LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOUNDARY COMMISSION FOR WALES

9 NOVEMBER 2004 AT THE CASTELL MALGWYN HOTEL, CARDIGAN

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

1. Minutes of Last Meeting

1.1 These were provisionally agreed subject to any later amendments.

2. Matters Arising

2.1 Information Technology issues

2.1.1 Mr Halsall reported that, with regard to upgrading the connection between Caradog House and the Assembly, MERLIN were now more anxious to proceed because Public Services Management Wales would be occupying the offices recently vacated by the Richard Commission. MERLIN intended to provide the link for Public Services Management Wales via the connection box in the Commission's storeroom. It was not known when MERLIN intended to carry out the necessary work.

2.1.2 It was noted that Mr Roberts would be attending a finance training course at Sunningdale on 28 February 2005.

2.1.3 The Secretary reported that Carwyn Jones AM was looking for public bodies to sign up to the waste minimisation scheme for effective waste disposal. However, it was considered that as the Commission was such a small body it would be difficult to make significant savings. It was agreed that this issue should be included on the agenda for the next meeting and given further consideration at that time.

3. Cilgerran Review - Draft Proposals Report

3.1 The Secretary reported that the amendments proposed at the last Commission meeting, together with suggested amendments from the legal advisor had now been incorporated. It was noted that reference to the Commission's consultation of the local health boards needed to be included in the appropriate paragraph. Various further amendments were proposed by the Commission and agreed.

3.2 It was agreed that a revised draft incorporating these amendments be resubmitted to the legal advisor and then, subject to any further comments they may have, be sent for translation and printing.

4. Letter from Sue Essex AM re Cwmllynfell Report and Proposals

4.1 The Commission noted the amended draft reply which incorporated suggestions made by the legal advisor. It was considered that further emphasis should be put on several points made in the reply:

that the proposal was made as a result of Cwmllynfell Community Council's representation;
that the purpose of the public meeting was to explain the nature of the review to the local residents and seek their views;
that there had been nothing submitted to the Commission to indicate that Cwmllynfell Community Council had changed their view regarding their original proposal;
that the Commission considered that it would probably be a positive advantage for the provision of education services within the review area to be administered by one local authority;
that the Commission was aware that a number of the objections to the proposals were raised as a result of the issue of provision of education services; and
that in respect of the reference in Ms Essex's letter to the Commission submitting their Report and Proposals close to the end of the local government term it should be made clear that as an independent body the Commission are able to submit proposals to the National Assembly at any time.

4.2 It was agreed that the amended text of the draft reply would be circulated by email to Members for approval and then resubmitted to the legal advisor.

5. Meeting with the Minister 6 December

5.1 The Commission considered the list of suggested topics for discussion drawn up by Mr Roberts. It was noted that the Commission's half hour slot with the Minister would not permit the discussion of all the points and therefore they should be prioritised as follows:

when would the next review of principal areas commence;
the possibility of establishing a new procedure to allow the Commission to undertake community reviews
the 'Aberystwyth' report on town and community councils;
funding of the Commission's community ward boundary mapping project;
the Commission's response to the Minister regarding the format of reports; and
the current situation with regard to the Cwmtwrch report and the Blaenhonddan review.

5.2 It was agreed that the Secretary would draft a briefing note covering these points and circulate it to the Commission prior to the meeting.

6. Date of Next Meeting - 6 December 2004

6.1 It was agreed that the Commission would hold a pre-meeting meeting at 9.30 a.m. The meeting with the Minister was scheduled to commence at 11.00 a.m. which would allow for the commencement of the Audit Committee meeting at 12.00 p.m.

23/8/2005