundred thousand, with a 2% positivity rate. It was noted however that we all need to be careful and ensure that we maintain social distancing, wear face masks and wash our hands frequently. It was noted that the number of cases have not increased significantly in Ceredigion following half-term as compared to other areas.

The vaccine programme continuing effectively with 67% having received their first dose, and 40.4% taking up their second dose in Ceredigion.  All those over the age of 18 have now received an invitation to go for their vaccination, and that there is an opportunity for those who may have missed their initial appointment to still go for their vaccine.  The JCVI are currently looking at evidence regarding how to apply the vaccination to 16 and 17 year olds, followed by those over 12 years of age.

The Leader noted that she met with all School Headteachers yesterday, and thanked them for all their work during the various lockdowns, and the additional burden of running assessments in place of examinations.  Results will be provided during this week, with pupils offered an opportunity to appeal their grades, however the final grades will be announced officially in mid-August.

Care Homes currently have no cases, with the majority of staff and residents vaccinated, and visiting pods located in the gardens.  It is hoped that indoor visits will be able to commence soon but this will be monitored carefully in light of any increase in cases

Safe Zones have been adapted since they were introduced last year and the changes were trialled over the recent half term.  They have been successful on the whole in what was a busy half term The Safe Zones will be re-introduced for the school summer holiday period. 

Hospitality and accommodation providers continue to be busy.  Business grants are available both from ‘Business Wales’ and via Ceredigion County Council.

Libraries have re-opened to the public by appointment, and it’s still possible to arrange click and collect. 

Outdoor facilities on school sites have re-opened and are now available for community organisations’ use.  Lampeter Leisure Centre is now open, however further maintenance work is required at the Lampeter Swimming Pool, and we are expecting a report on the condition of the Plascrug Leisure Centre and Swimming Pool. Discussions are currently underway with Aberystwyth University with regards to providing public access to their Swimming Pool.

Aberaeron Swimming Pool is now open and Councillor Keith Evans noted that the Llandysul Leisure Centre and Swimming Pool are also open to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

DECISION

To confirm as a true record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Cabinet held on 18 May, 2021.

Matters Arising:

(i) There were no matters arising from the minutes.

No petitions were received.

None.

Refer to decisions 31 and 38 below.

DECISION

To approve the Partnership Agreement between the Local Authority and Schools 2021-2024.

Reason for decision:-

In order to proceed with getting the Governing Body of each school to sign the agreement in place for 1 September 2021 onwards.

The feedback from the Learning Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee was noted.

DECISION

 i.    To approve the withdrawal of the School Review Policy

ii.   To approve the School Organisation Handbook.

DECISION

1.     To approve the draft 2022-32 Welsh in Education Strategic Plan, and

2.     To agree to implement a consultation period during the autumn of 2021 for the required eight weeks

3.     To note the feedback from the Learning Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Reason for decision:-

In accordance with the Welsh Government's ‘Welsh in Education Strategic Plans (Wales) Regulations 2019’.

DECISION

To approve the Policy for the admission of pupils for 2022/23.

Reason for decision:-

To have a policy in place for 2022/23.

DECISION

To approve the Annual Monitoring Report of Ceredigion County Council’s Welsh Language Standards (2020-21) for publication on the Council website.

Reason for decision:-

Statutory duty in accordance with the Welsh Language Measure 2011.

DECISION

i. To approve the recommended Fees for Residential Care in Ceredigion Independent Sector Homes for 2021/22 at the following weekly levels, effective from 05.04.2021

ii. To approve the recommendation that the Fees in Residential Care in Ceredigion Local Authority Homes are updated and approved for 2021/22 at the following weekly levels, effective from 12/04/2021:

To agree that the starting point for commissioning Out of County Older Persons placements is a maximum of the agreed In County Older Persons rates, unless there is no in county availability (with the exception of placements in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire, where the Council will continue to match the respective Host authority rates).  However each case will always be considered on its own merits on a case by case basis.

Reasons for decision:-

To agree and set fees for 2021/22.

DECISION

 i.           To note the acquisition of the 1^st Dispersed Unit (DU1) in the Aberystwyth area as per Cabinet resolution of the 23/02/21

ii.           To revoke decision C150 ii) 23/02/21(to acquire the 2nd Dispersed Unit in Aberystwyth).

iii.           To approve in principle the acquisition of the 2nd Dispersed Unit (DU2)

iv.           To give delegated power to both the Cabinet Member, and the Corporate Lead Officer: Porth Cynnal to make changes as necessary to give effect to the matters raised in this Report.

Reason for decision:-

To assist the Authority in securing properties for increased provision of suitable and safe accommodation for use for those fleeing domestic violence.

DECISION

To approve the development of the regional safe accommodation scheme specifically in the use of ICF funding for the purchase and establishment of a regional central safe accommodation hub for children with complex needs.

Reason for decision:-

To provide the Statutory Director of Social Services with the political mandate to agree with the development of the regional hub. 

DECISION

To approve the proposed Adoption of Cwrt Dulas, Lampeter through the Section 38 Highway Act 1980 process and maintain at public expense thereafter.

DECISION

1.      To endorse the Net Zero Action Plan and Actions set out within it;

2.      To note that any proposals for the Safe Zones to be made permanent would be consulted upon and presented to Cabinet for decision;

3.      To invite a representative from the Liberal Democrats Group to attend the Carbon Management Group.

Reason for decision:-

To support the Council’s commitment to reducing the effects of climate change.

DECISION

1.      To endorse the Net Zero Action Plan and Actions set out within it;

2.      To note that any proposals for the Safe Zones to be made permanent would be consulted upon and presented to Cabinet for decision;

3.      To invite a representative from the Liberal Democrats Group to attend the Carbon Management Group.

Reason for decision:-

To support the Council’s commitment to reducing the effects of climate change.

DECISION

Not to exclude the public and press from the meeting

Reason for decision:-

The document was not discussed in public

None.