Decisions

That a new role of Policy and Scrutiny Officer be created.

That 2.47 FTE positions of Democratic Services Officer be deleted.

That 2.0 FTE posts of Committee Officer be created.

That new 1.6 FTE positions of Member Support Officer be created.

That the 0.6 FTE position of Administrative Assistant (Chairman and Leaders) be deleted.

That 1.0 FTE positions of Members Secretary be deleted.

That the Chairman and Leaders Secretary assumes management responsibility of member support.

That the Senior Democratic Services Officer be redesignated as Senior Democracy and Business Support Officer and assumes line management for the Business Support Team.

That job descriptions and pay bands within the Business Support Team are consolidated and the two support staff currently part of the Enterprise and Resources directorates are transferred to this central team.

In the event that officers are not successful in securing a position in the new structure or through redeployment, that any redundancy costs will be met from service budgets in the first instance but if this is not possible, that a report be brought to Cabinet seeking funding from reserves.

Resolved to agree the recommendations of the report.

Approved the move of the Abergavenny Tourist Information Centre to the Market Hall in Abergavenny into a shared office with the Borough Theatre, Abergavenny.

The Monmouthshire Local Toilets Strategy is approved and published.

A working group, consisting of relevant Officers and Members, is formed to ensure the recommendations in the strategy are implemented.

Approved the transfer of the Supporting People function to Enterprise and Community Development and the subsequent options appraisal of the service with a view to identifying opportunities for a more integrated service.

Endorsed the appended spend plans and subsequent contract extensions.

Members approved the proposals.

Agreed and adopted the Council’s “Statement of Intent” and its participation in the ECO Help to Heat Scheme.

County Councillor F. Taylor seconded the motion.

Members expressed support for the motion. 

·       Suggestion was made that we need to move to much greener vehicles and plant used throughout the County. 

·       When refuse vehicles are renewed we must move to electric or hybrid vehicles to reduce emissions.

·       Move to encourage employees to greener vehicles in terms of travelling for work.

·       Work with all our buildings, and MHA, to increase the efficiency of heating systems.

County Councillor Smith asked that Council recognise the drive and initiative of residents who had brought forward the Climate Seminar.

County Councillor Taylor expressed frustration around measures such as the removal of the M4 tolls, fuelling our housing crisis.  She added that to speak of reducing carbon emissions and mitigating climate change, and to support the building of a new M4, was a contradiction in terms.

The Leader thanked Councillor Watkins for the motions, and proposed the following amendment to the motion:

That this council will strive to reduce its own carbon emissions to net zero in line with the Welsh Government target of 2030.

That this council will develop a strategy and associated action plans to aim to deliver these targets as soon as practicable.

That this council will continue to review the Corporate Plan, Well-being plan, Local development plans and other relevant plans and policies to support the above.

Publicise this declaration of a climate emergency to residents and businesses in the county and encourage and support them to take their own actions to reduce their carbon emissions in line with a 2030 target.

Work with partners across the county and other councils and organisations to help develop and implement best practice methods in limiting global warming. 

County Councillor P. Murphy seconded the amendment.

Debate ensued.

The Leader of the Opposition opposed the amended motion stating that it diminished the emergency nature of the motion.  The Labour Group expressed support to the campaigners in attendance.

Members were keen to keep the final part of the original motion: Work with partners across the county and other councils and organisations to help develop and implement best practice methods in limiting global warming to less than 1.5 degrees c. 

Upon being put to a recorded vote the amendment was carried.

However, the Leader was content to review the amendment, and to include the last proposal as: Work with partners across the county and other councils and organisations to help develop and implement best practice methods in limiting global warming to less than 1.5 degrees C. 

Upon being put to a second recorded vote, the amended motion was carried.

That Council agrees to a budget of £77,736 being created in 2019/20 to fund the following projects and that this is funded by a corresponding contribution from the Section 106 balances held by the County Council from the Section 106 Agreement in relation to the Forensic Science Laboratory site in Chepstow.

That grants in the sums shown below be allocated to the following projects from the remaining balance of £77,736:

1. Upgrading of The Bayfield and the Danes Play Areas 46,736

2. Garden City Sensory Garden 6,000

3. Children’s Voices in Play project 25,000

Total 77,736

To note the amendments to the Issues, Vision and Objectives Paper following feedback received to date.

To endorse the updated Issues, Vision and Objectives Paper which has been prepared in connection with the Monmouthshire Replacement Local Development Plan (LDP), noting that the objectives and vision will continue to be refined as the LDP Preferred Strategy is drafted and consulted on.

That grants be awarded as per the schedule of applications.