Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any declaration of interest from any Member or Officer in respect of any item of business.

Councillor Dylan Rees declared a personal interest in Item 3 – Canolfan Addysg y Bont – Roof.  Having attained legal advice Councillor Rees was able to take part and vote in respect of this item. 

To consider adoption of the following:-

“Under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, to exclude the press and public from meeting during discussion on the following item on the grounds that it may involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A of the said Act and in the attached Public Interest Test”.

Councillor Bryan Owen ascertained as to why the matter as regards to the roof of Canolfan Addysg y Bont is to be discussed under the exclusion of the press and public as it is evident that there is a problem with the roof structure and the matter has been discussed previously by the full Council.

The Interim Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer responded that the Public Interest Test has been completed as regards to this item as the matter falls under the Local Government Act 1972.  However, it is a decision for the full Council to exclude the press and public but the legal advice is that the item remains exempt.

It was RESOLVED:-

“Under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, to exclude the press and public from the meeting during the discussion on the following item as it may involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 12A of the said Act and in the attached Public Interest Test.”

To submit a report by the Head of Highways, Waste and Property Services.

 Submitted – a report by the Head of Highways, Waste and Property in relation to the above.

The Portfolio Holder for Highways, Waste and Property said that as has been previously reported to the Full Council, issues have been discovered with defects across the roof structure which requires extensive roof repairs and further funding is required to cover any increased works and unforeseen works, should they arise.

The Head of Highways, Waste and Property and the Architectural Services Manager gave a verbal update on the current situation at Canolfan Addysg y Bont and presented the written report which had already been provided to Members. 

It was confirmed that legal negotiations in respect of liability continues to take place a present.

Further questions were asked by Members, to which Officers responded. 

Members of the County Council were in agreement that the well-being of the pupils affected by the roof repairs required at Canolfan Addysg y Bont are paramount and any disruption to their education should be kept to the minimum reasonably possible.  The Director of Education, Skills and Young People said that daily contact is undertaken with the Head of Canolfan Addysg y Bont as to the current arrangements to accommodate the pupils in different locations is acceptable.

It was RESOLVED unanimously to authorise the :-

·       release a further £1.5m from the Council’s General Reserves;

·       Head of Highways, Waste and Property to make the necessary arrangements for the construction of the remedial works and to place a direct award of the contract to the specialist supplier without the delays and uncertainties associated with following a full procurement process;

·       Head of Highways, Waste and Property in consultation with the Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer and the Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer to continue with a claim to recover the cost of the remedial works and all other associated costs from any party(ies) deemed liable for the defective construction of the roof.