No apologies were received.

i.       Condolences were extended to the family and colleagues of Dyfed Powys Police Inspector Gareth Earp on his recent passing.

ii.      Condolences were also extended to the family of Dr Llŷr Roberts, academic and Secretary of the National Eisteddfod on his recent passing.

iii.    Congratulations were extended to all involved with the Talwrn y Beirdd competition arranged for the local authority’s secondary schools held recently during Gŵyl Fawr Aberteifi.

iv.    Congratulations were extended to Ysgol Llanfihangel-y-Creuddyn who celebrated 185 years this year.

v.     Congratulations were extended to Kay Morris and Eryl Jones for organising a successful robotics workshop for over 300 pupils.

vi.    Congratulations were extended to the organisers of Gŵyl Fawr Aberteifi on hosting a successful festival and to Councillor Maldwyn Lewis, Chairman of the Council as the Eisteddfod’s President.

vii.  Congratulations were also extended to Mia Lloyd on being selected to represent Team Wales at the Commonwealth Youth Games held in Trinidad and Tobago in August.

viii. Best wishes were extended to Marc Chapple, Project Manager- Coastal Defence Scheme on his retirement following 43 years of service to the County Council in Ceredigion. 

i.       Councillor Keith Henson declared a personal interest in relation to item 30.

ii.      Councillor Rhodri Evans declared a personal interest in relation to item 30, 35, 36 and 37.

iii.    Councillor Maldwyn Lewis declared a personal and prejudicial interest in relation to item 39, 43 and 45 and left the meeting before the matters were discussed.

To confirm as a true record the Minutes of the previous Meeting of the Cabinet held on 6 June 2023.

Matters arising: There were no matters arising from the minutes.

None.

None.

a)    Feedback from the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Digital Connectivity

a)    Feedback from the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Digital Connectivity.

Cabinet noted the report.

DECISION:

1.     To note the contents of the report.

2.     To acknowledge and note the Commercial Matters (including Financial and Legal Due Diligence) contained within Appendix 1 (EXEMPT Item).

3.     To authorise Officers to proceed with the proposed Phase 1 approach, which includes ‘To plan and execute the transition of Hafan y Waun Care Home from MHA to Council ownership including an agreed managed leasehold transfer at the earliest practical opportunity, and including the completion of all necessary legal agreements to achieve this’.

4.     To authorise Officers to undertake and implement development work in relation to the proposed Phase 2 approach.

Reason for the decision:

To safeguard the immediate future of Hafan y Waun Care Home and to allow Officers to proceed as outlined in the report.

The report (Appendix 1) relating to the item above is not for publication as it contains exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 & 15 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007. If, following the application of the Public Interest Test, the Council resolves to consider this item in private, the public and press will be excluded from the meeting during such consideration, in accordance with Section 100B(2) of the Act.

Members will be requested, when dealing with the items, to consider whether to exclude the public and press from the Meeting.

The report relating to item 31 on the agenda, Appendix 1, is not for publication as it contains exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 and 15 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007. If, following the application of the Public Interest Test, the Council resolves to consider this item in private, the public and press will be excluded from the meeting during such consideration, in accordance with Section 100B(2) of the Act.

Members were requested, when dealing with the item, to consider whether to exclude the public and press from the Meeting.

DECISION:

Not to exclude the public and press from the meeting.

Reason for the decision:

The document was not discussed in public.

DECISION:

To agree to award places on the Dynamic Purchasing System to the providers that have been successful, subject to 10-day statutory standstill period.

Reason for the decision:

To ensure that domiciliary care services are in place to meet assessed care and support needs, in accordance with the Council’s statutory obligations.

The report (Appendix A) relating to the item above is not for publication as it contains exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007. If, following the application of the Public Interest Test, the Council resolves to consider this item in private, the public and press will be excluded from the meeting during such consideration, in accordance with Section 100B(2) of the Act.

Members will be requested, when dealing with the items, to consider whether to exclude the public and press from the Meeting.

The report relating to item 33 on the agenda, Appendix A, is not for publication as it contains exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007. If, following the application of the Public Interest Test, the Council resolves to consider this item in private, the public and press will be excluded from the meeting during such consideration, in accordance with Section 100B(2) of the Act.

Members were requested, when dealing with the item, to consider whether to exclude the public and press from the Meeting.

DECISION:

Not to exclude the public and press from the meeting.

Reason for the decision:

The document was not discussed in public.

DECISION:

i.       To agree that Ceredigion County Council sign the Joint Committee Agreement for the National Adoption Service and Foster Wales.

ii.      To note the feedback from the Healthier Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Reason for the decision:

Agreeing these proposals and signing the Joint Committee Agreement will put the Ceredigion County Council’s cooperation in these collaborative arrangements on a formal basis as well as clarifying roles and responsibilities for the hosting of and delivery of national functions which support and enable local authority delivery of their adoption and fostering responsibilities.

DECISION:

i.       To agree the Memorandum of Understanding for the period 2023 – 2026 (Appendix A).

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

Reason for the decision:

To ensure strong collaboration between Ceredigion and Powys Local Authorities in the areas outlined within the Memorandum of Understanding for the period 2023 – 2026.

DECISION:

i.       To agree to adopt the content of the transition guidance for Ceredigion schools and settings.

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

Reason for the decision:

i.       To comply with the ALN Transformation requirements. The document will ensure that transition arrangements across Ceredigion are consistently inclusive and of the highest standard.

ii.      To develop a consistent implementation and smooth transition for children and young people throughout their educational career and into adulthood, enabling them to reach their potential.

DECISION:

To accept the Policy for the admission of pupils for 2024/2025.

Reason for the decision:

To have a policy in place for 2024/2025.

DECISION:

To confirm the nominations outlined in the report as LA representatives on the Governing Bodies of the relevant School.

Reason for the decision:

To nominate representatives of the LA on Governing Bodies.

DECISION:

To approve the following Senior Coroner and Assistant Coroner pay rates for 2023/24 in accordance with JNC Circular 68:

1)  Senior part-time Coroner:

i)    Retention Salary of £22,200 p/a to cover retention/out of hours service availability from 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024.

ii)   Using the agreed daily rate of £489 to pay the Coroner an annual salary of £12,225 (@25 days pa including training days from 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024.

Total: £34,425 per annum (plus on-costs).

2)  Assistant Coroner:

full day: £417;

half day: £209.

Reason for the decision:

Compliance with relevant legislation and JNC Circulars, mitigation of challenge and safeguarding public funds.

DECISION:

To approve the commencement of a Public Consultation process.

Reason for the decision:

To ensure that the Council’s Ceredigion Harbour Management Policy is fit for purpose.

DECISION:

1)    To note the report and the officer discussions still underway with WG.

2)    In the event of officer discussions with Welsh Government being successful and grant approval being received following their approval of the Full Business Case, that formal discussion be entered into with the preferred contractor with a view to awarding a contract to a maximum value as outlined in their tender submission.

3)    To delegate authority to formally award and sign off the tender acceptance for the Aberaeron Coastal Defence scheme contract to the Cabinet Members for Highways & Environmental Services and Finance & Procurement, in consultation with the Corporate Lead Officers for Highways & Environmental Services and Finance & Procurement.

4)    To note that, on the assumption that WG FBC approval is achieved, there will be a requirement for up to an additional c£550k of Council matched funding which will be reflected in the Multi Year Capital Programme.

Reason for the decision:

To enable construction of the Aberaeron Coastal Defence Scheme to proceed at the earliest opportunity once FBC approval has been received and WG grant funding has been confirmed.

The report (Appendix A) relating to the item above is not for publication as it contains exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007. If, following the application of the Public Interest Test, the Council resolves to consider this item in private, the public and press will be excluded from the meeting during such consideration, in accordance with Section 100B(2) of the Act.

Members will be requested, when dealing with the items, to consider whether to exclude the public and press from the Meeting.

The report relating to item 42 on the agenda, Appendix A, is not for publication as it contains exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007. If, following the application of the Public Interest Test, the Council resolves to consider this item in private, the public and press will be excluded from the meeting during such consideration, in accordance with Section 100B(2) of the Act.

Members were requested, when dealing with the item, to consider whether to exclude the public and press from the Meeting.

DECISION:

Not to exclude the public and press from the meeting.

Reason for the decision:

The document was not discussed in public.

Cabinet noted the report.

The report (Appendix 1) relating to the item above is not for publication as it contains exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007. If, following the application of the Public Interest Test, the Council resolves to consider this item in private, the public and press will be excluded from the meeting during such consideration, in accordance with Section 100B(2) of the Act.

Members will be requested, when dealing with the items, to consider whether to exclude the public and press from the Meeting.

The report relating to item 44 on the agenda, Appendix 1, is not for publication as it contains exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007. If, following the application of the Public Interest Test, the Council resolves to consider this item in private, the public and press will be excluded from the meeting during such consideration, in accordance with Section 100B(2) of the Act.

Members were requested, when dealing with the item, to consider whether to exclude the public and press from the Meeting.

DECISION:

Not to exclude the public and press from the meeting.

Reason for the decision:

The document was not discussed in public.

DECISION:

To approve the award of the contracts to the successful bidders.

Reason for the decision:

To enable the services to continue to operate as of 1 September 2023.

The report (Appendix 1) relating to the item above is not for publication as it contains exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007. If, following the application of the Public Interest Test, the Council resolves to consider this item in private, the public and press will be excluded from the meeting during such consideration, in accordance with Section 100B(2) of the Act.

Members will be requested, when dealing with the items, to consider whether to exclude the public and press from the Meeting.

The report relating to item 46 on the agenda, Appendix 1, is not for publication as it contains exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007. If, following the application of the Public Interest Test, the Council resolves to consider this item in private, the public and press will be excluded from the meeting during such consideration, in accordance with Section 100B(2) of the Act.

Members were requested, when dealing with the item, to consider whether to exclude the public and press from the Meeting.

DECISION:

Not to exclude the public and press from the meeting.

Reason for the decision:

The document was not discussed in public.

Cabinet noted the report.

DECISION:

To approve the revised Multi Year Capital Programme for 2023/24 to 2025/26, as outlined in Appendix A.

Reason for the decision:

To approve the latest Multi-Year Capital Programme.</AI26>

Cabinet noted the report.

Cabinet noted the report.

Cabinet noted the report.

Cabinet noted the report.

Cabinet noted the report and agreed the recommendations from the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

·       that all engagement exercises participants should receive the outcome results;

·       that a 6-month monitoring update report is presented to the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its December meeting.

DECISION:

1.     To note the advice of the Corporate Lead Officer - Porth Cynnal, which is that the time has come to decide to continue to deliver a safe service to children and their families through the deployment of a Managed Team over a longer of period of time.

2.     To authorise Officers to proceed to commission, via an appropriate procurement process, a suitable qualified Managed Team service to undertake child protection duties, as outlined in the report.

The Leader and Eifion Evans, Chief Executive extended their thanks to Audrey Somerton-Edwards, Interim Corporate Lead Officer: Porth Cynnal as she leaves her role with the authority. She was thanked for her excellent work and wished well for the future.