Agenda and minutes
Venue: held remotely via video-conference
Contact: Nia Jones
No. | Item |
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Apologies Minutes: a) Councillors
Alun Lloyd Jones apologised for his
inability to attend the meeting due to being on other Council duties; b) Councillor Lloyd Edwards, Hag Harris
and Gwyn James apologised for their inability to attend the meeting. c)
Barry Rees apologised for his inability to attend the meeting
due to being on other Council duties. |
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Disclosure of personal / prejudicial interests Minutes: a) Councillors
Bryan Davies, Ifan Davies, Marc Davies, Meirion Davies, Rhodri Evans, Catherine
Hughes, Maldwyn Lewis, Dai Mason and Dan Potter declared a personal and
prejudicial interest in relation to minute 6 below, and left the meeting during
this item. |
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Personal matters Minutes: a)
Councillor Paul Hinge congratulated Josh
Hathaway, Iestyn Thomas and Ioan Lewis of Aberystwyth Rugby Club who played for
the Scarlets under 18 rugby team yesterday; b)
Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn congratulated the
Wales Football team on their performance last night, noting that Rhys
Norrington-Davies from Talybont is a member of the squad; c)
Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn extended her
congratulations to Osian Jones, Ysgol Ciliau Parc, winner of the under 12
competition to create a new football chant to support the Wales football team; d)
Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn extended her best
wishes to Kay Davies, Democratic Services Officer on her retirement; e)
Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn congratulated
Councillor Alun Williams on his appointment as Mayor of Aberystwyth; f) Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn congratulated Councillor Catherine Hughes on her appointment as Chair of Tregaron Community Council; g)
Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn congratulated Meinir
Mathias for winning the People’s Prize with the Royal Cambrian Academy; h)
Councillor Rhodri Evans extended his
congratulations to Ann Jones on being elected National Chair of the Women’s
Institute; i)
Councillor Euros Davies extended his best wishes
to Rose Florence who recently celebrated her 103rd birthday; j)
Councillor Catherine Hughes congratulated the
Carer’s Unit on a very successful Carer’s Week; k)
Councillor Catherine Hughes congratulated
Ceredigion pupils 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; l) Councillor Lyndon Lloyd extended his best wishes to former Councillor, Mr Huw Davies, on serving Beulah Community Council for 42 years. |
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A verbal update by the Leader of the Council in relation to COVID-19 Minutes: Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn gave a verbal update in relation to COVID-19 in Ceredigion. She stated that the
Delta variant is causing concern in Wales and throughout the UK and that the number
of cases are rising. Nine new cases were recorded in Ceredigion during the last
week, which is equivalent to 12.4 per hundred thousand. The rate for the whole
of Wales is equivalent to 22.5 per hundred thousand, and it is unlikely that
restrictions will be eased before July, and reminded everyone of the need to
follow current regulations. It was noted however
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 at walk-in sessions.
The JCVI are currently looking at evidence regarding how to apply the
vaccination to Secondary School age pupils, but no decision has been made
yet. She noted that
Pupils have received their centre determined grades, following the assessments,
and that pupils will have an opportunity to appeal these grades in the coming
weeks. She congratulated pupils and thanked staff, noting that the results
would be published as usual during August. There have been
increased visits to Care Homes via the pods and outdoors and it is hoped that
indoor visits will be able to commence soon. Safe Zones have
been successful on the whole in what was a busy half term. Staff have listened to the public, and the
Safe Zones have adapted where possible. Funding from Wales
Government has contributed towards the additional costs associated with
COVID-19, which will continue until September, and we’ve appointed additional
staff as Visitor Assistants in our towns.
Business grants from Wales Government are available both from ‘Business
Wales’ and via Ceredigion County Council for those businesses that have been
unable to re-open. Libraries have
re-opened to the public by appointment, and it’s still possible to arrange
click and collect. Some of our Leisure
Centres including Lampeter and Aberaeron have re-opened. Leisure Services in
the Aberystwyth area are available at Penglais Sports Hall whilst maintenance work is undertaken at the
Plascrug Leisure Centre. Maintenance work is also being undertaken at Lampeter
Swimming Pool.It was noted that the Aberaeron Swimming pool is also open along
with the Llandysul Leisure Centre It was also noted
that monthly meetings would be held to provide Members with COVID-19 updates. |
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To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 14.05.2021 PDF 220 KB Minutes: It was RESOLVED to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 14th May 2021. |
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Proposer:
Cllr. Mark Strong Seconder:
Cllr. Ellen ap Gwynn Council notes that: Ceredigion County Council calls on the Welsh Government to: 1.
add a new clause to the Planning Act so that it is compulsory
to make a planning application before obtaining the right to convert a
residential home into a holiday home or a holiday let 2.
adapt
the policy framework to allow for maximum thresholds to be set with regard to
the number of holiday homes in a given area 3.
make
it compulsory for second-home owners to ask for
planning permission before turning a second home into a holiday business or an AirBnB business Minutes: Proposer: Cllr. Mark
Strong Seconder: Cllr. Ellen ap Gwynn Council notes that: Ceredigion County Council
calls on the Welsh Government to: 1. add a new clause to
the Planning Act so that it is compulsory to make a planning application before
obtaining the right to convert a residential home into a holiday home or a
holiday let 2. adapt
the policy framework to allow for maximum thresholds to be set with regard to
the number of holiday homes in a given area 3. make
it compulsory for second-home owners to ask for planning permission before
turning a second home into a holiday business or an AirBnB
business. Councillor
Mark Strong gave an outline of the circumstances which led to the Notice of
Motion, confirming that the recommendation has been considered and commended by
the Thriving Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Language
Committee, placing particular focus on unfair competition, and the need for
young people in our communities to be able to buy a home. Councillor
Ellen ap Gwynn noted that it is a pleasure to second
this Motion, and thanked the staff for the full report on the situation
presented to both Committees. She noted that the Language Committee were fully
in support of this Motion. Councillor
Euros Davies noted that the Thriving Communities Overview and Scrutiny
Committee also voted in support of the recommendations. Councillor
Dafydd Edwards proposed an improvement on the Motion, to include the insertion
of ‘on a community basis’ at the end of the 2nd point of the motion;
and to insert ‘and retrospectively’ at the end of the 3rd point of
the motion. This was seconded by
Councillor Rowland Rees-Evans. However, following discussion, both withdrew the
proposal of improvement to the Motion. The Council considered a recommendation by the
Thriving Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee that 100% increase is
levied on Council Tax of holiday homes in the county. Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn
asked that Officers present a report on the implications of setting a 100% tax
on such properties, and defer a full discussion on this until such a report is
received. She also recommended that a
fund is set up to assist local young people to purchase homes. Councillor Ceredig Davies noted that Council had
previously agreed that any additional funding received from the Council Tax
premium on holiday homes would be spent in those communities, therefore any
amendment to the policy would need to be considered by Council. It should not be retrospective. Councillor Gareth Davies stated that the planning
should come first. Councillor Elizabeth Evans noted that the levy
stands and a report should also consider a breakdown of private renting in
Ceredigion. Following a vote, it was RESOLVED to: 1.
Agree the motion as stated: 2. note the recommendations made by the Thriving Communities Overview
and Scrutiny Committee and the Language Committee; and 3. that Officers prepare a report for consideration by Council regarding the Thriving Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s recommendation that a 100% increase ... view the full minutes text for item 6. |
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Minutes: Councillor
Gareth Lloyd, Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement Services and Public
Protection Services, presented the report noting that Officers have recently undertaken a
further review in relation to adopting the Asset Life Method for charging the
Minimum Revenue Provision. The information had been considered by the
Governance and Audit Committee on 3rd June 2021, and the Committee
agreed to support the proposed Revised Policy subject to periodic reviews. Audit Wales, who attended the Committee, also
agreed to this amendment. Following a vote, it was RESOLVED to approve the Revised Minimum Revenue Provision Policy for 2021/22 as set out in Appendix A of the report. |
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Report of Corporate Lead Officer, Economy and Regeneration on the Net Zero Action Plan PDF 3 MB Minutes: Councillor Alun
Williams, Cabinet Member for Porth Cynnal and Chair of the Carbon Management and Climate
Change Group presented the report noting that on 20 June 2019, the Council committed
to making Ceredigion a net zero carbon Local Authority by 2030 and to develop a
clear plan for a route towards being net zero within 12 months. The information had been considered by Thriving
Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 26th May 2021, and by
Cabinet on 15th June 2021. It
was noted that Cabinet had approved the report subject to the removal of the reference to the Safe Zones
potentially being made permanent, and the inclusion of fluvial flooding to the
Corporate Risk Register. It was also
noted that a representative from the Liberal Democrats Groups would be invited
to attend the Carbon Management Group. Following a vote, it was RESOLVED
to endorse the Net Zero Action Plan and Actions set
out within it. |
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Minutes: Councillor
Ray Quant Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Legal and
Governance, People and Organisation and Democratic Services presented the report noting
that Ceredigion County Council has a duty to the public to safeguard money that
should be used in the public interest, and to address the risk to fraud. To
this purpose the Council has updated its strategy. The information had been
considered by the Governance and Audit Committee on 3rd June 2021,
and Councillor Elizabeth Evans, Chair of the Governance and Audit Committee
confirmed that they were assured that all is in place, and that the Committee
endorsed the strategy for presentation to Council for final approval. Following a vote by exception, it was RESOLVED to approve the Council’s updated
Strategy on Counter-Fraud, Corruption and Bribery (to include Anti-Money
Laundering). |
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Minutes: Councillor
Ray Quant Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Legal and
Governance, People and Organisation and Democratic Services presented the report noting
that Section 116 of the ‘Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021
stipulates that one third of the Governance and Audit Committee must be lay
Members, and that this provision will come into force on the 5th May
2022. The information had been considered by the Governance and Audit Committee on 24th February 2021, and the
Democratic Services Committee on 21st May 2021 who resolved to
recommend to Council that from 6 May 2022, the future Committee compromise of 3
independent / lay members and 6 County Councillors. Following
a vote, it was RESOLVED that with
effect from 5th May 2022, the Governance and Audit Committee shall
comprise: ·
6 x County
Council Members ·
3 x
independent lay members Total: 9. |
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Minutes: Councillor
Ray Quant Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Legal and Governance,
People and Organisation and Democratic Services presented the report outlining the recruitment
process, and asking the Council to approve the appointments. Councillor Paul Hinge congratulating the new lay
Members and the Chair and Vice-Chair. Following a vote , it was RESOLVED to: 1. approve the appointment of the following independent members of
the Ethics and Standards Committee: · Caryl Davies; · Alan Davies from 27th September
2021 to 26th September 2027 2. to approve the following nominations: a) Caroline White: Chair (20th May 2021 – 30th
July 2023) b) John Weston: Vice-Chair (20th May 2021 – 30th
July 2023). |
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Minutes: The following item
was chaired by Councillor Gareth Davies. Councillor
Paul Hinge, Member Champion for the Armed Forces presented the report noting that the
Council has previously signed the ‘Community Covenant Partnership’ in
2013. This proposal serves to ask the
Council to reaffirm the Council’s commitment and it will also serve to refresh
the Council’s commitments into more appropriate measures, and to be formally
acknowledged nationally. Following a vote, it was RESOLVED that Ceredigion County Council sign the Armed Forces Covenant and
publicly commemorate the 10th
Anniversary of the Covenant in September / October 2021. |
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Ethics and Standards Committee Annual Report 2020/21 PDF 1 MB Minutes: Mr
Hywel Wyn Jones, Chair of the Ethics and Standards Committee presented the report noting
that they have dealt with a number of applications for dispensation from County
and Community Council in order that they could participate in discussions there
they have a prejudicial interest. He
also noted their work in promoting an understanding of the standards that need
to be adhered to in public life. He noted also that he is pleased that during the 10
years that he has been a member of this committee, it has not been necessary to
review any references from the Ombudsman or to consider any breach of the Codes
of Standards, and congratulated Councillors for this. He thanked the Officers for their work, and
congratulated Caroline White on her appointment as Chair and John Weston as
Vice-chair. Following a vote, it was RESOLVED to: 1. note
the contents of the report, and to 2. consider the contents of the Annual Report from the Chairman
of the Ethics and Standards Committee 2020/21 (Appendix A). The Chairman thanked Mr Hywel Wyn Jones for his time on the Ethics and Standards Committee and for his period as Chairman. |