LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOUNDARY COMMISSION FOR WALES
TUESDAY, 7th OCTOBER, 2003 AT THE BEAUFORT PARK HOTEL, MOLD, FLINTSHIRE
Present:
Commission
Mrs Susan Smith (Chairman), Mr John Davies (Deputy Chairman), Mr Dennis Roberts (Member)
Secretariat
Mr Edward Lewis (Secretary), Mr Steve Halsall, Mr Dave Carr, Mrs C Thomas
1. Minutes of Commission meeting held on 3rd September 2003
1.1 These were agreed subject to minor alterations.
2. Matters Arising
2.1 Information Technology Update
2.1.1 It was noted that the server issue had still not been resolved.
2.1.2 It was understood that there was nothing the National Assembly for Wales (NAW) could do to help the situation, as the matter was currently being considered by the landlord of Caradog House.
2.1.3 It was agreed that nothing further could be done other than to continue waiting for approval from the landlord.
2.2 Corporate Credit Card
2.2.1 It was noted that two Government Procurement Cards had been received and that Desk Instructions were to be formulated as to their use.
2.3Review Of Part Of The Boundary Between The Communities Of Brackla And Coity Higher In The County Borough Of Bridgend
2.3.1 It was noted that the NAW had decided to direct the Commission to conduct a review of the communities of Brackla and Coity Higher.
2.3.2 It was understood that the Minister had that day sent out letters to those councils involved to consult them on the draft directions.
2.4 Tender for Legal Services
2.4.1 It was noted that this had been completed.
2.5 Review of the Boundaries between the County of Carmarthenshire, the County Borough Of Neath Port Talbot and the County of Powys in the area of Cwmllynfell
2.5.1 It was noted that a new representation had been received from Neath Port Talbot CBC which would be discussed under Item 4 on the agenda.
2.6 Review of the boundaries between the Communities of Dyffryn Clydach and Blaenhonddan in the County Borough of Neath Port Talbot
2.6.1 It was noted that the Commission was still awaiting directions from the NAW.
2.7 Request to Review the Boundaries between Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire in the Communities of St. Dogmaels and Cilgerran.
2.7.1 The Commission considered that this review should not begin until after the next Local Government elections.
2.7.2 It was agreed that the review should commence during the summer of 2004 and that the Secretariat would produce a proposed timetable by the next Commission meeting.
2.8 Meeting with the Minister for Finance, Local Government and Public Services
2.8.1 It was noted that this meeting would take place on 27th November, 2003 at 9.00 am.
2.9 Presentation to the Local Government and Public Services Committee
2.9.1 It was noted that the Local Government & Public Services Committee had decided not to meet the Commission this year due to its busy timetable.
2.9.2 However, it was also noted that members of the Committee should already be aware of the contents of the Commission’s Annual Report 2002/3 as a copy had been sent to every Assembly Member and Member of Parliament.
2.9 Annual General Meeting 2004
2.9.1 It was noted that Cardiff would be the likely venue for the next meeting.
3. Review of the boundary between the Communities of Brecon and Llanfrynach in the County of Powys – Proposals Report
3.1 The Commission agreed to accept the draft of the Final Proposals for the review of the boundary between the communities of Brecon and Llanfrynach.
4.Review of the boundaries between the County of Carmarthenshire, the County Borough of Neath Port Talbot and the County of Powys in the area of Cwmllynfell – representation from Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council
4.1 It was agreed to accept a representation from Neath Port Talbot CBC which had been received by the Commission after the end of consultation date.
4.2 A detailed discussion of the content of the Authority’s representation was held, but after due consideration it was agreed to confirm the decision made previously by the Commission to adopt the proposals submitted by Cwmllynfell Community Council in formal representation.
4.3 It was agreed that a Final Proposals report be prepared for approval at the next Commission meeting.
5. Any Other Business
5.1Meeting of the ASPB Chief Executives with the First Minister on 21st November, 2003
5.1.1 It was understood that Secretariat staff should make known any items to include on the Agenda.
5.1.2 Concern was expressed that papers for the meeting should be received in good time.
However, it was noted that, following receipt of a letter from the Secretary regarding the late issue of Agendas, the Permanent Secretary had promised to ensure that future papers would be sent out as early as possible.
5.2 Regional Offices
5.2.1 The NAW’s commitment to moving offices out of Cardiff was noted.
5.2.2 It was understood that the Commission does not have to be Cardiff based.
5.2.3 However, it was agreed that such a move would not be practical. The independence of the Commission would be compromised by a move into a NAW regional office. There would also be the problem of the continuing lease of the offices at Caradog House.
5.3 Appointment of Adam Peat as Public Services Ombudsman
5.3.1 It was noted that Mr Peat was moving from his post as Director of the Assembly’s Local
Government and Culture Department to the newly created post of Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.
5.3.2 It was agreed that the Commission should send a letter of congratulations to Mr Peat.
6. Date of Next Meeting
6.1 The next meeting of the Commission will take place at Caradog House on 27th November, 2003 at 10.30am.
19/3/2004