Agenda, decisions and minutes

The minutes of the Cabinet meetings of 26 October and 23 November 2023 were approved.

The minutes of the Cabinet meetings of 26 October and 23 November 2023 were approved.

RESOLVED: that

1.         the monitored results gathered in 2022 be noted and accepted.

2.         the 2023 Annual Progress Report (as attached as Appendix 1) be approved for submission to Welsh Government for approval by 31^st December 2023.

Cabinet considered the Local Air Quality Annual Progress report which uses data from air quality data sets obtained in 2022 prior to submission to Welsh Government.

Following the Welsh Government Direction in 2020, the Council published a plan to address the issues raised around air quality on the A4161 (Castle  ...  view the full minutes text for item 157.

RESOLVED: that the updated Counter-Fraud Bribery and Corruption Strategy, and the operational counter-fraud documents appended to this report be approved.

The Cabinet considered the proposed Counter-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Strategy.  It was noted that a Counter Fraud and Corruption Strategy was introduced and approved by Cabinet in July 2019.  The strategy has been refreshed and updated based on best practice guidance and intelligence from CIPFA.

It was noted that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 158.

RESOLVED: that

1.         the mid-year assessment of the Council’s performance as set out in this report and Appendix A, including the delivery of key commitments and priorities at the end of Quarter 2 of 2023/24, and the actions being taken to ensure the effective delivery of the Corporate Plan 2023-26 be noted.

2.         the response to any recommendations made by the Policy Review and Performance Scrutiny Committee (PRAP) (Appendix C) in relation to the draft Mid-Year Assessment be considered and agreed.

3.         authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance, Modernisation & Performance to make any consequential amendments to the draft Mid-Year Assessment required to reflect the response to PRAP Scrutiny Committee recommendations (agreed under recommendation 2).

It was noted that a scrutiny letter from the Policy Review and Performance Scrutiny Committee was circulated.  The Leader noted that the two recommendations made had been fully accepted.  In addition, the Council’s Performance Panel also discussed the report, and made 11 recommendations of which 10 were fully accepted and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 159.

RESOLVED that the content of the Corporate Risk Register be noted..

The Cabinet received the updated risk management position at quarter 2 for 2023/24.  It was noted that at quarter 2 19 risks would be taken forward to the Corporate Risk Register.  It was noted that most risks remain at the same level and details mitigating actions to address these risks.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 160.

RESOLVED: that

(1)          the calculation of the Council’s tax base for the year 2024/25 be approved.

(2)          pursuant to this report and in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) (Wales) Regulations 1995, as amended, the amount calculated by Cardiff Council as its Council Tax Base for the year 2024/25 shall be 151,372.

(3)        pursuant to this report and in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) (Wales) Regulations 1995, as amended, the amounts calculated by the Council as the Council Tax Base for the year 2024/25 in the community areas subject to a precept shall be as follows:

(4)          the arrangements for the payment of precepts in 2024/25 to the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales be by equal instalments on the last working day of each month from April 2024 to March 2025; and to the Community Councils, be by one payment on the first working day of April 2024, reflecting the same basis as that used in 2023/24; and the precepting authorities be advised accordingly.

Cabinet considered the Council Tax Base for 2024/25 which the authority is required to calculate in accordance with the statutory provisions governing Council Tax under Part 1 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

RESOLVED: that

(1)          the calculation of the Council’s tax base for the year 2024/25 be approved.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 161.

RESOLVED: that

(1)      the revisions to the Fair Work (Long Term Agency Worker) Policy (Appendix 1) be approved and its ongoing review be noted; and,

(2)      responsibility be delegated to the Corporate Director, Resources in consultation with the Chief Executive and the Cabinet Member for Finance, Modernisation and Performance, with advice from the Director of Governance and Legal Services (or authorised representative) to make any further revisions to the Fair Work (Long Term Agency Worker) Policy, which are considered appropriate in order to reflect the Council’s commitment to being a ‘Fair Work’ employer.

Cabinet received a report detailing revisions to the Council Fair Work (Long Term Agency Worker) Policy.  

It was highlighted that following engagement with Trade Unions as part of the Council’s Trade Union Partnership process, discussions have taken place with regard to the reduction of the initial  2 year period for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 162.

Councillor Ash Lister declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item as a family member is a Council tenant.  Councillor Lister left the meeting and did not take part in decision making.

RESOLVED that the approach for rent and service charge setting for Council owned dwellings for financial year 2024/25 (as set out in this report) be approved. 

Councillor Ash Lister declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item as a family member is a Council tenant.  Councillor Lister left the meeting and did not take part in decision making.

Cabinet considered a report requesting approval for the approach to setting rents and services charges on Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 163.

Appendices 1, 2, 3 & 7 are not for publication as they contain exempt information of the description contained in paragraphs 14, 16 and 21 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED: that

1.            a consultation process on the proposed policy changes outlined in paragraphs 34, 39 and 40 of the report, including the consideration of intentionality in making homeless decisions, the removal of areas of choice for homeless applicants on the Common Housing Waiting List and offering private rented accommodation outside the city, in neighbouring local authority areas be undertaken.

2.            final approval on implementing the changes under recommendation (i) above be delegated to the Corporate Director People and Communities in consultation with the Cabinet Member, Housing and Communities, following a full impact assessment and consultation with stakeholders.

3.            in principle the acquisition of the property identified in Appendix 1and the direct award of a new contract for the meanwhile modular delivery of temporary accommodation across the sites identified in Appendix 2 be noted and approved.

4.            final approval of the acquisition of properties and direct award of the contract to Wates set out in recommendation (iii) above and any ancillary matters relating to it be delegated to the Corporate Director, People & Communities in consultation with the S.151 Officer, Legal Services and the Cabinet members for Housing & Communities and Finance, Modernisation and Performance subject to:

·         Approval of appropriate grant funding being secured from Welsh Government,

·         Agreement of Head of Terms for the proposed lease arrangements with Welsh Government and Cardiff & Vale Health Board for the sites identified in Appendix 2 and in relation to the property purchase identified in Appendix 1.

·         Confirmation of a suitable financial viability assessment for each of the sites.

·         Confirmation that the decision does not result in commitments outside budget framework constraints.

Appendices 1, 2, 3 & 7 are not for publication as they contain exempt information of the description contained in paragraphs 14, 16 and 21 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Cabinet received a report regarding the Housing Emergency in Cardiff, including the unprecedented pressures  ...  view the full minutes text for item 164.

RESOLVED: that

1.            in principle the proposals for the development of an Independent Living Wellbeing Centre to provide sustainable premises for the Joint Equipment Service together with a new Smart House and multidisciplinary Wellbeing Hub, in line with the aims set out in the Ageing Well Strategy be approved.

2.            Proceeding to the detailed design stage for the Independent Living and Wellbeing Centre be agreed, and it be noted that the full business case for the development will be the subject of a further Cabinet report.  

Cabinet received a report regarding proposals for the development of an Independent Living Wellbeing Centre to further the development of preventative services and to support independent living, as set out in the Council’s Ageing Well Strategy.

The Independent Living and Wellbeing Centre comprise of two integrated and complimentary elements:

• The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 165.

Appendices A, B and D of this report are not for publication as they contain confidential information pursuant to paragraph 16 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972

RESOLVED: that

1)    the findings of the review of care home placements for older people be noted.

2)    work being done to improve to quality assurance for care homes for older people be noted.

3)    the approach to fee setting for older people’s care home placements for 2024-25 and other services commissioned by Adult Services be agreed, subject to further consultation with care providers and confirmation of the financial allocation through the budget setting process. The related decision-making authority in respect of the annual uplifts for care and support and the new standard cost of care rates for placements in care home for older people for 2024/25 be delegated to the Director of Adults, Housing and Communities in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Social Services (Adults) the Section 151 Officer and the Monitoring Officer.

4)    the approach for the future commissioning of care home placements for older people, including a combination of approved provider and framework arrangements be agreed and the decision-making authority regarding any related procurement of services be delegated to the Director of Adults, Housing and Communities in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Social Services (Adults) the Section 151 Officer and the Director of Law and Governance.

Appendices A, B and D of this report are not for publication as they contain confidential information pursuant to paragraph 16 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972

Cabinet considered a report seeking agreement for the approach to fee setting for care and support services  ...  view the full minutes text for item 166.