LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOUNDARY COMMISSION FOR WALES
8 NOVEMBER 2006 AT CARADOG HOUSE, CARDIFF
Present:
Commission
Mrs Susan Smith (Chairman), Mr John Davies (Deputy Chair), Mr Dennis Roberts (Member)
Secretariat
Mr Edward Lewis (Secretary), Mr Steve Halsall, Mr Dave Carr, Mrs Liza Brough
1. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
1.1 There were no new interests declared.
2. MINUTES OF COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON 11 OCTOBER 2006
2.1 These were agreed subject to some minor amendments.
3. MATTERS ARISING
3.1 Merlin Issues
3.1.1 The Sponsor Division who had raised the matter with senior personnel in the National Assembly was now chasing up outstanding issues. The Secretary and Deputy Secretary had attended a meeting regarding future changes to Merlin and the service level agreement.
3.2 Commissioner Appointment
3.2.1 A decision regarding the appointment of a Commission member was currently with the Minister.
3.3 Community Review Directions
3.3.1 The Anglesey Review had now commenced whilst the Rhondda Cynon Taff Review would start as soon as the necessary maps had been produced.
3.4 Budget Forecast 2007-08 and beyond
3.4.1 Budget forecasts were currently being drafted and the Secretary was to meet the Sponsor Division in the coming week to discuss this issue.
3.5 Committee on Standards in Public Life
3.5.1 The letter from the Chair had been finalised, submitted and accepted by The Committee on Standards in Public Life. A copy would be circulated to the Commissioners.
4. REVIEW OF COMMUNITY BOUNDARIES IN THE COUNTY BOROUGH OF WREXHAM
4.1 The Commission considered the map submitted by Isycoed Community Council showing their proposed change to the boundary between the Communities of Isycoed and Holt. It was agreed that the proposal had merit and should be included in the draft proposal report.
4.2 The Commission had further discussions on the significance of the Unitary Development Plan for Community Boundaries and made some changes to the text in the Draft Proposal report.
4.3 In respect of the Fairways Estate the Commission considered that the option for transferring the Estate into Acton should be amended to include Old Gardens with the boundary being the Bryn Estyn Lane. It was agreed that the Deputy Secretary would produce alternative maps for the Fairways Estate.
4.4 The Commission considered the proposed change to the boundary between Brymbo and Broughton and noted the findings of the site visit conducted by Mr Roberts and the Secretariat. It was agreed that this change would be included in the Draft Proposal report.
4.5 It was also decided that the original view of the Commission concerning changes to the boundary between Gwersyllt and Llay should be amended after consulting more detailed maps of the area. The maps showed that areas, which had originally been intended for transfer into Llay, had strong links with Gwersyllt. It was agreed that the status quo would be retained for this part of the boundary between Gwersyllt and Llay.
4.6 It was agreed that an amended draft of the Draft Proposal report would be submitted to the next meeting.
5. ANNUAL OPEN MEETING 2007
5.1 The Commission noted the results of the feedback exercise and the level of attendance of previous years. It was considered that the venue for the 2007 AOM should be in the South East of Wales as the Commission hoped to invite the new Local Government Minister to give a presentation. The Secretariat would commence making the necessary arrangements nearer the time.
6. MANAGEMENT STATEMENT AND FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM (MSFM)
6.1 The Secretary reported that there was no conclusion as yet on the MSFM due to an outstanding issue of restrictions placed by the Sponsor Division on transfer of funds within the budget. The Sponsor Division had also suggested some minor amendments regarding IT access, which had to be cleared by the Assembly Compliance Office. It was hoped that the MSFM would be completed by the end of the calendar year.
7. FINANCE REPORT - SECOND QUARTER 2006-07
7.1 The Commission noted the Finance report and the estimated underspend for the year. It was considered that the Secretariat should identify any requirements from the previous financial year, which were not taken up due to lack of funds and conduct an exercise to establish whether they would still be of benefit to the Commission. It was agreed that the budget situation would be reviewed at the end of December 2006 when it would be confirmed whether funds would need to be surrendered back to the National Assembly. It was also agreed that the work to re-polish the boardroom tables should now proceed.
8. MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT (BCW)
8.1 The Secretary reported that the Sponsor Division had suggested some late minor amendments to this document. It was agreed that these amendments would be incorporated and the Memorandum of agreement would be sent to the Commission's Legal Advisor for comment.
9. CONTRACT TENDERING EXERCISE
9.1 It was agreed that the Commission would use Buy4wales website to tender for up coming contracts that are due for renewal.
10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
10.1 There was no other business.
11. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
11.1 The date of the next meeting was confirmed as 11th December 2006.
11/6/2007