LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOUNDARY COMMISSION FOR WALES
THURSDAY 27th NOVEMBER 2003 AT CARADOG HOUSE, ST ANDREW’S PLACE, CARDIFF
Present:
Commission
Mrs Susan Smith (Chairman), Mr John Davies (Deputy Chairman), Mr Dennis Roberts (Member)
Secretariat
Mr Edward Lewis (Secretary), Mr Steve Halsall, Mr Clive Chapman, Mr Dave Carr
1. Minutes of Commission meeting held on 7th October 2003
1.1 These were agreed.
2. Matters Arising
2.1 Position on Directions request in respect of the Proposed Review between Part of the Boundary between Brackla and Coity Higher in the County Borough of Bridgend.
2.1.1 It was noted that at a meeting between the Commissioners and the Minister for Finance, Local Government and Public Services, Commissioners were informed that paper work in respect of the Commission's request was currently with the Assembly Lawyers.
2.2 Review of Part of the Boundary between the County of Ceredigion and the County of Pembrokeshire in the area of Cilgerran
2.2.1 It was agreed that the current position in respect of this Review, including the timetable, would be examined at the next meeting.
3. Review of the Boundaries between the County of Carmarthenshire and the County Borough of Neath Port Talbot in the area of Cwmllynfell - Draft Final Report
3.1 Arising from comments made by the Minister for Finance, Local Government and Public Services and a subsequent discussion about the format of Commission reports, it was agreed to redraft this report using the revised format, placing more reliance on appendices to hold the supporting information and concentrating on the assessment and decisions in the main body of the report.
3.2 It was further agreed that the final draft of the above report be re-written in the revised format and that the Assessment place greater emphasis on those aspects of more convenient and effective local government services which influenced the Commission in their recommendations for change.
3.3 That the Commission review at the next meeting the appropriateness of their recommendations for change.
4. Budget Report - 2nd Quarter 2003/04
4.1 The report was noted.
5. Review of part of the Boundary between the Communities of Blaenhonddan and Dyffryn Clydach in the County Borough of Neath Port Talbot
5.1 It was agreed to seek directions from the Assembly's Minister for Finance, Local Government and Public Services on this matter.
6. A Public Services Ombudsman for Wales: Powers and Jurisdiction
6.1 It was agreed that the Commissioners submit their views to the Commission Secretary, who would collate and submit those views on their behalf
7. Basic Skills Employers Pledge
7.1 It was agreed to adopt and support the Assembly's position on this issue
8. Any Other Business
8.1 Meeting with the Minister for Finance, Local Government and Public Services
8.1.1 The Chair reported that the Commissioners' meeting with the Minister had been most useful, clarifying the current position on reports which had been submitted by the Commission, the current consultation paper recently issued on the functions and improvement of Town and Community Councils.
8.2 Meeting of Assembly Sponsored Public Body Chairs with the First Minister
8.2.1 The Chair reported on the main topics of interest to the Commission raised at the meeting, including financial responsibilities, the recently published Strategic Agenda "Wales: A Better Country" and the Local Procurement Initiative.
8.3 2004 Annual General Meeting of the Commission
8.3.1 It was noted that the Minister for Finance Local Government and Public Services had agreed that the Commission invite her to speak at the meeting so that the date which was currently available be placed in her diary.
8.3.2 It was agreed that the 2004 Annual Meeting be held on the morning of Thursday 7th October 2004 and take place at the Heritage Park Hotel, Trehafod in the Rhondda. It was agreed that refreshments, including a buffet, be provided at the meeting. Guest speakers, in addition to the Minister, would be sought closer to the time.
9. Date of Next Meeting
9.1 It was agreed that the next meeting be held on 22nd January 2003.
7/6/2004