Decisions

Appendices A, B, C, D, E, F, and G are not for publication as they contain information of the kind described in paragraphs 14 & 21 of schedule 12A, Parts 4 & 5 of the Local Government Act 1972.

AGREED: that

1. a JCT Design & Build contract be entered with Wates for Block B of phase 1 of the Channel View regeneration project for the contract sum identified in confidential appendix A and C

2. Concurrently a JCT Minor works contract be entered with Wates for enabling works for Block A for the sum also identified in confidential appendix A and D

3. Furthermore, to enter into a PCSA contract with Wates to progress phases 2-6 and submit a reserve matters planning application as detailed in Appendix E

AGREED: that

1. The proposed procurement route be authorised, and tenders be invited via the SEWSCAP4 lot 6.

2. the evaluation criteria set out in the report be approved.

Appendix B to this report is exempt from publication because it contains information of the kind described in paragraphs 14 and 21 of parts 4 and 5 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

AGREED: that it be noted that the final terms of the Settle Agreement in respect of the unpaid Landfill Tax has been agreed, and that signing of the agreement be authorised.

Cabinet to receive and note the Shared Regulatory Services Annual Report for 2023-24.

RESOLVED: that the Shared Regulatory Services Annual Report for 2023-24 be noted.

The report will outline the overall financial monitoring position of the Council in respect of both revenue and capital accounts. This will include an analysis of key variances based on the first six months of

the financial year.

RESOLVED: that

1.    The projected revenue financial outturn based on the projected position at Month 6 2024/25 be noted.

2.    The capital spend and projected position at Month 6 2024/25 be noted.

To provide the Cabinet with an Annual Child’s Rights Report at Council, to capture progress and areas for improvement annually alongside the Council’s Wellbeing report.to demonstrate progress to date in working towards delivery of the Unicef Child Friendly City Sustainability Plan,.

RESOLVED: that

1. the Child Friendly City Year 1 Progress and Delivery Report be approved for consideration by Council prior to its submission to UNICEF.

2. authority be delegated to the Director of Education and Lifelong Learning, in consultation with the Director of Legal and Governance, Corporate Director of Resources, Cabinet Member for Education and the Council Leader, to submit the Annual Progress and Delivery Report to UNICEF for Years 2 and 3.

3. the Council continue to advocate for a wide commitment to embedding a child rights approach across all Council services where changes will impact upon their lives.

The Health and Social Care (Wales) Bill was introduced into the Senedd on 20th May.  The Bill will restrict the making of profit in the provision of care home services to children, secure accommodation services and fostering services.

It will place a requirement on all Welsh local authorities to secure sufficient accommodation provided by not-for-profit entities either within or near to its area.

New providers of children’s residential care seeking to register with Care Inspectorate Wales, will be required to have not-for-profit status from 1st April 2026.  Existing for-profit providers will need to transition to not-for-profit status by 1st April 2027.

RESOLVED: that

1. The Providing Homes for Children Strategy be approved for submission to Welsh Government and publication.

2. Authority be delegated to the Director of Children’s Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children Services and Tackling Poverty & Supporting Young People (Children’s Services), the Council's Section 151 Officer and the Council's Monitoring Officer, to determine all aspects of the procurement process for the commissioning of Children’s Care Home services (including decision-making around the model, approving the evaluation criteria to be used, and authorising the award of the contracts) and all ancillary matters pertaining to the procurement and proposals above.

3. Director of Children’s Services be authorised to take forward the discussions with other local authorities on collaborative working to assist with the provision of homes that meet our needs.

RESOLVED: that

1. the update on the Welsh Government ‘Review of roles and responsibilities of education partners in Wales and delivery of school improvement arrangements’ - the ‘Middle Tier review’ be noted.

2. the development of a future operating model for School Improvement, in accordance with the guidance provided by Welsh Government, be noted.

3. the proposed Future Direction of School Improvement and Key Principles (outlined in paragraphs 30-35) be agreed.

4. It be noted that further reports will be brought forward which will specify the detailed operating models, with specific Financial, HR and Legal implications (likely in early spring 2025); and

5. authority be delegated to the Director of Education in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education to implement any resulting change in service delivery following approval of this report.

The report will provide an update on some of the Council’s heritage assets.

Appendices 1, 2 and 3 of the Cabinet Report are not for publication as they contain exempt information of the description contained in paragraphs 14 and 21 of Part 4 and paragraph 21 of Part 5 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972

RESOLVED: that

i)       (in relation to the Old Library):

a)    in its capacity as superior landlord, the surrender of the Virgin Money underlease upon the terms set out at Confidential Appendix 1 be approved; and

b)    in its capacity as direct landlord, the variation of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama lease upon terms set out at Confidential Appendix 3 be approved and the legal officer be authorised to complete the transactions.

ii)      the proposal to undertake an unencumbered open market exercise for the Mansion House, as set out in this report, be approved noting that the final decision on the preferred option is to be considered by Cabinet at a future meeting.

To inform members of the Council's Treasury Management activities since 1st April 2024 and the position as at 30th September 2024.

Annexes B & C to Appendix 1 to this report are not for publication as they contain exempt information of the description in Paragraphs 14 and 21 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED: that the Treasury Management Mid-Year Report 2024-25 (Appendix 1) be noted, prior to its submission to Governance and Audit Committee and Full Council in November 2024.

The annual complaints report for the Council provides the total number of complaints and compliments received by the Authority each financial year.  

This includes information on the volumes received by each service area with narrative provided on trend analysis, explaining any increase or decrease from the previous year. Improvements made by the Council as a result of customer feedback is also considered and documented. 

Additional information is provided on complaints that have been escalated to the Public Ombudsman for Wales including data such as the number of complaints being upheld.

RESOLVED: that the contents of the report be noted.

At a Cabinet meeting held on 23^rd May 2024, recommendations to, in principle, protect eleven parks and green spaces by entering into Deeds of Dedication with Fields In Trust, and carry out a stakeholder engagement exercise, from which the outcomes be reported back to Cabinet for a final decision were approved.

Cllr Peter Bradbury declared a personal interest in this item as he is a Trustee of Caerau & Ely Sports Trust. Cllr Bradbury left the meeting and took no part in the decision making.

RESOLVED: that the Director for Legal and Governance Services (in consultation with the appropriate service area officers and Fields in Trust) be authorised to enter into a partnership agreement and complete the dedication of the sites named in this report.

Review and update of Whistleblowing Policy, on the recommendations of the Standards & Ethics Committee

RESOLVED: that

1)            The recommended amendments to the Whistleblowing Policy as set out in Appendix A be approved.

2)            The recommended amendments to the Whistleblowing Report Form as shown in Appendix B be agreed; and

3)            The proposed arrangements for communication and training in relation to the revised Policy be noted.

Appendices B to E to this report are exempt from publication because they contain information of the kind described in paragraph 14 of Schedule 12A, Part 4 of the Local Government Act 1972

AGREED: that Wates Construction Limited be formally appointed as the principal contractor and aJCT Design & Build contract (with amendments) be entered into to build 35 Modular Units at the Ty Ephraim site.

Appendix A is exempt from publication pursuant to Paragraph 16 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972

Appendix B is exempt from publication pursuant to Paragraph 14 of Schedule 12A, Part 4 of the Local Government Act 1972

AGREED: that a service contract be awarded directly to the incumbent Direct Support Service provider for a period of 1 year with the option to extend for up to a further 12 months.