Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

Councillor Tudor Jones declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the following items:

Item 6: NEWydd Catering and Cleaning Progress Review

Item 7: Aura Leisure and Libraries Progress Review

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meetings held on 18 December 2017 and 29 January 2018.

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The minutes of the meetings held on 18 December 2017 and on 29 January 2018 were submitted.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

That the Committee notes the Quarter 3 Council Plan 2017/18 Monitoring report.

The Chief Officer (Organisational Change 1) introduced the Quarter 3 Council Plan 2017/18 Monitoring Report.  He explained that the report presented the monitoring of progress for the Council Plan priority ‘Connected Council’ which was relevant to the Committee.

The Chief Officer  provided background information and advised that the monitoring report for the 2017/18 Council Plan was a positive report, with 81% of activities being assessed as making good progress, and 69% likely to achieve the desired outcome.  Performance Indicators showed good progress with 84% meeting or near to period target.  Risks were also being successfully managed with the majority being assessed as moderate (67%) or minor (10%). 

            The Chief Officer reported that there were no performance indicators which showed a red status for current performance against target for the Committee and no major risks had been identified.  Progress against the risks identified in the Council Plan were included in the appendix to the report.

            In response to a comment made by the Chair around the restrictions to local businesses and local suppliers, the Chief Officer explained that the Community Benefit Strategy would improve the development of local community and third sector markets through changes to the current procurement process.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee notes the Quarter 3 Council Plan 2017/18 Monitoring report.

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme as submitted be approved; and

(b)       That the Democratic Services Manager or Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings should this be necessary.

The Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator presented the current Forward Work Programme for consideration.  She explained that following approval of the diary of committee meetings at the Annual Meeting of the Council on 1 May, she would populate the programme for the year ahead.

The Facilitator drew attention to the items for consideration at the next meeting of the Committee to be held on 14 May 2018, and the items scheduled for consideration at future meetings.

The Chief Officer said that he would liaise with the Chair, following the meeting, to allocate the items listed under ‘items to be scheduled’ to appropriate future meeting dates. 

 RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme as submitted be approved; and

(b)       That the Democratic Services Manager or Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings should this be necessary.

That the press and public be excluded for the remainder of the meeting for the following items by virtue of exempt information under paragraph(s) 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded for the remainder of the meeting for the following items by virtue of exempt information under paragraph(s) 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

(a)       That the Committee thank NEWydd for their explanation of the Business Plan for the financial year 2018/19; and

(b)       That the progress of NEWydd in having a strong first year of trading be noted and welcomed.

The Chief Officer (Organisational Change 1) introduced a report to enable the Committee to review the progress of NEWydd since establishment in 2017.  The Chief Officer provided background information and invited Darren Jones - Chair of Board, and Steve Jones – Managing Director, to report on how the transition had progressed and on the NEWydd Business Plan for the financial year 2018/19. 

                        Members raised a number of questions around school meals and cleaning services.  The Committee agreed to receive further information around free school meals when appropriate. 

The Chairman thanked Darren Jones and Steve Jones for their presentation and for answering the questions from Members.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Committee thank NEWydd for their explanation of the Business Plan for the financial year 2018/19; and

(b)       That the progress of NEWydd in having a strong first year of trading be noted and welcomed.

(a)       That the progress of Aura Leisure and Libraries Ltd since their establishment in March 2017 be noted; and

(b)       That the Committee thank Aura Leisure and Libraries Ltd for their explanation of the Business Plan for the financial year 2018/19.

The Chief Officer (Organisational Change 1) introduced a report to enable the Committee to review the progress of Aura Leisure and Libraries Limited since establishment in 2017.  The Chief Officer provided background information and invited Paul Jones, Business Improvement & Performance Manager and Neil Williams, Company Secretary, to report on how the transition had progressed and on the Aura Leisure and Libraries Business Plan for the financial year 2018/19.

Members asked a number of questions around activities for disabled people and future capital investment projects.  Paul Jones agreed to take on board the suggestion around providing additional sessions for disabled people.

The Chairman thanked Paul Jones and Neil Williams for their presentation and for answering the questions from Members.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the progress of Aura Leisure and Libraries Ltd since their establishment in March 2017 be noted; and

(b)       That the Committee thank Aura Leisure and Libraries Ltd for their explanation of the Business Plan for the financial year 2018/19.

There were no members of the press or the public in attendance.