Agenda and minutes

Councillors Euros Davies, Rhodri Davies, Elaine Evans, Raymond Evans, Ceris Jones, Sian Maehrlein, Ann Bowen Morgan and Caryl Roberts apologised for their inability to attend the meeting.

There were no declarations of personal or prejudicial interest.

a)    Councillor Maldwyn Lewis welcomed Mr Ricky Cooper, Corporate Lead Officer: Porth Cynnal (and Statutory Director of Social Services) to the Council and wished him well in his new role;

b)    Councillor Maldwyn Lewis extended his best wishes to pupils, students and teachers on the beginning of their new term;

c)    Councillor Maldwyn Lewis congratulated Aberystwyth University on being named Welsh University of the year 2024 by Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, and for coming second in the United Kingdom for Student Experience;

d)    Councillor Maldwyn Lewis congratulated Rali Ceredigion on its success;

e)    Councillor Maldwyn Lewis noted that the Welsh Ploughing Association had recently held national competitions in Llannon;

f)      Councillor Maldwyn Lewis congratulated Gareth Thomas on representing Wales in the Rugby World Cup;

g)    Councillor Maldwyn Lewis congratulated the local Eisteddfodau on their success;

h)    Councillor Maldwyn Lewis thanked all the Members for their support at the recent Civic Service, noting that more than £2,000 had been raised for the Bronglais Chemo Unit;

i)      Councillor Maldwyn Lewis congratulated Josh Tarling on winning a Gold Medal at the UEC Road Cycling European Championships.  This was reiterated by Councillor Marc Davies, Local Member, Councillor Paul Hinge and Councillor Catrin M S Davies;

j)      Councillor Maldwyn Lewis noted that he had attended an event for refugees at the University of Wales Trinity St David, Lampeter campus recently and noted that they had expressed their gratitude to the people of Ceredigion for their care and their support;

k)    Councillor Paul Hinge thanked everyone for their support during a recent event for the Armed Forces at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre;

l)      Councillor Paul Hinge congratulated Stevie Williams on his success in the recent Tour of Britain, and winning the Tour of Norway;

m)  Councillor Eryl Evans congratulated Elliw Dafydd on being appointed Deputy Treasurer of Ceredigion Young Farmers;

n)    Councillor Marc Davies expressed his best wishes to Mark Edwards on the re-opening of the Llew Coch in Ffosyffin;

o)    Councillor Carl Worrall expressed his best wishes to Helen Pearce and Pamela Worrall on being selected to represent Wales in the international shore-angling fishing championships in Sicily next month.  Best wishes also to Councillor Carl Worrall, the Team Manager;

p)    Councillor Catrin M S Davies congratulated Mia Lloyd on being selected to represent Wales at the Paralympic Games;

q)    Councillor Catrin M S Davies congratulated Ruth Jen on being selected to showcase her work at Eisteddfod Llyn ac Eifionydd and on wining the people’s choice award for her ceramic artwork;

r)     Councillor Gwyn Wigley Evans congratulated Dewi Davies on being elected Vice-Chair of the Wales Young Farmers;

s)    Councillor Amanda Edwards congratulated James Williams on winning third position at the recent Rali Ceredigion;

t)      Councillor Keith Henson extended his condolences to the family of Meurig James, a former Ceredigion County Councillor, who recently passed away.

It was RESOLVED to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 13 July 2023 subject to amendment to item 3 h), Personal Matters to note that Lisa Bullman was selected to represent Wales in the ladies’ shooting championship held in England.

Matters arising

Councillor Bryan Davies, Leader of the Council provided an update on item 5: Notice of Motion, noting that a response was received from Building Digital Wales on 4 August. The response stated that Broadway Partners had gone into administration however customers should not see any change of the or broadband connection as part of this. In addition, the company can still be contacted for any technical assistance.

Any site eligible for vouchers that has not yet received a connection, will continue to be eligible for Government funding.

The Government cannot say more about the administrative processes.

In terms of overall involvement in Ceredigion, as part of the Gigabit Project, the Government has initiated a regional Procurement process since the end of July it will cover the greater part of Ceredigion – north of Aberaeron-Tregaron as an alternative method to reach homes and businesses where there is no broadband connection and no market demand.  An area south of Aberaeron – Tregaron will be included in a similar process in summer 2024.

Councillor Bryan Davies also noted that a press-release was sent out last week, urging the community to work together to transform the future of technology in Tregaron.  Openreach has identified Tregaron as a strong candidate for a full fibre network. However, a vital element for the success of the project is the communities' ability to demonstrate demand by introducing the UK Government's Gigabit Vouchers, which are free of charge, to the Openreach project to reach the funding threshold required. This project will benefit not only households but local businesses, schools and healthcare services. The development of such a project in Tregaron would pave the way to similar projects across Ceredigion.

Councillor Gareth Davies, Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement Services presented the report to Council noting that the strategy should not be seen as a formal detailed budget set in stone but rather as an overarching approach that the Council will need to adopt in order to achieve its priorities taking into account the external legislative, economic environment and indicative projected spending pressures and funding. 

He noted that Ceredigion County Council is already experiencing financial challenges during this financial year, prior to the next financial year, and that the strategy, which included an Executive Summary now covers the period 2023/24 to 2026/27.  Councillor Gareth Davies thanked the Officers involved in the preparation and presentation of the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The report was presented to the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 19 July 2023 for consideration and to Cabinet on 5 September 2023. The Cabinet’s decision was to endorse the updated Medium Term Financial Strategy, and to recommend that Council approve.

Councillor Rhodri Evans, Chair of the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted that the report was presented in a manner that was clear and easy to understand, and that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had had the opportunity to ask a range of questions which were fully responded to. 

Councillor Bryan Davies, Leader of the Council re-iterated the appreciation towards officers noting that the Executive Summary made it much easier to understand.

It was RESOLVED to approve the Medium Term Financial Strategy

Councillor Matthew Vaux, Cabinet Member for Partnerships, Housing, Legal and Governance and Public Protection presented the report to Council noting that there are currently Public Spaces Protection orders in place in town centres in Aberystwyth, Cardigan and Lampeter, which allow the banning of drinking alcohol in public places. The implementation of an Order makes it an offence should a person fail to comply with a request from a Police Officer or an authorised Officer to not consume alcohol, or refuses to surrender alcohol to the officer.

The Orders are due to expire on 19 October 2023, however, Section 60 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, permits a Local Authority to extend a PSPO for a further three years, where it is satisfied on reasonable grounds that doing so is necessary to prevent an occurrence or recurrence of the activities identified in the Order.

The Authority consulted Dyfed-Powys Police, the Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Commissioner and the three Town Councils (Aberystwyth, Lampeter and Cardigan); and it was noted that the responses received indicated that they consider that all of the Orders should remain in place.

Councillor Endaf Edwards noted concerns raised by local residents that the orders were not being enforced.  He was advised that members of the public should notify the police of any anti-social behaviour resulting from the consumption of alcohol in order that they can act upon this.  Members also asked how legislation relating to anti-social behaviour related to areas other than those covered by the Public Spaces Protection Orders.  Officers noted that they would provide information to Members.

Following discussion, it was RESOLVED that the Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) for Alcohol related Anti-Social Behaviour are extended for a further 3 years, effective from 20^th October 2023 to 19^th October 2026.

Councillor Matthew Vaux, Cabinet Member for Partnerships, Housing, Legal and Governance and Public Protection presented the report to Council noting that prior to 2014, a section of Borth beach and promenade, had in place two Dog Control Orders (DCOs) made under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 -one excluding dogs from the beach (1st May – 30th September) and one requiring dogs to be on a lead on the promenade. These DCOs covered a section of the beach not covered by a local byelaw and were put in place in 2008.

Implementation of an order makes it an offence when a person in charge of a dog takes a dog onto, or permits the dog to enter or to remain on, any land to which the Order applies (with exceptions), or fails to keep a dog on a lead (with exceptions).

The orders are due to expire on 19 October 2023.  Ceredigion County Council carried out a review of the Order, contacting Dyfed Powys Police, Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Commissioner and Borth Community Council to seek their opinion as to whether the order is still effective and if there is a necessity to continue provision.  None have objected to the PSPO being renewed for a further three years.  

Members asked whether exemptions applied to guide dogs and hearing dogs, and were advised that Officers were fully aware and understood the needs relating to such circumstances.

Following discussion, it was RESOLVED that Council approve an extension to the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for prohibiting dogs in a designated area of Borth beach and requiring dogs to be kept on a lead in a designated area of Borth promenade for a further 3 years from 19.10.2023 until 19.10.2026 in accordance with the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

Councillor Keith Evans, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Coordinating Committee presented the Annual Report to Council outlining the role and importance of Scrutiny, and he thanked Officers for their support throughout the year.

Councillor Bryan Davies, Leader of the Council thanked all Members for their contribution, and for the recommendations presented to Cabinet.  He reiterated the appreciation of the Officers involved.

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Corporate Joint Committee: Strategic Development Sub Committee

·       Councillor Clive Davies

·       Councillor Ceris Jones

·       Councillor Gareth Lloyd

The addition of a Lay Member to the Corporate Joint Committee, Standards Sub Committee

·       Caryl Davies

The addition of a Lay Member to the Corporate Joint Committee, Governance and Audit Sub Committee

·       Alan Davies

Development Management Committee Cooling Off Group

·       Councillor Raymond Evans

Local Development Working Group

·       Councillor Raymond Evans

Council Tax Premium Second Homes and Long Terms Empty Homes Working Group

(7 members political balance)

·       Councillor Rhodri Davies: Plaid Cymru

·       Councillor Amanda Edwards: Plaid Cymru

·       Councillor Ann Bowen Morgan: Plaid Cymru

·       Councillor Gwyn Wigley Evans: Independent

·       Councillor Keith Evans: Independent

·       Councillor Elizabeth Evans: Liberal Democrats

·       Councillor Paul Hinge: Liberal Democrats

Member Champion: Menopause

·       Councillor Eryl Evans

It was RESOLVED to appoint the following Members:

Corporate Joint Committee: Strategic Development Sub Committee

· Councillor Clive Davies

· Councillor Ceris Jones

· Councillor Gareth Lloyd

The addition of a Lay Member to the Corporate Joint Committee, Standards Sub Committee

 · Caryl Davies

The addition of a Lay Member to the Corporate Joint Committee, Governance and Audit Sub Committee

· Alan Davies

Development Management Committee Cooling Off Group

· Councillor Raymond Evans

Local Development Working Group

· Councillor Raymond Evans

Council Tax Premium Second Homes and Long Terms Empty Homes Working Group (7 members political balance)

· Councillor Rhodri Davies: Plaid Cymru

· Councillor Amanda Edwards: Plaid Cymru

· Councillor Ann Bowen Morgan: Plaid Cymru

· Councillor Gwyn Wigley Evans: Independent

· Councillor Keith Evans: Independent

· Councillor Elizabeth Evans: Liberal Democrats

· Councillor Paul Hinge: Liberal Democrats

Member Champion: Menopause

· Councillor Eryl Evans

It was RESOLVED to confirm the Membership of the Council’s Committees as presented at the meeting.

The report relating to item 12 on the agenda, is not for publication as it contains exempt information as defined in paragraph 13, 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.

It was RESOLVED to exclude the public and press during consideration of item 12 below on the basis that the application contained information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual; information relating to the financial or business affairs of a particular person and information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the Council or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or office holders under, the Council; which should not, on balance, be disclosed to the public and press. The Chairman confirmed that the webcasting would be suspended during item 12 below.

This report is not for publication as it contains exempt information as defined in paragraph 13, 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.

Consideration was given to the contents of the report, in accordance with section 11.1.4 of the Council’s Pay Policy, where Council approval is required where the cost of redundancy and the pension strain, which is met by the provision held with the Dyfed Pension Fund exceeds the stipulated amount.  Failure to make either of these payments will make the Council liable to a claim being brought through an Employment Tribunal.

Following discussion, it was RESOLVED to approve the proposed redundancy.