LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOUNDARY COMMISSION FOR WALES

30 NOVEMBER 2005 AT CARADOG HOUSE, ST ANDREW'S PLACE, CARDIFF

Present:

Commission

Mrs Susan Smith (Chairman), Mr J E Davies (Deputy Chair), Mr Dennis Roberts (Member)

Secretariat

Mr Edward Lewis (Secretary), Mr Steve Halsall, Mr Dave Carr

1. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

1.1 There were no new interests declared.

2. MINUTES OF COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON 10th OCTOBER 2005

2.1 These were agreed subject to some minor amendments and the redrafting of paragraph 7.4.

3. MATTERS ARISING

3.1 Merlin Issues

3.1.1 It was reported that the minor networking issues were still outstanding despite several reminders being sent to Merlin. However, Merlin had recently replied and indicated that they would carry out the required work soon.

3.2 Community Councils

3.2.1 The Secretary reported that he had written to the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) to remind them that they had intended to raise the issue of community reviews at their quarterly meeting with the Assembly Local Government Minister. However, no response had been received to date.

3.3 Accounting Software

3.3.1 The Secretary reported that Merlin were currently in the process of installing the accounting software.

3.4 Management Statement and Financial Memorandum (MSFM)

3.4.1 The Secretary reported that he had discussed the suggested changes to the MSFM with the sponsor division and was currently in the process of putting together a final draft which would be submitted to the Commission's legal advisor for comments. After that the sponsor division would arrange for a meeting between themselves, the Commission and Assembly Compliance Office to finalise the MSFM.

4. LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE MEETING

4.1 The briefing paper for the meeting was considered.

4.2 It was agreed that a letter should be drafted to the Local Government Minister regarding the forthcoming electoral review. The letter should point out that in order for the Commission to complete the review in time for the 2012 local government elections it would be necessary for all of the final proposals to be completed by spring 2011 which would in turn require the Assembly to issue directions immediately after the 2007 elections. It would also be desirable to highlight the importance of getting the community boundaries right before the review commenced. It was agreed that the Secretary would draft the letter and forward it'to Commissioners for approval by email.

5. REPORT ON WELSH LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION AND ONE VOICE WALES ANNUAL MEETINGS

5.1 Mr Roberts tabled a paper which summarised the main issues raised at the WLGA and One Voice Wales (OVW) annual meetings. The main topic discussed at the WLGA;meeting was their recently published Manifesto for Local Government. The OVW meeting had largely concentrated on town planning. The Commission thanked Mr Roberts for attending on behalf of the Commission.

6. STAFFING UPDATE

6.1 The Secretary reported that interviews for the post of Finance Manager had been held and the successful candidate had been offered the post and had accepted. It was expected that the sucessful candidate would take up the position of Finance Manager on 1 January 2006.

6.2 The Secretary reported that the Commission's Purchasing Officer had been successful in applying for a post in the National Assembly for Wales and would be leaving the Commission to take up her new post on 22 December 2005. The Secretariat would be actively seeking a replacement in the coming weeks.

7. OPERATIONAL PLAN 2006-07

7.1 The Secretary reported that although the Commission's Operational Plan for 2006-07 had been drafted there were still some outstanding issues. Confirmation of the Commission's budget was still being awaited and the revised web site was still waiting to be published by Merlin.

7.2 It was agreed that the updated Operational Plan would be circulated to Commissioners again before being finalised.

8. COMMUNITY REVIEWS

8.1 The Commission noted the current situation:

A further meeting had been held with Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council and it was expected that they would ask the Assembly to issue directions to the Commission in early 2006;
Denbighshire County Council had decided that there was no requirement for community reviews in their area at present;
Conwy County Borough Council expected to ask the Assembly to issue directions to the Commission in early 2006;
No further response had been received from Gwynedd County Council;
Ynys Môn County Council were still giving consideration to their requirements;
Wrexham County Borough Council expected to ask the Assembly to issue directions to the Commission in early 2006;
Caerphilly County Borough Council had requested a meeting with the Commission;
Pembrokeshire County Council were still giving consideration to their requirements;
Powys County Council were currently undertaking a full review; and
There had still been no responses from either Bridgend or The Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Councils.

9. WEB SITE STATISTICS

9.1 The Commission noted the report.

10. STAFF HOLIDAYS - CHRISTMAS 2005 & DURING 2006

10.1 The Commission noted and agreed the suggested arrangements.

11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

11.1 There was no other business.

12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

12.1 The date of the next meeting was set for Tuesday 7th February 2006.

8/06/2005