LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOUNDARY COMMISSION FOR WALES
8 SEPTEMBER 2004 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 28th May 2004
1.1 Following suggested amendments, these were agreed.
2. Matters Arising
2.1 Review of part of the Boundary between the Communities of Blaenhonddan and Dyffryn Clydach in the County Borough of Neath Port Talbot
2.1.1 It was noted that directions were continued to be awaited from the Assembly in respect of this review.
2.2 Accountancy Training for Commissioners
2.2.1 This was still being investigated.
3. Cilgerran Review
3.1 The meeting examined and noted the representations received and the verbal report on the previous weeks site visit.
3.2 It was noted that there had not been the large groundswell of local support for the proposals, as was the case in neighbouring St Dogmaels during that review.
3.3 It was agreed that at this time there was insufficient evidence provided on the grounds of convenient and effective local government to support a change to the boundary in this area. In addition, it was agreed that the boundaries suggested by Cilgerran Community Council (supported by Pembrokeshire County Council) did not follow at certain points identifiable features and would therefore require adjustments to be made if the boundary were to be considered suitable as a county boundary in this area.
3.4 It was noted, however, that the proposed new community boundary with minor amendments have been made suitable, should there have been sufficient evidence to support the Commission conducting a boundary review in that area.
3.5 It was agreed that draft proposals be drawn up expressing the Commission's view that there are insufficient grounds or support for such a change as requested.
4. I. T. Security
4.1 The paper presented was noted and it was agreed that it should be implemented.
5. Members' Interests
5.1 It was noted that Commission Members should submit any amendments to the register of interests entries.
6. Web Site Statistics
6.1 It was noted that the Commission site www.lgbc-wales.gov.uk was in a period of high activity during the quarter reported upon.
7. Assembly Directions - Brackla and Coity Higher
7.1 It was noted that Directions had been received from the Welsh Assembly Government in respect of the request to conduct a community review between the Communities of Brackla and Coity Higher.
7.2 It was agreed that initial letters in respect of the community review would be issued prior to the Commission's Annual General Open Meeting.
8. ASPB Reform
8.1 The circulated report was noted.
9. Refurbishment of Accommodation - verbal update
9.1 It was noted that the Welsh Assembly Government's Human Resources (Facilities) Division were placing an order on the Commission's behalf, in respect of the redecoration of the Commission's Offices.
9.2 It was noted that a contractor, through agreement with the Welsh Assembly Government, was in the initial stages of preparing proposals to refurnish the Commission's offices.
10. Any Other Business
10.1 Server Connection with the Assembly
10.1.1 It was noted that delays continued to be experienced to the provision of a high speed data link between the Assembly and the Commission's Offices.
10.1.2 It was noted that the current delay was due to the Commission awaiting a costing from MERLIN/ICT in respect of upgrading the existing data link.
10.2 Siemens Invoices
10.2.1 It was noted that detailed breakdowns of previous Siemens invoices had not been provided, as requested following the recent visit of the National Audit Office (Wales).
10.2.2 It was agreed that if no response were received imminently, then a letter to the Minister should be considered.
10.3 Risk Management
10.3.1 It was noted that a review had been conducted of the Commission's Risk Register.
10.3.2 It was also noted that the findings of the review would be reported to the next Audit Committee of the Commission.
11. Date of Next Meeting
11.1 The next meeting is to be held at the Commission Offices at 2pm on Wednesday 6th October 2004.
17/1/2005