Agenda and minutes

i.       Councillor Gareth Davies, Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement apologised for his inability to attend the meeting.

ii.      James Starbuck, Corporate Director and Duncan Hall, Corporate Lead Officer: Finance and Procurement apologised for their inability to attend the meeting.

i.      Councillor Catrin M S Davies on behalf of the Cabinet expressed her condolences to all impacted by the legal case against former Gwynedd headteacher Neil Foden. The Cabinet asked for reassurance from Officers that the appropriate safeguarding processes were in place to ensure that the same would not happen in Ceredigion and that the local authority was meeting the requirements of the ‘Clywch’ report by Peter Clarke.  

Audrey Somerton-Edwards, Statutory Director of Social Services and Corporate Lead Officer: Porth Cynnal and Elen James, Chief Education Officer and Corporate Lead Officer: Lifelong Learning outlined the various processes in place to safeguard children and young people. Reassurance was provided that the local authority was taking the appropriate steps and that the wellbeing of children and young people was a priority for all.

ii.     Congratulations were extended to Ceredigion Young Farmers’ Club on winning the YFC National Eisteddfod held in Carmarthen recently.

iii.    Congratulations were also extended to Llangwyryfon Young Farmers’ Club for winning the NFYFC Community Spirit Award 2024.

iv.   Thanks were extended to Councillor Raymond Evans for arranging volunteers to undertake work at Hafan y Waun Residential Care Home.

i.       Councillor Bryan Davies declared a personal and prejudicial interest in relation to item 94 and withdrew from the meeting whilst the matter was being discussed.

ii.      Councillors Euros Davies and Keith Henson declared a personal interest in relation to item 94.

To confirm as a true record the Minutes of the previous Meeting of the Cabinet held on 1 October 2024.

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

It was noted that the above petition had been received and would be dealt with in accordance with the guidelines in the Petitions Protocol.

None.

None.

DECISION:

·       To note the content of the Feasibility Report.

·       To approve the proposal to start the process of adopting Option 2, which is to ensure suitable arrangements for joint planning of the Post-16 curriculum, for September 2026.

·       To approve the proposal to carry out further investigation into Option 4, in order to give more detailed consideration to establishing a Centre of Excellence (on one or more suitable sites).

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

Reason for the decision:

·       Approve the start of the adoption of Option 2, in order to ensure suitable arrangements for joint planning of the Post-16 curriculum, for September 2026.

·       Approving further investigation into Option 4, in order to give more detailed consideration to establishing a Centre of Excellence (on one or more suitable sites).

DECISION:

To confirm the nomination outlined in the report as LA representative on the Governing Body of the relevant School.

Reason for the decision:

To nominate representatives of the LA on Governing Bodies.

DECISION:

i.       To nominate Eluned Morgan MS, First Minister of Wales to officially open Ysgol Dyffryn Aeron.

ii.      To nominate Councillor Keith Evans, Chair of Ceredigion County Council to officially open the extension and refurbishment works undertaken at Cardigan Primary and Secondary Schools and the All-Weather Pitch at Plascrug Leisure Centre.

Reason for the decision:

Agree to invite appropriate persons to officially open Ysgol Dyffryn Aeron; the extension and refurbishment works undertaken at Cardigan Primary and Secondary Schools and the All-Weather Pitch at Plascrug Leisure Centre.

DECISION:

1.     To recommend to Council that the Corporate Lead Officer - Policy, Performance & Public Protection be authorised under The Public Health (Wales) Act 2017 to undertake Special Procedures Licensing functions.

2.     To approve the proposed fee structure in respect of the new licensing scheme for special procedures.

Reason for the decision:

·       The Public Health (Wales) Act 2017 will place a statutory duty on local authorities in Wales to administer and enforce the special procedures licensing scheme.

·       To ensure that appropriate delegations are in place so that officers within the Public Protection service can utilise delegated powers to carry out their duties.

·       To ensure that the Local Authority can fulfil this statutory obligation efficiently, an appropriate fee structure and scheme of delegated powers is required to be adopted.

Cabinet noted the report, the Annual letter from the Ombudsman and the feedback from the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Cabinet noted the report and the feedback from the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

None.